Assistant Head of Boarding, Housemaster of Armour’s

I have been a teacher of Home Economics and Hospitality at Campbell College since 2018 and joined the Boarding department in my first year of teaching. My role as a duty master within the boarding department allowed me to experience the school in an entirely new light.  In 2020 I was appointed as Assistant Head of Boarding (Junior/Key Stage 3), responsible for students in Year 8- Year 10.

I work with an excellent team of tutors, duty staff and housemothers who oversee both pastoral and academic care for the boys. We pride ourselves in open communication with both the parents and students to build a trusting and respectful relationship.

Through my teaching role I have got to work with boarding students in both Junior and Senior boarding since joining the college and it has been a fantastic experience. Teaching Home Economics to students from a range of countries around the world has allowed me to learn about different cultures and religions and forms lots of exciting and interesting discussion within the classroom.

I have loved watching the boys grow in confidence from their arrival to the college to when they leave us. Whether the boys stay for 1 year, 7 years or somewhere in between they make friends for life. The boys are well integrated into the day school and frequently request exeat to leave on weekend trips and outings with their new school friends.

The structure and routines that Junior Boarding instils in the boys is something that sets them up for life both inside and outside of the classroom walls. The feeling of family and sense of pride that the boys have about being a boarder at Campbell College speaks volumes. There are so many opportunities for students, whatever their interests and we celebrate all the boy’s achievements and successes.

My job is extremely rewarding, and I am lucky to work with such a dedicated team of staff. The boys at Campbell College are very privileged to have such an enthusiastic and committed body of staff within the boarding department who go above and beyond to make their time here unforgettable.

Assistant Head of Boarding, Housemaster of Chase's

In 2007 I arrived in CCB to set up a brand new Home Economics Department.  It was a busy and very enjoyable time as the subject was introduced first to year 8 pupils and then throughout the rest of the school. We now have a thriving Department offering Hospitality courses to those pupils in Key Stage 4 and 5.

It was when teaching survival cookery to the Year 13 and 14 pupils back then that the world of boarding and School House came to my attention. There was an easy camaraderie amongst these boys which made the classes fun and made me think about the value of boarding for boys. Being a mother, of two teenage boys, I could see the benefits of a structured and safe environment where they would be looked after and encouraged to engage in studies and sport.

I decided to offer my services, at first in a part time capacity and then as a full time boarding tutor. The rewards have been enormous and as I have got more involved in the organisation and development of School House my respect for the people I work with is immense. We have a wide range of personalities within the staff and this I feel is one of our greatest strengths. Boys have that variety of experience and style to go to when they feel like some fun, help with their work or when they may be struggling with a problem.

As the years have progressed and you look back on a long list of boys you have helped look after, you cannot help but smile at the memories they bring. Watching them develop into fine young men with an easy and confident manner is hugely rewarding.

Assistant Head of Boarding, Housemaster of Bowen’s

I have had the privilege of teaching Chemistry at Campbell College for nine years, eight of which as part of the Boarding Department where I have been Assistant Head of Boarding for five.  I thoroughly enjoy this role and the opportunities it presents.  I am responsible for the general welfare of all Year 11-14 pupils in Bowen’s House, which involves ensuring they are achieving their potential inside and out of the classroom and allowing them to develop into well rounded young men within the parameters of the Boarding code of conduct.

The Boarding Department is an integral component of life at Campbell and the committed and caring Boarding Staff team continue to make positive contributions through continuing to form good professional relationships with the boys and establishing an attitude of mutual respect between both staff and pupils and between pupils themselves.  Boarding is a diverse family unit consisting of members from a number of nationalities and cultures which relies on a high level of tolerance and understanding of another's background and beliefs.  In Boarding we believe attributes like this will allow these young men to succeed in life.  The part I enjoy most about my job is witnessing Boarders develop and grow to overcome a range of challenges.   As part of my role my family have moved on-site and one of the many benefits is having my Children grow up surrounded by fantastic role models, and in the family environment Boarding creates.

Campbell currently has four Housemothers looking after 150 boarders; Mrs Lorraine Cooke, Mrs Pamela Moses, Mrs Gillian Callendar and Mrs Dette Coughlin.

The role of Housemother is an integral part of our boarding community in which they are tasked with looking after of our boarders; from ensuring they are on time for school to being a confidant should any boarder feel they need to talk.

To quote one of the Housemothers, “Having been a House Mother for a long time… it is lovely to see our Year 14 boys leaving the College as confident young men in comparison to their shy Year 8 selves. Although clichéd, Boarding at Campbell truly is one big happy family where we all look out for one another, fight like brothers but make up like brothers in a way that only family could. Boarding encourages a particular focus on their studies and enables them to become independent.”

Matron

Having been a nurse in the Royal Victoria Hospital, I took a career change 14 years ago and joined Campbell College as ‘Matron’, and I can truly say that the last 14 years have been the most rewarding of my career. My role doesn’t just involve managing any illness or injuries that occur during a school day, it extends to providing care, support and health advice to the boys. I also work within the Boarding Department alongside colleagues and the College doctors and together we are responsible for the health and wellbeing of the boarders.

The boys know that my door is always open and they are welcome to call in for a chat and a cup of tea if there is something worrying them, or perhaps they just want to call to let me know how their day is going. I am so very proud of the boys in our care, and it is a pleasure to see them maturing into fine young men and progressing on their chosen careers. One of my greatest rewards is hearing from former pupils, and a major strength of Campbell is that they will frequently return to visit the school.

I love that my role of Matron extends beyond just plasters and bandages, it is providing the listening ear and trying to send boys on, not just feeling better physically, but feeling better about themselves.