Dominique Masters
Head of School House
Hello! I am Dominique Masters, and I have been a part of the St Edmund’s family since September 2020. I am currently Head of Psychology and Houseparent of the Junior Boarding House, School House.
I joined St Edmund’s as a Senior School boarding assistant in September 2020 after moving back to Canterbury having spent 7 years in the US. In 2013, I moved to America to study my undergraduate degree in Human Development and Psychological Services having received a hockey scholarship to attend Northwestern University, Chicago. A particular highlight was the opportunity to spend 3.5 weeks teaching Biology and Life Skills and coaching football to Y6-8 children at a school in Vietnam during my undergraduate degree in 2015.
After graduating in 2017, I spent 18 months at Saint Louis University as a Graduate Assistant, coaching the university hockey team and obtaining my Master’s in Student Personnel Administration. I then moved to The University of California, Davis in January 2019 to become an assistant hockey coach before moving back to the UK during the pandemic with my rescue dog Moose.
I have been passionate about sport from a young age, in particular, hockey where my passion began at Canterbury Hockey Club as a junior player and led me to go on to become part of the England U16 and U18 squads. I have coached the Canterbury U18 girls and I am currently a member of the Canterbury Ladies 1st and 2nd XI squad. I am grateful that sport has allowed me to travel around the world and meet many amazing people along the way.
In April 2021 I was appointed Houseparent of School House and helped reestablish Psychology A Level at St Edmund’s in September 2021. It is such a unique opportunity for me and one of my favourite aspects of the school; to be able to work closely with pupils and staff across the Junior and Senior schools.
Growing up, boarding played a central role in shaping my identity and giving me a sense of purpose. I learned valuable skills and independence as well as developed friendships with girls from all over the country and the world. My role as Houseparent of School House has allowed me to impart those lessons and ensure the boarders feel part of a supportive, family atmosphere. It is a challenge to move away from home but one of the most fulfilling aspects of my role is seeing how the boarder’s confidence develops and shines through the course of each term. I love hearing about their day over snack time in the evening, playing games or reading stories together before bedtime.
I will be getting married this Summer and reside in School House with my fiancé Jason and our two dogs Moose and Gypsy, as well as our two rabbits Kiara and Simba and our six rescue chickens who live in the Junior School nature garden!