TGS 120 Chapter Melissa Hiles Class of 2006

I was known as Millie Hiles at school- now Millie (Melissa) maxwell-Payne. Facebook is Millie m-p

I started (the then) TGSG in September 1999

I went from a being at a small village primary school to being at what felt like a monster of a school. But looking back, it was the best decision my family and I made for me. 

Aside from all the amazing friendships I made that continue to this day, I remember the teachers, especially those who left a lasting impression and made a big impact. I went from being good at Maths, terrible at English and speaking no other languages, to flipping the coin and eventually studying Spanish and English language/literature for A level. 

I then moved to Spain at the age of 18 (one of the few who didn’t want to go to university!) and started my career immersed in the Spanish culture and language.  

I don’t have a great memory for the Spanish teachers that I had, other than Mr Carbonel. He lead a trip for us 1st year Spanish students (year 8 or 9) to Madrid for a couple of nights. On the last day he told us to be back at 12.30pm. He did however tell us this only in Spanish, and being pretty new to the language we thought he said 2.30pm so 4 of us returned to said meeting point at that time. He eventually found us and had to pay for a taxi to rush us to the airport as we nearly missed the flight! 

With regards to English I loved Mrs Saunders - she was a great teacher, with a very funny side. You definitely knew it wasn’t worth getting on the wrong side of her though. 

Dr Clarke was a history teacher of mine at one point - I’ll always remember his quirky way of teaching, often him skipping up the classroom whilst telling us about historical events. He again was not one to get on the wrong side of. If you did you were bound to be sprayed with his saliva as he yelled 😂

I played lots of sport and was in the netball and tennis teams amongst others. Miss Gibbs, Miss Hill, Mrs Stevens, Mrs Smith and Miss Pantling were all wonderful teachers. Sadly I missed out on the Barbados netball tour I was booked to go on in around 2003. I had a bad accident falling off my horse a month before that had put me in a coma. I wasn’t really physically or mentally up to the tour despite recovering well. 

I learned to play the piano to grade 3 at primary school, but then moved to the drums and percussion  at TGS. I played in the senior orchestra (Mr Pitts!) on percussion. I never felt able to admit that I actually could never read music and played all by ear/memory. My lasting memory is playing with the orchestra at Hever Caste outdoor theatre in gale force winds and rain! I’ll never be able to hear Pomp and Circumstance without thinking fondly of that night. 

Mrs Carey was our head teacher for 6 out of 7 years. She was an absolute legend. She seemed to know everyone’s names somehow. Our first ever assembly as year 7 students, I distinctly remember her telling us how, as students at TGSG, we were bound to all go on to be successful lawyers, doctors etc. I think this really ignited to rebellion in me, no one was going to tell me what career I would have to be deemed a success. 

That said, the school did set us up well and I had huge amounts of respect for her, and even exchanged a few emails with her many years after finishing school.

Her photo on the school magazine front cover circa 2005 was classic. She was poised with elbows on the bonnet of her car with her number plate - TGS4G in full view. 

Another memorable moment at TGS was a time when anti war marches were taking place in tunbridge wells. Lots of students were adamant they wanted to be there but school couldn’t allow it. We didn’t take no for an answer however and decided to try and break out. The main gates were baracaded with teachers so we headed for the school field and made a break for freedom. This was quickly stopped by Mr Fit chasing us down the main road. Everyone, but I, found a tree/bush to hide behind. He caught me, and then everyone else and marched us back to school and almost straight to detention! 

Muck up day at the end of y13 was a fun one. We managed to move/set up the staff room to the court yard outside the DT block. We also parked a mini in the double doors to the English corridor. Shaving foam on the mirrors, fairy liquid in the loos etc! All the classics 

Since leaving school I worked and lived in Spain as mentioned above, and further down the line I went on to work for a top advertising agency in London before starting my family. 

I am now a mother three beautiful girls, and a director to a business I own with my husband. I had always imagined my girls would follow the same route as me, one day going to TGS. As we get further towards year 6 with our eldest though, I don’t think this is going to be a path we go down. I’m not sure it’s the right school for children who (despite academic ability) are of an anxious nature. I want her to have a good time at school, and with the expectations and pressures at TGS, I’m not sure I’d put that on her charachter. I was a different kettle of fish and the pressure didn’t get to me, I got through and had fun. Lots of it. 

My proudest moments since leaving school have been becoming a mother. It was always my biggest ambition in life, and all that I ever really wanted to do.

Sorry quite waffley but if any of helps with your project, I’m glad. 

Best wishes

Melissa