Edmonstone
Housemaster: Steve Dixon
During term time, Edmonstone is home to 52 boys aged 13-18. One of the original six Houses at Haileybury, Edmonstone dates back to 1863 when the first Housemaster was Rev H Couchman. Almost 150 years and 14 Housemasters later, Edmonstone remains a thriving boarding community and House spirit is as strong as ever.
Since 1995, Edmonstone has occupied modern, purpose-built accommodation on the north side of Avenue. Visitors to the House regularly comment on the warm and friendly atmosphere. Relationships among the boys are excellent, both within and between year groups. A very high proportion of boarders means there are always lots of people around and something to do.
Mr Dixon says: "We aim for Edmonstone to be a home from home. We greatly enjoy entertaining the boys and look forward to regular year group meals, House barbeques and Friday nights with the prefects. My wife loves cooking for the boys and her chocolate brownies are the stuff of House legend."
Charity dinners have become a significant feature of house life in recent years. Some years ago the boys chose to forgo their usual Thursday night pizzas, donating the money they would have spent to charity. Instead, they were treated to Mr Dixon's chicken curry or Mr Loughton's spaghetti bolognaise. This has grown into something of a tradition, the only difference now being that the boys cook. We have raised money for a variety of causes and most recently bought mosquito nets for the Haileybury Youth Trust after former Head of House Ryan O'Leary spent part of his gap year working with the HYT in Uganda. The annual Champagne and Shepherd's Pie Evening, where parents join Sixth Form boys and House staff for dinner, has become hugely popular, with entertainment at the dinner provided by the boys themselves.
Academic achievement is taken very seriously in Edmonstone. The tutors keep a close eye on the boys in their charge and the in-House 'colours' system of monitoring effort is very effective. The vast majority of Upper Sixth leavers have gone on to the universities of their choice, including several to Oxford and Cambridge in recent years. Among some great examination results this year included Edmonstone boys, former Head of School, Dhruv Sarma - the school's first pupil to score the full 45 points in the IB; and a full set of GCSE A* grades for Xavier Perraudin.
Inter-House sporting competitions are always fiercely contested. Almost half of the current boys have won their House socks for being part of the winning team in a House competition. Success beyond sports means boys have earned their House colours tie for activities including debating, the cabaret evening, music and drama.
Steven Dixon (Housemaster)
Steve took over as Housemaster of Edmonstone in September 2005. He is married to Suzanne, and they have three children: Sam, Jessica and Rose. After graduating from Oxford University, he was a resident tutor in a boarding house at Monmouth School. He then taught at St Paul's in London for six years, arriving at Haileybury in January 2001 as Head of Chemistry before his appointment as Housemaster. Steve was a keen rower at college, and now enjoys playing squash, running and swimming.
Kevin Loughton (Assistant Housemaster and Sixth Form Tutor)
Kevin wears a number of different 'hats' at Haileybury. He teaches Philosophy, Religious Studies and Theory of Knowledge, and is Director of IB. He has been a tutor in Edmonstone for seven years and Assistant Housemaster for five. He takes the Colts As football team and is also involved in school badminton and golf. He is married to Cheryl, who also teaches at Haileybury (Biology) and they have two young daughters, Madeleine and Chloe. Outside school his interests are playing golf, badminton and football (although he is a bit old for the latter), writing and reading Philosophy (he is writing a book about Thomas Aquinas), and reading his favourite children's books to his girls.
Simon Pinder (Sixth Form Tutor)
Simon graduated from the University of Bristol and went straight to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He retired from the Army as a Major after 11 years in the Duke of Wellington's Regiment and, after a short time as an account manager, started teaching at Haileybury in September 2001. He currently teaches French and Classical Civilisation, but has also taught Latin in the Lower School. Simon's main hobbies include rugby, having represented English Universities and both the British Army and the Combined Services XVs, hill-walking, reading and photography. He runs Colts rugby, but has coached across the age groups from Yearlings to 1st XV. In the Spring and Summer terms, he runs the Sixth Form boys' fitness group. Simon has been a tutor in Edmonstone for many years, covering all age groups from Removes up to Sixth Form. He is married to Julie, who until recently was AHM of Colvin, and has five children: Francesca, Millie, Yvette and twins, Hadley and Liam.
Peter Blair (Sixth Form Tutor)
Peter joined Haileybury and Edmonstone in September 2009 after three years at Malvern College. He read English at the University of St Andrews, where he was President of the Union Debating Society and was politically active; he then took a PGCE at Magdalene College, Cambridge. As well as teaching English and Latin, Peter coaches rugby and tennis, is the school's Oxbridge Advisor and is master-in-charge of debating, where Haileybury teams have seen major success in recent years. He is married to Philippa, who teaches locally. Outside school, his interests include political work, P G Wodehouse novels, America and croquet.
Jonathan Cohen
Jonathan joined Haileybury in January 2006 after a successful career as an investment banker in the City. He studied Economics as an undergraduate at Bath University and as a postgraduate at Bristol University. At Haileybury he is Head of Economics and, in addition to teaching Economics, is also responsible for delivering Haileybury's International Finance Programme and the Haileybury Business Challenge. He is also Haileybury's Director of Professional Development and a member of the Senior Leadership Team. He coaches rugby, football and cricket, sports which he once enjoyed playing and still loves coaching and watching. His other passions include politics, Italian food, fine wine, chocolate, Harry Potter and the music of Paul Weller! He is married to Clare, teacher of Chemistry and Head of PHSE at Haileybury, and father of Charlie, 2, and newly-arrived Eleanor!
John Whitworth (resident tutor and tutor to the Removes)
John joined Haileybury in 2009 and became Resident Tutor of Edmonstone in 2010. He read Economics, Politics and International Relations at the University of Warwick where he returned after three years to do his PGCE. As well as teaching Economics and Politics he coaches Athletics and Cross Country, runs Conservation and is engaged with Haileybury Model United Nations. He is also runs the Economics Malthus Society and assists with the Haileybury Politics Society.
Benedict Wilson (Fifth Form Tutor)
Benedict joined Haileybury in 2011 as College Organist. He read Music at Magdalene College, Cambridge, and remained at Cambridge to complete the newly-founded MMus. During his undergraduate years, Benedict held the position of Senior Organ Scholar, dividing his time between directing and accompanying the Chapel Choir in its services, foreign tours and Cathedral residencies and visits. Benedict’s principal musical interest lies in sacred music of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries. Benedict also holds the position of Assistant Director of Music at All Saints' Church, Hertford, and enjoys walking, running and cycling when it is not raining.
