Meet the Staff
Eden Primary Staff: 2023-24
Senior Leadership Team
Head Teacher (Acting)/ DSL: Helen Graff
Helen is an exceptionally experienced teacher and school leader who joined Eden in February 2016. She has extensive teaching experience across the complete primary age range and has held leading roles in all aspects of teaching, learning, assessment and staff development. Helen previously worked at primary schools in Redbridge, Waltham Forest and Camden and has been a Deputy Headteacher since 1998. Helen holds the NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship), a PGCE and has a degree in English Literature from York University. At Eden, in addition to senior leadership duties, she holds particular responsibility for several areas of the curriculum including music, humanities, art and science, and leads on assessment. This year she is enjoying class teaching in Anafim, Year 3, alongside trainee teacher Rachel Blank. Helen is a Deputy Safeguarding Lead.
Inclusion Leader/ DDSL: Kate Caplan
Kate joined Eden in March 2023 as the Inclusion Lead/SENDCo and as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. With a decade of teaching experience in both KS1 and KS2, she has served as a key stage lead, as well as leading the subjects of English, Maths, and Science. She holds a degree in Classical Civilisation from Leeds University, and a PGCE at LSJS. Kate is dedicated to creating a stimulating learning environment that fosters growth and empowers all students to reach their full potential. Kate is a Deputy Safeguarding Lead.
School Business Manager/ DDSL: Deniz Ozturk
Deniz joined the school in December 2017 as the School Business Manager and as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. She has experience working in Secondary Schools including Fortismere School, where she had the role of Exams and Data Manager. She has also worked at Southgate School and Highgate Wood School. Deniz holds a BA Hons in Business Administration and a Level 4 Diploma in School Business Management. At Eden Deniz has particular responsibility for the organisation of the school to ensure best standards for teaching and learning, including budget management, facility management and administration. Deniz is a Deputy Safeguarding Lead.
Support Team
School Administrator: Yeliz Ozturk
Finance & Admin Officer: Tsvetelina (Lina) Miteva
Lina is our Finance and Admin Officer, and has been at Eden since 2017, providing support in school administration and finance and working across the full range of administrative needs in the school. She was previously an administrative volunteer at George Spicer Primary School. Lina has worked as a Systems and Operation Analyst at NYSE and as an Administrator at Lombard Risk Management and Gas Strategies Group. Lina holds a Masters degree in IT and BSc in Economics and Computer Science.
Teaching Staff
Reception – Garinim (Seeds) Teacher/ Assistant Head Teacher (Acting): Yifat Johnson
Yifat graduated from the School Direct programme as a qualified primary school teacher in the UK in July 2015. She is the full time Reception teacher. Yifat started her work at Eden from the very first year at 2011 as a Teaching Assistant and Hebrew teacher in the Reception class. She also has a Bachelor of Education from Seminar Hakibbutzim in Tel Aviv. Yifat also leads on Jewish Studies across the school and is the KS1 and EYFS Phase Leader.
Year 1 – Shorashim (Roots) Teacher: Dexter Bush
Dexter is an early Career Teacher, having completed his teacher training at Rhodes Avenue Primary School in 2021. He previously worked as a teaching assistant at Rhodes Avenue from 2014 to 2020 across both Key Stages, as well as facilitating group therapy sessions in conjunction with the school’s counsellor. He has received training from the Autism Education Hub, and has extensively worked 1:1 with children with Autism and other special educational needs. Previously he worked as a freelance illustrator and an environmental research assistant at the Guardian. Dexter was drawn to Eden’s open minded, creative and child-led approach to learning.
Year 2 – Shtillim (Shoots) Teacher: Michelle Webb
Michelle joined Eden in September 2021. Michelle has a BSc (Hons) degree in Early Childhood Studies and a PGCE in Primary Education. She has experience of working with children and young people with Special Educational Needs, previously managing a Children’s Service within Norwood. Michelle has many years of experience teaching across the primary ages and particularly in Early Years and KS1. She enjoys engaging the children using creativity and active learning. She was a finalist for a PAJES Innovative Teacher Award in 2016. Michelle also gives of her time to a community charity as a trustee.
