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The Talbot

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talbot

Housemaster: Mr. Jonathan White

Tel: +44 (0)1344 444086

Jonathan studied Economics at Kingston Polytechnic and then worked for KPMG in London before doing a PGCE at Cambridge University. Gaining a Hockey Blue at the tender age of 31, he returned to Wellington in 2001, having left as a pupil in 1987, to teach Mathematics and coach both the boys and girls Hockey 1st XI’s. For the last four years he has been the Head of the 4^th Form and he moved to the Talbot in September 2011 with his wife Amoreena and two boisterous boys, Billy (6) and Sam (4). When time allows he enjoys playing sport, skiing, the outdoors and gastronomy, the cooking, consuming and imbibing.

House team

There are five tutors attached to the Talbot, a Matron and a House keeper. The tutors spend one evening each week on duty in the House. They may well come into the House at other times too to see tutees. The tutor monitors, chivvies and helps with organisation, work, extra-curricular activities, grades and reports, and life at Wellington in general.

Michael Denhart – the Assistant Housemaster and tutor to the 3^rd Form. Michael is also an OW (a little bit behind Jonathan!) and a Modern Linguist (Spanish and French). His interests include all things Spanish, travelling, sailing (Master I/C Sailing here at Wellington) rugby, hockey, skiing, clarinet and baritone sax as well as testing people with his 80s music knowledge!

Mr Jim Dewes - Tutor to the U6th. Jim joined the House team last year and has a plethora of experience having been a Housemaster at Wellington for 15 years. He teaches Geography and is a self-confessed cricket nutcase, still playing active club cricket at the age of 55. He also coaches rugby and netball and has a cellar full of wines of various ages and experience.

Mr Robin Macpherson - Tutor to the L6th. Robin joins us from Repton School, Dubai and will take over here as the Head of History. He studied at Oxford and Edinburgh and is delighted to be teaching at a school steeped in history. Beyond his subject, his chief interests are Scottish football, Glasgow Rangers, and more Scottish football. Outside of the Scottish football season, he likes to travel and play a bit of golf, with some running thrown in when the occasion merits. His wife Hossa looks after the Muslim pupils at Wellington.

Dr Julian O’Loughlin - Tutor to the 5th Form. Julian is the Head of Chemistry, is a keen contributor to all aspects of College life and is a man who likes a bit of a challenge. He ran his third London Marathon last year a few days after arriving at Wellington. He coaches cross country and cricket and plays during the summer holiday for the mighty Crowthorne Cricket club. He is married to Gill and his interests are sustainability (he grows his own vegetables and has 6 chickens) and anything that involves being outside and running around, normally after his two children William (4) and Sophie (3).

Dr Guy Williams - Tutor to the 4th Form. Guy is the newly appointed Head of Philosophy and Religion, and Theory of Knowledge Coordinator. His academic interests include ancient Christianity and Judaism, as well as Moral Philosophy. He runs Classical Hebrew club, Greek New Testament breakfast, and Philosophy and Theology Society (‘Phil-Thy’). He is an enthusiastic practitioner of karate, which he teaches as a 3rd Form activity. He also helps out with football and shooting. Guy also holds the significant, senior, and strategic role of Deputy Staff Football, ensuring the harmonious enjoyment of extra-curricula football among the hard-working academic staff of the College.

Julie Burns is the Talbot Matron. Julie comes with the House, having been here before it was rebuilt, and is there to supervise the ‘boys’, keep an eye on the tidiness of the House and also to be a good listener. Julie, who hails from Sunderland, is quite simply a saint. The boys' attitude to her is best summed up in the often quoted saying, "there is only one Julie." Her favourite drink is champagne!

Wellington has a large team of domestic and catering staff to help look after the pupils. Their job in the house is to keep the house clean, but not to tidy up other peoples' mess. Joan and Linda are our regular cleaners. They have been attached to the House for years and are gems.

Number of boarders and day pupils: 61

"The Talbot is an eclectic and exciting boarding and day house, and Talbotians are renowned for their friendly and welcoming atmosphere, industrious work ethic and dedication to social and personal development. A strength of the Talbot is not only the good relations we try to foster within year groups but the positive rapport across year groups. If there was to be a House motto it would be, 'Treat others as you would have them treat you'. The Talbot is a comfortable home to over 60 Wellingtonians between the ages of 13 and 19 of a diverse social and ethnic mix.

Sympathetic, skilled and experienced House Staff are the cornerstone of the House system at Wellington, with each House having a dedicated Housemaster and House Matron. The Talbot's House Matron Mrs Julie Burns is responsible for the corporeal well being of the boys, providing a link between the pupils and the Ancillary Services such as the Laundry. An inimitable spirit, she is always willing to help with other problems such as home-sickness or anxiety.

Constructed in 2003, the Talbot is set away from the hustle and bustle of the main school, and provides a tranquil retreat from the stresses of day to day student life. Near to a serene lake, peaceful woodlands and some of the school's best playing fields. During the summer months the House is conveniently situated next to the Outdoor Swimming pool. The House has some of the best accommodation in the College. The south facing views from the 'Piazza del Talbot' overlooking the lake, provides a great spot for our Saturday Summer barbeques. In addition, the brilliantly spacious. oak panelled, in House Dining Room is the venue for Breakfast, Lunch and Supper for the Talbot's students as well as providing a great setting for the traditional twice termly post prep curries which are an essential factor in maintaining House morale!"

Felix Cook (T 2004/09)

The Talbot is named after the Hon. Sir Wellington Patrick Talbot, (1817 - 1898) known as Colonel Talbot. Talbot was the eighth son of the second Earl Talbot. After a short spell in the army he became Private Secretary to the Prime Minister Lord Derby. It was the latter, along with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert who decided that the monument to the Great Duke should take the form of a school. Talbot organized the appeal to raise the funds for the establishment of the College and he even helped decide where it should be situated, treading the heather where the present College stands, with Prince Albert. Colonel Talbot remained a devoted friend and servant of the College for forty five years. He served as Secretary to the Governors, then became a Governor and then served as Vice-President for twenty three years. He felt the welfare of the College to be his special responsibility and he paid careful attention to detail. A tall, commanding presence, every inch the kindly English gentleman, he was consulted on matters great and small and once complained he suffered from a disease called 'Wellington on the brain'. His work for the College continued unbroken until his death in 1898 while on a fishing trip to his beloved Sutherland. The Governors decided that his memory should be celebrated with the award of a special medal, the Talbot Medal at each Speech Day.