Welcome from the Housemaster of Collingwood

I am very proud of Collingwood House; it is a great place to live and work. This is my fourth boarding house, having first started out as a housemaster way back in 1992 in Mulgrave House, Fyling Hall School, North Yorkshire where I was for 4 years. Then it was onto Scotland, Rannoch School and Cameron House for 5 years, before moving to Rossall School. Lancashire where I ran Anchor House as well being Head of Middle School and Head of Biology.

I arrived at RHS in 2004 to teach Biology, coach Games and run CCF activities, as well as lead Collingwood House. In addition to my teaching career I have been in the Territorial Army since 1986 first in the Infantry and latterly since 2001 as CCF Officer. One of my main roles at RHS is as the Contingent 2IC and Training Major.

I enjoy outdoor pursuits in particular hill/wilderness walking. I am a qualified Kayak Coach, RYA Dayskipper and High Ropes Supervisor. I am heavily involved in the DofE Award at RHS leading both Silver and Gold expeditions. I am married to Annette, who is also a teacher and we have 3 children, Richard 17, Lucy 16 and Ben 14; all of whom are pupils at RHS. Richard spent 6 years as a boarder in Collingwood before moving to Nelson and Ben is currently in Y9 in Collingwood.

There is a fantastic team of adults working for Collingwood: Matron and the tutors are dedicated and very experienced in their roles. All the tutors have served as successful housemasters in the past. Our resident tutor is one of the very best young staff I have seen in over 20 years teaching. Matron is recognised as an exceptional individual who is the heartbeat of our community, her daughter is currently a pupil at RHS in Nelson house. Our domestic support staff takes great pride in its work and a genuine interest in the boys' welfare. We all have a shared experience and vision, both the staff and boys and these then generate the house ethos which is summarised below:

The days that make us happy make us wise - John Masefield

Collingwood is a happy house, this is achieved by creating an ethos where all the boys can feel secure, have high self esteem and be valued as a team member. There is a structured environment where a pupil can feel empowered to take on the challenges and opportunities presented to them without being frightened of failure. It is great fun living in Collingwood - not in a trite way but the sense of camaraderie through the banter and interactions is very real and inviting.

Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination - Fitzhugh Dodson

Collingwood is also a purposeful house, for we are seeking to challenge and enable all the boys to reach their potential in mind, body and spirit - mens sana in sano corpore, simply put a healthy mind in a healthy body.

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments - Anon

To this aim a high standard of discipline is the cornerstone of the house ethos. It is formed through the development of basic traits of honour, duty, courage and pride. It is characterized by attitudes of loyalty, trust, courtesy, high morale and esprit de corps. Since group discipline must begin with self-discipline, it is natural that emphasis is placed on personal habits of neatness, promptness, orderliness, and a civilised bearing.

We are what we do, excellence then is not an act but a habit - Aristotle

We are not to be satisfied with mediocrity, rather we seek excellence in all that we do, whether that is our appearance, competing on the sports field, performing in music or arts or working in the classroom. Collingwood has an outstanding and unparalleled record at RHS in these areas. We also seek the very best in our relationships within our community through respect and compassion for one another.

In union there is strength - Aesop

Collingwood strives to be an inclusive community. We maintain strong connections with its students, staff, parents, alumni, and friends so individuals are inextricably connected in a seamless web. The philosophy of promoting the personal development of the pupils is shared by all members of the house team, parents and indeed by the pupils themselves.

I look forward to welcoming you to Collingwood and sharing some more of this marvelous community with you.

Jonathan Pooley - Housemaster

Contact: +44 (0)1473 326240