Staff
Mrs C Alongi
When did you join RGS Prep? September 2026
What’s the best thing about RGS Prep? The staff, have all been incredibly welcoming, patient and approachable and the children have been extremely welcoming and polite. The school really does make new members of staff feel at home quickly.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? It would have to be a speaker, so I could still listen to my favourite podcasts and music!
What’s your favourite film and why? Inside Out. I use this film often when talking to children about their emotions and it really helps. It’s such a heart-warming film.
What would your autobiography be entitled? ‘Lucky’
What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift.
Ms D Lane
Mr K Tayar
When did you join the RGS? Joined as a student in 1989 and as a teacher in 2015.
What’s the best thing about the RGS/coming into work each day? The people – all sorts of varied conversation; and the school lunches are excellent.
What excites you about the School’s move to co-education? A broader, richer perspective for the students and new curriculum opportunities.
What experience do you have of teaching girls/ co-ed? I taught at the RGS Dubai, including my daughters – who thankfully behaved themselves in lessons.
What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? Confidence not arrogance.
If you could change your name to anything, what would it be? Mr Taylor – so many people have got my name wrong all my life!
If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? Underground parking at school so that balls from the playground don’t land on my car.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? Easy – lots of my favourite wine, Brunello Di Montalcino.
What animal most reflects your personality? Monkey – sociable, energetic, cheeky, likes adventure and sometimes annoying.
If you could choose one superhuman ability what would it be? Time travel – I would love to learn about the past, understand what made true leaders, and be at the Wedding in Cana when Jesus turned water into wine.
Where is the best place you’ve travelled to and why? I love travelling and have been lucky to visit several countries. Our family California road trip stands out for the great experiences and family time.
What would your theme song be? November Rain by Guns n Roses – my favourite band and favourite song. Some great memories playing pool to this song with my friend at school and, later in life, seeing them live for the first time with my daughters.
What’s your most interesting/unusual hobby? I have played ice hockey since 14, and still play for the Surrey Lions – a team I created, coached, and managed since 2010.
What’s your favourite film and why? Tough call between Youngblood (made me become an ice hockey player) and Point Break – great action film and led me to do parachute jumps at uni.
Do you have any phobias? I would hate to be trapped – so claustrophobia.
What’s the strangest thing in your fridge at the moment? My wife’s vegan food.
What would your autobiography be entitled? “Average Joe” – it took me a long time to realise it was ok not to be the best or be the centre of attention.
What is your favourite ice-cream flavour? Phish Food – it has a bit of everything!
Which actor/actress would you get to play you in a film of your life? As much as I would love to say the smooth, grey-haired Richard Gere, it would probably be Nick Frost who starred in Hot Fuzz (and a nod to my former career).
What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? I love trying anything that’s edible, however anchovies do not belong on pizza!
If you could be any cartoon character who would you be? Homer Simpson – is a family man, enjoys donuts (I’m an ex-cop!) and Duff, and get’s away with everything!
Ms N Strivens
What’s the best thing about the RGS/coming into work each day? Students and colleagues who are full of curiosity and demonstrably thoughtful.
What excites you about the School’s move to co-education? Reflecting the world around us, and being able to share our lovely school with all young people regardless of sex.
What experience do you have of teaching girls/ co-ed? Prior to the RGS, I had only experienced co-ed teaching.
What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? You won’t know if you don’t try.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? A kindle (I don’t imagine a library is allowed).
If you could choose one superhuman ability what would it be? Mary Poppins-style finger clicking.
Where is the best place you’ve travelled to and why? Brazil – because my daughter was born there.
What’s your favourite film and why? The Graduate – looks beautiful, sounds wonderful, feels so uncomfortable.
What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? A scotch egg.
Mrs G Bownes
When did you join the RGS? 2022
What’s the best thing about the RGS/coming into work each day? The people. Our enthusiastic, intellectually curious and fun students and my brilliant colleagues.
What excites you about the School’s move to co-education? One of my favourite things about RGS students is the excellent questions they ask. In Economics, we try to analyse the world around us and my students continually prompt me to think about things in ways I’d never considered previously. The greater the diversity of experience and ways of looking at the world that we have in the classroom, the better.
What experience do you have of teaching girls/ co-ed? During my teacher training, I observed lessons and taught in a variety of girls’ and co-ed schools, and I am a governor at a girls’ school.
What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? Before you judge someone, walk a mile in his or her shoes.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? An endless supply of coffee.
If you could choose one superhuman ability what would it be? To be able to communicate telepathically with interactive whiteboards.
Where is the best place you’ve travelled to and why? Singapore for the weather, food and family.
What’s your most interesting/unusual hobby? It is probably the opposite of interesting, but I love listening to podcasts. My current favourite is Political Currency – I am a Centrist Dad at heart!
What would your autobiography be entitled? Is it lunchtime yet?
What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? Some of my Singaporean relatives prize fish eyeballs as a particular delicacy, but that is a step too far for me!
If you could be any cartoon character who would you be? Princess Peach from Super Mario.
Mrs G Desbarres
When did you join the RGS? 2026
What’s the best thing about the RGS/coming into work each day? One of the most rewarding aspects of coming into RGS each day is the sense of purpose and community. There’s a real culture of academic curiosity and ambition here, where both staff and students are genuinely engaged in learning.
