At the start of the Summer Term, the Staff Common Room welcomed new members of staff to the College. We look forward to seeing them in action in their respective areas and subjects!
Additionally, following on from the end of the Spring Term, we would like to take this opportunity to say farewell and thank you to the members of staff who have left the College ahead of the Summer Term.
Mrs Josie Stewart
Welcome to Mrs Josie Stewart who joins us as our new part-time House Pastoral Leader (formerly Matron) in Everett. Mrs Stewart was a Class 2 teacher at Valley Road Primary and has built up an enormous wealth of experience having been in similar roles for most of her career.
Miss Sonia Leslie
Joining Mrs Stewart in Everett is Miss Sonia Leslie. She had been working as a Pastoral Assistant/Day Matron at Wycombe Abbey for the last 8 years and has previously worked as an Executive Assistant and a Personal Assistant. Miss Leslie is a big fan of exercise and has a personal interest in nutrition and health.
Mrs Vicky Thomas
In Burr, we welcome Mrs Vicky Thomas as House Pastoral Leader. Mrs Thomas has most recently been working as a Children’s Advocate supporting children who are under protection plans or live in foster care which has given her a huge insight into safeguarding and pastoral issues.
Mrs Marcella Hanlon
Welcome to Mrs Marcella Hanlon who joins us as Head of Outdoor Education, CCF SSI and Duke of Edinburgh Manager. Mrs Hanlon joins us from St Paul’s Catholic School where she was the Outdoor Education Co-ordinator.
Dr Ikuko Inoguchi
Welcome to Dr Ikuko Inoguchi who joins the College as our newest Visiting Music Teacher specialising in piano lessons. Dr Inoguchi is an internationally acclaimed concert pianist, chamber musician, and performer-scholar. She is particularly interested in exploring repertoire which displays cross-cultural influences and the music of Japanese composers.
Mrs Linsey Armstrong-Smith
Welcome to Mrs Armstrong-Smith who joins us as our new Exams Officer. Mrs Armstrong-Smith has led exams at Wycombe Abbey, the British School Abu Dhabi, King’s College Wimbledon and Shebbear College and we're very glad to have her on board here at the College.
Mr David Harrison
Welcome to Mr David Harrison who joins the Estates and Grounds team as Groundsperson. Mr Harrison joins us having been a Night Shift Driver for WestCall NHS service and, prior to that, worked as a Groundsperson at RAF Benson.
Staff Farewells
After 11 years working at the College, we say farewell to Mr Steve MacPherson who moves on to start his own business. Steve has been an invaluable member of the Shiplake community creating and delivering amazing opportunities and experiences for pupils involved in CCF, outdoor education and the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. The Year 9 Island Adventure has been a wonderful Shiplake tradition, and countless numbers of pupils will have lifelong memories of their night on the island. Steve’s legacy also includes the unique trips within the DoE programme, including kayaking around the Swedish archipelago, and last year’s cross-country ski trip in Norway. Thank you Steve and good luck with your new business ventures.
Thank you to Ms Nikki Rickard who has been at Shiplake for a year and a half and has done a great job looking after the logistics and delivery of our mock and formal exams. The Exams Officer role is a hugely demanding job with continual deadlines and a mountain of administration and paperwork that goes on behind the scenes. Nikki has ensured that these processes have been smooth-running and successfully delivered. Nikki has decided to move nearer her daughters and grandchildren in the Cambridge area and we wish her all the very best.
Thank you and farewell to Ms Becky Hutchings who left the College at the end of the Spring Term. Becky has done a brilliant job at supporting the wider College community not just in her current role as Laundry Supervisor but in her role in keeping a large number of areas of the College sparkling clean. Becky’s willingness to step in to help out has been much appreciated and we all wish her every success in the future.