Chris Snuggs Berners/Halls 58-65: I didn't know Tooms at all except by sight. I never did chemistry (I never even went into his lab.) and was not involved in anything he was. In 6 years at WHS I don't think I ever exchanged words with him. This profile is therefore embryonic, consisting only of my impressions at the time and other snippets I have gleaned from here and there. I would be grateful if others What is undeniably true is that he was at WHS for two decades and was therefore one of that numerous group of long-serving teachers who gave the school a professional commitment and staffing stability which many schools can only dream of. |
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First, regarding chemistry at the time I didn't realize it but having to drop the subject after the second year (we actually did a small amount of chemistry in physics) was in educational terms a huge loss. Chemistry, physics and biology are the fundamentals of our existence and I later regretted my ignorance of the subject, since with the best will in the world it is hard to catch up later on what one missed at school. I was like everyone else at the time (no idea if and/or when it changed later) asked to choose between Chemistry, German and Greek. As my best subject was French and given my maths I was never going to be a scientist, so it was in fact a no-brainer - an expression that did not exist in 1960.
So, what about Tooms?
- At the distance from which I observed him he seemed to be a degree more eccentric and/or zany than the average teacher.
- I am sure he didn't actually smell of chemicals but somehow that was an aura that seemed to envelop him.
- I never heard a bad thing said about him. I am sure I had peers who did chemistry but never heard anyone complain about him. Somewhat bizarrely, I don't ever remember asking any of my mates how they were getting on in his subject.
- He did not have a high profile around school compared to some of the other teachers; at least in my perception, but that was because he was never involved in any sports coaching or musical/drama activities as far as I know.
- I knew he was involved in the Car Club during the 60s, but I never had anything to do with that. However, the "Janus" reports of 1967 & 1968 pay tribute to the great help and time he devoted to the club.
- He was I believe Corners Housemaster from 1959 to 1966, and so therefore during my entire time at WHS, but I do not remember any stories involving him from that time. I am not sure if I was typical of non-Corners boys, but I never went there during my 6 years; in my case Corners was somehow as apart in mind as in location.
- There are only two minor references to him during the "Janus" House Report entries for that period, so it was presumably a fairly uneventful and/or undramatic period in the history of Corners - which is a plus point for any Housemaster I guess - unless you are Doc T, who turned Orwell House upside down with his musical and other initiatives.
- I never knew him, but he was for me an unforgettable part of the WHS fabric at that time. I hope others will give some complementary views.
Chris Archer - Corners 67-741: I was in Corners from 1967 through 1971 (joining in the 4th form). I took chemistry to ‘A’ level with Mr. Thomas. In the 6th form he treated us all as adults; he was very patient with everyone and, in my opinion, great fun, too. He would start lessons talking about chemicals telling us about the industrial uses. Invariably somewhere in the description there would be “explosives”. This usually brought out the comment “Oh really sir, how?”. He would then - reluctantly(ish) - mix up what was needed and then take us outside to show us. The little enclosed grass area in front of the science block went from nicely laid-out to complete bombsite by the end of the 4th form for us. On a personal level, he used to have a few of us up to his house at the end of Manning’s Lane for evening tutorials that were great fun and very informative. A lovely man and a great teacher.
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