How blessed the team at Rayburn are to have gathered such an army of loyal teachers who choose to travel with us year after year!
None more so than Rob Chambers, Head of Geography at St Ivo Academy, who over the many years of working with him and his school, is a name we have all come to know and love.
It was with a heavy heart that we all read his recent message of thanks and appreciation as he steps away from his current role in school.
Rob has given us the nod to share his kind words – we hope this inspires other teachers to take the plunge, and follow in his footsteps in making such a significant difference to so many young people’s lives.
“Dear Kelly and Laura,
As of the end of this academic year I will no longer be in post as Head of Geography Department at St Ivo Academy. As our group have just returned from what I believe is our twelfth tour of Iceland with you, having had yet another amazing time, I just wanted to write and thank you for all your help and support over the years. I am leaving Head of Department to take on my National Geography lead full time for our trust, working across all our schools, so thankfully I will maintain some of my links with St Ivo.
When a colleague and I first started the Iceland trip with Rayburn back in 2007(?), I didn’t quite realise how popular and what a regular trip it was going to turn out to be. It is now our annual GCSE ‘enrichment residential’ and is regularly oversubscribed (only missing the two unexpected Covid years). This is testament to the word of mouth of those that have had the pleasure to have already been on the trip and experienced what the Land of Fire and Ice has to offer, and of course the success of the trip comes down to your organisation and support which enables it to run problem free.
From the early days of working with Jackie and Tracey, Rayburn have been absolutely first rate as a travel company, hence why we have continued to work with you. Our fabulous host Jana and of course little Jan Thor could not be more welcoming, and Husid Guesthouse has become a bit of home from home!
Liz and then Richard and Scott who more recently have taken over the booking and organisation of our tours have also been fantastic, patiently answering any enquiries and ensuring that the trip runs smoothly with everything going to plan. I can’t thank you enough for all your support over the years. I’m glad to say that my successor is already planning the 2023 trip with Scott and the booking for this is in action at the moment! Please do continue to think of us Scott when pencilling in reservations for Husid each year!
I frequently recommend Rayburn through my work on the Geography social media channels and will continue to do so across the schools I work with. Who knows, at some point I may have the opportunity to organise a cross-trust school’s trip!
With many best wishes to all at Rayburn for their help and support over the years.
Rob 🙂”
Rob Chambers
National Geography Lead – Astrea Academy Trust
Head of Geography – St Ivo Academy
