Please state your full name and your position here at Marlborough College Malaysia.
Rob Florence, Teacher of Biology, Housemaster of Thompson and Silver IA Co-ordinator.
How long have you been at MCM?
Started in August 2026.
Could you share a little about your background, family, hobbies, and anything else that’s important to you?
I’m originally from Scotland and was living in a small rural village, so moving to Malaysia has been quite a change of scenery! I’m married to Eloise, who is also a teacher, and we’ve enjoyed making the move to Malaysia together.
I’ve always been someone who likes being outdoors and keeping active. I enjoy running and am working towards my second marathon. I’m making my way through hiking the Munros of Scotland, although this may slow down given the recent move. I particularly enjoy wild camping, and have enjoyed heading out to some of the most remote parts of Scotland for several days with a full bag and a tent.
I play and coach basketball (although far more of the latter now) and I’ve had season tickets for the Scottish national rugby team for the last decade and for Celtic Football Club before that too.
Away from sport and the outdoors, I’m a keen cook and enjoy trying out new recipes, particularly when I’m travelling and can bring ideas back from different places.
I’m also a keen traveller and love the combination of history, culture, wildlife and adventure that comes with exploring somewhere new. Some of my favourite trips have taken me to the likes of Madagascar, Kyrgyzstan, Rajasthan and the Balkans, as well as Malaysia a couple of years ago!
Why Marlborough College Malaysia and why Malaysia?
I love throwing myself into everything at a school and getting involved. So when I saw that seemed to be truly part of the culture at MCM amongst its pupils and staff it seemed like a great fit. I love the blend of British Boarding school traditions interweaving Malaysian culture and the school’s forward thinking and innovative approaches.
Malaysia is such an incredible country too, great people, food, wildlife and scenery. I was captivated when I travelled here a few years ago and it just felt like a place that I would love to live as well as visit.
Can you describe your experiences and achievements in your current/previous role?
I started teaching at Gordonstoun but I’ve been teaching Biology at Dollar Academy since 2016. Throughout my career I’ve always been interested in the wider role that schools play in pupils’ lives. At Dollar Academy, I was a Head of Year and Head of Basketball, as well as spending many years as a Boarding House Tutor.
Pastoral care and pupil wellbeing have been a particularly important part of my work. I completed the HMC Pastoral Leadership Qualifications and became a Mental Health First Aid Instructor, delivering this important training to staff and senior pupils at my previous school.
Sport and co-curricular activities have also been a major part of my career. I’ve coached a number of sports but mainly focused on basketball. I was proud of my team making the national semi-finals last session and I also founded and ran the Scottish Independent Schools’ Basketball Association (SISBA) Cup. I’ve also been heavily involved in Cadet forces where I was a Lieutenant and officer in charge of the recruits section. Outdoor education has played a huge part in my career, with my particular highlight being hiking expeditions with Gold groups out into the highlands (even when it rained!)
Do you have any new or exciting initiatives or events that you’re looking forward to this academic year?
I’ve loved my time working as HM of Thompson so far. The boys in the house are fantastic, especially the Upper Sixth leadership. I look forward to further developing this strong sense of identity in the house, and giving pupils the opportunity to take responsibility and shape the House themselves too.
I’d also like to further the great work that MCM has already done around mental health. I am a huge believer in a preventative and proactive approach, which is why I became a Mental Health First Aid instructor. I think that education and training can go a huge way to creating a supportive and nurturing environment around each pupil, including both their teachers and their peers.
The outdoor education here is also great and I’m looking forward to seeing what exciting opportunities we can deliver for the pupils here to explore the natural world both here in Malaysia and beyond.
Is there a message you’d like to leave for the pupils, staff, or parents?
I would say that all pupils, staff and parents have been so lovely in welcoming us to the country and I would like to say thank you!
