PAGE 21
MESSAGE FROM THE MASTER Rob Milne joined the College in August of last year following eight years as Headmaster at Emanuel School. Before that he was, for six years, Deputy Head at King's College, Wimbledon having previously been Head of English at Magdalen College School, Oxford. At the end of his first term at the College, Rob looked back at his motivation for applying for the role of Master, what he has learned about the students and his colleagues from his brief time in charge and provides a few insights into Rob Milne the person. Finally, he shares a message for all Old Alleynians.
Which teacher inspired you at school and why? Two - if that's okay!
Why did you feel that applying for the role of Master here at Dulwich College was the right thing to do? I had come to know Dulwich through sports fixtures, colleagues and families over the years; it made me feel positive about the school. I also felt that the time might be right, having completed almost a decade at Emanuel. I was attracted to the diversity of the pupil population at Dulwich, the breadth of the offering and sense of ambition for local and international education. I was also struck by the genuine commitment to local partnerships and funded places. What has pleasantly surprised you most in your first months here at the College? Put simply, this is a very welcoming, authentic and ambitious school. The pupils, parents and staff have a confident humility, with a real focus on everyone doing their best for the boys, and those connected to the College in other ways. It is a true community, with Old Alleynians connected across the globe, partnerships thriving and a social mission underpinned by a genuine care for others. You have said that Dulwich students have an energy about them. What do you mean by that? This is tricky to easily define, however, having met pupils and ex pupils, aged four to 94, I have been struck by a sense of spirit common to many of them. They seem united by a desire to personally develop, to contribute, question and make things better- all qualities I admire. There is also a sense of fun, and humour in school life - a sense of not taking ourselves too seriously, which is lovely to see, whilst also making the most of talents and abilities.
I vividly remember my senior-school English teacher – Dr Rowe. Over the four years from GCSE through to A Level his lessons opened up a world of literature; Hamlet, Hardy, George Eliot...Frost, Larkin. I loved his lessons and appreciated his care, talent, knowledge and ability to instil confidence and encourage us. I was also inspired by my deputy head, David Nuttall. He was a tough man and also ran the 1st team cricket - his nickname was 'Crunch.' He was a great French teacher, a genuinely decent man, and his passion for cricket, along with the incredible time he gave to so many of us across the years, was valued by us all. What is something people might be surprised to learn about you? Gosh - not sure - I played tennis at Wimbledon, as an 8 year old, not on the main courts, but as part of a young players exhibition. Which book would you go back and read and why? Another tough question: I told the boys in a Chapel assembly that this would be Middlemarch, by George Eliot, so I will stick with that! In the little time that you have to yourself, what do you do to relax? I like to run, be with the family, play sports, read... What message would you like to share specifically with Old Alleynians? I have met a huge number of Old Alleynians already and every time I have been struck by the sense of warmth, support and interest in their College. I know how much their value their old school and the people/pupils in it; they are also deeply ambitious for it, in all ways, and I hope that we will keep making great strides together.
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker