We bade a fond farewell to some of our teachers and support staff at the end of the summer term, as they all now become Old Vikings just like our pupil leavers. We thank them for all they contributed to the College and wish them well with their next adventures.
Chris Alcock
After 27 years at the College, we say goodbye to Chris Alcock as he retires from teaching at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year. Chris is synonymous with Shiplake College and has been one of our longest standing members of staff. He may be leaving Shiplake as a Teacher of English, but since working here from 1997, Chris has taken on roles at the College including Lay Chaplain, Head of English, Everett Housemaster, and Rowing and Rugby Coach to numerous boats and teams. For Chris, highlights have included coaching the 3rd VIII to to an unexpected medal at Nat Schools 2017 and being Housemaster of Orchard. At the 2024 Boat Club Dinner, Chris's legacy at Shiplake was cemented when one of our boats - SHP 809 - was named Chris Alcock. The number of pupils who have benefitted from his expertise on the river, in the classroom, and on pitches is staggering and it goes without saying that we wish Chris and his family all the very best in his retirement.
Tom Armstrong
After 13 years at Shiplake, Tom Armstrong has decided that he and his family would like to step down from Everett House and explore other opportunities outside Shiplake. Tom has done a terrific job in his roles as Housemaster of Everett, Senior Housemaster and teacher of English. Tom is an extremely experienced Housemaster and Everett House has flourished under his leadership and the boys who have gone through the House have been extremely lucky to have had Tom steer them through their years at the College. Tom is a real asset to any school, and everyone at the College wishes him, his wife Emma, and their children all the very best in their next chapter.
Richard Curran
After eight years the College, Richard Curran will be heading off to Bangkok in the summer to start a new role as Founding Director of Sixth Form at King’s College. Richard joined us from a school in Tokyo and in his time with us, he has done a terrific job putting Shiplake College’s Music Department on the map. We will be indebted to Richard for his innovative approach to music, whilst maintaining many elements of the traditional, and for giving us amongst many other things, Shiplake Rocks. So many pupils, staff and local community members have benefitted greatly from Richard’s choir and band leadership, and we are sure that everyone will join us in recognising all that he has done for the College. We wish Richard all the best in his new role and his return to Southeast Asia.
Duncan Miller
After a second stint with us at Shiplake, Duncan Miller has decided to leave Shiplake to take up an English-teaching role at Cranford School. Duncan has been a long-standing member of staff at Shiplake and in his time here has proven himself to be an outstanding, knowledgeable, and highly professional teacher of English, who clearly loves his subject. While Mrs Hearn has been on maternity leave, it has been extremely reassuring to have Duncan able and willing to step up to hold the departmental reins, and it is a role that he has clearly enjoyed. Outside the classroom, we will miss Duncan as a tutor and his many contributions to our co-curricular programme. He is an excellent schoolmaster in so many ways and we wish him every success in his new role.
Ben Claridge
After close to four years with us, Ben Claridge is leaving us to move to Eton College. Ben has been an outstanding member of the Shiplake community as a physics teacher, Deputy Housemaster of Welsh, and as Head of Football where he has done a brilliant job raising the game’s profile in the College and increasing pupil involvement, participation and playing standards. Ben also gives up a lot of his time to take part in running of DoE expedition weekends and has played a key role in the Army corps of the CCF. Ben will be much missed by us all and we wish him every success at Eton when he joins them in September.
Revd Dr Nick Baker
Nick joined us in September, however while he really enjoys being part of the Shiplake community and being the College Chaplain, Nick now feels that he would like to explore other forms of ministry. Nick has been a reassuring presence to many of the pupils and staff offering a listening ear and a kind word when it has been most needed. He skilfully navigated last year’s Carol Service and has been excellent at facilitating a calm and reflective start to the school day with his Chapel services. We wish him all the best in his next ventures.
Jenny Overton
Jenny joined us from Cumbria at the start of the Spring Term as Interim Teacher of Geography, bringing a wealth of experience in teaching geography having previously worked at The Oratory and Abingdon School. Jenny seamlessly slotted into life at the College and instantly became a popular member of staff with our pupils. We thank her for her time at the College and wish her all the best going forward.
Emily Mackenzie
Emily joined us midway through the Autumn Term as Teacher of English (Maternity Cover) for the remainder of the academic year. Originally from Canada, Emily provided vital cover in the English Department having previously worked in Scotland as an English teacher. It was an absolute pleasure to have Emily at the College and we wish her well for the future.
Rina Tango
Rina Tango, who has been a part of the Shiplake community for 22 years, is retiring. Rina has done a brilliant job keeping the College and Skipwith sparkling and we are incredibly grateful for all that she has done. Skipwith is one of the most visited buildings by external visitors and thanks to Rina, it is always in tip top condition making a very positive impression on visitors. We thank Rina for all that she has done for the College and wish her a very happy retirement.
Karen Buckett
Karen Buckett, our Finance Assistant, is leaving to make more time for her family. Karen has been at the College for 12 years and has been absolutely central to the finance team and a pleasure to work with. While there are big shoes to fill, we wish Karen all the very best for the years ahead!
Felicity Blakeman
Felicity Blakeman, PA to Mrs Elliott and Mr Jones, has taken the decision to leave the College at the end of the summer owing to family commitments. The PA to the Deputy Heads role was introduced two and a half years ago and Felicity has very much made the role her own fast becoming a key member of the College’s admin support team. Felicity has been instrumental in supporting Mrs Elliott and Mr Jones to enable them to focus on the core elements of their roles and amongst many other things, did a brilliant job at helping the former to onboard last year as well as stepping in at the last minute to take on the exams department admin during the summer. We wish Felicity (and Dizzy!) the very best in the future.
Violet Weston
After just over a year, Violet Weston has decided to leave the College at the end of the school year to pursue an opportunity at a school closer to her family and friends. Violet has done a terrific job in her role as PA to the Bursar, coming into a newly-created role and quickly getting up to speed with the multi-faceted aspects of the Bursary. Violet's efficiency and communication skills have been hugely impressive, and she has made a significant difference to Mr Dixon’s admin workload. Violet will be much missed in the Bursary and in the admin support team, but we wish her well in her next role.