Richard J. Woollett | Dick |
9/79-7/89 9/62-7/64 9/62-7/64 |
10 years 2 years 2 years |
Headmaster Teacher Asst. Housemaster |
History Halls |
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WHS had four quite exceptional Headmasters, and Dick Woollett was the last. I knew him as Asst. Housemaster of Halls during his first stay at the school. He was very kind, and often invited groups of boys to watch "The World at War", the great BBC series on WWI, in his flat on the first floor between Halls and Johnstons. He also did his best to help me when I applied for a place at Merton College, Oxford (he was a Fellow of All Souls), giving me both interview and other practical advice. Once we met up in London and watched "Far From The Madding Crowd" when it came out. I had studied Thomas Hardy's "The Mayor of Casterbridge" for 'O' Level, and that film was stunning. Dick was always a class act, and I greatly admired him for taking on the formidable challenge of WHS during its last decade. He told me some years ago when we met on the occasion of one of our barge cruises that Taffy had greatly encouraged him to go for the Headship - which was nice. They had of course worked together in Halls in the early 60s. He now lives in retirement in Ipswich. In 2018 I was invited to his 80th birthday party in Ipswich, organised by Barry Clark. A good number of OBs were there and their love for their old Head was obvious. Here are a few photos. (Chris Snuggs - October 2020) |
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Colin Hall | ?/?-12/90 | ? | Teacher | Science | ||||
??? Dugdale | ?/?-7/88 | Teacher | CDT (Design) | |||||
Bill Price | ?/?-7/89 | Teacher Housemaster |
PSHE Geog (?) Halls |
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WHS had four quite exceptional Headmasters, and Dick Woollett was the last. I knew him as Asst. Housemaster of Halls during his first stay at the school. He was very kind, and often invited groups of boys to watch "The World at War", the great BBC series on WWI, in his flat on the first floor between Halls and Johnstons. He also did his best to help me when I applied for a place at Merton College, Oxford (he was a Fellow of All Souls), giving me both interview and other practical advice. Once we met up in London and watched "Far From The Madding Crowd" when it came out. I had studied Thomas Hardy's "The Mayor of Casterbridge" for 'O' Level, and that film was stunning. Dick was always a class act, and I greatly admired him for taking on the formidable challenge of WHS during its last decade. He told me some years ago when at Taffy had greatly encouraged him to go for the Headship - which was nice. They had of course worked together in Halls in the early 60s. He now lives in retirement in Ipswich. |
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Tony Bowen | ?/?-7/88 | ? | Teacher | PE Games | ||||
WHS had four quite exceptional Headmasters, and Dick Woollett was the last. I knew him as Asst. Housemaster of Halls during his first stay at the school. He was very kind, and often invited groups of boys to watch "The World at War", the great BBC series on WWI, in his flat on the first floor between Halls and Johnstons. He also did his best to help me when I applied for a place at Merton College, Oxford (he was a Fellow of All Souls), giving me both interview and other practical advice. Once we met up in London and watched "Far From The Madding Crowd" when it came out. I had studied Thomas Hardy's "The Mayor of Casterbridge" for 'O' Level, and that film was stunning. Dick was always a class act, and I greatly admired him for taking on the formidable challenge of WHS during its last decade. He told me some years ago when at Taffy had greatly encouraged him to go for the Headship - which was nice. They had of course worked together in Halls in the early 60s. He now lives in retirement in Ipswich. |
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B. Piriyani | 9/88-7/89 | 1 year | Teacher Asst. Housemaster |
CDT (Design) Hansons |
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Graham Southgate | ?/?-7/88 | ? | Teacher Asst. Housemaster |
Religious Instruction Corners |
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WHS had four quite exceptional Headmasters, and Dick Woollett was the last. I knew him as Asst. Housemaster of Halls during his first stay at the school. He was very kind, and often invited groups of boys to watch "The World at War", the great BBC series on WWI, in his flat on the first floor between Halls and Johnstons. He also did his best to help me when I applied for a place at Merton College, Oxford (he was a Fellow of All Souls), giving me both interview and other practical advice. Once we met up in London and watched "Far From The Madding Crowd" when it came out. I had studied Thomas Hardy's "The Mayor of Casterbridge" for 'O' Level, and that film was stunning. Dick was always a class act, and I greatly admired him for taking on the formidable challenge of WHS during its last decade. He told me some years ago when at Taffy had greatly encouraged him to go for the Headship - which was nice. They had of course worked together in Halls in the early 60s. He now lives in retirement in Ipswich. during its last decade. He told me some years ago when at Taffy had greatly encouraged him to go for the Headship - which was nice. They had of course worked together in Halls in the early during its last decade. He told me some years ago when at Tafduring its last decade. He told me some years ago when at Taffy had greatly encouraged him to go for the Headship - which was nice. T |
