The end of term will bring to a close a teaching career spanning forty years for College Maths and Further Maths teacher Fiona Freckleton. Joining the College in 2007 after a relocation with her young family from London after 15 years teaching at Westminster School, Fiona was encouraged to join the College maths department via mutual friends of fellow maths teacher Colin Williams (79-17).

Alongside a successful teaching career at one of the Country’s top independent schools, Fiona’s journey to the College had seen her row at the highest of levels. Developing a love of rowing whilst at Oxford she competed in two Oxford Blue Boats and then, through her Scottish parentage, compete for Scotland at the 1986 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games (the GB pair had taken the English slot!). An early appearance in her international career, Fiona and her partner finished in fourth place and thoroughly enjoyed every part of competing for the home team.

Expecting to retire from serious rowing after moving to London and commencing her teaching career at Westminster School, Fiona in fact developed her sporting career even further as rowing was a major sport at Westminster. Coaching at the boat club she took up sculling for the first time and her natural prowess again shone through. She continued to regularly compete into the early 1990s where she competed for Team GB at three world championships and one Olympics!

Fiona settled quickly into College life, teaching predominately sixth form students, enjoying the family atmosphere that she experienced within the maths department and the natural and positive relationships that she enjoyed with other colleagues beyond.  She thrived in the classroom teaching students who were intellectually inquisitive and keen to learn and push themselves. Fiona has always been proud of the way that Stortfordian pupils who excelled outside the classroom, both musically and in sports were humble participants in her lessons.

Fiona has taken huge satisfaction throughout her College career from seeing pupils in her classes work through challenges and learn the skills to problem solve, a skill that they can take with them successfully into further studies and on into work and adult life..

Fiona with her former student OS Greg Taujanskas (RPH,09-11) during his recent visit back to the College

Fiona is always touched to hear from Old Stortfordians who have gone on to study maths at University and build careers around it and takes great pride in their acknowledgement of their gratitude for the effective way they were taught in her care which set them up for success.

During her 16 years at the College Fiona has been involved in Duke of Edinburgh and enjoyed her time as Tee Deputy Housemistress working alongside fellow mathematician & Tee Housemistress Janet Oldfield (00-20). Grateful to have developed a love for singing at the College Fiona has flourished within the choir and feels privileged to have been involved with our music department which she describes as ‘truly amazing’.

Although Fiona will be retiring from teaching, she can’t envisage a life without maths in it, she will be taking time to adjust to a different pace of life, alongside her Husband who is soon to retire as well. An avid gardener, Fiona is craving the opportunity to grow, pick and enjoy homegrown fruit and vegetables, something she is looking forward to having the time to cultivate in her rural garden in retirement.

Being part of the College community has been an all encompassing way of life for Fiona for the last 16 years, not only as a teacher but also as a parent when children Will (MJH, CH,09-17) & Katherine (MJH,TH,09-17) attended the school. Retirement brings a change that is daunting and exciting for her in equal measure. Fiona has made friendships amongst College colleagues that she feels will last a lifetime and she is looking forward to continuing to enjoy her love of singing through participation in the College community choir.

All at the College wish Fiona the happiest of retirements and thank her for her dedicated service to the School and to her country through her exceptional sporting prowess.