SALVETE

ADAM WATKINSON

Adam Watkinson re-joins Repton this year as the school Chaplain, after leaving for five years to work at Charterhouse to be closer to his late wife. Adam previously worked at Repton for ten years, from 2006-2016 and, since returning this year, he says that there are often moments when he looks around the staff room and sees the same teachers who have been at Repton since his first period of working here and, for him, there is a sense that they have all grown up together. Adam says that it feels like he has come home. With the many roles that he fulfils, Adam is extensively visible around school, as the Chaplain, an RS teacher and a general presence across all of the boarding houses. Adam grew up in Lancashire and attended Hutton Grammar School where he was passionate about drama. After this, he went to Keble College, Oxford, where he read Theology. Within the subject of theology and ethics, Adam takes a particular interest in political biographies, and discovering what different aspects make a person who they are: the events that have shaped their lives. In his free time, Adam takes pleasure in going to the countryside - particularly enjoying walking in Cumbria- and he visits there as frequently as possible, especially as there are so many special memories held for him there.

What is something we wouldn’t know about you?

I think that I am pretty much an open book, but I am a big snooker fan.

What is a skill you wish you had?

To my dying day, I wish I’d been more of a sportsman.

What kind of pupil were you when you were at school?

I was very into drama and the one who always came last on the cross-country run.

What is your guilty pleasure?

A gin and tonic (not during Lent though!)

What three people would you invite to a dinner party?

Michael Ramsey (the former Archbishop of Canterbury and an OR), as he is a man who walked so closely with God. Marilyn Monroe, because of the complexity of who she was and finally, Hurricane Higgins (a famous snooker player), as he makes me smile.

ASHLEY CURRIE

After teaching at St John’s School, Leatherhead, Ashley Currie and his wife moved up to Repton in preparation for the start of this year. Here Ashley took on the position of Deputy Head, Academic, embracing the role and promoting educational standards across Repton. Having grown up in County Durham, Ashley remained fairly local for the duration of his education, attending The University of Durham (St Cuth’s College) where he gained a Master’s Degree in Theoretical Physics. Equipped with his dissertation, which focused on Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay, Ashley has been welcomed into the Maths department, in addition to his role in senior management. Although he does not have a specific affiliation to any House, he tutors Sixth Form pupils from across the ten boarding houses. Outside the classroom, Ashley can often be found on the Astroturf coaching the girls' hockey 4th XI or on the rugby pitches. A keen rugby follower himself (and a supporter of the Newcastle Falcons), Ashley has become involved in the school’s rugby program, helping out with the training of Repton’s latest team; the Rugby 1st XV. He is also responsible for establishing Repton’s very own chess society, a club which many pupils have enjoyed attending. To add to his plethora of commitments, Ashley is also an accomplished pianist, having achieved a Diploma with the London College of Music in Piano Performance. Amid his busy and varied life, he still manages to find some spare time, in which he enjoys walking his dogs as well as the traditional Sunday lunch.

Three words to describe yourself?

Good at maths.

What is a skill you wish you had?

I would love to write a book at some point. Over lockdown I actually started writing one.

What kind of pupil were you when you were at school?

Really driven, I think.

What is your guilty pleasure?

The music of Michael Bublé, hands down.

What three people would you invite to a dinner party?

I’d go for Christopher Hitchens, the Archbishop, Justin Welby and Richard Dawkins because the debate would be fierce.

BEN PAGE

Ben Page joins Repton as Head of Languages and is also a tutor to Lower Sixth pupils in School House. Ben was born in Surrey and says that he has gradually ‘moved further away from my parents,’ teaching at Cheltenham College and then Cranley, before joining us at Repton. When studying at Warwick University for his degree in French and German, Ben spent the third year of his degree living in Grenoble, France for a year and then Hamburg, Germany, for about five months. He now teaches both of these subjects at Repton, taking a particular interest in teaching the film aspect of the A Level courses. Ben enjoys a variety of sports, namely football, golf and squash, so it is not surprising that Ben also coaches the Boys' U14A football team. Apart from playing sports, when Ben is not teaching, he is usually spending time with his 1 and 3-year-old children!

What is something we wouldn’t know about you?

I once played football against the professional footballer Victor Moses and lost very badly!

What is a skill you wish you had?

I would love to be able to sing.

