Chronicle Summer 2023

22 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Rowena Ritchie OSE What will you do at Teddies when you join in September? I will be stepping into some big shoes to take on the HM position in Tilly’s. I am also teaching Biology in the Christie Centre. David Christie, for whom the building is named, was I taught Science and Maths at The Fulham Boys School when it opened in 2014. I loved the school’s vision of an independent education open to all boys. The school had longer teaching days with a whole afternoon dedicated to sport. I coached the 3rds Rugby, who had a lot of spirit, and set up a rowing programme with my husband, Dan. I was able to develop a curriculum shaped by the world around us, putting science into a real-world context. Enterprise was one of the key pillars of the school and pupils were encouraged to be problem solvers and come up with enterprise projects. I ran a gardening club – pupils took cuttings of herbs and sold the plants they had grown at the summer fair. What are you looking forward to about being HM of Tilly’s? I have heard that Tilly’s has amazing House pride, with pupils throwing themselves into competitions and taking up opportunities and responsibilities. As an incoming HM I am looking forward to harnessing this passion and House spirit and getting to know each of the pupils individually. What are your fondest memories from your time as a pupil at Teddies? I have so many fond memories of my time at Teddies. One of the highlights was the Hockey and Rugby tour to Chile and Argentina. This was an amazing pre-season training before our final year of School. Our team included some exceptional hockey players such as Zoe Shipperley (GB Hockey 2014-18) and we qualified for the Nationals. What are the key things you took away from your time at the School? I would encourage all pupils to make the most of every opportunity – your time at Teddies is short. 2023 is the 40th year of co-education at Teddies. Why do you think co-education is important? Co-education at Teddies prepares pupils for their next stage of education and entering the working world. Seeing equality within a school system prepares pupils to enter wider society with respect and emotional intelligence. Tell us about your family. Dan and I met at Henley Royal Regatta when he was injured with a ruptured Achilles which led him to miss out on competing in the men’s eight at London 2012. A year later at the World Rowing Championships held in Chungju he the Warden when I joined Teddies as a pupil. What inspired you to become a teacher?

achieved a gold medal in the men’s eight. We got married in 2016 and then lived and worked in London with our dog Red. We moved back to Oxfordshire to be closer to family to have our first child. Dan moved into Formula 1 and currently works in the commercial team at Red Bull Racing. Our daughter, Iona, has just finished Reception and our son, Magnus, is at nursery. They are both very excited about moving into Tilly’s. What are you currently reading? My grandparents grew up on the islands in Scotland and as we are looking to visit Lewis and Harris in our VW campervan, I have started to read a trilogy of books called The Lewis Man by Peter May. May is a thrilling crime writer and has published a companion book to The Lewis Man trilogy entitled Hebrides with beautiful pictures showing the beaches and land that inspire his writing.