Valete

Teachers that have been with Wellington for over 10 years

DENISE (COOK) BROWN

October 1997

It is only every once in a while, that a real iconoclast joins the Wellington College Common Room, but Denise can justly claim to be a true mould-breaker. She first joined the English Department in October 1997 on a six-week PGCE placement, making such a success of it that she was appointed to teach full time from the start of the new academic year in 1998. From the very beginning her teaching was characterised by a fierce determination to challenge complacent readings and to explore new texts and perspectives. Her classroom was full of passion and fire but was also a place of the highest academic standards and expectations. Woe betide the student who was less than fully prepared! Over the years Denise has been a leading proponent of broadening the English curriculum to include more diverse voices among our set texts, and as one of Wellington’s original IB teachers was responsible for writing the first English A1 programme for Wellington’s authorisation as an IB school in 2008.

However, Denise’s influence on Wellington has spread far beyond the classroom. As Wellington’s first single mother – her two boys Felix and Benedict, were just seven and four when she joined and are now proud OWs – it was perhaps inevitable that she was Head of the WCA (the parents association) between 2008 and 2015 and grew that by designing, establishing, and publishing the programme of lectures, trips and events for parents that now runs out of the Community Office. Despite an inauspicious start (a fire in the Channel Tunnel on the day of departure forced the last-minute cancellation of the first ever parent trip to Paris) Denise organised and ran parent trips to Rome, St Petersburg, Berlin, Marrakesh, Ypres, Normandy and, of course, the Battlefields of Waterloo, finally managing a rerun of Paris Giverny in 2014. Denise more than most is responsible for creating such good and close relationships between the parent body and the school. She has also served for many years on the Common Room committee and was President of the Common Room for three years between 2015 and 2018. Her success in these roles has done much to bring a real sense of inclusivity to the school and to make it a place where parents, pupils, and staff feel valued, involved, and very much a part of things.

Perhaps even more importantly, she pioneered the cause of Equity and Inclusion at Wellington, making ‘Welly Diversity’ a visible presence in College from 2012, before taking over the WCPCI in 2017 and developing it into a mainstay of the Global Citizenship programme, devising the weekly Wednesday afternoon ‘Peacebuilders’ course, and leading regular service-learning trips to Rwanda and the Calais refugee camps. Alongside this, as Head of Charities for the last ten years, Denise re-shaped the House/College charities programme to focus on educational and social justice charities at home and abroad, incorporating events such as World AIDS Day into the College calendar and heading up fundraising events with parents and pupils, leveraging Wellington’s ability to raise significant sums for diverse good causes. One notable event she masterminded was the150th anniversary ball in aid of Hope and Homes for Children, while more recently she organised a gala event that saw the 2018 WCPCI guest lecturer Johnson Beharry VC speak movingly in aid of the JBVC foundation.

During her time at Wellington Denise has tutored in the Apsley when it was the only girls’ house at Wellington, the old Hardinge (when it was a boys’ house), was Assistant Housemistress in the Apsley, and then returned to the Hardinge seeing it transform from a boys’ house to a co-ed house and then to its current manifestation as a girls’ house. She has also been an enthusiastic coach of (variously) girls’ squash, athletics, swimming, boys’ football (her JC 3s were a mighty outfit) and now girls’ football, rounders, and rowing. She has also directed several plays: a third form production of Macbeth in 1998, full school productions of Arcadia and Twelfth Night in 2000 and 2001, respectively, and then a combined pupil and Common Room production of The History Boys in 2010. All productions were full of Denise’s trademark qualities of wit, intelligence, and forensic attention to detail.

It is no exaggeration to say that Denise’s time at Wellington has seen the school change from an essentially old-fashioned boys’ boarding school to the dynamic, inclusive and innovative co-ed place it is now is. That she has not only embraced every change with enthusiasm but has also been instrumental in facilitating and insisting on so much of that change will arguably be her most important legacy – but for all those she has taught she will simply remain as a quite outstanding and inspirational guide and mentor who will be remembered with gratitude and affection.

We thank her for all she has done and wish her well as she moves to her new post as IB Coordinator at The British School of Córdoba, where she will take them forward through their IB authorisation, a role to which she is quite clearly brilliantly suited.

