Elspeth Newlin

Life before Stowe

I graduated from the university of Nottingham in 2017, having spent four years studying for an MSci in Human Genetics. Having spent my final year undertaking a research project in a working lab, I realised that research wasn’t for me long term; while I found my project genuinely fascinating there are only so many 6 hour PCR reactions you can run before you start to go insane! Since then I have spent the past 2 years at Bradfield college as a Graduate Assistant in the Biology Department. This gave me the opportunity to experience what life working in a boarding school is like, working as a resident tutor, hockey and netball coach and DofE assessor while also getting to use my degree by teaching Biology.

What do you enjoy most about your subject?

I love that it helps to explain so much of what we see around us and also the complexities of it. Something than can seem really simple is often incredibly intricate. I will always have a love of genetics as it is essentially when makes us, us and I find it incredible that a 4 letter code is able to build up such complexity.

What do you enjoy most about Stowe?

Stowe is an incredibly beautiful place and I have enjoyed getting to explore the grounds and gardens here. I have also found the staff community to be incredibly welcoming which has been so helpful to me.

What is your favourite lesson?

I love introducing pupils to genetics for the first time and giving them a glimpse of how far they can go with the topic. Equally a heart dissection is always fun as it is so hands on and visual that it really helps pupils to understand what they have been learning.

Other hats at Stowe

Lyttelton Underhouseparent and Tutor, U14C hockey coach and a member of the CCF.

Passions

I have always loved playing sport having grown up playing hockey and netball, at university I switched it up and took up ultimate frisbee, in which I ended up having the opportunity to represent the GB U24 women’s team at the World championships in Australia back in 2018. Alongside this I come from an incredibly musical family so music has been ever present in my life and while it is something that very much sits on the backburner I enjoy playing the cello/ piano as a way to switch off and destress.