Pastures New for Departing Staff

At the end of term, the Shiplake family bid a fond farewell not just to members of Year 13, but also to much-loved members of staff who are leaving this year. Mr Rob Jones is stepping up to become a HMC Headmaster, while teachers Mr Liam Morgan, Mrs Stella Clark, Miss Hilda Sarfo Frimpong are also moving on to tackle new challenges and opportunities. Estates Manager David Greer, an integral member of our support staff, is retiring after 14 years at Shiplake.

Deputy Headmaster Mr Jones leaves Shiplake after four years here, to become Headmaster at Rendcomb College, near Cirencester – a school with a similar ethos to Shiplake. Reflecting on his time at the College, Mr Jones commented that ‘of all the many things that I will miss about being here, the people are definitely foremost.’ He will also miss dearly the morning winter walks to the Parish Church for Chapel, when the sky is a clear, glacial blue. Rob has had a great impact on life at Shiplake, pioneering changes to the new ‘Shape of the Week’, and sharing his expertise on the river with members of the Boat Club. Whilst it is sad to see Rob leaving, Headmaster Mr Gregg Davies is confident that ‘Rob will excel in his new role’, and we all wish him the very best.

Head of History and Middle Years Coordinator Mr Liam Morgan leaves Shiplake to assume a post as Head of Humanities at Stantonbury campus in Milton Keynes, a state school with over 2,000 pupils. Trips taking students out to Berlin and visiting the war battlefields were particular highlights for Liam, as well as the warmth and friendliness of the College, and the excellent lunchtime food! Liam also enjoyed an active participation in the staff cricket team – and was delighted to beat the leavers in his last game!

Mr David Greer, having worked as Estate Manager for the College for the previous 14 years, is retiring to ride off into the sunset (quite literally), fulfilling a lifelong ambition of motorcycling around the world! Having enjoyed his time at Shiplake, David remembers with particular relish getting College House completed and open on time! He will miss the professionalism, the family atmosphere, the humour and the co-operation of staff and pupils in the College. David has given a remarkable amount of time and dedication to the College, and looks forward to continental motorcycle tours, flying lessons, and relocating to Sussex.

Mrs Stella Clark leaves the College after nine years. Having been a teacher of Learning Development, Stella has specialised in working with pupils with learning and behavioural difficulties, and has been a very valued member of staff. She moves on now to retire, relaxing in the sun and taking time to travel. After teaching Mathematics for one year, Miss Hilda Sarfo Frimpong heads to a school on the edge of London. Hilda has enjoyed the familial atmosphere of Shiplake, getting to know staff and pupils. She now looks ahead to starting her new position in September, heading to a faster pace of life in the city.

Popular ICT technician Mr Andy Grable is leaving after nine months at Shiplake. Andy always found time to help with IT issues, no matter how small. A patient, welcoming and reassuring presence when frustrations with modern technology surfaced, Andy will be greatly missed by teaching and support staff alike. He moves on to manage a brewery in London, and looks forward to sampling the different beers available! Mr Christiaan Jones kindly stepped in to cover Design and Technology lessons last term, and in September will begin a new job at another school in London.

At Prize Giving, the Headmaster thanked all departing staff for their dedicated commitment to the academic and co-curricular life of the school. At final assembly, senior pupils shared their best memories of the departing teachers. All at Shiplake wish our leavers the best of luck for the future.