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Paul Murcell-Head | 9/87-7/90 | 3 years | Teacher | Languages | ||||
Harold Maxfield | ?/?-7/87 /-7/87 |
Head of Department Asst. Housemaster |
Maths Johnstons |
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HS had four quite exceptional Headmasters, and Dick Woollett was the last. I knew him as Asst. Housemaster of Halls during his first stay at the school. He was very kind, and often invited groups of boys to watch "The World at War", the great BBC series on WWI, in his flat on the first floor between Halls and Johnstons. He also did his best to help me when I applied for a place at Merton College, Oxford (he was a Fellow of All Souls), giving me both interview and other practical advice. Once we met up in London and watched "Far From The Madding Crowd" when it came out. I had studied Thomas Hardy's "The Mayor of Casterbridge" for 'O' Level, and that film was stunning. Dick was always a class act, and I greatly admired him for taking on the formidable challenge of WHS during its last decade. He told me some years ago when at Taffy had greatly encouraged him to go for the Headship - which was nice. They had of course worked together in Halls in the early 60s. He now lives in retirement in Ipswich. |
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Andrew Chidwick | 9/87-7/89 | 2 years | Teacher Asst. Housemaster |
Mathemetics & IT Johnstons |
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Barry Clark | 9/87-7/90 | WHS OB / Hansons 58/65 | ||||||
WHS had four quite exceptional Headmasters, and Dick Woollett was the last. I knew him as Asst. Housemaster of Halls during his first stay at the school. He was very kind, and often invited groups of boys to watch "The World at War", the great BBC series on WWI, in his flat on the first floor between Halls and Johnstons. He also did his best to help me when I applied for a place at Merton College, Oxford (he was a Fellow of All Souls), giving me both interview and other practical advice. Once we met up in London and watched "Far From The Madding Crowd" when it came out. I had studied Thomas Hardy's "The Mayor of Casterbridge" for 'O' Level, and that film was stunning. Dick was always a class act, and I greatly admired him for taking on the formidable challenge of WHS during its last decade. He told me some years ago when at Taffy had greatly encouraged him to go for the Headship - which was nice. They had of course worked together in Halls in the early 60s. He now lives in retirement in Ipswich. |
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Andy Marshall | 9/85-7/89 | 4 years | Deputy-Head Teacher Coach |
Geography rugby |
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WHS had four quite exceptional Headmasters, and Dick Woollett was the last. I knew him as Asst. Housemaster of Halls during his first stay at the school. He was very kind, and often invited groups of boys to watch "The World at War", the great BBC series on WWI, in his flat on the first floor between Halls and Johnstons. He also did his best to help me when I applied for a place at Merton College, Oxford (he was a Fellow of All Souls), giving me both interview and other practical advice. Once we met up in London and watched "Far From The Madding Crowd" when it came out. I had studied Thomas Hardy's "The Mayor of Casterbridge" for 'O' Level, and that film was stunning. Dick was always a class act, and I greatly admired him for taking on the formidable challenge of WHS during its last decade. He told me some years ago when at Taffy had greatly encouraged him to go for the Headship - which was nice. They had of course worked together in Halls in the early 60s. He now lives in retirement in Ipswich. |
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Stuart McDonald | 9/85-7/89 | 4 years | ||||||
WHS had four quite exceptional Headmasters, and Dick Woollett was the last. I knew him as Asst. Housemaster of Halls during his first stay at the school. He |
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Mr Davies | 83-85? | Maths | ||||||
Kevin Cooper: "There was also a maths teacher by the name of Mr Davies he was a young teacher a Oxford graduate who was only 22/23 had milk bottle glasses and a whizz kid on the tech of the day with the IBM and commodore computers - I think there were 6/8 at the time." | ||||||||
