CAREERS AND AWARDS in Edinburgh and where his family and wife originated , is eagerly anticipated . In a recent interview with The Herald 1 , 2 , Mark expressed his enthusiasm for this new position and his commitment to the growth and success of the school .
NEW OP SENIOR APPOINTMENTS IN PRESTIGIOUS SCHOOLS
The Old Pocklingtonian community made headlines with the announcement of several new appointments into senior positions in independent schools .
Among them is Mark Ronan , former headmaster of Pocklington School ( 08-18 ), who has been appointed as the new rector of Hutchesons ’ Grammar School starting in August 2024 . With a distinguished career in education and headship in schools around the world , Mark left Pocklington School in 2018 after a decade of leadership to take on his current role as headmaster of The King ’ s Hospital School in Dublin . His return to Scotland , where he began his teacher training at Moray House
OP Robert Milne ( 88-95 ) has been named the new Master of Dulwich College 3 , taking up his new appointment in September 2025 . Robert is currently the headmaster of Emanuel School , where he assumed his first headship . He previously held the position of deputy head at King ’ s College School Wimbledon , served as head of English at Magdalen College School , Oxford and was head of house at King Edward ’ s School , Birmingham .
After a career spent teaching history and politics , as well as serving as a housemaster , OP Michael Barraclough ( 82-87 ) has accepted a new appointment as the head of the Upper School at King ’ s Academy 4 in Jordan . Michael sees himself as a traditional school master and in discussing his appointment is reported as saying : “ I bring 29 years of teaching , counselling , coaching and educational management in independent schools , all things that will inspire and instruct me as I support the staff and the students at King ’ s Academy .”
The OP Association wishes all three members of the OP community and their families all the best , as they move into their new homes and roles .
Acknowledgements : 1 . https :// www . heraldscotland . com / news / 24262126 . hutchesonsgrammar-school-welcome-new-rector / 2 . https :// www . hutchesons . org / latest-news / rector-appointment / 3 . https :// www . dulwich . org . uk / news-events / news / newspost /~ board / news-21-22 / post / robert-milne-announced-asnew-master-of-dulwich-college
4 . https :// www . kingsacademy . edu . jo / news-and-events / schoolnews / news /~ board / home-news / post / kings-welcomes-newupper-school-head
MY JOURNEY TO CREATING SEALSTOP : A STORY OF PROBLEM-SOLVING AND INNOVATION
Belle Richardson ( 97-03 ) has tapped into her entrepreneurial spirit to develop an innovative solution that prevents water waste and saves time .
After leaving school , Belle embarked on a career in healthcare , qualifying as a diagnostic radiographer in 2012 . Over the next ten years , Belle worked in this role , where attention to detail , problemsolving and critical thinking were essential . Whilst the work was rewarding , Belle says she always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to create something of her own . In this account , she shares the story of her path to founding SealStop .
“ The idea for SealStop came to me in an everyday situation whilst working on my smallholding . I ’ d often leave the hose running to fill containers or water troughs , only to get distracted and come back to find everything overflowing . The wasted water and frustration made me realise there had to be a better way to manage it . That ’ s when the concept for SealStop started to take shape .
Even without a background in product design , my experience as a radiographer had honed my critical thinking and attention to detail - skills I applied to developing SealStop ’ s mechanics . I wanted the device to be practical , straightforward , and compatible with any standard hose , making it easy for anyone to use . At the same time , I realised I needed to learn a lot about business . I earned my Association of Accounting Technicians Level 2 qualification to manage the finances and completed a Level 2 Digital Marketing course to help me promote the product . I even gained my Class 1 HGV licence - because let ’ s face it , you ’ ve got to aim big ! In addition to those qualifications , I taught myself business planning , product development , and marketing strategies , with a little help along the way .
The journey hasn ’ t always been easy . I ’ ve faced challenges at every stage , from designing the initial product to testing prototypes . But I was determined to make it work . My years in healthcare trained me to think on my feet and solve problems under
pressure ; skills that were invaluable in launching my business . Gradually , SealStop took shape . Once I had a working prototype , I tested it with family and friends , refining it based on their feedback .
By 2023 , I officially launched SealStop , transitioning from healthcare to running my business full-time . It ’ s been a steep learning curve where I ’ ve had to manage everything from product development and logistics to marketing campaigns . But over time , I ’ ve built a business that not only solves a real problem but also helps save water and reduce waste .
Reflecting on my journey , I can see how every experience , from my years as a radiographer to my business qualifications , and even my HGV licence , has contributed to SealStop ’ s development . It ’ s been a path of continuous learning and adaptation , and I ’ m proud of what I ’ ve achieved .
Now , I hope to share my story with others to show that with determination and a willingness to learn , even everyday problems can inspire innovative solutions . SealStop is more than just a product ; it ’ s the result of years of learning , growth , and persistence .”
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