New Housemaster

As the new academic year gets underway at the School, for one member of staff, there has been a significant addition to his role in the School as he takes the reigns of Housemaster of one of the Middle School Boys Houses.

At the end of last term, Martin Clewlow, a Chemistry teacher and long standing Housemaster at the School relinquished the reins of St. Cuthberts, one of the boys Middle School Houses. For the last 16 years Martin has been a Housemaster for various Houses at the School, having been the founding Housemaster of St. Aidans the Middle School House in 1986. The Headmaster Brendan Wignall, commented, Martin has done a terrific job in his various pastoral roles over the years and I am very grateful to him for all his hard work. I have no doubt that he will continue to make an enormous positive contribution to the School in the future. This term sees Martin continuing his pastoral support to pupils as a Sixth Form tutor and his role as an officer in the CCF Army Section. 

Following 4 years as a PE Teacher, Ian Roberts is the new Housemaster for St. Cuthberts. Originally from North West Wales, Ian grew up in a small village called Waunfawr, which is about three miles outside of Caernarfon, and is a fluent Welsh speaker. He was a pupil at Waunfawr Primary School  and then attended Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen, in Caernarfon.

Gaining a BA Hons. in Sport, Recreation and Tourism, Ian completed his PGCE at Bangor University in Secondary Physical Education. He taught in several schools in North Wales before being offered the post of Teacher of PE at Ellesmere in 2006. Since being at Ellesmere he has coached the U16, 2nd XV and currently the U13 Rugby Squads. He has also coached the U14 Football Squad, the U11 Cricket Squad and is also the current Master in Charge of Football as well as Head of House for Meynell Competitive House.

Being a rugby player since he was young, he played Rugby for his school, Caernarfon Rugby Club and for North Wales. Whilst at University he continued to play Rugby for both the 1st XV and 2nd XV. He is now a Level 2 Rugby Coach.

This year has begun with 94 boys in St. Cuthberts,  Of the 35 Boarders, several pupils are from overseas giving the House an international mix of pupils from France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Ukraine. Ian is supported in his all-important pastoral care role in St. Cuthberts by Richard Macintosh, Deputy Housemaster, Dale Crawford, No 3 in the House and a team of 9 tutors.  All Ellesmere College pupils are placed into a tutor group and are assigned a tutor who ensures their academic and pastoral well being throughout their time at the School. Suzanne Carr is the Housemother, her job is to provide help with smooth running of the House, dealing with boarding issues and operational matters with Rose Dean providing domestic support and Neil Rogers being the House Handyman.

Ian Roberts concluded, The house is looking to continue its mission of producing well rounded, well-mannered and well-educated young gentlemen.

Families interested to learn more about the pastoral support that is integral within the House structure are invited to join Ian Roberts and his House team in St. Cuthberts during the Schools forthcoming Open Day on Saturday 9th October, between 1pm and 4pm.

Photo Martin Clewlow & Ian Roberts

13th September 2010  Back to News