The House System
We have five Houses at Frome College: Jupiter, Neptune, Mars, Saturn and Venus.
Head of Jupiter House - Mr P Dickens
Email: PDickens@fromecollege.org
Jupiter Information
House colour: Green
Welcome from Mr P Dickens
Hello, I would like to wish you a warm welcome to Jupiter House. Your time at College is about making the most of the opportunities you are presented with and doing the best you can.
I have worked as a Teacher of PE at the College for 13 years and have been involved in the Pastoral System as a Head of House for 11 years. I studied Sports Coaching and Conditioning at UWE Bristol and then completed my Teacher Training at the University of Exeter.
I want you to come and enjoy your time at Frome College, get involved as much as you can and be successful – academically and within the extra-curricular set up. I want you to develop as an individual to take on the challenges of your GCSEs and whatever your next steps may be.
As a PE teacher I have a keen interest in sport and see the value that extra-curricular activities whatever they may be can play in developing your character. I want to see you make the most of the wonderful opportunities you have at the this great College and to watch you grow and develop as we prepare you for the next stages of your lives.
Deputy Head of Jupiter House - Mr M Edmonds
Welcome from Mr Edmonds
Hi there, I’m Mr Edmonds. I’m in my fourth year of teaching at Frome college but have been working with children in education for the past 12 years. I started off with working with children in care and asylum seeking children from all around the world – especially war torn countries and then moved over to special educational needs before running a pupil referral Unit for a few years: loads of challenges, but also loads of rewards. Before coming to Frome college, I taught at Lackham College doing lots of interesting things from normal class lessons to welding, estate management and sports. I feel that I have found my ‘best fit’ with Frome College and really enjoy it here. I studied Psychology at the University of Wales before taking on Masters at Cheltenham and then finally teacher training at Greenwich University. My aim is that students mature into responsible young adults; helpful to others, respectful and willing to try new things. These years are so important as they set you up for the challenges and exciting experiences in the future. The more you put in, the more you will get out.
I’m normally found in the Maths department and always have my door open if you need anything.
House charity: We Hear You
Head of Mars House - Mr J Forrest
Email: JForrest@fromecollege.org
Mars Information
House colour: Red
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” - Albert Einstein.
Mars key values/qualities:
- Creativity
- Inquisition
- Intelligence
- Devotion
Mottos:
- Destitutus ventis, remos adhibe - If the wind will not serve, take to the oars.
House Ethos:
- Embrace the challenge!
- Everyone has something to offer!
- Strong relationships!
- Support each other through thick and thin!
Welcome from Mr Forrest
Hello, my name is Mr Forrest and I teach Science and Chemistry. Welcome to Mars House! Frome College is my second destination in my teaching career following a ten year employment at a single sex academy in Bath. I grew up in Glasgow and moved to Bath in 2006 for a swimming scholarship at Bath University where I also studied Pharmacology. I represented the Universities ‘Performance Student-Athlete Programme’ and completed in numerous World and European international competitions for Scotland and Great Britain. In 2010 I made the tough decision to retire from elite level sport and focus on my degree and trained as a teacher soon after. I am still involved in swimming through coaching the next generations of competitive swimmers at Bradford on Avon Swimming Club. The students within our House say I am approachable, honest and trustworthy and teach with a firm but fair approach. I value an ethos where everyone has something to offer no matter their race, sexuality or background.
Deputy Head of Mars House - Miss A Wilson
Welcome from Miss Wilson
Hello, I am Miss Wilson and I have taught PE and Dance at Frome College for the last 4 years. My key values as Deputy Head of Mars are for students to thrive in College and enjoy their learning whilst having lots of different opportunities and experiences. I strive to have my own success so would encourage all students in Mars to follow this ethos as well. I studied Sport and Exercise Science at Cardiff Metropolitan University and also completed my PGCE in Physical Education at the University of Exeter. I love to travel and visit lots of different countries, and as a result lived in Dubai for 18 months. My passions are Netball and Swimming and I will often be found training or competing in these sports.
House charity: I Can and I Am
Head of Neptune House - Mr D Jones
Email: DJones@fromecollege.org
Neptune Information
House colour: Blue
Welcome from Mr Jones
I grew up in Frome and went to Frome College. I played rugby for Frome RFC as a young child. Both school and rugby gave me a lot of great opportunities, where I visited different places, meet different people and made great friends. Sport has always been my main passion and this led me to university where I studied Sports Science whilst continuing to play rugby. After university I travelled and moved to the Middle East before returning to the UK and embarking on a career in education. After working in schools in London, I chose to return to the beautiful surroundings of Somerset to continue life with my family.
