Meet Mr Bunday and Family
OUR NEW HOUSEMASTER FROM SEPTEMBER 2024
Name: Mr Rupert Bunday BSc, iPGCE
Email: rtfb@sedberghprep.org
Rupert is excited to be taking over as Housemaster of Cressbrook from September 2024. Many of you will already know Ru as our Director of Sport; he can be found on touch lines and games pitches day in, day out, supporting pupils to achieve their individual potential in sport, whatever their experience.
Rupert will be joined in Cressbrook by his wife, Ellie, currently studying for a PGCE in Geography, and their young daughter, Harriet who attends The Mulberry Bush Nursery.
Rupert attended Chafyn Grove Prep School and King’s Bruton in Somerset, where he full boarded from the age of 7, as his parents were posted overseas with the armed forces. He went onto Cardiff Metropolitan University to study for a BSc in Sports Development before completing his teacher training through Buckingham University. Ru joined Sedbergh in 2018 after 5 years as a Residential House Tutor, PE Teacher and Master i/c of cricket at Giggleswick School. You could say boarding runs in the family as his parents have both led Boarding Houses in the south west after leaving the military.
We caught up with Rupert, asking him about his own boarding experiences, his vision for Cressbrook and some fun questions from the boarders*:
1. What do you consider the most important part of the boarding experience at Sedbergh Prep School? I believe the most important part of the boarding experience is to make sure everyone in the House feels safe and included, a place where we can create a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere that the boys can call their ‘home away from home’.
2. What do you think boarding means to our pupils? Hopefully fun, excitement and an endless number of opportunities to enjoy the company of others, to learn and to grow as an individual in a safe, secure and welcoming place.
3. What memories of your own boarding experience will you bring to Cressbrook? Some of my fondest memories of school involved boarding and the friends that I made at boarding school are still to this day some of my closest friends. Living at school and enjoying all the opportunities that come your way really help to shape the person you become and the relationships that you make on the way. To that end, I would like to encourage friendship across the boarding houses and will really encourage the boys to get stuck in and involved in every opportunity Sedbergh Prep offers.
4. How will Mrs Bunday and Harriet be involved in boarding life? They are both excited about making the move to Cressbrook. Mrs Bunday (herself a boarder from a young age) will certainly be involved in the Boarding House and quickly become a familiar face to both the boys and parents, and Harriet will be around in the House, especially at mealtimes!
5. What values do you want boys to leave Cressbrook with? Alongside theSchool Ways of the Wolf values of ambition, kindness, creativity, collaboration, respect and courage, I would like the boys to be brave and try new things and not fear failure.
6. What is your view on the role of technology in a Prep School boarding house? It certainly has a role in order to keep parents informed either through social media, or phone calls, but I think it is really important that the boys learn the important life skills of socialising (verbally), spending time with friends, creating memories and enjoying the ‘now’, instead of being caught up in ‘screen life’. I am aware that the Department of Education are keen to ban mobile phones in schools, but I think ‘all things in moderation’ is a good motto in the boarding house.
7. How will boys have the chance to shape their own boarding experience? The boarding house is the boys’ ‘home away from home’ during term time and I am keen that their voices/opinions are heard. Every pupil voice is important and will be listened to through, but not limited to, pupil forums, informal discussions and feedback sessions.
8. *What made you want to become a Housemaster? Having been a boarder since I was 7, I have always loved the buzz and the atmosphere created in a boarding house where boys from different cultures, backgrounds, beliefs and views live together. I am looking forward to being a part of that buzz in Cressbrook. I have a particular empathy with those boarders whose parents live a long way from Casterton, as for much of my time as a boarder my parents lived abroad.
9. *What is your favourite film? Cool Runnings or Shawshank Redemption
10. *What boarding activities would you like to organise when you join Cressbrook? I am fairly open minded with regards to the activities, and really would like these to be led by pupil voice. However, I would like to see activities that not only allow the boys an opportunity to celebrate their strengths but also push them outside of their comfort zones and try something new. I am keen to ensure that we cater for ALL the boys and thus have a variety of activities.
11. *What is your favourite food? Steak and chips!
12. *Which famous person would you most like to meet and why? I would love to have met Nelson Mandela; he would have been fascinating to speak to – someone who showed true determination. I would also like to meet Barack Obama – he is a fantastic public speaker, and I would love to ask him for some pointers as well as about his time as President.
13. Will you bring any pets to Cressbrook? Yes, but we will be mindful of those who do not like animals. We have two very friendly dogs, a black lab called Holly and a fox red lab called Cassie.
14. How would a friend describe you in 3 words? Generous, approachable, friendly
