Sit Down with RHS

Hello and welcome to Sit Down with RHS - a podcast from the Royal Hospital School where we open the school doors to get to know members of the RHS community. This academic year, we're focussing on the theme of Global Awareness and Citizenship, so we will hear how the school community is growing in areas of global diversity, inclusivity, sustainability and awareness of global issues. 

In this brilliant interview, we hear from Isabella and Toby, heads of school (2022-2023) about how they throw themselves into school life, from Toby's passion for Latin and science to Isabella's energy for the arts. 

Make sure you head on over to follow RHS on Facebook or Instagram for the latest news and goings on with the RHS family.  

A new academic year heralds a new series for #SitDownWithRHS. We continue to get to know members of our RHS community, but with a particular theme. The school focus for the year is Global Awareness and Citizenship, focussing on how the school community can continue to grow in areas of global diversity, inclusivity, sustainability and awareness of global issues. 

Are you wondering how the school approaches environmental responsibility? And intrigued to find out more about the schools Eco Committee? 

Harriet Izod-Miller is here today to share all. Harriet is the head of sixth form, previously head of the two times award winning geography department, and a big outdoors enthusiast — leading a recent geography trip to Iceland! 

Please follow RHS on Facebook or Instagram for the latest news and goings on with the RHS family.  And hit that subscribe button on your podcast player of choice. Thanks for tuning in.

We have a great interview for you today, with Steve Dixon, Deputy Headmaster at RHS. We hear where his passion for teaching originated from, what inspired him to join RHS and his involvement in key initiatives such as Pupil Voice, Student Council and our pupil-led Diversity Committee. And as usual, we like to find out a little about the person behind the role, so we hear about what Steve gets up to outside of work. And if you're a Strictly fan, you'll want to listen in.

We have a great interview for you today, with Aidan and Beverly Maloney, who are husband and wife House Parents at Blake House, the dedicated House for Year 7 pupils and our Junior Boarding House. Being parents themselves, they really understand the challenges pupils face with the transition from Year 6 to 7. Today they're answering all the questions prospective parents might have about their children starting senior school, and how they make Blake House such a welcoming place to start senior school life at RHS. Plus other interesting titbits like what it's like working with your other half and why they love teaching so much at RHS.

In this episode, we're sitting down with Zoë King, Deputy Head - Pastoral, to hear all about her role overseeing pastoral care and boarding at the school. If you want to hear all about the emotional wellbeing of the pupils, then listen on.

We hear some great anecdotes from Zoë, such as how she ensured students felt connected to the school during lockdown, how she kept a close eye on student wellbeing during lockdown, and what she believes to be the secret behind the amazing confidence of students at RHS. 

In this episode, we're sitting down with another two Y13s to hear about their life at RHS and ambitions for the future. 

First we have Archie, a school prefect and rugby player who has just signed a professional contract with Northampton Saints - an incredible achievement, following a long line of top athletes coming from RHS, congratulations Archie. He joined RHS in Y7 and is keen at all sports, including hockey, and cricket. 

We are also joined by Rachael who joined RHS in Year 7. Rachael has had 3 older siblings go through the school, including Jonathan Ilori who we interviewed in episode 1, so be sure to check that one out. Rachel is deputy head girl and head scholar, which means she is most enthusiastic about academics - she write in magazines and did very well in her GCSEs. Rachel plays 1st team netball and she loves athletics. 

In this episode, we hear an interesting fact about the military association with the school, we talk about the wonderful world of herbal remedies as Rachael explored in her EPQ, we hear about the links between the CCF and the rugby pitch, and about singing in St Paul's cathedral. What wonderful acoustics that must have been.

In this episode, we're sitting down with two Y13s to give us a taste of what life is like at RHS for those studying for their A Levels. 

First we have Yeknaz who joined RHS for the Sixth Form from a state school in London on a full scholarship with the Springboard Charitable Foundation. We hear about her ambitions of becoming a family lawyer so she can lend a helping hand to those who need it.

And we will also be joined by Joel who joined RHS in Year 9 from another local independent school, mainly due to the sports and academic provision. And we hear about Joel's links with both philosophy and the military, which is an intriguing combination.

In this hugely informative and wide ranging interview with the two, we hear about the sports tutors provided by the school to support the sports scholars balance the dual pressures of academic and sporting life. We hear a little about the school news platform called Bubble where students can write and publish their own articles.

Welcome back to Sit Down with RHS - a podcast from the Royal Hospital School where we talk to staff, pupils and the alumni to find out how the school makes a unique impact to young people's lives.

Now in this episode, we're sitting down with Deborah Sweeney, Sister in charge of the medical centre at RHS and long standing member of the school community.

She has played a pivotal role during one of the most challenging times in the school's history. And she has a justified passion for the school, having seen four of her children through the school as a parent as well. We hear some great stories, such as her time trawling the internet to find the right guidance for children travelling to many different countries over the Christmas holidays. We hear about her amazing health care team at RHS, and the involvement of the many parents in different aspects of school life.

Enjoy this episode with Deborah Sweeney, Sister in charge at RHS.

Welcome to Sit Down with RHS - a podcast from the Royal Hospital School where we talk to staff, pupils and the alumni to find out how the school makes a unique impact to young people's lives.

In this episode, we're sitting down with Sebastian Kempe, student at the Royal Hospital School who is making waves, quite literally in the youth sailing championships.

We talk to him about his recent win in Oman at the world youth sailing championships, and why a solid education is key to his dream of competing at the highest level. And we learn about some of his superstitions that he absolutely must do before a race. You would never guess what they are. 

Welcome back to Sit Down with RHS - a podcast from the Royal Hospital School where we talk to staff, pupils and the alumni to find out how the school makes a unique impact to young people's lives.

Now in this episode, we're sitting down with Mr Simon Lockyer, Headmaster of the Royal Hospital School.

We talk with him about the stunning backdrop that the school campus provides to the staff and pupils, the alumni who continue to inspire so many of the pupils young and old, and what he enjoys doing when he's at home with his family.