Abbey
Senior Girls' House
Staff: Houseparents, Neil and Anne Whiskerd
Assistant houseparent, Caoimhe and George Pettingell
Non-resident assistant, Mrs K Butt, Miss K Lindsell
Liaison tutor, Priya Fazel
Matron, Anne Richards
Group tutors, Nina Ritzaki (Yr9), Amanda Kinch (Yr10), Kelly Lindsell (Yr11), Danielle Scagell (L6), Neil Whiskerd (U6)
Contacts: Tel: 01458 444497 Email: abbey@millfieldschool.com
No of pupils: 54
Abbey House was located in Glastonbury but moved with other Glastonbury houses in 2001 on to the school campus. Since 2001 Abbey has been home to five head girls and many senior prefects; there have also been numerous international sports women and talented artists gracing its common rooms.
Houseparent Neil Whiskerd describes Abbey as a warm, friendly House whose uniqueness is the interaction between all ages; for example the Upper Sixth girls wake the house up in the morning. There is a firm but fair ethos with an atmosphere of sharing. According to Neil, a typical Abbey girl is sociable, well-mannered and busy.
Over half of the 54 rooms are en suite, single rooms for Sixth Formers. There is a main common room and a second common room for Upper Sixth; a kitchen area and a house study. There is a netball court at back of house, gardens and access to the stable area (Abbey is the closest house to stables). There are many riders in house and they enjoy being so close to the equestrian centre.
Neil Whiskerd and his wife Anne have run Abbey since 2001. Neil joined Millfield in 1999 and was Head of History for four years. He also teaches Government and Politics. He is master of the Sixth Form academic society and in charge of the Sixth Form lecture programme. Neil is also a rugby referee and an Upper Sixth group tutor. Prior to joining Millfield, Neil taught at Merchant Taylors' School in Liverpool and was subsequently Head of History at Solihull School. Anne ran the Millfield Preparatory School nursery for many years but is now a full time houseparent at Abbey.
Neil and Anne have four children, Ian, Matthew, Ashley and Lowri. When relaxing, Neil and Anne enjoy family life; Neil also enjoys rugby refereeing and is a keen sports fan and long-suffering supporter of Swansea City. Anne is apparently a keen fan of retail therapy.
