The Department Staff

Matthew Faulkner

Matthew is Head of the Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Department and he can be contacted at mf@portregis.com, or by telephoning on 01747 856305.  Matthew read French and Spanish at Oxford. His first career was in Law, but he quickly saw the light and moved into teaching. After teaching in two London day schools, he came to Port Regis in 2006. When not teaching French or Spanish, he may be found playing the piano or building unusual structures in his garden.

Delphine Rautureau

Delphine spent most of her life in France. She studied English at the University of Angers. Five years ago, she came to Oxford Brookes University to take her teaching degree. She enjoyed it so much that she decided to live in England permanently. Outside school, she enjoys outdoor activities such as cycling and hiking. She also loves going back to France to refresh her French from time to time!

She has recently had her first baby - Teo - and we look forward to welcoming her back from maternity leave in June 2010.

Emily Kidd

Emily went to school in Scotland at Ardvreck and then Glenalmond, where she was an Art Exhibitioner, before taking a BA in French, with Spanish subsidiary, at Durham. She did her PGCE at Goldsmiths College, University of London. Emily started at Port Regis in September 2008. While also an E form teacher, she teaches French and Spanish in the Lower School.

Emily is a keen sportswoman, captaining the Scotland U18 Rounders team; playing at County level and captaining the Glenalmond 1st X1 in Netball; and representing the Glenalmond 1st X1 as well as Hatfield College, Durham and Goldsmith’s at Hockey. She was a member of the Junior Scotland Lacrosse team, playing also for Durham University, and skiing too for the University. She holds coaching qualifications in both Hockey and Rugby.  Phew!

Tom Hickman

Tom saw the light some years ago and switched to a career in teaching following on from 'time served' in the City of London. He joined Port Regis in September 2003 as a D form teacher but currently mostly teaches French, although he also takes one D form Maths set. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his young family and doing DIY as well as finding new walks in the local area.

Arthur Simmonds

Arthur is a Extra Tuition French Teacher and he came to Port Regis after a teaching career that started in Uganda and finished as Head of FL at Shaftesbury School.

Arthur lives in Enmore Green with his wife Patricia. They have two daughters and three grandchildren. He is an enthusiastic walker and an advocate of fair trading. He chairs a group trying to make Shaftesbury a Fairtrade town.

Catherine Suteau

Catherine is another Extra Tuition French Teacher and she is from Nantes. She has been living in England for many years. After graduating from London University in 1992, she moved to Somerset, where she lives with her partner and their two children.

Catherine joined the MFL department in January 2006 and she teaches individual pupils.

Rita Howcroft

Rita is a Extra Tuition Spanish Teacher and she was born and bred in a steamy, Pacific port, where she was imbued with the Spanish language and learned the idiosyncracies of the language from European immigrants and native Amerindians.

Rita grew up under Uncle Sam's watchful eyes, never even thinking of a land called England. However, she has lived in England for 29 years now and is still absorbing English ways through osmosis.

Mathilde Cosson

Mathilde Cosson joins us as the MFL Assistante for the year. She is currently studying English Literature and Civilisation at the University of Rouen, and hopes in due course to become a fully-fledged English teacher.

Laurence Pollard

Laurence has taught French here for the last 28 years no less. In her calm, kind and thoughtful way, she has introduced generations of Port Regis children to the French Language, and in all of them she has instilled not only great proficiency in French, but also a lasting love of the language. This is her first year in retirement from full time teaching, but she will be continuing to give individual tuition to several lucky pupils. In her free time, she is a classical music aficionado, a fine watercolourist and avid reader.