Tuning into Teaching: One Teacher’s Journey from São Paulo to Southampton with her love in Physics and Music 

If you’ve ever wondered how far a love of learning can take you, just ask Miss Ribas. To our pupils, she’s simply Miss Ribas, but her full name is Caroline Ribas de Oliveira.  

Since 2021, she’s been sharing her enthusiasm in junior science and physics - and for life itself - with the whole school. Her story is one of warmth, resilience, and a genuine love for teaching, all the way from Brazil to our School community.  

A Calling That Started Early  

“I don’t even remember if I got into teaching or if teaching chose me, because I think I couldn’t escape,” she says with a smile. “Even when I was still at school myself, I was helping my friends with physics and maths. I think I always knew I wanted to teach.”  

Growing up in São Paulo, Carol started out in Brazilian schools, where lessons were more academic and less focused on extra activities. Later, she moved to a British school in São Paulo, which blended both worlds  group bases, assemblies, and celebrations like festa junina, a joyful June festival filled with music and food. “I loved that connection between the two cultures,” she says.  

It was there, surrounded by colleagues from all over the world, that Carol began to dream of teaching abroad. She wanted her two daughters to experience new places and meet people from different backgrounds.  

More Than Just Physics  

Since joining KES, Carol has found a place where she can bring all her passions together - not just for science, but for music as well. “There’s so much more to school life than lessons,” she says. “From the start, I was welcomed into the music side of KES life. Even before I officially started, another teacher invited me to join the ‘physics musical’ because I play the drums. I didn’t know what a physics musical was, but I knew I wanted to be part of it!” She treasures the smaller class sizes also, which let her really get to know every pupil. “Getting to know the pupils well allows me to weave their interests into lessons — such as football or Formula One —into lessons. That only happens when you truly know your pupils.”  

Bringing Science to Life  

Carol’s love for science doesn’t stop at her own classroom door. She hosts the KES Science Roadshow, working with local school children and invites KES A Level students to help with hands-on demonstrations. “It’s one of my favourite ways to keep science alive and active — not just for our pupils, but for young people all around us. Seeing their excitement reminds me why I love teaching so much.”  

Keeping Curiosity Alive  

Carol’s favourite part of teaching is sparking curiosity in her students. “They’re so interested in everything. It’s at that age when they raise their hands and say, ‘Miss, is that why…?’ and you see them making connections. It’s so rewarding when they say, ‘Ah, I get this now!’”   

She loves seeing our learning philosophy in action - encouraging curiosity, independence, and a sense of adventure. “Trips like our visit to CERN in Geneva are unforgettable. It’s not just about experiments in school; it’s about real collaboration, and our pupils can see themselves being part of that world.”  

A Memory That Matters: Sharing Her Cancer Journey   

One of Carol’s proudest moments came two years ago when she gave an assembly marking ten years since her cancer diagnosis. She recalls:  

“One of my favourite memories, and something I’m proud of, was delivering a whole-school assembly for my ten-year cancer anniversary. An email asked if anyone wanted to give an assembly, and as I’d never done one before, I thought, ‘I want to do this.’”  

“I didn’t write a full script, just a few bullet points, with photos behind me. I wanted it to feel natural, telling the story of how I found out, my treatment, and how I’m doing now. It was difficult but important. After it ended, I came down from the stage and started crying. I wasn’t sure how the pupils would react, but I kept it light by sharing funny moments, so they’d know I’m okay talking about it.”  

“For a month afterwards, pupils stopped me in corridors saying, ‘That was a really good assembly, Miss!’ That meant a lot. Staff and pupils shared their own stories with me. It wasn’t about physics - it was about life” Carol shared with us that “If it happens to you or someone you know, there can be a happy ending. That’s why sharing my story mattered so much.” 

Carol says the support from the school community was “amazing” - a spirit of care and connection she brings to her pupils every day.   

A Teacher Who Truly Cares  

Despite her love for music and performing, teaching is at the heart of who she is. “Even if I could just teach one lesson a week, I would never give it up. Teaching is my passion.” Her journey from São Paulo to Southampton, her love of science, her resilience, and her commitment to every child’s growth are a daily inspiration to our whole community.   

We feel so lucky to have her as part of the KES school family - helping our children flourish, discover their passions, and become the very best versions of themselves. 

“It’s one of my favourite ways to keep science alive and active - not just for our pupils, but for young people all around us. Seeing their excitement reminds me why I love teaching so much”