In today's 'A Conversation With...', we speak to Mr Robbie Edwards of the PE Department! In this feature, we learn more about his love for sport and rugby, his most interesting job to date, and how a motorbike ride from Bedford to Rushden almost went wrong!
What is your role and how long have you been at Shiplake?
I joined Shiplake in September 2022 as a Teacher of PE. It was quite an easy transition really as most members of the PE Department were new this year so there was a group of us finding our feet together.
What were you doing before Shiplake and what inspired you to join the College?
I was at another co-educational school in Berkshire for four years where I had numerous roles including Assistant Boarding Housemaster, Head of House, Clubs & Activities Co-ordinator and Teacher of PE. Before that, I spent two years at an independent school in Somerset and another year teaching in Essex.
Probably most interesting though was my summer job while I was at university where I was a labourer for a company called Snoozebox. Essentially, they converted shipping containers into hotel rooms and then took them to events, craned them into position, hooked up the plumbing, electrics, Wi-Fi and TV, and then added some home comforts. I spent three summers with them going to The London Olympics in 2012, the Isle of Man TT, the Le Mans 24-hour car race, the Silverstone Grand Prix and Goodwood Festival of Speed. It was the best summer job ever.
I love all things school sport and co-curricular; I think it is an essential part of what makes the world of UK independent schools so unique and appealing. Shiplake has always had a strong reputation in these areas so when the job came up, I jumped at the chance to join Mr Howe and his team.
What is a day in the life at Shiplake like for you?
The commute starts at 6.15am and I am normally in the gym or doing some sort of admin by 7.00am. I like to pop my head into the Bespoke Conditioning sessions each morning as well to see the progress our pupils are making with Ian Brown.
A quick freshen up, and into my lessons which consist of teaching both A-level and GCSE PE to Years 10 and 13, all mixed in with a variety of core PE lessons which follow the new-look PE curriculum Mrs Neill has brought in!
And, of course, my favourite time of the day is Games which I am lucky enough to be involved in nearly every day. Then it's back in the car and depending on the day, I’ll either be relaxing at home or out coaching rugby.
What have been some of your memorable moments from your first year here?
It's hard to pick if I am honest as it feels like the year has gone by so quickly. There have been so many brilliant moments - getting to share my love of American Football with the senior pupils this term, the U15 rugby season, being able to celebrate my A-level pupils achieving international selections for Team GB Rowing and Scotland Rugby respectively, the U16s’ Rugby 7s season, the first win for the Lower School 1st XI cricket team, one of my tutees receiving the highest number of excellence slips in the school during the Autumn Term - I am sure I have missed some that I’ll remember after submitting my answers!
What do you do away from work?
I have two bulldogs, Batman and Junior, so they keep me busy and get me out of the house when I find myself at a loose end. I also coach the 1st XV and whole adult squad at Tadley RFC, which I have been doing since moving to the area.
I also keep myself busy with the Scottish Qualified programme that I was a part of when I was at school. This is where we coach rugby players that show high levels of potential and then select some to put forward for Scotland age grade trials. It’s brilliant to be involved in sport at that level and I love getting to work with the talented players from all over the country.
Sunday nights at 6.00pm from September to February are also NFL night in my house and Redzone is on as I watch my fantasy football team top the league and wait for my beloved New Orleans Saints to win the Super Bowl for a second time! I’ll always pass tv in the evenings and instead lose myself in a game when I get the time.
We've heard that you are a proud owner of a Harley-Davidson - are you a bike enthusiast and how did you get into that?
I am indeed! It was my first big purchase when I became a fully qualified teacher and I have never looked back. Ever since my best friend and I watched Sons of Anarchy on TV, we decided that we would own Harleys and now we do. Before that I had a Kawasaki sports bike which I’ll admit I scared myself on a couple of times and a 500cc Suzuki before that which I rode into the ground commuting on. I only passed my driving test when I was 23 because I was already riding bikes and didn’t mind riding them to commute on.
My worst journey would have to be riding from Bedford to Rushden in a foot or two of snow with only the car tyre tracks to follow because they didn’t close the school I was working at. I had only been there for a term and wanted to make a good impression which, in hindsight, was not a good idea. I made it to and from work unscathed. Very cold, but unscathed. So yes, in short you could say that I love motorbikes. My dad, stepdad and best friend all ride and it is a very addictive ‘hobby’. The sensation and freedom it gives you are impossible to explain to people that don’t ride, but as soon as someone does get on a bike, they instantly know what you were on about.
What does the future hold for Mr Edwards?
I got engaged over the Easter break, so there is a wedding to save up for and plan in the near future. I have a nice holiday to Bordeaux planned for two days after we break up for the summer, so I see lots of wine and delicious French food in my near future. Other than that, more rugby coaching at Tadley RFC and with the SQ programme, as well as getting my teeth stuck into my second year here at Shiplake College.
In news that is fresh off the press, is has been announced today that Mr Edwards will be assuming a new role here at the College as our new Head of Rugby, as well as our new Head of Athlete Development Programme!