What excites you about the School’s move to co-education? The move to co-education is incredibly exciting because it represents an opportunity to broaden perspectives and enrich the learning environment. Bringing together students from different backgrounds and experiences make for exciting classroom discussion and better prepare students for the diverse world beyond school.
What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? Be open to opportunities—you never know where they’ll lead. It’s a mindset that keeps me curious, resilient and willing to grow.
If you could change your name to anything, what would it be? Before the age of 5, I wanted to be called Buttercup – I have absolutely no idea why!
If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? To have sushi for lunch everyday!
What luxury would you have on a desert island? Suncream.
What animal most reflects your personality? I think a dolphin. I am friendly, curious and always keen to explore and enjoy whatever’s going on.
If you could choose one superhuman ability what would it be? Definitely teleporting!
Where is the best place you’ve travelled to and why? It’s really hard to pick just one, but two places stand out. Tokyo was amazing—it’s such a unique city, with this brilliant mix of ultra-modern and really deep-rooted tradition. One minute you’re surrounded by neon lights, the next you’re in a peaceful temple—it just felt quite magical. On the other hand, I love Hochgurgl in Austria for completely different reasons. Skiing in the Tyrolean Alps is just incredible—the views are stunning and it’s a great way to switch off and enjoy being outdoors. I think those two places sum up what I enjoy most when I travel.
What’s the strangest thing in your fridge at the moment? My bubbling pot of sourdough starter.
What is your favourite ice-cream flavour? Amarena cherry ice-cream.
What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? Durian.
Mrs H Tarasewicz
When did you join the RGS? 2022
What’s the best thing about the RGS/coming into work each day? Great students, great colleagues, great lunches!
What excites you about the School’s move to co-education? I think that a co-ed school environment will be a valuable preparation for the ‘real’ world of life after school.
What experience do you have of teaching girls/ co-ed? My previous two schools were both all girls. Prior to that I taught in a co-ed school.
What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? Every moment is a gift.
If you could change your name to anything, what would it be? Something that everyone could pronounce and spell?! I was Miss Freeman before I got married, which was rather simpler!
What luxury would you have on a desert island? Chocolate – preferably dark, organic and with a bit of salt in it.
Where is the best place you’ve travelled to and why? New Zealand – wide open vistas, mountains, lakes, the ocean – and some pretty cool geology for the Geography nerd in me!
What’s your most interesting/unusual hobby? I’m not sure how interesting or unusual it is, but I used to be an elite triathlete and still love to train and compete, mostly in marathons and half marathon running events.
What’s your favourite film and why? The Lord of the Rings – The Two Towers. For LoTR fans that might be a bit controversial as The Return of the King is often the favourite, but, for me, nothing beats the scene where they light the beacons (all filmed in New Zealand) and Gandalf appears on the horizon: “Look to my coming, at first light, on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East.”
Do you have any phobias? I’m not great with heights or confined spaces.
Mr K Patel
When did you join the RGS? September 2024.
What’s the best thing about the RGS? The strong sense of community, teamwork and that anything is possible. Staff and students really do want to help one another. Students are hardworking, curious and great fun! Staff (especially in the maths department) have a great sense of humour.
What excites you about the School’s move to co-education? It’s an exciting to be part of this change and being more inclusive to a wider and diverse community.
What experience do you have of teaching girls/co-ed? I’ve worked in two co-ed schools previously.
What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? Be the change you want to see.
If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? When allocated to Games be on Squash, Padel and Tennis (in that order) for the whole year.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? A barbeque and pizza oven with an endless supply of food.
What animal most reflects your personality? A monkey. I can be over excitable, curious and enjoy being part of a troop.
If you could choose one superhuman ability what would it be? To be able to control time and move back and forth.
Where is the best place you’ve travelled to and why? Maldives, it really is paradise.
What would your theme song be? The theme tune to the eighties show Knightrider (or A-Team, tricky to decide!)
What’s your favourite film and why? Too many to list but if had to pick one Shawshank Redemption.
Do you have any phobias? I really don’t like snakes.
What would your autobiography be entitled? 888.
What is your favourite ice-cream flavour? Cookie Dough.
Which actor/actress would you get to play you in a film of your life? Ty Burrell (Plays Phil Dunphy from modern family).
Miss N Dann
When did you join the RGS? Sept 2023
What’s the best thing about the RGS/coming into work each day? My friendly and welcoming colleagues.
What excites you about the School’s move to co-education? From my experience, co-education encourages more open conversation and mutual respect, and I’m really looking forward to bringing that dynamic into my classroom. I am excited to see how different viewpoints help us to deepen our scientific thinking within my lessons.
What experience do you have of teaching girls/ co-ed? All of my previous Secondary schools were co-ed so approximately 7 years.
What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? Measure life by the good you leave in others.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? A bed; you cannot beat a good night’s sleep!
What animal most reflects your personality? A bee; energetic and always busy, works hard for the community but slightly sensitive to change!
Where is the best place you’ve travelled to and why? Kandersteg Switzerland with a group of Girl Guides: outstanding beauty, fantastic experiences for the girls and my first trip in a position of responsibility.
What’s your most interesting/unusual hobby? Sewing a lot of my own wardrobe.
Do you have any phobias? Zombies and Car Washes!
What is your favourite ice-cream flavour? Anything with Oreo in it that’s partially melted.