Shiplake College News

In today's 'A Conversation With...' - the first of the Spring Term - we chat to Miss Jemima Brett. Miss Brett joined us at the start of the 2024-2025 academic year in our Geography Department and is also a Year 12 tutor and netball coach. 

What is your role and how long have you been at Shiplake? 

I am a Teacher of Geography, and I joined in September 2024. I am also a Year 12 tutor and am helping coach some netball here at the College. 

What were you doing before working at the College? 

Before working at Shiplake, I studied for a PGCE at the University of Bristol and before that, I was completing my degree in Human Geography and Planning at Cardiff University. 

What inspired you to get into teaching? 

I was inspired to get into teaching because of my love for human geography. As a teacher, I have the opportunity to inspire young people with an interest in geography and how our world works both in terms of physical and human processes. During my time at school, I volunteered at a local primary school listening to children read and this really sparked a love for helping people to learn. 

How was your first term at Shiplake and what are you looking forward to in the Spring Term? 

Fantastic! I thoroughly enjoyed my first term at Shiplake and am excited to be starting a new one. I have been welcomed by colleagues, and it has been a joy to get to know pupils around the college. Through my role in the Geography Department, a tutor for Year 12 and in Welsh House, and coaching netball, it has been brilliant to get to know such a broad range of pupils. 

There have been lots of new names and systems to learn during my start at Shiplake, but throughout this time I have been supported and feel grateful to be working in such a positive and enthusiastic environment. 

What does a day in the life look like for Miss Brett? 

The first thing I do each morning is wake up my dog, Spike, who sometimes comes into school. I always pack breakfast and a coffee to make my morning routine as efficient as possible. Once at school, I check my emails and check my lessons and resources for the day. Depending on the day, I usually head to the netball courts or hold a meeting with my Duke of Edinburgh group after school. Once home, my favourite thing to do is a walk along the river. 

What do you do in your free time? 

In the past, I have spent most of my free time singing. This will be either in a vocal ensemble group or as a chorister in Canterbury Cathedral. Of late, I spend much of my free time with family and my partner where a day does not go by that does not involve a long dog walk either with just Spike or my family’s 5 dogs! I also love to knit and sew and have a few projects planned for 2025. Additionally, a new hobby this past year or so has been tennis. 

What does the future hold for Miss Brett? 

My current plans are to continue improving and improving my practice as a geography teacher. I look forward to completing my first full year at the college and continuing on from there! In the future, I would love to travel whether that be heading north to the Scottish Highlands for the north coast 500 road trip or further afield. I would also love to get some more singing back into my schedule!