ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES

Welcome Meet the new staff that joined us in 2020-21. Mr Charlie Jenkins Senior Deputy Head Welcome

Revd. Donna Leigh Chaplain Mr Robin Giles Head of Sport and Outdoor Education Mr Craig Banyard Head of Digital Learning

Welcome Miss Charlie Woods Senior Matron

Miss Lucy Taylor Assistant Matron Miss Charlotte Richardson Resident Tutor, Ruddle House

Mr Luke Wilson Sixth Form Coordinator & Resident Tutor, Pollard House Mrs Joanna Conway Head of Marketing and Admissions Mrs Emily Fenwick Registrar

Farewell

Alison Vassilaki

Mrs Vassilaki joined Shebbear College as maternity cover for Mrs Lovett in 2010 and never left! Since joining us she has been an integral part of the English department, and a tireless leader of the EAL department.

She has nurtured pupils in her care both as a tutor and as a teacher, providing a safe and calm environment for anyone who needed it. Mrs Vassilaki has also initiated many creative activities, including Soft Toy Making and Bullet Journaling.

Her wit and wisdom have helped her colleagues and her pupils immeasurably throughout her time at Shebbear.

Mrs Shamsolahi

Ashley Barlow

Mr Barlow took on the role of Head of Art at Shebbear in 2005 and the department has been on view for all to see ever since. His huge wealth of experience as an educator has been inspirational and his knowledge of the exam courses second to none. His skills at fostering creativity have enabled his pupils to produce so many outstanding pieces of art. His calm, caring, nurturing philosophy has provided a sanctuary for so many.

The pupils’ examination results have always been extraordinarily brilliant, demonstrating his passion for his subject and commitment to his pupils. One only needs to compare the results nationally to see how outstanding the Art Department has been during his tenure. Shebbearians’ GCSE and A-Level art results are placed in the top 2% nationally with pupils achieving far beyond expectations.

In addition to this he has introduced and designed the Life Skills Centre used by all pupils of the College for textiles, art, pottery and woodwork. Inspired by the numerous pupils’ dramatic productions he has created memorable stage sets that have enhanced the performances for so many Shebbearians.

As well as inspiring and supporting pupils in school, Mr Barlow has widened their horizons in so many ways with regular trips, for instance to the Tate, St Ives, to Spain, France, Italy and, most recently, New York. He has entered pupils’ work for many competitions and exhibitions, including the annual schools’ exhibition at the Burton Art Gallery, Bideford, where they regularly won awards.

As a tutor he has always taken an active interest in the progress, wellbeing and achievements of all his tutees and he would regularly attend music and drama performances to show his support for their endeavours. His perceptive and sensitive approach to the pastoral care of his pupils and friends in the staffroom alike has helped many people.

The regular changing of Art around the campus has always been complimented on by the visitors and prospective parents as they have toured the College. It has created a joyous, inspirational working environment for all over the years. In addition, the annual Art Exhibition, viewed by so many on Speech Days, is recognised as a creative and artistic highlight of the year. The careful mounting and artistic presentation of pupils’ work has always enhanced and celebrated the excellence of the Art department. We wish Mr Barlow all the best in his retirement.

Mrs Parker, Mr Parker and Mrs Aliberti

Helen Riley

Dr Helen Riley joined Shebbear College in 2017 as a Psychology teacher. She settled in well and her expertise in child counselling soon meant she became an integral part of the school’s pastoral team, working closely with pupils who needed extra emotional support.

Dr Riley helped to improve the pastoral offering at school and was an excellent tutor. The exam results during her time here were outstanding and the time and commitment she gave to her pupils was extraordinary.

Dr Riley immersed herself fully into all areas of school life, participating in social and charity events - of particular note was her modelling in the charity Fashion Show!

Mrs Lovett

Kevin Parker

Mr Parker started teaching at Shebbear College during the last millennium. Arriving at the start of the academic year 1999, he moved with his family into Ruddle Cottage and it was not long before the arrival of his first son.

Though his primary role has been Director of Music, he has over the years taught many different subjects: French, Geography, EAL, Drama and PSHE. For several years he held the post of Head of Middle School (F4 and 5). His calmness and dedication to this role enabled tutors and academic staff to support and nurture their pupils’ academic and pastoral progress. Whilst he guided the pupils through the challenges of early adulthood, he ensured pupils were able to grow in confidence and negotiate the path through adolescence successfully.

He will, however, be best remembered for his role as Director of Music. Teaching pupils from Prep 1 to U6, during his tenure, the department has thrived and has gained national recognition from the Incorporated Society of Musicians. As Director he has led a dedicated team of instrumental and vocal teachers. He has nurtured young talent and challenged and inspired the many gifted musicians over the years. With encouragement and with the department’s open door policy, the music department has always been full of musicians working and preparing for the plethora of Carol Services, Concerts, Gig Nights and the

highly acclaimed Charity Chamber Concerts. A joy for all who had the opportunity to attend any of these events.

As repetiteur he has prepared Shebbearians for instrumental exams, ensuring they were all able to aim high and achieve excellent results. He has enabled numerous Shebbearians to progress onto international renowned conservatories and universities leading to them becoming professional musicians in their own right.

As organist, he has led the school in the daily Chapel services and as a talented flautist he would be found in the orchestra pit of the numerous College musicals enhancing the live music with his virtuosic playing.

His legacy of the wonderful music building which he helped to design will be a memory of his commitment and passion for music that he has given over the last 21 years. And now as he retires and hands over the baton to a familiar old Shebbearian, he knows the department is in safe hands and will continue to thrive.

