Sheffield High PE teacher attends Queen’s garden party

A PE teacher from Sheffield High School was invited to attend the Queen’s Garden Party for her outstanding services to South Yorkshire and School netball earlier this month. 

Helen Thorneloe (formerly Helen Leaver) has taught PE at the school for over 23 years.She joined the school as a teacher in 1993 after leaving the school as a pupil in 1976. Speaking about the Queen’s Garden Party, Helen commented:

“It was such an honour to be invited. We were in the front row when the Queen came to meet everyone and she was delightful.”

Helen was nominated by the Headmistress of Sheffield High School, Valerie Dunsford. She said:

“Helen Thorneloe has been involved in regional and national netball for over 40 years as a player and a coach, becoming one of the most highly regarded netball coaches in the country. She has taught and coached thousands of girls during her career, some of whom have gone on to play in the Netball Superleague and for England. The girls at Sheffield High School are very fortunate to have benefitted from her expertise.’

Helen will retire from the school this Summer and to mark her career, the school is hosting an alumni netball tournament on Saturday 2nd July, as part of its Summer Festival which will see old girls from the past twenty years return to honour Helen’s retirement.

Find out more about the school’s Summer Festival and netball tournament.