H. Kevin Piper | 8/82-7/89 | 7 years | Teacher | Drama | ||||
WHS had four quite exceptional Headmasters, and Dick Woollett was the last. I knew him as Asst. Housemaster of Halls during his first stay at the school. He was very kind, and often invited groups of boys to watch "The World at War", the great BBC series on WWI, in his flat on the first floor between Halls and Johnstons. He also did his best to help me when I applied for a place at Merton College, Oxford (he was a Fellow of All Souls), giving me both interview and other practical advice. Once we met up in London and watched "Far From The Madding Crowd" when it came out. I had studied Thomas Hardy's "The Mayor of Casterbridge" for 'O' Level, and that film was stunning. Dick was always a class act, and I greatly admired him for taking on the formidable challenge of WHS during its last decade. He told me some years ago when at Taffy had greatly encouraged him to go for the Headship - which was nice. They had of course worked together in Halls in the early 60s. He now lives in retirement in Ipswich. |
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Anthony Clifford | Lurch | 9/81-?? 9/83-7/84 9/81-?? |
7 years |
Teacher Asst. Housemaster Housemaster |
Orwell Orwell |
replaced Bob Skailes on secondment |
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He was a top man. Probably a bit liberal for the older generation but very compassionate & fair. Spent my last term doing a production with a great gang of guys, and he gave us free reign & access to all things in drama ( literally had my own keys for the drama rooms & costumes stores!) Anthony Clifford was a good guy. (Ray Brady - Orwell 79-83) HS had four quite exceptional Headmasters, and Dick Woollett was the last. I knew him as Asst. Housemaster of Halls during his first stay at the school. He was very kind, and often invited groups of boys to watch "The World at War", the great BBC series on WWI, in his flat on the first floor between Halls and Johnstons. He also did his best to help me when I applied for a place at Merton College, Oxford (he was a Fellow of All Souls), giving me both interview and other practical advice. Once we met up in London and watched "Far From The Madding Crowd" when it came out. I had studied Thomas Hardy's "The Mayor of |
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Simon Pearce | 9/81-7/87 | 7 years | English | ||||
David Morgan | 9/80-7/88 | 8 years | Teacher Housemaster |
CDT (Design) Hansons |
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WHS had four quite exceptional Headmasters, and Dick Woollett was the last. I knew him as Asst. Housemaster of Halls during his first stay at the school. He was very kind, and often invited groups of boys to watch "The World at War", the great BBC series on WWI, in his flat on the first floor between Halls and Johnstons. He also did his best to help me when I applied for a place at Merton College, Oxford (he was a Fellow of All Souls), giving me both interview and other practical advice. Once we met up in London and watched "Far From The Madding Crowd" when it came out. I had studied Thomas Hardy's "The Mayor of Casterbridge" for 'O' Level, and that film was stunning. Dick was always a class act, and I greatly admired him for taking on the formidable challenge of WHS during its last decade. He told me some years ago when at Taffy had greatly encouraged him to go for the Headship - which was nice. They had of course worked together in Halls in the early 60s. He now lives in retirement in Ipswich. |
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Stuart McPhee | 9/79-7/84 | 5 years | Biology & Chemistry |
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"I Iook back with very fond memories at my time in Woolverstone. I taught Biology (and some Chemistry) for 5 years at WHS, which was my first teaching post. I joined at the same time as Richard Woollett and we became good friends. I was very sad to read about the death of Martin Gillott last year - one of my star pupils! I was also Assistant Housemaster of Berners working with Peter Sadler. I remember showing Saturday night films in the Hall and stopping boys smoking behind the curtains! I also ran AV in the days where we had to record BBC schools programmes for use in lessons. I seem to remember being Careers Master for one year while someone was on secondment. I am a keen bridge player and some sixth-formers asked me to teach them how to play bridge properly. We eventually won the East Anglian Schools Championships and went on to play a final at Eton. I myself became a bridge Grand Master and played in several World Championships. I left WHS to become a computer programmer with BT in Ipswich. I had a successful career in technology and still work as a freelance technology transformation director. I also breed racehorses in the UK, France and Australia - lots of winners but no Derby triumph yet!!
Best wishes to all my former pupils and colleagues - AND everyone else!"
