Page 2 - Boarding House Handbook_Joans_Kitchen

JOAN'S KITCHEN

WELCOME We believe in an honest and flexible approach in order to
provide a safe and caring environment within which students
may develop both individually and as a collective. In addition
TO JOAN'S to fostering resilience, we aim to promote the ethos that our
boys should respect all with an unconditional positive regard
KITCHEN and constantly strive to be well-mannered and courteous.

Mark has been the Housemaster of Joan’s Kitchen since 2013
and enjoys the role tremendously. He joined Millfield in 2008
and has since been the Assistant Housemaster at Kingweston,
the Staff Induction Coordinator and a Prefect Team Leader.
Prior to joining Millfield, Mark taught English at both Kings
College School, Wimbledon and Grey High School in South
Africa. On the co-curricular side, Mark coaches rugby and
cricket, but as a cellist also performs in and supports many
of the music productions at the school. Mark’s wife, Mary-
Ann supports and assists him with the day-to-day running of
the house. This is done in conjunction with her main role as
mother to three JK girls; Lily (12), Amelia (9) and Grace who
will be 7 in August. Mary-Ann has a degree in Psychology and
worked in private education in South Africa. She has recently
taken up a role in Millfield Pre-Prep and is enjoying the
challenge. Family is a very important part of their lives and
as such, most of their spare time is devoted to spending time
with their children.

Joan’s Kitchen (also known as JK) started as a café in the
centre of the town, run by Joan Cottier. As Millfield expanded
in the 1950s, boarding houses were opened in surrounding
villages. Ms Cottier provided school lunches at Joan’s Kitchen
and this later began to house some of the boys along with a
member of staff. The school purchased Ms Cottier's property
in 1959 and it became a fully-fledged boarding house. The
name has remained ever since.

The current Joan’s Kitchen was opened in September 2002
and is situated on the southern fringe of the campus. It is pur-
pose-built and houses 64 boys with 30 single rooms, 11 dou-
ble rooms and 4 triple rooms. The house has a main common
room, common area complete with a table football game,
pool table and a table tennis table. This space is supplemented
by two smaller common rooms. There is a house kitchen for
snacks, drinks and occasional small house meals. We have a
Quiet Room which holds three desktop computers, a selection
of books, daily newspapers and monthly magazines. This is
also where our House Manager resides and is always around
to assist when needed. Outside there is a floodlit play area for
house games.

We look forward to welcoming you to Joan's Kitchen.

Mark Speyers, Housemaster

HOUSE HANDBOOK 2