On finishing University I moved straight to Cairo and started my teaching career at The British School of Egypt and was there for 2 years as a classroom teacher. From there I moved to China where I spent 8 years, working in 2 international schools in a City called Suzhou. I worked at Dulwich College for 5 years, starting as a Classroom teacher and moving into Physical education during my time at the school. During my time at DCSZ I also worked as the Head of Rugby and coached several sports teams. I moved to the Overseas Chinese Academy of Suzhou and took up a position as the Head of Primary PE in the middle of my first year. I was at OCAC for 3 years overseeing the running of PE in the school and running the extra curricular programmes with the PE department.
I am from Cornwall in the South West of England from a small Town called Saltash. Several members of my family were teachers and I have always been passionate about working with children and teaching and from an early age wanted to work in education. Unsurprisingly for a PE teacher I am deeply passionate about sport and in particular rugby. I have been involved in rugby since the age of 4 when I started playing. I have been a player, supporter, coach, and club president in my life, having been part of a group that started our own rugby club in Suzhou. I am a World Rugby coach and have, in the past run courses to teach others to be coaches.
"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. " - Michael Jordan. This quote for me as a PE teacher is so important. We all fail at times, but it is how we work and improve that lead us to success. This quote leads me to strive to improve in different areas of my life.
Happiness is seeing students thriving at school. In PE, students are able to express themselves. They work on their teamwork, their resilience, their health and wellbeing as well. Happiness is students trying out a new sport and succeeding. Being a risk-taker and seeing the rewards.