Philippa Cary left a successful sales career in the United Kingdom six years ago to settle in Porreres, Mallorca, reinventing herself as an early childhood educator at the Rafa Nadal International School.
A Pandemic Pivot in Mallorca
Cary moved to the Balearic island to join her partner, Michael, an English teacher who had relocated there years prior. Shortly after her arrival, the community entered lockdown restrictions. Rather than derailing her path, the move sparked a professional reinvention. Initially hired at the academy as a teaching assistant without any prior classroom experience, she quickly discovered a passion for education.
Inside the Academy’s Multilingual Classrooms
Following international teaching coursework completed in Mallorca, she transitioned into her current role as an early childhood educator two years ago. The school utilizes a British curriculum with instruction delivered in English from day one, while incorporating Spanish and Catalan for a student body largely composed of Spanish and German nationals.
Teaching the Son of a Tennis Legend
Among those young pupils is the son of Rafael Nadal, whose full name is Rafael Nadal Perelló, born on October 8, 2022. Cary shared insight into how the tennis player approaches his role outside the sporting spotlight.
«Además, uno de mis alumnos es el hijo pequeño de Rafa. Es estupendo, al igual que su padre, que es muy implicado y viene como cualquier otro padre», remarked Cary, adding that the Spanish champion is «muy agradable y fácil de tratar».
The observations portray a side of Nadal far removed from the global media attention that followed his decades-long professional career on the courts, which included 14 Roland Garros titles. Rather than claiming preferential treatment, the tennis star participates directly in everyday school life.
Literary Inspirations in Porreres
Cary’s relocation also influenced a creative endeavor. Having written stories as a hobby for years, she published her debut children’s book, Gromble and the Magic of Kindness, two years ago, followed by a sequel titled Gift of Hope. She credits the warmth of her adopted hometown with inspiring her writing.
Reflecting on her life transformation six years after leaving the UK, Cary expressed contentment with her new trajectory. She continues teaching at the academy in Mallorca, where her daily encounters with Nadal happen in the unassuming context of school drop-offs and classroom pick-ups.
