Full name:

Michael John Anthony Ruta

Where did you grow up?

Bedford.

Education:

Bedford School 2000-2011, Loughborough University 2011-2014 (BSc Geography), University of Buckingham 2015 (PGCE).

Your previous role and place of work:

Assistant Boarding Housemaster and Teacher of Geography at Bedford School.

What are you most looking forward to about your new role and working at King’s Ely?

The opportunity to take over an incredible House, which is rare in that it contains a mix of both boarders and day boys. This creates a fantastic opportunity for all in the House as you have the grounding and homeliness of the boarding house, combined with the dynamism and flexibility of day, which ensures that the House community is both diverse and welcoming to all.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I was intent on following my grandfather’s footsteps in joining the Army, but shamelessly I wanted to become a Teacher from the age of 16!

Hobbies/interests outside of school:

I love to be active daily, be that going to the gym, for a run, a long walk, even finding 20 minutes to do some HIIT in the front room (a lockdown legacy!). I was an oarsman and still like to keep my finger on the rowing world pulse – you will always find me in Henley-on-Thames during the first weekend of July each year!

Any pets?

A rambunctious 6-and-a-half-year-old chocolate Labrador called Finn, who is convinced he’s still a puppy.

What is your favourite meal/food?

All food! I miss the days of 6,000+ calories when I was competitively rowing. It’s hard to pick a favourite, but pesto pasta with bacon, chestnut mushrooms and lashings of parmesan cheese has to be a winner.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

I’m a fan of Marvel, and Captain America in particular – I’d happily be the English version.

Who is your hero?

My grandfather. He always persevered, led in a calm and collected way, and was incredibly personable.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Becoming Junior European Champion in Rowing was incredible, but I share my wife’s answer to this – our beautiful daughter, Sienna.

What was the last book you read?

‘Black Box Thinking’ by Matthew Syed.

What song are you most likely to sing at a karaoke?

‘American Boy’ by Estelle feat. Kanye West.

What is your favourite film?

‘Pulp Fiction’.

Do you have any phobias or fears?

Being trapped in a room with lots of historians, concerningly this tends to happen more often than you think!

If you could share a meal with any four individuals, living or dead, who would they be?

Quentin Tarantino, Winston Churchill, Margot Robbie and Leonardo Di Caprio.

Name three things you would want with you if stranded on a desert island for a week:

Captain Jack Sparrow (if you know, you know!).

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