Staff Leavers Summer 2022

We said a fond farewell to some much loved teachers and support staff at the end of the summer term. They will all now become Old Vikings just like our pupil leavers. We thank them for all they contributed to Shiplake life and wish them well on their next adventures. The paragraphs provided are what was said by the Heads and Deputy Heads of College in the Final Assembly of the year.

Mr Ed Bowden

Mr Bowden has made a huge impact on Shiplake during his relatively short time here. Joining in September 2020 as the Thinking Space Manager, he then became Head of Athletic Development and has taught PE, Psychology, been part of our growing Strength and Conditioning programme as well as coached rugby and cricket.

The boys have really enjoyed his company and valued his support as Deputy Housemaster in Everett. His iron man exploits are legendary. We wish him well in his move to King's College School Wimbledon as Director of Rugby.

Mr Will Carey

We say goodbye to Graduate Assistant, Mr Will Carey. He has been invaluable in the Lower School and, needless to say, on the river. As an Old Viking himself, it has been great to be able to welcome him back and we thank him for all his efforts and excellent company this year.

Mrs Jo Farquhar

Mrs Farquhar, our examinations officer who joined in September 2019 also leaves us. Two years ago she had a baptism of fire with CAGs, followed the next year by TAGs and now she has just completed her first full exam season. There can be nothing more stressful than seeing pupils through this minefield and we thank her for her calmness.

Mr Harry Geyton

By all accounts, and it has been verified by detailed research carried out by Mr Ralph, Mr Geyton is a legend! Everett and, more recently, College pupils have been incredibly lucky to have such a talented and dedicated man to look after them. His talents are boundless; mathematician, footballer, rugby player, cricketer. He has played and coached all these sports at the highest level. We wish him well as he starts the next stage of his career at Stowe. 

Mr Alan Gubby

Mr Gubby joined Shiplake in September 2019 as a part-time teacher. He has decided to explore other opportunities outside the College. We thank Mr Gubby for his contributions to the Media and Computing departments and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

Mrs Trish Magee

Mrs Magee, the Gilson Matron will be hugely missed by all the girls here. We have been so lucky to have her. She has supported us in every aspect of our lives at Shiplake. She was always on the touch line at netball matches. Sometimes we thought she was going to come onto the pitch! She has our back academically and she has always been a shoulder to cry on. In every way, she has been an integral part of Gilson House and we wish her well for the future.

Mr Paul McCraw

Mr McCraw has been Head of History at Shiplake and a superb Head of Cricket and 1st XI coach. Since his arrival at Shiplake, cricket has improved immeasurably. Pre-season tours, T20 competitions and the appointment of a professional have all been on his watch. As Head of History he has re-written the Key Stage 3 curriculum entirely. Mr McCraw leaves us for the sunny climes of Thailand.

Mrs Gemma Morgan

We thank Mrs Morgan for her key role in the marketing team. Many of the stunning photographs, tweets, Facebook posts and marketing material is down to her experience and skill. She is, by all accounts, a superb photographer. We are sorry to say goodbye to her but are delighted that she will maintain her links with Shiplake as a parent.

Mr Oli Parker

Mr Parker never says no! He has taught history and geography and has, over the last year has qualified as a fully-fledged teacher. He has been an important part of the Christian life of the school and we congratulate him on being made an honorary chapel warden! He has coached rugby, football and cricket, been part of CCF and DofE and has also helped a huge amount with boarding activities. I know that the boys in Welsh have loved having him as a tutor. There cannot be much that Mr Parker has not done in his short time with us. We wish him well in his new role at Ludgrove.

Miss Jess Pye

As well as teaching Psychology, Miss Pye has thrown herself into many areas of school life. She has coached netball and a range of other girls' sports. Psychology students and sportswomen alike love her enthusiasm, dedication and determination to pass on her wisdom. She has been a great tutor on Skipwith. We wish her well when she starts her new job at St George’s Weybridge.

Mr Keith Settle

Mr Settle has been here forever! Well, 14 years to be precise! During this time he has had a wide range of roles. As well as teaching Maths, and apparently making it quite interesting, he has been a tutor in Welsh and Housemaster of Skipwith. He has also played a part in boarding recruitment and overseeing school policies and inspection preparation. Many of us will , of course, know him from the river, as a skilled, experienced and passionate rowing coach. And what a fantastic leaving present for him that his crew, the Boys Quad qualifies for Henley. We wish him well as he leaves teaching and enters the unknown. Thank you for your years of service and loyalty to Shiplake and all the good you leave behind you.

Mrs Amanda Snow

When things go wrong, when things fall apart, get blocked, blow up, blow down or just stop working, it is our amazing estates, maintenance and grounds staff that swing into action. They have been expertly mastermind by Mrs Snow, our Estates Manager. Much of her work goes on behind the scene but we are extremely grateful for all your hard work. From as small as a light bulb to as massive as the Davies Centre, Sixth Form Cafe and now the new Lower School, Mrs Snow is key to all these projects. We are sorry to see you go and wish you well in your new school - we just won’t mention where that is!