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Allan Fynn | 9/77-?/? | Teacher | Drama | |||||
Ms Anne Evans | 9/77-?/? | Ancilliary Teacher | remedial Junior school | |||||
Edmund Mensah: "Mrs Evans was my favourite teacher - helped us understand the environment of boarding-school education fresh of primary school- Most of us were fragile lost sheep on a big farm. When you most needed your mum, she was a great surrogate mother, bless her. Taught us how to bake aged 12 - stuck ever since, and helped with being homesick." |
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Kevin Young | 9/76-7/88 | ? | Teacher | PE - Rugby - English | |||
Philip Taylor | Freaky |
9/74-?/? | Teacher | English | ||||
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Anthony Watkins | 9/87-7/88 9/74-7/75 9/74-7/75 |
1 year | Teacher Teacher Asst. Housemaster |
Chemistry Biology Berners |
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Patrick Richardson | 9/74-?/79 | 5 years | Headmaster | History | ![]() |
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It was a devastating blow for the WHS community when Patrick Richardson was killed in a car crash in 1979, just as the death of Robert Vickers Rowland had been some years previously, though he was no longer at the school at the time. I was not at the school in 1979 and hope that someone else will write something suitable. In a way, I feel overawed still, after all these years, so insignificant in achievement when compared to this man. What a colossus of music at Woolverstone! His encouragement of talent, those great productions, his putting together of orchestras of such quality for a small school, and when we needed a boost, getting in such good pro's that we could listen to and admire. I remember in particular several first-class violinists and then a wonderful oboeist for "Amahl & the Night Visitors". M the Night Visitors". |
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Keith Farley-Pettman | 9/74-?/? | Teacher | Metalwork | |||||
Richard Rabjohn | Dick |
9/73-7/86 | 13 years | Teacher | Maths | |||
Anthony Mitton | 9/73-7/74 | 1 year | Teacher | English | WHS OB - Johnstons 62-69 | |||
HS had four quite exceptional Headmasters, and Dick Woollett was the last. I knew him as Asst. Housemaster of Halls during his first stay at the school. He was very kind, and often invited groups of boys to watch "The World at War", the great BBC series on WWI, in his flat on the first floor between Halls and Johnstons. He also did his best to help me when I applied for a place at Merton College, Oxford (he was a Fellow of All Souls), giving me both interview and other practical advice. Once we met up in London and watched "Far From The Madding Crowd" when it came out. I had studied Thomas Hardy's "The Mayor of Casterbridge" for 'O' Level, and that film was stunning. Dick was always a class act, and I greatly admired him for taking on the formidable challenge of WHS during its last decade. He told me some years ago when at Taffy had greatly encouraged him to go for the Headship - which was nice. They had of course worked together in Halls in the early 60s. He now lives in retirement in Ipswich. |
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John Cox | 9/71-7/73 | 2 years | Teacher | English | ||||
Robert Skailes | Tats |
9/71-7/8? 9/83-7/84 9/64-7/71 ???? |
5 years 12 years 7/8? |
Head of Department secondment Teacher Housemaster |
Chemistry Bermuda Chemistry Orwell |
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John Taylor | 1/71-?/? | Teacher Housemaster |
Maths Hansons |
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uragement of talent, those great productions, his putting together of orchestras of such quality for a small school, and when we needed a boost, getting in such good pro's that we could listen to and admire. I remember in particular several first-class violinists and then a wonderful oboeist for "Amahl & the Night Visitors". Merlin was creative to his fingertips, but also determinedly practical - a "get-it-done" person - brilliant at getting orchestras, actors, producers and the powers to be to put it all together. And of course, he had a great image - rubbing shoulders with Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears, always off at Aldeburgh or somewhere. agement of talent, those great productions, his putting together of orchestras of such quality for a small school, and when we needed a boost, getting in such good pro's that we could listen to and admire. I remember in particular several first-class violinists and then a wonderful oboeist for "Amahl & the Night Visitors". For us lower school kids he was pretty heroic - not in the same way as Bill Coutts or Mickey Baranyai of course, but in an equally devoted sort of way. And |
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John Robinson | Smokey Joe |
9/70-7/90 | Head of Department | German | ||||
