Co-Chaplain – Revd Tracey Bateson
Revd Tracey has worked within the Church since 1996, 16 years of which as an ordained Priest. During this time she has ministered within University Chaplaincy, the Royal Army Chaplaincy Department and a number of parishes in the Dioceses of Winchester and Canterbury. During Revd Tracey’s time in the Army she was deployed to Iraq.
Revd Tracey has recently taken some time to write a book, Forever Wrestling. She is now working on her next book.
Co-Chaplain – Revd Jack Bateson
Ordained in 2017, Revd Jack has joined Benenden following a curacy in Canterbury Diocese. Prior to training for ordination he worked in IT in the aviation industry, as well as with the British Army.
In his spare time he enjoys model railways and motorcycling.
Anglican Lay Assistant – Katie Couldrey
Mrs Couldrey joined the School in September 2018 from Repton in Derbyshire, where she was involved in the boarding life there as well as being the Second in Department for English.
A keen sports fan, she enjoys watching live events especially gymnastics, athletics and cricket.
As housemistress of Elms she lives in the boarding house with her husband Mr Alastair Couldrey, who is the head of Politics, and their whippet Cooky.
Mrs Couldrey also teaches English and is very fond of a night in the theatre.
Roman Catholic Lay Assistant – Margaret Barnett
Mrs Barnett first joined the Benenden Matron team in 2010 and has worked in most of the school boarding houses throughout this time, so is an experienced member of the Pastoral staff.
Having studied music at university, she developed a love of Sacred and Early music and is still a keen classical singer. She is fortunate to be able to sing regularly in her local church choir – a rare thing these days. Some of her other passions are oil painting, cooking and live music or theatre performances. She lives with her husband and daughter, Emily, who is a Benenden Senior.
Roman Catholic Lay Assistant – Michelle Gaines
Mrs Gaines joined the School in September 2018 from Repton in Derbyshire, where she was involved in the boarding life there as well as being the Second in Department for English.
A keen sports fan, she enjoys watching live events especially gymnastics, athletics and cricket. Mrs Gaines currently teaches Mathematics and lives with her husband and two children.