What kind of pupil were you when you were at school?

I was not massively hard working I drifted to languages because I was naturally better at them, and I was very quiet and shy.

What is your guilty pleasure?

American football. I am a big NFL fan and will stay up to stupid hours on a Sunday night watching it.

What three people would you invite to a dinner party?

Comedians Sean Locke and Lee Mack, along with Boris Johnson, so that they have something to make jokes about.

CAMERON WAKE

Cameron Wake joined Repton’s Geography department in January 2022 and despite his arrival mid-way through the year, he has immersed himself in Repton life, spending much time in The Cross where he is the O Block tutor. He spent his school years at Oundle and returned to teach there before moving to Dubai, where he taught in several schools, including Repton Dubai. Cameron studied Natural Sciences at Durham University, with a particular focus on Geography and Geology which enhanced his interest in physical geography and climate change. Like many Reptonians he enjoys several sports, notably golf and cricket (the latter of which he has played to a high level). Most impressively, he captained the England U18 cricket side against South Africa and so we were pleased that he has taken on the role of Master in Charge of Cricket. In his spare time, Cameron loves to travel and see the places that he teaches about firsthand – hopefully something that he can do more of as travel bans lift post pandemic!

What is something we wouldn’t know about you?

I had afternoon tea with Sir Desmond Tutu. I was staying at a guest house and the owner was friends with his daughter and they just turned up. It was so random but really cool.

What is a skill you wish you had? I’d like to be able to play a musical instrument, probably the guitar.

What kind of pupil were you when you were at school?

I was very sporty.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Ice cream, particularly the hazelnut gelato that you get in Italy.

If you could invite three people to a dinner party, who would they be?

Nelson Mandela because of all he went through and all he achieved post-apartheid. Being able to heal a country after such major social issues is quite extraordinary. I feel like I have a bit more of a connection with his story as I’ve visited Robben Island where he was imprisoned for 18 years, and I’ve spent a lot of time in Africa. I’ve also read his book, Long Walk To Freedom. Alan Shearer, as he’s my sporting hero and I’m a Newcastle supporter, and then Ricky Gervais for a bit of comedy.

DANIELA LING

As an addition to Repton’s MFL department, it is therefore very fitting that Daniela Ling spent much of her childhood abroad, living first in Romania and then Spain. Perhaps influenced by this, Daniela developed a talent for languages which she took to the next level, achieving a BA (Hons) Degree in Modern Language Studies with French and Spanish at the Open University. After relocating to the UK around ten years ago, she trained to become a Modern Foreign Languages teacher and went on to teach at Grace Dieu Manner School – amongst many others – before joining us here at Repton.

As a part time teacher, Daniela does not have an assigned boarding house, but is partial to her thrice weekly lunches in the girls’ houses. In the future, Daniela would love the opportunity to teach an undergraduate course in Spanish, in order to further develop her skills. Away from the classroom, Daniela loves all things travel and outdoors, and also spends time following pop culture, a particular passion of hers.

What is something we wouldn’t know about you?

I can change the wheel of a car without aid.

What is a skill you wish you had?

I really enjoy interior designing and I wish I had the artistic talent.

What kind of pupil were you when you were at school?

I was quiet but curious and very independent – I loved to teach myself and discover new things by myself.

What is your guilty pleasure?

I love a lie-in – on weekends, sick days, or holidays it’s practically a requirement to spend most of the morning in bed.

Which three people would you invite to a dinner party?

Sam Fender, because I love his music. Jo Brand – the actress, comedian, writer and presenter, for her wit and many talents as an entertainer. Emma Raducanu, the British tennis player, for her incredible mental strength and young, fresh spirit and because she looks like she’s taking each day as it comes.

NEVILLE ROTHMAN

Neville Rothman has joined Repton this year as the Assistant Director of Hockey, whilst also teaching Business and being a tutor in School House. Neville grew up in South Africa, where he played as a goalkeeper in school hockey at Afrikaans Hoër Seunsskool. The first university that Neville attended was Port Elizabeth Technikon, where he studied Sports Administration and Marketing. After this, Neville qualified as a teacher at Nelson Mandela University.