a way, I feel overawed still, after all these years, so insignificant in achievement when compared to this man. What a colossus of music at Woolverstone! His encouragement of talent, those great productions, his putting together of orchestras of such quality for a small school, and when we needed a boost, getting in such good pro's that we could listen to and admire. I remember in particular several first-class violinists and then a wonderful oboeist for "Amahl & the Night Visitors". Merlin was creative to his fingertips, but also determinedly practical - a "get-it-done" person - brilliant at getting orchestras, actors, producers and the powers to be to put it all together. And of course, he had a great image - rubbing shoulders with Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears, always off at Aldeburgh or somewhere. For us lower school kids he was pretty heroic - not in the same way as Bill Coutts or Mickey Baranyai of course, but in an equally devoted sort of way. And |
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Mrs ????? Slarke | 4/70-7/70 | 1 term | Teacher | |||||
James Fowler | 6/70-7/72 | 7 terms | Teacher | Maths | ||||
David Hutchinson | ?/?-12/69 | 2 terms | Teacher Asst. Housemaster Coach |
Geography & Maths Hansons (2 terms) Sailing (Asst. to Poole) |
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David J. Hudson | Hudbud |
9/68-7/86 |
18 years | Deputy-Head | 1/69-9/74 - Acting HM while GHB was recovering from heart attack | |||
In a way, I feel overawed still, after all these years, so insignificant in achievement when compared to this man. What a colossus of music at Woolverstone! His encouragement of talent, those great productions, his putting together of orchestras of such quality for a small school, and when we needed a boost, getting in such good pro's that we could listen to and admire. I remember in particular several first-class violinists and then a wonderful oboeist for "Amahl & the Night Visitors". Merlin was creative to his fingertips, but also determinedly practical - a "get-it-done" person - brilliant at getting orchestras, actors, producers and the powers to be to put it all together. And of course, he had a great image - rubbing shoulders with Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears, always off at Aldeburgh or somewhere. For us lower school kids he was pretty heroic - not in the same way as Bill Coutts or Mickey Baranyai of course, but in an equally devoted sort of way. And |
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L. Croft | 9/69-7/70 | 1 year | Teacher | English | ||||
John C. Morris | 9/69-?/? 9/73-/ |
Teacher Housemaster |
History Halls |
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In a way, I feel overawed still, after all these years, so insignificant in achievement when compared to this man. What a colossus of music at Woolverstone! His encouragement of talent, those great productions, his putting together of orchestras of such quality for a small school, and when we needed a boost, getting in such good pro's that we could listen to and admire. I remember in particular several first-class violinists and then a wonderful oboeist for "Amahl & the Night Visitors". Merlin was creative to his fingertips, but also determinedly practical - a "get-it-done" person - brilliant at getting orchestras, actors, producers and the powers to be to put it all together. And of course, he had a great image - rubbing shoulders with Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears, always off at Aldeburgh or somewhere. For us lower school kids he was pretty heroic - not in the same way as Bill Coutts or Mickey Baranyai of course, but in an equally devoted sort of way. And |
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Bill Newman-Sanders | 9/69-/ | Teacher | Physics & Maths | |||||
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Christopher Underwood | Piggy |
9/68-12/70 | 2.3 years | Teacher | English | |||
Louis Parperis - Orwell 63-70 : "Chris Underwood married Miss Mead, the Sick Bay Assistant Matron. Chris was a very fine tenor and eventually abandoned the struggle to engage adolescents in the rich pleasures to be found in English to pursue an even more challenging career as a singer and coach, which he does now in Edinburgh; at least, that was the case at the time of Doc’s memorial service." Richard Hayter - Corners 65-71: "He left to teach in Tulse Hill but later became a professional voice coach and I believe is at The Royal Conservatory of Scotland. He sang the lead tenor part when we performed "Carmina Burana". I still remember his performance. Amazing." Mick Wenlock - Johnstons 65-70: "Piggy was Mr Underwood, who was an English Teacher for a couple of years. He was also Assistant Housemaster in Johnstons. He was a good man and a good teacher. And, as Richard Hayter says, he was an amazing soloist in "Carmina Burana" which was put on in Woolverstone; both Richard and even myself were part of the performance! His nickname was "Piggy" because he kind of had that look; it was a friendly nickname, not an antagonistic one." CARMINA BURANA LINK |
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C. Westlake | 4/68-7/68 | 1 term | Teacher | history | ||||
Rev. T. J. Johnstone | 1/68-7/68 | 2 terms | Teacher | English | ||||
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??? Ramm | 9/68-7/69 | 1 year | Teacher | Woodwork | replaced Ben Turner away on a course | |||
B. S. Gorman | 9/68-7/69 9/68-7/69 |
2 terms 2 terms |
Teacher Asst. Housemaster |
history Halls |
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R.P.D. Hutchinson | 1/67-12/69 4/68-12/69 |
5 terms | Teacher Asst. Housemaster |
Maths & Geography Hansons |
