At RGS Prep our staff are our most important asset. We asked some of our teaching and support staff to answer a few questions about themselves. This is what they told us…
Check back regularly for insights into other members of our team.
Meet our Team
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Mrs T Traylen
When did you join RGS Prep? 2021
What’s the best thing about the RGS Prep? The enthusiasm and engagement of the boys, I love how ready they are to take on any challenge without hesitation.
What excites you most about coming into work each day? That no two days are the same, I like that each lesson is unexpected and that every day someone makes me laugh.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? Books – if I had to choose one it would be Little Women, it’s my favourite.
What animal most reflects your personality? A dog – I’m loyal and caring, like to show affection but also like to be left alone to sleep.
What’s your favourite film and why? The Goonies – because I would have loved to have an adventure like that when I was a child!
Which actor/actress would you get to play you in a film of your life? I would love it to be Emily Blunt – although I’m not too sure how much similarities there are there.
What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? Brussel sprouts!
What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? ‘Being challenged in life is inevitable, but being defeated is optional.’
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Mr C Cooper
When did you join RGS Prep? 2022
What’s the best thing about the RGS Prep? The pupils and their curiosity, kindness and sense of humour.
What excites you most about coming into work each day? Learning something new myself, whether it is a book recommendation or an interesting fact from a pupil, or teaching a lesson on a subject I was not that familiar with.
If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? Either the ability to fly or to tidy things up just by looking at them.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? I would like a surfboard or an endless supply of ice cream.
If you could change your name to anything, what would it be? I wouldn’t change my name because I like the alliteration!
If you could be any cartoon character who would you be? I wouldn’t mind being Spiderman for a few weeks or part time.
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Mrs L Throssell
When did you join RGS Prep? 2008.
What’s the best thing about the RGS Prep? Working with wonderful boys and colleagues.
What excites you most about coming into work each day? Each day is different!
What luxury would you have on a desert island? A pillow. If I could have two luxuries, the other one would be music as I love dancing.
What’s your favourite film and why? Steel Magnolias because it has great one-liners from great actresses.
What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? Brussell sprouts and snails!
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Mrs G Reukers
When did you join RGS Prep? 2019.
What excites you most about coming into work each day? The friendly atmosphere, hearing the incredible sounds of the music coming from the music room next door and seeing my fantastic class, 3R!
What luxury would you have on a desert island? A comfortable bed.
What animal most reflects your personality? A pet dog. Happy, loyal and loves to go for walks.
If you could choose one superhuman ability what would it be? To breathe underwater.
What’s your favourite film and why? Finding Nemo. “Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming…”
Do you have any phobias? Heights.
What’s the strangest thing in your fridge at the moment? An eye mask.
What would your autobiography be entitled? Curly.
What is your favourite ice-cream flavour? Mint choc chip.
What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? Frogs legs.
If you could be any cartoon character who would you be? Marge Simpson – it’s the hair!
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Miss S Hough
What’s the best thing about RGS Prep? The staff and boys – it is like one big happy family, everyone is enthusiastic and interested in learning.
What excites you most about coming into work each day? Chatting to the amazing Year 3 team and then welcoming the boys into the classroom- they always have something to say that makes me smile.
What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? Don’t put off until tomorrow, what you can do today!
If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? My own allocated parking space. It would take away some of the stress when I get stuck on the A3 in the morning.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? My piano and a big pile of music – I have never been very good at playing from memory, oh, and a lipstick! Is that too many items?
What’s your favourite film and why? I am not a huge fan of football but “Bend It like Beckham” is my favourite film. It brings back happy memories of watching it when my children were teenagers.
What’s the strangest thing in your fridge at the moment? A bottle of Super Glue. I read somewhere that if you keep it in the fridge, it lasts for much longer…It’s true, it works!
What is your favourite ice-cream flavour? Praline and Cream, Haagan-Dazs. I could eat the whole tub in one go.
Which actor/actress would you get to play you in a film of your life? Emilia Clarke- she has the best smile!
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Mr S Divers
When did you join RGS Prep? 2015
What’s the best thing about RGS Prep? The boys! Each of them is a unique, quirky and hilarious character. They always try their hardest and often find ways to enjoy the challenges we set. They certainly keep us on our toes, and are the first to highlight something they have found fun and interesting.
What excites you most about coming into work each day? There are never two days that are the same here and everyone tries to progress in anything they do.
If you could change your name to anything, what would it be? Mr Dwyer, this way people would get my name correct more than half the time. At times, we have even been called Mr Dwyvers!!
If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? Bring my dog to work, she is my best mate and I love spending time with her.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? Can I have three? A pilots licence, a plane and a landing strip!