IAN FRAYNE

September 2002

Over the years the word legend has become overused but if ever there was a Wellington teacher more deserving of the soubriquet than Ian Frayne I have yet to meet them. Since being appointed to teach Physics in 2002 Ian has added significant value to the whole variety of college life. First and foremost, he is (and here I have collected evidence from a whole variety of pupils – the best and the brightest to be sure, but also those more challenged by the rudimentary forces that govern the universe) a quite outstanding teacher: knowledgeable, interested, interesting, but also with a fine grasp of how to get his students to apply that knowledge. He stretches when stretch is needed, but is also kindly and understanding when more simple explanations are required. Over the years Ian has led the Physics Department and has also spent time as Head of Science. He is a fine leader: organised, conscientious but also inspirational, and it is testimony to him that the patience and encouragement he shows the pupils also extend to his colleagues. Quite simply he knows how to teach – and he is always willing to pass on that knowledge to those who are just starting out in their careers.

It was no surprise therefore to see him chosen to lead on the Wellington Academy Project, a role he fulfilled with boundless energy and clarity of vision, qualities he also brought to the ISSP and Teaching School initiatives. Ian gives willingly of his wisdom and experience, and if he is ever frustrated by those who bring woolly thinking or unrealistic ambition to the table, he is kind enough not to show it, but confident enough to make sure that the right way forward is chosen.

However, outstanding though his contributions to the academic side of life have been, it is his Co-curricular roles for which he will be remembered most fondly. The list is exhaustive. Over the years Ian has variously been Master i/c Sailing; Master i/c Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race; a leading light in the Round Square organisation; Field Gun Officer (and who can forget those memorable days when two College crews ran at the Military Tournament, Earls Court) and Contingent Commander CCF. One of his former pupils, who went on to join the Army, and is now back teaching at Wellington (and due to take over as Contingent Commander) has this to say of Ian’s military career: ‘Ian’s journey to Head of CCF and Field Gun was not the result of careful planning. Ian volunteered to help with Wellington’s sailing programme, which naturally spilled over into the Royal Navy Section. Being a man of the sea, Ian decided he liked the authority and power that came with the uniform and wasted no time in becoming Royal Navy Section Head and, not long after, Contingent Commander. Ian simultaneously found himself pursuing a similar route with Field Gun, starting off as a modest helper before finding himself firmly in charge of The Guns. Ian now found himself in charge of a genuine militia.

As Contingent Commander and Head of Field Gun, Ian dedicated his time and efforts to bringing the cadet experience to the top of the agenda. With many an OW finding their way to the actual military, added to the Field Gun running at Earls Court an incredible four years in a row, Ian will be remembered as a true servant to Wellington’s CCF and Field Gun: both are in a better place thanks to him.’

Never has the old adage, ‘Serve to Lead’, been more apt: Ian has dedicated himself to Wellington, which like the CCF and Field Gun, is in a better place thanks to him. He has had a magnificent career, a career characterised throughout by modesty and kindness. He is loyal, genuine, and hardworking, and as I suggested at the start, a true Wellington legend. We wish him all the best as he heads off to the sea and the hills.

AIDAN SPROAT

September 2010

Aidan was appointed to Wellington as Head of Maths in 2010 and it is no exaggeration to suggest that no Head of Department has had a more significant effect on the teaching of their subject than he has. A quite brilliant mathematician, and the author of four OUP published maths books, Aidan set out to reconfigure the way the subject was taught at Wellington. A fervent disciple of the Harkness process, Aidan believes that the best way to ensure true mathematical understanding is to allow pupils the opportunity to prepare for lessons by working through examples and methodologies, releasing lesson time for a dynamic exploration of problems and principles.

Aidan ensured that all courses were immaculately resourced, asking only that those pupils (and teachers) took enough time to familiarise themselves with the topic under discussion. Maths in Aidan’s regime took on a dynamic aspect, and the writing was literally on the wall for mere rote learning as pupils were encouraged to work examples and share solutions on the four large whiteboards that were a feature of each classroom. Aidan’s lessons were literally buzzing with energy and excitement, the newly planted Maths Quad a symbolic representation of getting maths out of the textbook and into the lived environment.

