Looking forward to Charities Week

1. What would your other aspiration be if you weren’t a headmaster?

I’m on my fourth career now and the most important thing is to be open to anything rather than miss opportunities that come along

2. What is your favourite sport or hobby?

My main sport at school was rowing and I still use a rowing machine every week. I also like playing the French horn, like my sons.

3. What is the highlight of your experience at the Royal Grammar School so far?

There are so many positive. Perhaps just being here and being able to enjoy the sense of momentum? Most recently, the House Music evening was tremendous!

4. How does the RGS differ from other schools where you have taught?

Every other school I have taught at has been a boarding school, so it is quite different being at a day school like the RGS. Here, much more has to be packed into a shorter day

5. If you were going to teach a subject, what would it be and why? My university degree is in Classics, but I also enjoy teaching Economics. I also currently teach an Extended Project Qualification set for sixth formers. 6. What is the most challenging part about being the headmaster? Getting to know people well. It is an aspiration to know every student and teacher – something I’ve been working hard on doing.

7. What has been the most important moment in your career so far?

I always prefer to be forward looking and going ahead to take challenges. The best memory is helping pupils succeed when they don’t believe they can.

8. Tell us something you want your pupils to know?

Don’t worry about failing. You learn more from failure than success.

9. What is your favourite part about your job and why?

My favourite part of my job is working with people and being given the opportunity to make a meaningful difference for them.

10. Has this school’s academic and sport level exceeded your expectation?

The RGS is clearly a great school. It is a tremendous privilege to work with the staff and students. I expected this to be so when I came here, and I haven’t been disappointed.

NEXT WEEK, THE RGS will begin preparation for Charities Week: the five days at the end of November that our school dedicates each year to raising money for local good causes.

Co-ordinating teacher Miss Hayes said: “I hope we’ll be able to raise over £10,000 this year.” That may sound a lot of money, but it’s both optimistic and realistic. She explained the biggest money-raising events are usually the sponsored Readathon and a Non-Uniform Day on the Friday, when students can opt to pay £2 to ditch their blazers. Other activities around the school are likely to include old favourites such as home-baked cake stalls, raffles, busking, quizzes, and staff versus student games such as penalty shoot-outs.

This year we are supporting the People’s Kitchen, a non-profit business which cooks nutritious meals for the homeless and those who can’t afford them elsewhere. We are also raising money for St Oswald’s Hospice, which offers comforting services for adults of all ages suffering from terminal illness. These charities were chosen by the students of RGS from a selection of North-East charities in a vote that took place earlier in the year.

Activities take place throughout the school during break and lunchtimes. It’s always a hugely enjoyable time for our students and a much-loved feature of the calendar in the lead-up to Christmas. As the season of giving approaches, we’ll all be sure to have some extra change in our pockets each day!