Turning the Page – Mr Platt, Director of Sport

As his RHS chapter comes to a close, Mr Platt turns the page, with a new adventure to embark on.

With another school year coming to a close we pause to recognise staff who will sadly not be returning, but instead moving onto new chapters in their adventures. This new Bubble feature will provide some insight into staff departing whilst celebrating their hard work, commitment and dedication which will forever leave a lasting impact on our RHS community. This first edition features a farewell for Mr Platt after just completing 9 years, starting off as a Housemaster before taking on the Director of Sport role. Before his time at RHS, he was Director of Sport and a Housemaster at St John’s School Leatherhead, as well as leading part of the Harlequins Rugby Academy.

Read on to find out more about Mr Platt’s RHS journey.

Mr Platt’s favourite RHS memories:

Mr Platt will always remember the relaxed time in Drake, between the end of school and buses going, as a highlight – the fun, laughter, and a chance for various age groups to chat and enjoy each other’s company. With Matron’s treats at the same time always being very popular.
Mr Platt loved this chilled out time in Drake (unless certain individuals thought that using a football near a window was a good idea…). Whilst Drake is such a big House, Mr Platt felt that Drake always felt like such a close-knit community – and the House socials with pupils and parents will always hold happy memories.
For Mr Platt, the sport will obviously always hold a special place in his heart – “I feel privileged to have coached and watched so many talented sports performers in action. The unbeaten 1^st XV in 2021 was a special season, but every team I have been with have created happy memories – some of the girls’ cricket sides I coached have produced stand out team performances that I will always remember.”
Mr Platt will also miss Congo – a favourite of his as a housemaster, but a time in the week which has been equally as special as Director of Sport – with his office so close to chapel, he says “hearing Congo and the ‘Holbrook Sound’ in full flow is something I will really miss.”
Whilst all other memories are special to Mr Platt, his truly favourite memories are the people he has met – the pupils, staff, and parents. Being so lucky to get on with most people and watching so many pupils flourish continues to bring a smile to his face. Mr Platt is so grateful to have worked with so many wonderful colleagues. Finally, he tells us “The sports department have been brilliant over the years, as were the tutor teams in Drake. It is rarely facilities or the ‘shiny bits’ which make a school – it is the people.”

An insight into Mr Platt’s next adventure:

Mr Platt is not moving too far – heading to Ipswich High School to become their Director of Sport. With only becoming co-ed relatively recently he tells us “There is plenty to be done to support that progress, as well as having the chance to lead a programme which includes their prep school as well as senior school. There is plenty of ambition for their sporting programme.”
With Mr Platt’s move to Ipswich High School, he is able to give his own children the chance to benefit from all that independent school education has to offer. However, whilst Mr Platt may be leaving RHS, Mrs Platt will be joining RHS as Head of Chemistry therefore he looks forward to coming back and seeing the RHS community when he can.

What do you hope or think you will be most remembered for?

“Being the only person who could make Mr Eales smile! I hope that I will be remembered as a schoolmaster who cared, was approachable and made being at school fun and a positive experience. Supporting the Drake pupils through thick and thin as they faced everything life threw at them and then reinvigorating sporting standards as Director of Sport – driving the elite programme but also widening the opportunity for physical activity at all levels.”

Mr Platt’s time at RHS has clearly been an adventure, one to never forget. As he moves on, he simply turns the page into a new chapter in his journey, whilst his time at RHS comes to a close, the memories he leaves behind will remain a part of many pupils’ stories, alongside our RHS story. We all wish him every success as he discovers what lies ahead, continuing to turn countless pages.