When Neville is not on the hockey pitch, in the classroom or in School House, he will almost certainly be found on a golf course. In addition to this, in his free time, Neville enjoys reading and spending time with his dogs and wife – ‘not in that order!’ Neville lived in South Africa for 44 years before taking up his role at Repton where in his first hockey season he successfully led the U18 Boys' to become National Champions. and has since enjoyed supporting Martin Jones in the sports department.

What is something we wouldn’t know about you?

That I have several tattoos.

What is a skill you wish you had?

I wish I could have musical skills.

What kind of pupil were you when you were at school?

I was bang average, but obedient.

What is your guilty pleasure? An expensive glass of red wine!

Which three people would you invite to a dinner party?

Jürgen Klopp, as I am a lifelong LFC supporter, and he seems like he could be a great guest for dinner. Nelson Mandela, because he was a truly inspirational person who would be able to share some chilling yet amazing insights. And, last but not least, Lia Rothman because she is my best friend, as well as my wife.

OWEN ALSOP

Joining the History department, as well as becoming the Resident Tutor in New House, and an A team coach to football, hockey and cricket teams, Owen Alsop became familiar with the intensity of Repton life very quickly. Owen was born in High Wickham but grew up in Wiltshire. He achieved his undergraduate degree from Loughborough University, where he studied History and Politics, as well as being a 1st XI cricketer. He then attended Oxford University, where he gained his post graduate degree from St Stephen’s College. After this, Owen taught at Chipping Norton, before joining us at Repton.

Within the subject of history, Owen takes a particular interest in post-war Germany, as well as national myths and memories. Outside of academia Owen is an avid Watford football fan, in addition to enjoying Tintin and horse racing.

What is something we wouldn’t know about you?

I once had dinner with Clare Balding.

What is a skill you wish you had?

I wish I could be able to speak a foreign language fluently, and the language would probably be German.

What kind of pupil were you when you were at school?

Absent. I did not have a good attendance record and I never worked as hard as I should have.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Punting.

Which three people would you invite to a dinner party?

David Bowie, Troye Deeny and Nicole Kidman.

TOM HOWELL

Tom Howell began Repton life in January of this year as the new Head of Geography, after stints at St John’s Leatherhead, and Harrow. As well as Head of Geography, he is the A Block tutor of Latham House and coaches hockey, a sport that he used to play regularly. Tom attended Cambridge University where he achieved an MA in Geography before gaining an MSc in Teacher Education at Oxford University. His impressive educational background is coupled with his current academic interests; he is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and works for Curriculum Press, a company which publishes geography resources.

Having grown up in the Lake District, Tom loves everything outdoors, particularly water sports (which he used to do a lot as a child). While there isn’t much opportunity for this type of activity around Repton, Tom still continues to enjoy his other outdoor hobbies such as running and cycling (especially mountain biking).

What is something we wouldn’t know about you?

I got full marks in GCSE Maths.

What is a skill you wish you had?

I wish I could cook better; I’ve lived in boarding schools for too many years so I’ve been spoilt.

What kind of pupil were you when you were at school?

Pretty diligent, pretty hardworking, didn’t really get into trouble. Classic.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Coke and Coke Zero.

What three people would you invite to a dinner party?

Boris Johnson, Dominic Cummings and Matt Hancock – just to get them to argue with each other.

MOLLY HOLDER

Molly Holder joined Repton in September 2021 and fulfils many roles in the school under the title of Graduate Assistant. This is the first school that Molly has taught at after graduating from Leeds Beckett University where she gained a BSc in Sports Coaching. Undoubtedly, Molly settled into Repton life quickly, as she became the A Block tutor in Garden House and a B Block PE and games teacher.

Molly is an accomplished footballer, and - impressively - she plays for Stoke City Football Club. It is unsurprising therefore, that since joining Repton, Molly has had a prominent role in coaching the Girls' 1st XI this year. Molly has certainly asserted her expertise in this field; thanks to her help the girls won the Midlands ISFA league with zero losses. As well as football, Molly enjoys watching an array of sports in her free time, but in particular, she enjoys professional tennis.

What is something we wouldn’t know about you?

It took me three times to pass my driving theory test, and three times to pass my practical test.

What is a skill you wish you had?

The ability to surf, or do any kind of water sport.

What kind of pupil were you when you were at school?

I socialised with everyone and was quite hardworking. I didn’t really make a fuss; I just got on with it.

What is your guilty pleasure? Sitting and listening to old music.

What three people would you invite to a dinner party?

