Rhubarb December 2025

ST EDWARD’S

Cowell’s boys a sense of belonging, a home from home, and they were regarded as ‘treating their charges as individuals above and beyond any rules’. One suspects that raising four boys of their own stood them both in very good stead for these roles. Miles also made a considerable contribution to sport at the School over the years and coached rugby, hockey and cricket, including a very successful spell coaching the 1st XI alongside Brian Edrich. He was a fine spin bowler and regularly played in the Common Room teams, as well as being a highly sought after referee. After house nursing Sheilah was an integral part of the Common Room community that exists behind the scenes to support so many aspects of school life.They both remained an integral part of school life up until Miles’ retirement in 1994. Retirement brought them to the Cotswolds where they both continued to care and support others through their local church community, local volunteer roles, and mentoring OSE. They both died peacefully earlier this year and it has been an absolute privilege to understand the impact they both made on the lives they touched with OSE and Common Room attending their memorial services and sending so many heartfelt messages.

OBITUARIES

Miles (Former Staff, 1959-1994) and Sheilah Peregrine (Former Staff,1975-1979). This obituary was kindly provided by two of Miles and Sheilah’s sons, Andrew and Michael. I t is very easy to take one’s parents for granted and equally easy to overlook the impact they had on others: those they cared for, taught, and worked beside. Upon their passing this has become so apparent and ultimately touches on what a uniquely special gift it is to be able to teach and to care for the wellbeing of others. Miles taught at St Edward’s for 35 years arriving in the Common Room in 1959 initially to teach Biology, and later Chemistry as well.This was his first teaching position and it was apparent very early on in his career that he was a born teacher. He quickly grew into a very well-regarded teacher who treated his pupils with respect and dedicated his time to their learning. He always preferred to engage with pupils, encourage, and guide them towards the goals he believed they could reach. Miles was the son of a doctor and graduated from Cambridge with a Medicine degree and the family expectation of becoming a doctor. A temporary job teaching Biology in Taunton saw him change direction, and also allowed him to pursue his sporting loves of cricket and hockey, having been captain in 1st teams throughout his school and university careers. A chance meeting with Warden Frank Fisher (at a cricket match) led to him applying for a teaching post at St Edward’s, and an “unconventional” but successful interview in a bar in Oxford secured the position. Miles met Sheilah in his first year in Oxford. Originally from Lancashire, Sheilah was a matron at the John Radcliffe Hospital and they married in 1960 and quickly threw themselves into starting their own family and family life at the School. In 1975 Miles became Housemaster of Cowell’s and at the same time Sheilah became the House Nurse for both Cowell’s and Segar’s.Together they formed a formidable pairing giving their

Kevin John Mills (Member of the Grounds Team, 1996-2025) The following obituary was kindly provided by Kevin’s family. K evin was a much-loved husband, father, brother and son. He was

tragically taken from us on October 19th at just 49 years old. Kevin started working at St Edward’s nearly 30 years ago as a groundsman.After going to college and progressing his career he eventually became Head Groundsman. He always spoke very fondly of his work colleagues and really enjoyed his job. He also loved doing discos and did the annual St Edward’s christmas party for the pupils. His family will always remember his cheeky smile and happy personality that lit up a room.There will always be a hole in our hearts that will never be filled and we will miss him forever. R.I.P. Kevin.

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