Rigg's Hall

Housemaster: Mr Peter Middleton
(House Colours: Chocolate and Gold)
Address: Rigg's Hall, The Schools, Shrewsbury, SY3 7AZ.
Tel: 01743 280620  Fax: 01743 280618
email: riggs@shrewsbury.org.uk

Meet the Housemaster...

Peter Middleteon is appointed Housemaster for Rigg's from September 2011.  Although Peter has only been at Shrewsbury since 2008, he has already built up an impressive reputation as both a teacher of English, director of plays and as a charismatic leader of The Hunt.

Peter has written the following account of his path towards Rigg's:

Educated in Edinburgh at Stewart’s Melville and with a degree in English from the University of Bristol, my professional teaching experience began at Highbury Preparatory School in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.  As a resident boarding master there, I first cut my teeth teaching English and Drama, with a heavy coaching programme ranging from cross-country and athletics to rugby and cricket.  Subsequently (and following PGCE qualification from the University of Strathclyde), I was appointed as teacher of English at Loretto School, East Lothian, under the Headmastership of former HMC Chairman Michael Mavor.  I was resident Assistant Housemaster of the sixth form boarding house for the entirety of my time at Loretto, and established a cross-country squad at the school for the first time. I was heavily involved in the coaching of lacrosse (having myself played men’s lacrosse for both Bath City and Edinburgh), and in my final year at the school won the U15 national title.  I also directed two whole-school plays, including the self-penned Memory of a Tomorrow, my interest in the theatre having been established from an early age in both school productions and performance at the Edinburgh fringe over three years with the National Youth Music Theatre.

Appointed as Teacher of English & Theatre Studies at Shrewsbury in 2008, I have enjoyed fully involving myself in the wider life of the school, in particular with my responsibilities as Master i/c The Hunt and athletics.  After many years of the Hunt struggling to live up to its name as one of the leading cross-country outfits in the country (and with the notable distinction of being the oldest running club in the world!) I have found the task of leading the club to be enormously rewarding.  In my first year as Master i/c we won six trophies, including the John Vicars Cup for Most Improved Team at the National Relays.  The season ahead points to even greater success, and with a total of five squads numbering 38 athletes, enthusiasm for running at the school is clear to see. 

I have further enjoyed re-establishing athletics at the school, which for many years had lain dormant.  Last year, after great success at county level, we were delighted that two of our athletes went all the way to the Nationals.

My own personal interests are varied, though unexpectedly, I count running as my great passion!  I have to date run ten marathons with a Personal Best of 2.42.19 and six ultra-marathons, including twice the 89km Comrades Marathon in South Africa.  I run for Shrewsbury Athletic Club, and last year was selected to compete for Shropshire at the UK Inter-Counties and World Trials.  My half-marathon PB of 74.42 has meant that in 2011 I  qualified for the Championship at the London Marathon.

Away from sports, I am passionate about the theatre, and have greatly enjoyed directing a further three plays whilst here at Shrewsbury (Room Service, The Open Couple and How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found).  I am musically-minded as well, though regret that I do not often have the time to keep up my piano and violin-playing, though was heavily involved in both choral and orchestral work whilst a student myself.

As Assistant Housemaster of the Grove for three years (and in total serving an ‘apprenticeship’ of seven years of pastoral responsibility), both my wife and I are relishing the challenges of Housemastering that lie ahead.  Jenna is a part-time GP, and is currently the school doctor at Wrekin College.  A hockey-player and athlete in the past, she now finds most of her time occupied in the role of mothering our daughter Isla, who is a lively and characterful two-year old!   

We spend much of our holidays back home in Scotland, either in Edinburgh or on the Isles of Mull and Harris.    

The House Tutor Team for 2011/12:
Mr Chris Cook (Resident Assistant Housemaster: 01743 280621)
Miss Helen Reed (Matron: 01743 280622)

Mr Duncan Kirkby
Mr Alex Mason
Mrs Jackie Matthews
Mr Charles Oakley
Mr Tim Whitehead
Ms Rachael Witcombe