Ed Sheeran, so that he can sing nice music. Wayne Rooney, because he is manager of Derby FC now and was an incredible footballer. Jennifer Aniston, because she has been in some good films and shows and is a highly rated actress, so it would be cool to speak to her!

CHRISTOPHER SHARP

Another addition to the Maths department is Chris Sharp, who joins us after teaching at Bradfield, Eton and George Watson’s, Edinburgh. Having grown up in Scotland’s capital, Chris moved westwards where he gained a degree in Maths at the University of Glasgow, before returning and completing his PGCE at the University of Edinburgh.

In true Reptonian spirit, Chris has embraced the busy extra-curricular life of the school, becoming involved in both the sports programme and house life, coaching tennis and football teams as well as becoming a tutor in New House. Aside from mathematics, Chris is also a keen enthusiast for all things technological, in particular Computer Science. While his main interest firmly lies within the realms of maths, Chris displays a particular affinity for music; he especially enjoys playing the piano in his free time and when not occupied by his many commitments Chris also likes to spend time with his family.

What is something we wouldn’t know about you?

When I was 14-15 years old, I was a junior Tae Kwon Do champion.

What is a skill you wish you had?

I'd play the piano.

What kind of pupil were you when you were at school?

Probably a bit of a swot.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Tunnock’s teacakes.

What three people would you invite to a dinner party?

Billy Connolly, David Attenborough and Jo Brand.

CHARLES PLUMMER

Charles Plummer joined Repton as part of this year’s Graduate Assistant team immediately after finishing his degree at the University of Birmingham where he studied History and Politics, both subjects of particular interest to him. Throughout the year Charles has offered his skills in several areas across Repton, but most notably in the Humanities Department and having enjoyed teaching B Block Classical Civilisation. Charles plans to complete his PGCE at the University of Oxford next year and he hopes to teach History and Politics in the near future.

Charles has also spent much of his time at Repton in The Priory where he tutors the A Block boys. Like many Reptonians, Charles enjoys playing sport in his free time, particularly cricket, and he has immersed himself in Repton’s busy sporting curricular, training the Boys' U15C football side in the Michaelmas term and the Boys' U16B hockey team in the Lent. Charles also coaches Fives throughout the year, aiding the development of one of Repton’s newest, yet fastest growing, sports.

What is something we wouldn’t know about you?

I’m quite open to be honest. I don’t think there’s anything really that you wouldn’t know.

What is a skill you wish you had?

I wish I was a rock star.

What kind of pupil were you when you were at school?

I was very much an all-rounder. I was well behaved but by sixth form I definitely pushed the boundaries.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Eating a whole chocolate orange in one sitting.

What three people would you invite to a dinner party?

Boris Johnson because he would be an absolute laugh. James Acaster as he’s funny and would counter Boris quite well and Kate Beckinsale because she’s posh and quite attractive.

ROSS VIDES

Another addition to this year’s Graduate Assistant body is Ross Vides. Ross grew up in South Africa where he loved the vibrant and wildlife-rich landscape but decided upon a change of scenery when it came to university and chose to study Sport Science at Durham University. Following this, Ross worked at Eagle House Prep School before moving on to join us at Repton, where his main focus was within the PE department.

At Repton, Ross coached numerous hockey teams, including the U15A girls and U16A boys. With a professional qualification in personal training, Ross also delivered strength and conditioning sessions to several pupils. In addition to his sporting roles, Ross was a member of the New House tutor team, where he looked after the A Block boys. Aside from sport, one of Ross’ main interests is the military and in September he plans to attend The Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst where he will train to become an infantry officer. We wish him the best as he sets out to fulfil this aspiration.

What is something we wouldn’t know about you?

I lived with an OR at University, Georgie Brownhill.

What is a skill you wish you had?

I wish I could sing.

What kind of pupil were you when you were at school?

Sporty and a bit of a trouble-causer.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Ice Cream, Ben & Jerry’s all flavours.

What three people would you invite to a dinner party?

Steve Irwin, I mean I just grew up watching his wildlife channel, I just thought his energy was brilliant. Kevin Hart, I just think he is hilarious and a combination of talking about animals and Kevin Hart’s reactions would be second to none. Siya Kolisi because he is an inspiration and would add a lot of value to the comedic side of the other two, but would also give insight into his life.