Rob Dow

Latin Teacher, i/c Rugby and Housemaster of Gunga Din

Life before the Dragon:

I grew up and went to school in the beautiful county of Worcestershire, before doing a BA in Latin at Royal Holloway College, University of London. Leaving university with no idea of what to do next, I worked in various bars, clubs and restaurants, before securing a job teaching Latin and Games at Colfes School in South East London. I then moved to Perth, Australia to play rugby for a season there, earning money by picking fruit, shifting furniture and working on a building site. I returned to the UK to study for my PGCE in Classics at Cambridge and secured a post at the Dragon in 1995.

What do you enjoy most about the subjects you teach?

Latin is terrifically logical and I still love its patterns, structure and order. It reminds me of a giant crossword puzzle and it is always exciting to discover the origins of English, French, Italian and Spanish words. I also enjoy the fact that you can make Latin accessible to all pupils – it is absolutely not “just for clever children”, as some schools think.

As well as teaching in the classroom I find it a daily privilege to be able to get outside and teach rugby, cricket and even football – being in the fresh air, unearthing talent, developing children’s confidence, being part of a team - all areas that sport does best.

What do you enjoy most about about the Dragon?

Simply put, I think the Dragon has a “joie de vivre” unlike anywhere else. Children throw themselves into work and play with huge gusto, as do the Staff. The Dragon is a “can-do” place, always embracing new ideas and with staff who are not afraid to look at themselves critically and strive for better. I have always enjoyed the fact that every single day, a child will make me laugh at some point. I also think it is a tribute to the relationships between staff and children that one can sit and have a decent lunchtime conversation with pretty much any Dragon. In terms of teaching Latin, there is no better place to be! All the children take the subject, with huge success. We have a strong, varied and inspiring department and Latin is at the forefront of so many good things at the Dragon – Year 5 Roman Day, Year 6 Greek Plays, Latin in the Community, and plenty of scholarships.

Rugby can be a great reflection of the people who play it and rugby at the Dragon is no different. Dragons play with huge enthusiasm, passion and a desire to “give it their all” – this is how I liked to play too so it has always been a good fit.

Being a Housemaster for the last seven years has been a unique experience as we have got to know around 250 boys really well and seeing them off after their final Year 8 Sports Day, ready to embark on the next stage of their lives, has been hugely satisfying. We have also been able to watch our own children grow up with 40 “brothers”, and setting up and maintaining a happy, homely boarding-house has been laborious but very rewarding.

Passions

Sport has always been my passion. I was lucky enough to play rugby semi-professionally throughout my first ten years at the Dragon and thoroughly enjoyed travelling the length and breadth of England to do so. I have always played as much cricket as time allows, whether League cricket or for wandering sides, in Worcestershire, Oxford and Devon. Golf is continually worked on, especially on the course near our house in Devon; and I love doing battle on the tennis court with Mr Jones or Mr Stuart-Clark in the summer. Even staff five-a-side football has become a highlight of my week! I do now have to balance all this sport with the other great passion in my life – my family. Surfing with my daughter Daisy, wrestling with son Lochie, or cuddling new baby Juno – all keep me busy and very fulfilled. Sometimes I even have time to talk to my beautiful wife Caroline too!