Staff Leavers Summer 2021

We said a fond farewell to some much loved teachers and support staff at the end of the summer term. They will all now become Old Vikings just like our pupil leavers. We are looking forward to hearing all about how they are getting on soon.

Mrs Louise Adamson

Farewell to Mrs Adamson who has been with Shiplake for seven years as Head of Computing Studies and Digital Strategy. In addition she ran the Silver Duke of Edinburgh's Award programme under Mr Macpherson.

Mrs Adamson is planning for some time out of teaching and to spend a little more time away from home in her campervan.

She said she will miss the people most. “I have worked with some fantastic colleagues and I don't just mean teachers. Maintenance, matrons, the Thomas Franks team, admin etc all deserve an accolade. There are so many staff here who go above and beyond in ensuring the students have the best opportunities both in College and in their future lives.”

She will also miss the view and the lunches!

Mr Chris Lee

We say goodbye to Head of Mathematics, Mr Chris Lee who has been at Shiplake for three years. He is off to be Head of Mathematics at Sherborne School. 

He said: “I have had the privilege of working in a lovely setting with some terrific people (staff and students) both in the maths department and on the river.” 

Dr Gemma Prata

Goodbye to geography teacher Dr Prata who leaves Shiplake after three years (completing her PGCE in 2019-2020). During her time with us she was also girls’ rowing coach (Head of Girls’ Rowing 2019-2020, then girls’ 2nd quad coach this year), Boarding Activities Coordinator (2020-2021) and Sixth Form tutor in Everett and Gilson. She is leaving to take on the new roles of Assistant Housemistress and Teacher of Geography at Headington School.

She said: “Undoubtedly I will miss the people at Shiplake the most, both staff and pupils. Shiplake has a real sense of community which I will remember fondly. And also the location - being right on the river is the dream!”

Mrs Ianthe King

Mrs King has been at Shiplake for two years, teaching in learning development and supporting the College's Duke of Edinburgh's Award, CCF and Outdoor Education programmes. She’s moving on to Crosfields School where she will be running the SEN department in the new secondary school and also establishing their DofE provision. 

She said: “Obviously what I'll miss most is the people - my fantastic colleagues and the boys I've worked with, who constantly amaze me both with their resilience and hard work in LDev and in their incredible range of talents outside the classroom. I'll also miss the fantastic setting which lends itself so well to outdoor education - we really are very lucky.”

Mr James Ramsay

Farewell to Head of Art Mr Ramsay who leaves after a year and two terms at Shiplake. He is moving on to be Head of Art at King Edward’s School, Birmingham. He will miss the "beauty of the site and surrounding countryside."

Mr Andy Loughe

Mr Loughe leaves Shiplake after two years as an MFL teacher.

He said: “Most of all I will miss my colleagues and those pupils who have made the job so enjoyable. I will also miss being able to bring my dog to work and walk her with that beautiful view of the river that we are all so fortunate to enjoy.”

Mr Aidan Haughey

Mr Haughey leaves after two years teaching maths at Shiplake, one within the maths department and one as a maths support teacher in learning development. He is going to take a ‘gap year’, and will be looking at possibly taking on some volunteering.

He will miss the generous staff, the enthusiasm of the Year 7 pupils and the grounds.

Mr Chris Lloyd

Head of Design, Engineering & Technology, Mr Lloyd is leaving Shiplake after one year to take on a new role in design engineering at Radley College.

He will miss the students, ‘their easy going nature and their understated resilience.’

Mrs Sally Pollington

After being Head of Computing Studies for the past year, Mrs Pollington is leaving to pursue a different role but will still be passing on her passion for computer science to students of all ages.

She said: “The thing I will miss most about Shiplake is the amazing staff. Teaching, catering, admin, maintenance - I have not come across a more hard working and dedicated selection of individuals.” 

Mrs Laura Reineke

Mrs Reineke began teaching violin and Lower School music in 2016 and then took on the Music Administrator role in September 2020.

She is going to continue with Henley Music School (charity), which she founded in 2008 as well as taking on a new position as Lifestyle Lead at Hallmark Care homes. She also plans to swim the Bristol Channel in July, as well as the North Channel in 2022 with the Henley Mermaids.

She said: “I have loved working at Shiplake, and am very sad to be leaving. I love the food, paddle boards, sports matches, meeting lovely colleagues, and most of all the kids.”

Miss Emma Gregg

Goodbye and good luck to Miss Emma Greig who been providing maternity cover for a year, teaching geography and being a Year 12 tutor. She is returning to Northern Ireland to teach geography at Mount Lourdes Grammar School. Miss Gregg says she will definitely miss the people at Shiplake. 

“Everybody has been so warm and welcoming this year and I have enjoyed getting to know all the staff, pupils and dogs! I will really miss the caring community at Shiplake.”

Mr Richard Endacott

Mr Endacott joined us at the beginning of the summer time as a short term replacement in politics for Mr Kevin Dickey. He slotted in so well into the Shiplake Community, that he says: “Eght weeks seems like eight years!”

Mr Endacott will be going on to teach history and be a personal academic tutor.

And what will he miss about Shiplake? “Staff croquet... and the swimming pool at weekends and the friendly staff and students, but mostly staff croquet.”

Also leaving us in 2021 were:

Mr George Miller (PE teacher), Miss Melissa Knight (LDev teacher), Mr Tom Bayley (DT teacher), Mr Tom Walter (Head of PE), Mr Yannick Pfeifer (Physics teacher), Mr Kevin Dickey (Politics teacher), Mr Tosh Farnborough (Estates Department).

Goodbye and good luck! We wish you all the very best for the future.