S TA F F F O C U S
Tim Riley SENIOR MASTER AND HEAD OF GEOGRAPHY 2008–2020
Wye, North Norfolk and Dorset. I have run Rugby teams including the Colts A team, the Third XV and the U10 C team, the boys' hockey second team, and assorted Cricket teams, from the U13 thirds to the Colts A. I was involved with most swimming events, including running the inter house galas and assisted with athletics, notably in the Shot and Discus. I have been on the stage once, in my first term, turned cartwheels in a fairy costume and taken the boarders to the seaside with Miss Smith. Until March this year I had never missed a school breakfast and am a supporter of kippers and poached eggs as the best way to start the day. Little did we think that when we waved goodbye to Mr Riley at the end of the Lent term at the Upper Quad, it would be the last time many of us saw him in person at school. Luckily Emma McGowan had interviewed Mr Riley in February, in advance of his retirement from life as a school master and teacher. When did you join WHS and what was your first job? I joined in September 2008 as Head of Geography. I had previously been Head of PE and Geography at Malvern College Prep School. What extracurricular activities have you been involved in over the years? I have been on every Year 6 expedition from 2009 to 2019 going to the Peak District, The Usk Valley, The River 84 . HOUSE . ISSUE 14
Have many geography field trips have you led? For the first 10 years field trips ran to Dorset for Year 8, only stopping when the very comfortable “Old Malt House” closed. The first five trips were to the rather more spartan Leeson House (old girls will remember the rumours of bedbugs). On the very first of these a coach had been hired and the coach driver was to stay with the party. I was not over impressed when I found out that he was supposed to be sleeping in the same room as the staff. He was rapidly “promoted” to a room in a local B&B. How has WHS changed during your time here? The building of the Astro has been the single most significant change in the daily life of the school but, the
