Introduction to the Boarding Houses

Lorna joined Hockerill in 2009 as a Boarding House Tutor, becoming Deputy Head of House in 2012 and Head of Winchester House in 2013. She embraces the challenges of leading a busy boarding house and, alongside a dedicated team, is committed to helping each student reach her full potential. She greatly values the trust parents place in her and enjoys working closely with families to support each girl’s wellbeing and development.

With a background in adult literacy and experience supporting disadvantaged and vulnerable adults, Lorna has developed a pastoral approach that balances care and encouragement, creating a safe environment where students can grow, take healthy risks, and broaden their horizons.

Winchester House is a nurturing and engaging home where girls are supported, challenged, and encouraged to develop confidence and a strong sense of self. Lorna lives in the house with her husband, daughter, and two guinea pigs, and enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, and visiting the theatre.

Celestine joined Hockerill in 2009, initially in the HR team following the birth of her son Samuel, before beginning her boarding journey in Thames House. What started as a few hours quickly became a true passion, and over the past fifteen years she has gained extensive experience across all the boys’ boarding houses. She is now proud to serve as Head of both Canterbury and Durham House.

Celestine loves the unique challenges of boarding and takes great pride in supporting students to grow into thoughtful, caring young adults. She believes in celebrating individual achievements and guiding students through their teenage years, helping them develop confidence, resilience, and the social skills to thrive.

Celestine lives on campus with her husband, Rob, a PE teacher, and their son Samuel, a former Hockerill student. The family enjoys walking their dog, travelling, and above all, rugby—whether coaching, playing, cheering from the sidelines, or washing kit!

Celestine joined Hockerill in 2009, initially in the HR team following the birth of her son Samuel, before beginning her boarding journey in Thames House. What started as a few hours quickly became a true passion, and over the past fifteen years she has gained extensive experience across all the boys’ boarding houses. She is now proud to serve as Head of both Canterbury and Durham House.

Celestine loves the unique challenges of boarding and takes great pride in supporting students to grow into thoughtful, caring young adults. She believes in celebrating individual achievements and guiding students through their teenage years, helping them develop confidence, resilience, and the social skills to thrive.

Celestine lives on campus with her husband, Rob, a PE teacher, and their son Samuel, a former Hockerill student. The family enjoys walking their dog, travelling, and above all, rugby—whether coaching, playing, cheering from the sidelines, or washing kit!

Joanne has enjoyed a 30-year teaching career across a range of subjects, with a particular passion for Geography. She loves taking learning beyond the classroom through fieldwork and helping students understand their role as global citizens, encouraging them to engage with the wider world.

Joining boarding was a natural progression, allowing her to support students’ personal growth alongside their academic development. As Head of Roding House, she enjoys sharing her own interests—baking, reading, and dancing—while inspiring boarders to explore new talents through house events, weekly challenges, and termly celebrations.

Roding is her “home away from home,” and she lives on campus with her husband during term time. She is committed to creating a warm, inclusive, and supportive environment where every student feels valued, achievements are celebrated, and challenges are met together with guidance from the Roding staff team.