The Phelps family connection to the Dragon dates back to 1969, when John Phelps (OD 1975) joined the school, followed by his brothers Edward (OD 1978) and William (OD 1984). From 1996 till now, Ed has continued his family’s Dragon legacy teaching at the school and now stands as the first ever Dragon Dean, throughout his career the Phelps family attendance has extended to Ed’s sons Theo (OD 2018) and Samuel (OD 2018). In this edition we take a Walk Down Dragon Lane with Ed and his boys and compare a history of Dragons spanning 40 years.
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My time at the Dragon School in three words
Ed: Joyous, Purposeful, Free.
Samuel: Fun, Engaging, Happy.
Theo: Character building, Adventure.
When I was a young Dragon, I wanted to be
Ed: Fine furniture auctioneer.
Samuel: A business owner.
Theo: Astronaut.
The superpower I wish I had
Ed: To be as talented a sportsman as the great PJ!
Samuel: Teleportation.
Theo: Super speed.
Eggy or marbles? Squares or Pin? Snakes or Rubix Cube?
Ed: Always marbles, and the market forces associated, and you have to love a YO-YO!
Samuel: Eggy, Squares, Rubix Cube, YO-YO.
Theo: Eggy, Pin, Rubix Cube, YO-YO.
My inspiration growing up
Ed: Bjorn Bord, always calm under pressure.
Samuel: My Dad.
Theo: My Dad.
At the top of my bucket list
Ed: Trek up Machu Picchu with my family.
Samuel: Making a good income.
Theo: Seeing the Northern Lights.
My most memorable moment at the Dragon
Ed: Representing Upper 2a for the high jump on sports day!
Samuel: Rugby in C, B and A Block.
Theo: Winning Battle of the Bands.
My biggest achievement
Ed: Reading (and learning from it) the Bidding prayer at St Andrew’s Carol Service.
Samuel: The friends that I am still in contact with 7 years after leaving The Dragon.
Theo: Racing at Henley Royal Regatta.
The advice I would give to my younger self
Ed: Say yes to opportunities, you never know where they may lead.
Samuel: Enjoy everyday.
Theo: Get involved as much as possible.
In one sentence, what does it mean to be a Dragon?
Ed: Be kind, be kind, be kind ~ John Baugh, mixed with have a clear sense of purpose and an empathy for others.
Samuel: To be a well-rounded person.
Theo: To be a part of a community of people who will stay with you long last leaving the school.
Since my Dragon days…
Ed: I taught in various comprehensives until returning to the Dragon almost 30 years ago and staying put. The highlights will always be the opportunity, given by Roger Trafford, to run Charlbury House for 5 years with my wife. Then later having the twins dashing about the playground outside my office in the museum as I beavered away on deputy head business…
Samuel: I have been though school and now in final year of uni studying business management and marketing.
Theo: Since my time at the dragon I’ve I spent 5 years at Winchester before joining Cardiff university in 2024, after taking a gap year. I’m studying Environment Geography and am still rowing which is a passion that started at the dragon. I’ve been coaching new rowers as well as being coxswain captain and will be applying to be president next year. Rowing was a passion of mine that started at the dragon before continuing through Winchester and if I hadn’t started at the dragon I wouldn’t be what I’m doing now.
Would you like to take a ‘walk down Dragon Lane’? Please get in touch with the Development team; we’d love to hear from you.
