Introducing New Staff

At the end of last term, we said goodbye to a few staff members. However, as one door closes another opens and we are delighted to be welcoming new members of staff to the College.

Mr Luke Wilson

Luke previously taught at More House School in Farnham and is joining Shiplake to teach Theology and Philosophy. Luke already shares the College’s love for rowing and is a qualified Level 2 rowing coach. 

Miss Katie Hallam

Katie joins Shiplake from Uppingham School in Rutland as our Head of Art. Katie has a passion for all things creative and specialises in both digital and alternative photographic processes. Katie enjoys being active by attending fitness classes and coaching cross country running and netball.

Mr Ed Olhausen

Ed has joined the College from Kingsbridge Community College in Devon and will be teaching Business Studies. Ed lives in High Wycombe and is married to Nikki, who is also a teacher, and has three children; Sam, Olivia and Eddie. Football is Ed’s main sport but he is also interested in squash, tennis, table tennis and middle distance cross country. Ed is also a keen musician and enjoys writing, recording and performing music.

Mrs Keli Thomas

Keli joins the Art Department with a love of drawing and book illustration. Keli studied Drawing and Applied Arts at Bristol UWE. Keli previously taught at Little Heath School in Tilehurst but has always lived locally. Keli has recently been bitten by gardening bug and has been busy this summer.

Miss Kate Norrington

Kate’s former school was Little Heath School in Tilehurst and she joins Shiplake as the Head of BTEC and Vocational Learning. Kate likes travelling and also has a particular interest in international cuisine. Kate also enjoys visiting the theatre, hiking, rock climbing and zip wiring. Kate has completed the fastest zip wire in the world and most recently undertook the longest city zip wire.

Mr Jack Norris

Mr Jack Norris studied three years at Hartpury College, leaving with a degree in Sports Coaching Science and Conditioning, Following that, he worked in two coaching companies, supporting schools in PE and Clubs. Last year Mr Norris worked at a Special Educational Needs School, before moving to Reading ahead of joining Shiplake. Mr Norris is a keen rugby player, playing a season of semiprofessional rugby for Launceston RFC and is a Level 2 rugby coach; he has previously coached all age range levels, as well as Gloucester Hartpury women's rugby team.

Mr Harry Geyton

Harry is joining Shiplake College as a trainee teacher of Maths. Harry participates in a number of sports including cricket, rugby, mountaineering, rock climbing, basketball and hiking.

Mr Werner Nel

Werner is joining Shiplake as cover supervisor. Werner is South African and grew up on the Orange plains of the Free State, where it is said to be so flat you can watch your dog run for two weeks! Before coming to the UK in 2009 to coach sport, he led Shark Dives off the coast of Durban (no cages involved). Werner enjoys most sport and being active, and believes that being outdoors plays a major part in a fulfilled life.

Mrs Carol Harrison

For the past two years Carol has been helping the Year 11 College pupils with GCSE Spanish and French oral exams; this year she officially joins the Modern Foreign Languages Department and will be teaching French to Years 7 and 8. Carol returned to the UK after living in Madrid and the French Alps for 22 years. She is married to Mr Diez Urkidi, who also teaches in the MFL team, and is mother to Rory in Year 11 – so she knows many pupils and parents from spending Saturday mornings supporting various Shiplake sports teams.

Mr Keith Wyatt

Keith joins College as Catering Manager. Keith is married to Lisa and has two daughters, India-Mae and Jessie. He has worked in the Hospitality and Catering industry for over 20 years, mainly concentrating on sporting events. Keith has just left Lord’s Cricket Ground to embark on a new chapter here at Shiplake. He is a huge sports fan who loves Cricket and is an avid Leicester City fan.