Mrs Parker, Mrs Aliberti and Mr Barlow

Leon Oxenham

Mr Oxenham arrived at Shebbear College to rejuvenate the Business and Economics department. His structured yet approachable teaching style, and his ease at explaining often highly abstract complex concepts, has caused that department to now be one of the highest consistently achieving academic areas at the college. His senior management experience and his expertise in the educational use of IT have helped him achieve this. Some of his GCSE pupils have described his approach as ‘laid back’ yet ‘supportive’, terms that also describe Mr Oxenham himself. Many of his business and economics pupils in previous years fondly remember their Paris Disneyland trips, as do the staff involved. A highly educational experience all round!

Mr Oxenham has also been actively involved in college life outside of the classroom. Most recently he has been a boarding academic tutor, giving of his time and support in the evenings. As an active singer/songwriter his contributions to 6th form leaving dinners and other events have been highlights many will remember. Mr Oxenham has been a cheerful presence in the staffroom, always willing to help and support and as a hockey coach Leon has coached and supported many pupils over several years through victory and defeat.

Which reminds me! Unfortunately this cannot be a totally positive biography, he is an Everton supporter … There were many conversations in the staffroom on a Monday morning, as Leon and fellow Evertonian Aaron Steel complained about the intricacies of off-side and blind referees.

Leon’s contributions to Shebbear College have been many, and he will be missed (an experience Everton strikers are all too familiar with)!

Mr Rogers

Matt Newitt

Matt Newitt joined the school in September 2007 as a fresh faced Head of Geography and Sixth Form tutor. He soon made his mark and worked hard with his colleagues to introduce accelerated learning which was rolled out across the school. As part of the Sixth Form tutor team, Matt organised the Rounsefell Dinner, a flagship event for the Sixth Form.

In 2008 Matt helped lead the first Uganda trip and was involved in this becoming a successful trip for many years to come.

Matt became Head of Sixth Form in September 2010 and set about changing the way that the system worked. He implemented a new Sixth Form centre and structure and Sixth Form numbers grew significantly during his tenure. Matt helped arrange and organise a whole host of Sixth Form events including a Ceilidh, variety performances and a Sixth Form pantomime.

When the position of Deputy Head was advertised, Matt applied and was appointed from a large external field taking up the post in September 2015. Over the course of his time in this position he led a successful ISI visit, reinvigorated the pastoral and safeguarding systems adding greater structure and systems to these areas.

Matt was appointed as Deputy Head Academic from April 2020. He oversaw the switch to remote learning and the unprecedented exam series of 2020, helping navigate the school through this challenging time.

A keen former rugby player, Matt has been involved with teams throughout his time at Shebbear assisting Jamie Sanders with

the 1st XV for a number of years. Highlights of this include wins over West Buckland and the Jonny Wilkinson Small Independent Schools Cup as well as 7s tournaments at regional and national level.

Matt has made an enormous impact throughout his time at Shebbear College and leaves us now to move closer to his family in Gloucestershire. We wish him and his family well in this new stage of their lives.

Mrs Lovett

Miles Rogers

Miles Rogers joined the College as Head of RS and his excellent knowledge and competence as an educator raised the importance and relevance of the subject among the pupil body, establishing the subject as a core GCSE for all.

His wealth of experience and subject knowledge enabled him to take over the role of Head of History as well as teacher of A-Level Economics and he has been pivotal in instigating the EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) for 6th Form pupils.

He has enriched the humanities curriculum with many excursions and visits, from the F1 trip to Exeter Cathedral, Mosque and Synagogue, to overseas trips to Rome and Poland, including a visit to Auschwitz. He also led annual visits to the Holocaust conference at Exeter University.

He recognised the need to develop pupils’ higher order thinking skills; the ability to synthesise, analyse, reason, comprehend, apply, and evaluate. He was instrumental in developing a critical thinking curriculum for KS3 pupils and he introduced the Peter Vardy Lectures. An annual lecture for F5 and 6th Form pupils which explored cross curricular themes.

He has been a supportive and respected 6th Form tutor, mentoring pupils through the challenges of UCAS applications. He also worked as a member of the SLT ensuring that an appropriate provision of teaching was always in place.

The results his pupils have gained over the years speak for themselves and many of them have gone on to study history, theology, and other related degrees at university with great success. As well as being remembered for his open debates in lessons and his skill in challenging pupils to think and write in a cogent, intelligent manner, he will also be remembered for his kindness and the calm that permeates his classroom.

Mrs Parker, Mrs Aliberti and Mr Barlow

Steve Trask

Steve moved with his family to Shebbear in 2007. His girls started at Shebbear and when Mrs Cardoo announced she was going on maternity leave, the then headmaster Bob Barnes invited Steve to apply for the maternity cover position. Steve fitted in perfectly and was such an excellent teacher that he was asked to continue at Shebbear after Mrs Cardoo had returned.

Steve became a key member of the maths department, teaching pupils from Form 1 to Upper 6th. All of them remember him, for his knowledge, his empathetic teaching and of course, his bad jokes. Steve also took on roles such as football coach, shooting manager and residential organiser. For many years Steve ran the Form 2 trip to France and the school ski trip and made both of them key residentials that pupils couldn’t wait to go on and still talk about today.

When Mrs Bearpark stepped down as Head of Maths, Steve was the natural person to take on the role. He was a great leader of the mathematics department and his compassionate and fair approach was appreciated by staff and pupils alike. It was not at all unusual to pass his classroom to find him helping a student about to sit their exams in his free time.

Steve moves away from Shebbear with his wife Jane to be closer to their daughters.

Mrs Cardoo

Emily Earl

Emily joined us as a Gap Student for one year from Australia. She has been a core member of our boarding community, our Pre-School and Reception classes and our PE department and we thank her greatly for her huge contribution to Shebbear College and wish her the best of luck for the future!