Welsh Building is where all Year 10 day pupils are based from September 2025. Pupils in Years 9 to 11 will have the same Housemaster, based in the same location, whilst they move through those year groups. This means Mr Jones, will look after September’s Year 10 day pupils for two years in the Welsh Building.
Welsh is located at the top of the main drive adjacent to the College entrance, providing a home for around 50 day pupils.
Set away from the main teaching areas, the House has a peaceful setting. Welsh pupils are a tight-knit, happy and prosperous community, who enjoy spending time together as well as integrating with the rest of the College.
Welsh has two spacious common rooms where pupils like to spend their break times during the day. The large kitchen always provides a regular supply of toast, which is ranked alongside gas and electricity in terms of importance to keep Welsh going! There is a games room with a pool table and table football. A tennis court adjoins the garden, where gatherings and barbecues are held.
Staff ensure Welsh provides a welcoming environment for its pupils, where they feel comfortable, happy and able to make the most of all the opportunities offered to them at Shiplake. Tutors closely monitor the personal development and academic progress of all boys, helping to ensure their experience at College is wholly positive.
Housemaster: Mr Bob Jones
Mr Jones joined Shiplake as Welsh Housemaster and teacher of mathematics in January 2023. He lives in Cedar Cottage, next to the boarding house, with his wife Lauren, their two children Savannah and Ethan and their labrador, Indiana.
Mr Jones enjoys all outdoor activities including kayaking, canoeing, SUP, indoor climbing, mountain biking, swimming and Duke of Edinburgh.
Deputy Housemistress: Miss Sioned Russell
Miss Russell has been teaching history at Shiplake since September 2022 and took on the role of Welsh Deputy Housemistress in 2025.
Before joining us she worked as a history teacher in a state school and before that, worked with young people with an autism spectrum diagnosis within a specialist residential setting.
Outside the classroom, Miss Russell is involved with the school's outdoor education programme which includes teaching bushcraft skills such as fire making and shelter building, running kayaking sessions, and supervising groups on their Duke of Edinburgh expeditions.
Pastoral Leader: Mrs Lynne Fairburn
Mrs Fairbairn has been Welsh Pastoral Leader since 2012, and enjoys caring for all pupils.
Mrs Fairbairn offers encouragement and a confidential ear to any problems. She also acts as ‘action woman’ when something needs attention and liaises with tutors, the medical team and parents; she organises social events in house twice a week. Best of all she provides a happy, friendly home for all in Welsh!
Welsh Tutors
Ms Sarah KrauseArt and Photography
Mr Charlie PettiferMathematics
Mr Sam ShawPsychology
Miss Jemima BrettGeography
Mr Mark HindleyEnglish
Mrs Marcy HanlonOutdoor Education
Welsh Contacts
| Name | Number | Address |
| Housemaster Mr Bob Jones | 0118 940 5209 | [email protected] |
| Assistant Housemistress Miss Sioned Russell | [email protected] | |
| Pastoral Leader (Matron) Mrs Lynne Fairbairn | 0118 970 4774 | [email protected] |
| Duty Tutor | 0118 940 5209 7.00pm-11.00pm only | |
| House Address | Welsh Building, Shiplake College, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon, RG9 4BW | |
| Medical Centre | 0118 940 5233 | [email protected] |
| Reception | 0118 940 2455 | [email protected] |
| School Office | 0118 940 2455 | [email protected] |
| Bursar | 0118 940 5202 | [email protected] |
| Billing | 0118 940 5201 | [email protected] |
Please note that the College Management Information System is expected to hold current contact information for parents and guardians, including address, home and mobile telephone numbers and email.
If your information changes during the year, please inform the Housemaster and the College Office, as soon as possible.
Mobile telephone numbers for all pupils will be held by the Housemaster.