Year 3 – Anafim (Branches) Teachers/ Art subject leader : Trisha McGahan
Year 4 – Nitzanim (Buds) Teacher/ Senior Teacher: Martin Lubich
Martin is an extremely experienced and successful class teacher who has worked extensively in the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 and has also taught children up to Year 6. He has significant experience in School Leadership and Management and has been a Deputy Head and a Headteacher.Martin has a degree in Applied Maths and Theoretical Physics, a PGCE with specialisation in Maths, and qualifications in School Leadership. He has a strong background in Judaism and Hebrew and this is his seventh year at Eden.
Year 5 – Prachim (Flowers) Teachers: Malcom Creighton
Year 6 – Oranim (Pines) Teacher/Assistant Head Teacher (Acting): Laura Proffitt
Our Year 6 class choose their own tree name each year.
Laura is in her 6th year of teaching and has worked in Years 4, 5 and 6 at Eden. She has a degree in Ancient History, a Masters in Classics, a PhD in Ancient History and Post Graduate Certificate of Education in Primary Education and English. Previously she has worked as a lecturer and researcher and as a specialist in antiquities working in Auctioneering. She is responsible for the Humanities at Eden.
Hebrew Teacher: Eli Abu
Eli Abu teaches Hebrew to all ages across the school. He joined Eden with a wealth of teaching experience last year having worked at Rosh Pinah Primary school for 15 years and before that at JFS.
Student Teacher: Justyna Krzychowiec
Justyna has worked at Eden as a Teaching Assistant, SMSA and supporting children with SEN across the school since 2014. Justyna is currently working full-time as a Higher Teaching Assistant in Garinim -Reception. She also works in the playground at lunchtime. Justyna has a BA in teaching English as a Foreign Language, a MA degree in Translation and a MSc in Management and Marketing.
Teaching Assistant and SMSA: Zsuzsanna Decsak
Zsuzsanna joined Eden Primary in September 2016 working in Café Eden supporting a child with particular medical needs. She had previously been working in education in Budapest and London for several years. She has a Masters degree in Russian Language and Literature from University of Pécs, Hungary and CACHE Level 3 in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools. Zsuzsanna currently works as a Teaching Assistant in Year 1, in Year 2 and in Reception.
SEN Teaching Assistant: Grace Park
Grace joined Eden in 2017 and she supports children with SEN in Years 3 and 4. She has worked as an Early Years professional in both Seoul in South Korea and London for 15 years, and she holds a BA degree in Early Childhood Education. Eden is her third experience of working in Jewish schools and she values the ethos of Jewish school education highly.
Teaching Assistant, Breakfast Club and After School Provision (ASP): Lucie Chromkova
This is Lucie’s fifth year as a teaching assistant at Eden, having previously worked as a volunteer reading and working with children in key stage 1. She currently works in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6. She is studying Psychology for Education at Birkbeck University, as well as doing Level 3 Forest Leader course and has completed introductory training in Adverse Childhood Experiences. Lucie worked as a summer camp leader in the Czech Republic for four years and came to the UK to study and work as an au pair and with children.
Teaching Assistant and After School Provision (ASP): Azania Hammond-Dallas (maternity leave from Feb 2023)
Azania joined Eden in March 2018, she works 1-1 as a TA. Eden is her first school setting though she has 10 years experience working with children and young people with a range of ages and learning abilities by using performing arts and media to engage and express self and ideas. Azania has always had a passion for working with young people and helping them to reach their highest ability. She is currently working in Year 3 and Year 4 as well as in After School provision.
Premises and Security
Premises Manger : Charlie Gungl
Charlie has worked as our senior security guard at Eden since 2011, before the school fully opened. He comes from Hungary where he qualified as a book-keeper and security guard in 1995. His wide ranging knowledge and experience is crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of the entire Eden community, the building, the children, staff, parents and other visitors.
Catering at Eden: Caterplus
Our lunches are provided by Caterplus, a national company who work with a number of Jewish schools. The team at Eden is lead by Head Chef Ewa. They aim to ensure that all children have a healthy, satisfying and enjoyable lunch, served family style. Freshly cooked meals are provided every day, cooked on site and catering to all dietary requirements. There are meat and vegetarian menus as well as additional bread, salad and fruit.