Bruce
Bruce House Newsletter - Michaelmas 09
Bruce House Newsletter - Summer 09
Bruce House Newsletter - Michaelmas 08
Craig Sutton - Housemaster
Craig joined Stowe in September 1996 after graduating from Exeter University with a degree in Sports Science and Geography. He took over as Head of the Physical Education and Sports Science Department in September 2000. He has experience of tutoring at every age group, and has been a sixth form tutor for the past six years. Craig has played rugby for London Wasps and the South West of England, and has also coached up to divisional level. As well as coaching the senior rugby teams, he has run the cricket and tennis at Stowe. Sarah, his wife, joins Craig at Stowe in September 2008, having previously taught at St Edward's, Oxford and they have two young children, Emily and Benjamin.
Ann Lake - Matron
Ann joined Bruce House in January 1996, having had a wide and varied career in Child Care, including 'special needs' and she has had experience of boys and girls of all ages in a boarding environment. Ann likes to be involved with all aspects of life at Stowe - commitments to Bruce permitting. She firmly believes in an 'open door' policy for the boys in her care at all times. Ann's main interests at Stowe are helping with the Community Service programme, music and sport - especially cricket (in her view any game which includes afternoon tea has to be worth watching!). In any free time during the holidays Ann enjoys walking, reading and indulging her passion for Opera.
Charlie Barker - Under-Housemaster and 4th Form Tutor
Charlie graduated from Loughborough University in 2006 and came straight to Stowe as a rugby coach, having played for Northampton Saints and Loughborough University previously. He is currently studying for his PGCE at Buckingham University and now doing some teaching - French, Politics and assisting the Skills Development team at Stowe. Charlie was previously a 4th Form Tutor in Cobham before taking on his role of Under-Housemaster in Bruce. He continues to coach rugby teams throughout the school. Charlie's interests include fitness and conditioning, diet and nutrition, France and the French language, he is also a big fan of Mixed Martial Arts. He says his favourite film is probably Braveheart and favourite books are His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman and The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins.
Alan Murray - 3rd Form Tutor
Alan arrived at Stowe in January 1987 after 7 years in Africa (Ethiopia and Botswana), he is married to Kay and has four children. Alan teaches Geography and is in charge of soccer at Stowe. He is also involved in Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions.
Thomas O'Toole - 5th Form Tutor
Thomas (Tom), is a teacher of Physics with 25 years of teaching experience, and says he still loves teaching. Tom joins us from Warwick School. Having lived in Buckingham for many years now, he is enjoying the shorter commute! He is married to Claire and they have a son James. Tom enjoys long walks and visiting theatres and art galleries. He is a member of the CCF and helps out with Stowe's fencing club - he would encourage newcomers to the sport to join.
Keith Oatley - 5th Form Tutor
Keith is at Stowe for 2010 on exchange from Scotch College, Melbourne, Australia. He has swapped jobs, houses and cars with Tom O’Toole (wife and children came with him). He has taught Physics, Maths and Science for 24 years and until recently was a keen bushwalker and competent player of tennis, squash and table tennis. Unfortunately ankle degeneration has somewhat curtailed these activities but has spurred his interest in cycling and kayak paddling. He is keen to learn as much as possible from his year at Stowe and looks forward to some opportunities to explore the UK and Europe with his family.
Rory Akam - 6th Form Tutor
Rory is Head of Science and has been Tutor to many Walpole boys before joining Bruce House in September 2008. He is married to Stowe's Senior Tutor, Sally Akam, and they have two boys. Rory and Sally are active participants in the adventurous geography and biology field trips. He is a supporter Sunderland football team.
Panos John - 6th Form Tutor
Panos studied Industrial Technology and Management at Bradford University and then worked for five years in the Aluminium Industry before joining the teaching profession. He has worked in four state schools and prior to joining Stowe was Faculty Head of Business and Computing at a New Forest School. Panos is currently the Head of Business Studies and is also Master in Charge of squash. Panos is a keen sportsman and enjoys playing a range of racket sports and recently he has taken up golf and skiing.
James Tearle - Attache
James studied Chemistry at Oxford University and joined Stowe as a full time Chemistry teacher in 1990. Since then he has been drawn in the direction of ICT and is now Head of ICT at the School, although he still teaches Chemistry. James was Under-Housemaster in Bruce for 5 years, the last 3 years of which his wife, Alice, was a resident Tutor in the House. They have since moved out of Bruce to another house on site at Stowe when their family arrived, but still have very fond memories of life in Bruce.
History of Bruce House
The 2nd Duke of Buckingham & Chandos married Lady Mary Campbell, daughter of the Marquess of Breadalbane and Holland. One of her family names was Bruce and, as this was the only 'royal' name connected with the Temple family, that is believed to be why it was chosen.
| Housemasters |
|
| Revd Ernest Earle |
1923 - 1924 |
| Francis Arnold |
1924 - 1928 |
| Revd Humphrey Playford |
1928 - 1939 |
| Brian Gibson |
1939 - 1940 |
| Revd Humphrey Playford |
1940 - 1953 |
| Chris Deacon |
1953 - 1969 |
| Brian Mead |
1969 - 1979 |
| Dr Michael Waldman |
1979 - 1993 |
| Ken Melber |
1993 - 2000 |
| Isaac Michael |
2000 - 2008 |
| Craig Sutton | 2008 - |