I believe that it’s important to have a sense of adventure; to try new things; take the opportunities presented to you; come out of your comfort zone and broaden your horizons. School and extra-curricular activities give you the opportunity to do this.
Deputy Head of Neptune House - Mr J Rush
Welcome from Mr Rush
I grew up in North Devon and moved to Bath to study Biology at the university there. After university, I spent 7 years working in security and events. I organised and ran the security for large and small events across the country, from concerts and festivals to marathons, nightclubs and large sporting fixtures. I have been teaching science at Frome College for over 10 years now. It is important to me that a child’s experience at school is positive, productive and fun.
House charity: Mind
Head of Saturn House - Mrs March
Email: NMarch@fromecollege.org
Saturn Information
House colour: Orange
"You are what you do repeatedly so your excellence isn't an act, it's a habit.”
The ethos of Saturn House is our inclusivity, tolerance, and acceptance of everyone. We encourage our members to try new activities and get out of their comfort zones as it helps define and shape character.
We do our best and aim high, aim to win. We are gracious in defeat, acknowledging the victors; humble in victory, respecting the competition.
Welcome from Mrs March
I have been teaching for 21 years, mainly GCSE Chemistry, Biology and Physics and Chemistry at A Level. More recently I have been teaching BTEC Psychology and GCSE Food and Nutrition.
I attended Frome College and then Studied for a BSc (HONS) in Biochemistry with Molecular Cell Biology at the University of Birmingham. After, I went to The University of Leeds to study for my PGCE in Chemistry with Science teaching. I have been playing the clarinet for 34 years and have played in orchestras and as a soloist in Europe and India. I like to keep active by taking part in "dance fit" and you can see me at Parkrun in Trowbridge. I am also the deputy safeguarding officer for Trowbridge Rugby club where my husband coaches and both of our children play.
Deputy Head of Saturn House - Mr S Lavington
Hello, I am Mr Lavington and I am the Deputy Head of House for Saturn. I have taught Media Studies and English at Frome College since 2018, and as of September 2021 have begun teaching Film Studies to Post 16. This is an exciting addition to my timetable, as I am a film specialist, getting a BA (HONS) in Film (2014-2017). This was immediately followed by my PGCE in Media Studies (2017-2018). These academic achievements would not have been possible if my own school did not provide me with the best opportunities for learning.
Opportunities and hard work are the building blocks of success. My aim as Deputy Head of House is to ensure that all students are able to reach their full potential at Frome College, to best prepare for life outside of College. As mentioned, I love Film and TV. My specialisms are in Cult Cinema and Television, and Mainstream Franchise Fandoms. As well as this I love sports, competing and following. I currently play rugby and have done since I was young. Clubs I follow are London Irish, Everton FC, Queensland Reds.
House charity: Young Somerset
Head of Venus House Dr D. Smith
Email: DSmith@Fromecollege.org
Venus Information
House colour: Yellow
Welcome from Dr Smith
Venus, the second planet from the Sun in our solar system is named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty and is the only planet to be named after a female god. Unlike the planet, which is inhospitable with an atmosphere of carbon dioxide and sulphuric acid, and high pressure on its surface, Venus House will be inclusive and a safe environment for everyone.
I expect everyone associated with Venus House, and the wider Frome College community, to be polite, respectful, tolerant, and understanding of others. Everyone should be prepared to give their best and make a positive contribution.
As a member of Venus House, we will set high standards and aim to be role models for others. The tutors will be supportive and encouraging but expect them to challenge where necessary. Tutors are the first person you will see each day and they will be interested in hearing news of clubs and activities you do outside school.
I hope everyone will play a full part in the activities of the House and try something new, perhaps venturing outside your comfort zone.
Originally from the West Midlands, from a town labelled as ‘The Birthplace of Industry’, I went to Sheffield City Polytechnic and graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Applied Chemistry. I then came to Bath to complete my PhD from the School of Chemical Engineering before completing my PGCE. I then spent nearly 7 years in the paper chemicals industry eventually traveling to work with wonderful people in countries such as India, Brazil, South Africa and Sweden. I joined Frome College in 2004. I’m a qualified football referee and I sometimes find time to play the guitar, although most of my time is either at football or tinkering with my motorbikes.
The ethos of Venus House is our inclusivity, tolerance, and acceptance of everyone. Also, putting yourself forward and trying a new activity and getting out of your ‘comfort-zone’ helps define and shape your character. We do our best and aim high, aim to win. We are gracious in defeat, acknowledging the victors; and humble in victory, respecting the competition.
House Charity: Purple Elephant
