Mrs Pomeroy joined Shiplake College at the beginning of this term as a Geography teacher and has already thrown herself into Shiplake life helping with CCF, Duke of Edinburgh and rugby coaching. We caught up with her to find out how she's settled in.
What does your typical day involve?
I usually get here at about 7.15am and then I triple check I have everything ready for the day. I go through my emails and get my classroom ready and then head to the staff room for a coffee, which is a great chance to catch up with colleagues. I could then either go to chapel or be on duty in Skipwith House. The teaching day then starts which is always very busy with lots of running around! After lessons I will either do CCF, Duke of Edinburgh or rugby. I did Duke of Edinburgh as a child so I’m especially passionate about this and it’s great to get to know the pupils in a different context.
Have you always been a teacher?
No, I previously worked in marketing for Nissan. I changed careers and decided to become a teacher because I love geography – I think it’s very important for kids to learn about other people, places and cultures. I also wanted to do something that was actually helping people. Education really is a gateway to everything. So many opportunities start from having a good education.
How is your life different now?
It is more intense! But I like that it’s a vocation and I appreciate that every day is different. I’m not sat in one place and I really enjoy meeting lots of different types of people. It’s different in the sense that the days are longer but they are so varied that I never get bored. It’s also such a lovely working environment compared to the corporate world.
What fascinates you most about geography and why?
People. I did a Human Geography degree so I was interested in people’s influence on society, environments and culture. That is my main interest. But when I was at school I loved earthquakes and volcanoes – the exciting stuff. For me geography is so far reaching, everything that happens in the world is linked back to geography. It’s not just colouring in maps and flags!
What are your impressions of Shiplake so far?
Everybody is really nice, friendly, helpful and chatty. It’s very reassuring and has helped me settle in quickly. It’s a very holistic place. Pupils have every opportunity to discover what they love. It’s such a privilege. In other schools they wouldn’t be able to do sailing on a Tuesday and then be on the cricket pitch on Wednesday. The balance between co-curricular and academic is really strong. It’s also very beautiful and I’m enjoying being in such a green environment.
What do you do in your spare time?
I like going on walks. I’m also a baker - I love a bake off! I can knit and I’m currently making something for my pregnant friend’s impending arrival!
Tell us about some of your adventures, and is there anything left on your bucket list?
I went to Thailand last year with Global Vision International, on a volunteering project in marine conservation. I worked on a turtle head-start programme where we released baby turtles at nine months old. They were very cute and it was also a stunning location. We also did plastic pick-ups on beaches. It was so distressing to see the level of plastic pollution in Thailand, you walk into the sea and almost immediately find a plastic bag wrapped around your ankles.
But I would love to go to Japan as the culture is so amazing. Ever since learning about Japanese volcanoes in Year 10 at school, I’ve been fascinated by the place and can’t wait to visit. I’m also desperate to visit New Zealand, I adored Lord of the Rings as a child and would love to visit the country.