What animal most reflects your personality? Wolf, but I often dress in sheep’s clothing!
What’s your favourite film and why? Top Gun, the original. I would have loved to be a fighter pilot.
Which actor/actress would you get to play you in a film of your life? I’d love itto be Dwayne ‘the rock’ Johnson, but it’d probably end up being Jack Black!
What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? Oysters…yuck!
If you could be any cartoon character who would you be? Shrek.
What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? I have a few, ‘A ship in the harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for’, ‘Be better than you were yesterday and ‘Love the life you live, and live the life you love!’.
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Mr L Lynch
When did you join RGS Prep? September 2014
What’s the best thing about RGS Prep? The energy that the boys bring to lessons and their willingness to learn.
What excites you most about coming into work each day? I thoroughly enjoy being able create in DT and coach my favourite sports every day while working with my colleagues and friends. Also, I never know what challenges the school day with throw at me.
What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? ‘Live your dream’ and ‘Relax, don’t worry, everything could always be worse’.
If you could change your name to anything, what would it be? My middle name to anything beginning with O. Then my initials would be LOL.
If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? A new car of my choice every year.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? My Spotify account, I can not be without music.
What animal most reflects your personality? Rhino.
If you could choose one superhuman ability what would it be? Teleporting, so I can travel to and from the Caribbean at the click of a finger.
What’s your favourite film and why? Too many to choose from and depends on my mood.
Do you have any phobias? FOMO – the fear of missing out.
What’s the strangest thing in your fridge at the moment? Fresh tamarind.
What would your autobiography be entitled? Train, play, injured, repeat!
What is your favourite ice-cream flavour? Haagen-Dazs salted caramel and pralines and cream.
Which actor/actress would you get to play you in a film of your life? Denzel Washington but he would have to put on a few pounds.
What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? Oysters. I love seafood but I had a bad experience with them in Florida.
If you could be any cartoon character who would you be? Roadrunner or the Flash because I am getting old, falling apart and becoming even slower on the sports field.
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Mrs A Alvarado
When did you join RGS Prep? March 2020
What’s the best thing about the RGS? Working with the most wonderful people.
What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? Always see good in people.
If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? Travel around the world.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? Coffee.
What’s your favourite film and why? The Greatest Showman. Every song tells a story, and it teaches good morals.
Do you have any phobias? Snakes.
What would your autobiography be entitled? Always try to be the best person you can be and trust God.
What is your favourite ice-cream flavour? Caramel.
Which actor/actress would you get to play you in a film of your life? Nicole Kidman.
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Mrs E Bahari
What is the best thing about RGS Prep? friendly working atmosphere, professionalism of staff and well behaved boys.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? A yacht to get me back to civilisation.
If you could choose one superhuman ability what would it be? Time travel.
What’s your favourite film and why? The Gladiator. Love the story, music score and Russell Crowe.
What is your favourite ice-cream flavour? Rum and raisin.
What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? Black Pudding.
What’s your life philosophy/motto? If you fail to plan then you plan to fail.
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Mrs R Self
When did you join RGS Prep? September 2019
What’s the best thing about RGS Prep? Seeing the boys every day – they are always full of energy and enthusiasm and it is contagious!
What excites you most about coming into work each day? No two days are the same and there’s always something new to challenge you.
If you could change your name to anything, what would it be? Mrs Elf
If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? Friday afternoons off whilst my children are still at school! I could run around and get all the jobs done so that weekends were free to enjoy.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? My guitar
What’s your favourite film and why? ET – I’ve loved it since I saw it at the cinema when I was little and I still cry at the end!
What would your autobiography be entitled? There she goes…..
What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? To be honest I’ll give most things a go but I’d have to draw the line at eyeballs – I couldn’t stomach the crunch followed by goo!
What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? ‘Seek to understand, not be understood’ (wise words from my dad when I was young) and ‘work hard, be nice’.
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Mr A Moore
When did you join RGS Prep? 2004
What’s the best thing about the RGS Prep? It’s wonderfully supportive community, with inspirational staff and boys who are hungry to learn.
What excites you most about coming into work each day? I love teaching and every day is never the same!
If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? Cake every day.
What’s your favourite film and why? Star Wars- I’ve seen it hundreds of times and it is still great.
What would your autobiography be entitled? The king of lost property.
What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? I’m not a fan of gherkins.
If you could be any cartoon character who would you be? Paddington Bear because of my love of marmalade.
What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? Que sera- whatever will be, will be.
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Mrs G White
When did you join RGS Prep? September 2021
What’s the best thing about RGS Prep? The caring and supportive environment that runs through the school.
What excites you most about coming into work each day? Interacting with the boys when learning or playing.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? Netflix.
What animal most reflects your personality? A cat.
