Jonathan Peverley
Department
Chemistry
Qualifications
MChem University College, Oxford
Contact information
Telephone: +44 (0)1280 818283
Email: jpeverley@stowe.co.uk
Life before Stowe
Coming from a family of teachers, I resisted the pull of teaching for several years. This involved "passing the time" working for a major IT Consultancy, living the high-life in London, spending a steamingly hot summer in Minneapolis and running my own company, as well as sporadically leading a nomadic existence as a traveller. However, like a moth to a flame, I "saw the light" and returned to my major passion of Chemistry.
What do you enjoy most about your subject?
Everything! For me, Chemistry explains the how, what and why of all that I see (and sometimes don't see) around me. I love being able to get into the intricacies of a topic, relating it modern life, modelling ideas of the atom, retro-synthesis of pharmaceuticals, making fantastic colours and pondering how a simple change in the arrangement of one atom can turn the smell of caraway into spearmint. I spent my fourth year of my undergraduate degree working in a research lab trying to design a feasible way of making an active site of a pharmaceutical. It was incredibly frustrating (mainly because it stopped me from rowing as much as I'd have liked) but I loved every minute of it and I felt in my true environment; even when I turned 1kg of starting material into 4mg of black goo (perhaps the synthesis didn't go quite as well as I'd hoped). Of course, I've been holding off saying that one of the most enjoyable parts of teaching this subject is the delights of blowing stuff up and making nasty smells!
What do you enjoy most about Stowe?
The variety that the school offers to its pupils in both academic and extra-curricular activities. Because of the hours a boarding school demands on staff, the other staff are so open to one another that it sometimes feels like they're just an extended family. I love the drive that the school puts into making the formal occasions such impressive affairs. The drive to work is quite impressive too...
What is your favourite Lesson?
Teaching anything related to organic chemistry. My A Level school teacher did nothing for the image of the subject, as he was the stereotypical scientist; wild grey hair, stains on his lab-coat and dodgy teeth. However, he had such a passion for everything that burned or made colours, that it was hard not to start to love this area of the subject. I'd hope that the pupils can see a similar passion in my teaching. However teaching the first lesson to the Third Form where we get to carry out some very visual reactions is also hard to beat.
What do others say about you?
I have extremely high expectations of every pupil I teach, as I know that, even if they don't, they do have the ability to understand at least part of this rather eccentric subject. Most pupils think I'm 'really strict' and I don't deny that. But I'd like to be perceived as fair. Other words (that are printable) to describe me are; tall and resembling a dutch, clog-wearing giraffe on the hockey pitch...
Other hats
I'm in charge of the Stowe Rowing. This year the club has benefited from some very kind and generous donations. This has allowed the pupils to improve immensely and we have built a real camaraderie in the squad. I'm hoping to be able to take many of them away on a 'tour' in 2013. I have also taken over the running of the RAF section of the CCF. Over the summer I was commissioned as an officer. I don't think I've ever polished my shoes, or ironed my shirt as much in one week! I'm also a Sixth Form Tutor, so not associated with any boarding House, although, in my previous years here I was a Lower School Tutor in Grafton, and I still have a slight bias to them when they're playing any Inter House games.
Passions
If you're going to spend a large portion of your day playing around with chemicals that have the potential to remove your hand, then I think you have to have quite an adventurous spirit. I'm not someone you'll find lying on a beach whilst on holiday. Between university and today, I have passed a good portion of my life travelling around the world, from Tahiti to Russia. I spent 6 months working as a volunteer in the US National Parks Service, where I got to spend time backcountry hiking in Bryce Canyon, watching the most spectacular sunrises in Canyonlands and dangling my legs over the 3000ft drop to the floor of the Grand Canyon. Three years ago my wife and I decided to have a holiday where we drove from the Midlands, across sub-Saharan Africa to Timbuktu, including a 2 mile stretch of landmines, in a car worth £250 without support or backup vehicles! I love the continent of Africa. For all its chaos and constant change of leaders, the people are probably the most friendly I've ever met, despite being some of the poorest. The music can be incredibly uplifting. I love watching wildlife programmes and, again, Africa sates my appetite. Probably the most exhilarating moment was cage-diving with Great White Sharks off the coast of South Africa. Being face-to-face with a 5m killer certainly reinforces why they're thought to be the ultimate animals. Away from the travelling, I still enjoy my sport. I play (badly) for Milton Keynes Hockey Club and being beaten at squash by other members of staff...