New Staff Autumn 2022

A warm welcome to lots of new faces (and some familiar ones) to the Shiplake College staffing team. We really hope you enjoy your time here.

In addition, congratulations to Chloe Mordue (Head of Photography and Head of Girls' Games) and Lottie Boyle (Everett Matron) who both were married over the summer and are now known as Mrs Lovelock and Mrs Wilson respectively. Please note that Keli Thomas (Head of Art) has reverted to her maiden name so is now known as Miss Jiggens.

Mr Jack Burrows 

We are delighted to welcome Mr Burrows to the Shiplake family who joins us as the latest member of the Geography Department. He has previously taught Geography and was Head of Year at a secondary school in Reading.  

Allergic to cats, Mr Burrows is working in the right place, especially considering our ever-growing four-legged family. And while he may not own any cats or dogs, Mr Burrows is the proud owner of two rabbits.  

He is also passionate about literacy, reading and creative writing having previously worked as a Literacy            Co-Ordinator in a Pupil Referral Unit. 

Mrs Judit Coulehan 

Welcome to Mrs Coulehan who re-joins us at Shiplake as Director of Learning Development, coming from Davenies. Many of you will be familiar with her as she previously worked in the Learning Development department from 2015 to 2019.

Describing herself as a ‘crazy dog person’ as well, Ms Coulehan is going to fit right in with the Shiplake family – even more so with her six-year-old Jack Russell. 

Before, Ms Coulehan used to be a legal interpreter and so is sure to be full of fascinating stories and anecdotes  from her time in the legal sector 

Mrs Katie Neill 

Mrs Neil joins us with a vast wealth of experience having spent over 15 years teaching. We are delighted that she is joining the sports department as our Head of PE.  

Proud owner to two dogs at home, we are sure that it will not be long before we see more of them around the school! An interesting fact about Mrs Neill is that she has previously skied on some of Europe’s steepest slopes.  

Mrs Neill brings her experience from her previous role at Furze Platt School in Maidenhead where she was Head of PE and Sport.  

Mr Robbie Edwards 

Mr Edwards also joins us in our sports department from Reddam House where he was a teacher of PE, Assistant Houseparent and Clubs and Activities Co-ordinator. 

He is also Assistant Head Coach for Tadley RFC and Lead Coach for U15s in the Scottish Qualified Programme.  

Bringing some noise to Shiplake College, you might hear him riding into school on his Harley-Davidson bike.  

Miss Sioned Russell

Miss Russell joins the history department and has just completed her PCGE year at a school in Witney in Oxfordshire. 

Beyond the classroom, she is extremely interested in kayaking, paddle boarding and canoe polo, so will be a fantastic addition to the co-curricular programme.  

Demonstrating a passion for the outdoors, Miss Russell previously spent three months living in the woods, and has climbed the highest peaks in the UK. 

Miss Abbie Platt 

Miss Platt has just completed her first year as an ECT teacher of art and textiles at a school in Berkshire and has previously worked as a community arts teacher. 

Arriving to Shiplake College with another canine friend, Miss Platt brings with her a Cocker Spaniel puppy. 

Beyond the classroom, she likes to play the drums, and is also a keen photographer and bookmaker. 

Mrs Elena Rojas-Rodriguez 

Mrs Rojas-Rodriguez joins the psychology department at an exciting time as interest is really growing around this subject. She joins us from Highdown School where she was the Lead Psychology teacher, so knows a few of our colleagues who have previously worked there. 

Mrs Rojas-Rodriguez is keen to get involved in co-curricular and has been involved in rounders, netball, and  Spanish Club in the past.

Mr Adie Davies 

Mr Davies joins us from Maiden Erleigh where he worked as the KS4 Curriculum Lead for mathematics. He has 18 years experience as a maths teacher and will bring extensive knowledge to this role and the department. 

Mr Davies previously worked for the European Space Agency and has worked alongside NASA colleagues in Germany on spacecrafts.  

Mrs Caroline Hendriks

Mrs Hendriks has been working as a teaching assistant and arrives with terrific potential as a mathematics teacher and so we are excited to welcome her into the team. 

Yet to own a dog (although this could change!), she is an avid reader and can make it through around 100 books a year. 

Mr Neil Adam 

Mr Adam also joins us in the mathematics department for the Autumn Term until Mr Jones arrives in January. Mr Adam has a lot of teaching experience and most recently, he has been working at a school in Somerset. 

A member of a local church, Mr Adam takes part in a regular Saturday morning walk with a walking group. 

Mr Alberto (Bertie) Gingell 

Mr Gingell has been working as Head of Sport for Get Active Sport and has been responsible for delivering the government PE curriculum. Alberto is also a level two qualified football coach and referee. 

Bertie brings with him a bulldog called Ralph, who will be another welcomed addition to the Dogs of Shiplake family. 

As well as playing football for Henley Town, Bertie has previously quad-biked across the Egyptian desert. 

Ms Nikki Rickard 

Ms Rickard joins us from Kuwait where she worked as an English teacher, to take over as Exams Officer. You    may have already met her when she spent some time at the end of June doing a handover at the school. 

Often travelling and changing location, Ms Rickard has never lived in the same home for more than three years. 

Mrs Leesa Guillaud 

Mrs Guillaud has taught students in the independent sector for more than twenty years, and has experience in both prep and senior schools.  

She has a foundation degree in supporting children’s development and learning and was Houseparent of a co-ed day and boarding house for Years 7 and 8 at Worksop College.  She has also stepped in and covered matron duties in recent years at the same school. 

Previously a rugby player, Mrs Guillaud quite often enjoys painting and decorating in her spare time.  

Mr James Burgess 

An Old Viking and former Head of College, Mr Burgess returns to Shiplake College as a Sports/Teaching Assistant.  

A massive Arsenal fan, who ‘is definitely making the most of the current Premier League table,’ he has recently started getting into golf. 

Previously, Mr Burgess hosted a rugby podcast which included chatting to professional rugby players about their respective careers.

Mr Adam Johnston 

Mr Johnston joins us this year as the College's new Marketing and Communications Officer, arriving from the University of Reading where he was a Student Content Officer.  

As well as arriving with experience of digital media, Mr Johnston is also a qualified ESL teacher with experience teaching English in the UK and parts of the Middle East. 

A keen photographer, he likes to travel and write; and is also a multilingual speaker with knowledge of Arabic, Russian, and German – although he will insist to not be tested on the latter!