What’s your favourite film? Matrix with Keanu Reeves as Neo.
What would your autobiography be entitled? Choose joy and strength in the storm.
What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? Jellied eels.
What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? Three things last forever – faith, hope and love. The greatest of these is love.
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Miss J Hay
When did you join RGS Prep? September 2021
What’s the best thing about RGS Prep? Being surrounded by boys who are always keen to learn and teachers who love to teach.
What excites you most about coming into work each day? Sharing the excitement and pride when students recognise their own progress.
What luxury would you have on a desert island?
My ‘Life’s Library’- I wouldn’t survive without my books
What’s your favourite film and why?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower- I adored the book as a teenager, the soundtrack is brilliant and it’s life affirming.
Which actor/actress would you get to play you in a film of your life?
Jodie Comer- I absolutely love her style and dress sense.
What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat?
Bread and butter pudding, the thought of it makes me shiver!
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Mr C Saville
When did you join RGS Prep? 2013
What’s the best thing about the RGS Prep? The opportunities the boys get both in and out of the classroom. An extensive academic and co-curricular programme on offer.
What excites you most about coming into work each day? Knowing that the boys I will teach that day will be full of energy and ready to learn.
If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? A personal assistant to clean my muddy football boots.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? Some form of ball to either play beach cricket, rugby or football.
What’s your favourite Film or TV series and why? The Office UK
Which actor/actress would you get to play you in a film of your life? Owen Wilson as he has a wonky nose like I do…
What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? I don’t understand the like of Oysters. Surely no one really likes them…
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Mrs K Reynolds
When did you join RGS Prep? 2012
What’s the best thing about RGS Prep? The excitement of the boys.
What excites you most about coming into work each day? The teamwork that has resulted in the great lessons that I am about to teach.
If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? A chef to prepare my meals each day.
What’s your favourite film and why? Gone with the Wind- I am a romantic at heart. I also love the strong women in the film, especially Scarlett. It is, however, quite an old-fashioned choice now!
Which actor/actress would you get to play you in a film of your life? There would have to be several as I have different aspects of my character.
What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? Eye balls.
What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? How can I do it better?
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Mr N Dwyer
What year did you join RGS Prep? 2018
What’s the best thing about RGS Prep? The sense of community and love for learning.
What excites you most about coming into work each day? Seeing Mr Saville’s smiling face.
If you could change your name to anything, what would it be? Tiger, as then it would reflect my golf swing.
What’s your favourite film and why? The Last Dance, Michael Jordan documentary. An amazing insight to see what it takes to be the greatest of all time.
Which actor/actress would you get to play you in a film of your life? Damian Lewis. Potential lookalike.
What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? Teamwork makes the dream work.
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Mrs I Fenton
When did you join RGS Prep? 2015
What’s the best thing about RGS Prep? Everyone learns together. Expectations are high. Support is readily available. This creates a driven team atmosphere that benefits everyone.
What excites you most about coming into work each day? I know I will make a real difference to at least one person, maybe more.
If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? It would be to bring my horse onto the school playing fields for one day in Trinity term so that everyone could pat and admire him!
What luxury would you have on a desert island? A superyacht. Sorry – obvious!
What’s your favourite film and why? Everest for its breathtaking footage of a mountain with which I am a little bit obsessed.
What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? My very favourite quotation of all time is the one by Antoine de Saint-Exupery that sums up the dream! “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.”
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Mrs C Edmonds
When did you join RGS Prep? September 2016
What’s the best thing about RGS Prep? The boys and staff
What excites you most about coming into work each day? Seeing the boys’ smiling faces
If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? Cake every day
What luxury would you have on a desert island? A good, long book
What’s your favourite film and why? The Railway Children – makes me cry every time, but in a good way
What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? Snails
What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? Make every day count
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Mrs P Peters
When did you join RGS Prep? October 2016
What’s the best thing about RGS Prep? The people, all boys and staff. We are one big happy family and a great team.
What excites you most about coming into work each day? No two days are the same. I love witnessing the boys grow into confident, polite, well-mannered young people. Music lesson schedules can be exciting – timetabling 215 music lessons every week across our 16 Visiting Music Teachers’ timetables! I take pleasure in resolving clashes and making the seemingly impossible possible.
If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? A complimentary spa treatment once a month.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? Red wine!
What animal most reflects your personality? A dog.
What’s your favourite film and why? Four Weddings and a Funeral. Hilarious right from the first words uttered! Beautiful friendships and scenery. Memories of similar occasions back in the 80s.
What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? Tripe – tried it once, never again!
If you could be any cartoon character who would you be? Muttley.
What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? Be kind and considerate, try not to judge, you never know what is happening in someone else’s life.