If Aidan has revolutionised maths teaching, he has also had a huge impact on the co– curricular life of the school. A logistical genius, it was Aidan who stage managed the 2012 Royal Albert Hall celebration, a gala performance that retold the College’s history to an audience of thousands; it was Aidan who organised the prizes, seating, and running order of the Big Top Speech Day extravaganzas, and it was Aidan who facilitated the smooth running of the Master’s call over. Aidan has also been a gracious and inclusive President of the Common Room for the last three years, taking over from Denise Brown and continuing her work to make the Wellington Common Room a place where all feel equally cared for and looked after. Aidan’s is a face that many Wellington parents will recognise, either from his hosting of the House Singing Competition, which he has done for several years, or from his stewardship of the Theatre Bar for many, many productions in the CLT and GWA. Aidan has also run The Magic of Maths, a course for parents that ran successfully for several years, delivered many lectures to both internal and external audiences and has been a kind and committed tutor in the Orange and the Benson. Aidan has given many years of valuable service to the Shooting Club, and has co-run the Noble Rot, the College wine tasting society. In 2018 Aidan, in response to a question from the Head of English about reading, conceived, collated, and edited Synthesis, a wonderful and eclectic anthology of stories, poems, articles, sketches and speeches. The closing words in his foreword best sum up this remarkable man and his approach to learning: ‘Read. Consider. Discuss. Think. As you do, bring together diverse ideas and stimuli; compare, contrast and reflect.’

We thank him for all he has done and wish him the very best of happiness as he moves to Alleyn’s School as Assistant Head (Director of Studies).

KEITH REESBY

September 2014

Keith Reesby joined Wellington in September 2014 primarily to teach Psychology to IB students, but also teaches History and is a key figure in the delivery of the Wellbeing programme. As Head of Psychology Keith has overseen a real growth in student numbers and a corresponding increase in students who have gone on to study the subject beyond Wellington. However, it is arguably Keith’s contribution to the Co-curricular life of the College for which he will be chiefly remembered.

Before Wellington Keith was a Major in the Army Air Corps, where he piloted helicopters, so it came as no surprise to see him take over the leadership of the CCF’s Royal Marines detachment, running their arduous survival courses and taking teams down to the Commando Training Centre for the annual ‘Pringle’ Trophy. His experience and professionalism brought both authenticity and rigour to the detachment, and a resilience address he delivered at a whole school assembly where he recounted the time he was shot and wounded while serving in the Afghan skies was genuinely awe-inspiring.

There is not necessarily any truth to the rumour that it was these experiences that made him an ideal candidate to take over as Housemaster of the Beresford in 2017, but he certainly brought a unique perspective to his leadership of the House, which has flourished under his guidance. He set up the ‘Spirit of Beresford’ award scheme to encourage and incentivise not only active engagement in a variety of disciplines, but also reflection and self-analysis in order to maximise character development and growth. His patient, calm, selfless approach was much appreciated, but his example and experience allowed him always to push the boys to do something out of their comfort zone. One memorable moment stands out, for which he was immediately awarded legendary status: one Christmas he ran down and tackled the House Christmas tree back from a rival house group intent on stealing it, showing his loyalty and dedication to the boys: he would literally always go the extra yards for them, and they in turn gave loyally back.

Keith is a fine sportsman, coaching A teams in Rugby and Hockey, and has also been involved with swimming, real tennis, mountain biking and tennis. His passion for supporting character development led him naturally to his next role, where he will be running Quest-Africa in Zimbabwe, a company that runs inspirational, developmental Gap Year courses designed to encourage young men and women to become the very best version of themselves. If his time at Wellington is any guide, he will certainly do just that, and we wish him the best of luck for the future and thank him for all he has done here at Wellington College. TEACHERS LEAVING WITH LESS THEN 10 YEARS:

Heather Andrews Chemistry Teacher joined in September 2018 Jordan Ayling Maths Teacher joined in September 2020 Sarah Donarski English Teacher joined in 2015 Ryan Glass Maths Teacher joined in September 2020 James Inglis DET HOD joined in September 2017 Nic Light Biology Teacher joined in September 2014 Jim Russell Drama Teacher joined in 2018 Dane Tice Physics Teacher joined in 2015 Lays Valim Computer Science, HOD joined in 2019 Jess Van Driesen Maths Teacher joined in 2016 Robyn Kirwan Spanish Teacher Joined August 2020

LEAVING IN DECEMBER Charlotte Barrett Chemistry Teacher joined in September 2016 Jo Brayton Drama HOD joined in September 2017