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Colin J. Hawes | 9/76-12/90 9/74-7/75 9/75-4/76 |
14 years 1 year 2 terms |
Head of Department Sabattical Year Teacher Asst. Head Hansons |
Biology Biology |
U15 Rugby Coach Head of Careers Head of 3rd Year |
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WHS had four quite exceptional Headmasters, and Dick Woollett was the last. I knew him as Asst. Housemaster of Halls during his first stay at the school. He was very kind, and often invited groups of boys to watch "The World at War", the great BBC series on WWI, in his flat on the first floor between Halls and Johnstons. He also did his best to help me when I applied for a place at Merton College, Oxford (he was a Fellow of All Souls), giving me both interview and other practical advice. Once we met up in London and watched "Far From The Madding Crowd" when it came out. I had studied Thomas Hardy's "The Mayor of Casterbridge" for 'O' Level, and that film was stunning. Dick was always a class act, and I greatly admired him for taking on the formidable challenge of WHS during its last decade. He told me some years ago when that Taffy had greatly encouraged him to go for the Headship - which was nice. They had of course worked together in Halls in the early 60s. He now lives in retirement in Ipswich. |
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S. S. Tong | 4/66-7/66 | 1 term | Teacher | English | ||||
R. Elms | 4/66-7/66 | 1 term | Teacher | Physics | left to do V.S.O. in Nigeria | |||
Michael Coulter | 4/66-7/89 4/66-?/? |
21 years +1t | Head of Department Asst. Housemaster |
Art Halls |
from Rising Brook School in Stafford | |||
In a way, I feel overawed still, after all these years, so insignificant in achievement when compared to this man. What a colossus of music at Woolverstone! His encouragement of talent, those great productions, his putting together of orchestras of such quality for a small school, and when we needed a boost, getting in such good pro's that we could listen to and admire. I remember in particular several first-class violinists and then a wonderful oboeist for "Amahl & the Night Visitors". Merlin was creative to his fingertips, but also determinedly practical - a "get-it-done" person - brilliant at getting orchestras, actors, producers and the powers to be to put it all together. And of course, he had a great image - rubbing shoulders with Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears, always off at Aldeburgh or somewhere. For us lower school kids he was pretty heroic - not in the same way as Bill Coutts or Mickey Baranyai of course, but in an equally devoted sort of way. And |
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N. A. McNichol | 9/66-12/66 | 1 term | Teacher | Biology | ||||
??? Strickland | 4/66-7/66 | 1 term | Teacher | Maths | ||||
Peter Bond | 1/66-12/67 | 2 years | Teacher Asst. Housemaster | English Johnstons |
from Trinity College, Cambridge - several years in army, 5 yrs teaching in Malyaa, then Sidcup G.S. | |||
C. Jones | 4/66-7/66 | 1 term | Teacher | Maths | from Cambridge | |||
Neil Clayton | 9/65-?/82 ?/69-?/70 9/65-?/82 |
18 years 1 year 18 years |
Head of Department secondment Asst. Housemaster |
English Berners |
died October 2021 | |||
Neil Clayton had a long and successful career at WHS, hugely omnipresent in dramatic productions and credited among other things with inspring Ian McEwan to become a writer: McEwan’s experience at Woolverstone, as related in the Times Educational Supplement in 2000, was typical. McEwan recalls that he was “mediocre” until the sixth form, when he fell under the spell of Neil Clayton. Ex-Cambridge, the young teacher was cynical about the world at large, enthusiastic about cricket in particular and infectiously excited about poetry and literature. He had “the ability, without a great deal of effort, to communicate a passion for reading widely. His classes were fun . . . He wasn’t afraid of difficulty and he knew we would be proud of undertaking something different.” |
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??? Harper | 4/65-7/65 | 1 term | Teacher | Biology | ||||
P. Rees | 9/65-12/65 | 1 term | Teacher | English | ||||
A. P. Sadler | Peter |
9/64-7/90 9/70-7/90 9/64-7/70 |
26 years 20 years 6 years |
Teacher Housemaster Asst. Housemaster |
History Berners Halls |
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John Ramsay | Plonk |
9/64-7/88 9/70-7/88 |
22 years 18 years |
Teacher Asst. Housemaster |
Physics Corners (in later years Housemaser) |
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J. C. MacKenzie | 9/64-4/66 | 5 terms | Head of Department Asst. Housemaster |
Art Orwell |
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Michael Watts | 9/63-3/68 | 5 years | Deputy-Head Head of Department |
History/Geography |
from Ardingly College - left to be HeadmasterYarm Grammar School | |||
way, I feel overawed still, after all these years, so insignificant in achievement when compared to this man. What a colossus of music at Woolverstone! His encouragement of talent, those great productions, his putting together of orchestras of such quality for a small school, and when we needed a boost, getting in such good pro's that we could listen to and admire. I remember in particular several first-class violinists and then a wonderful oboeist for "Amahl & the Night Visitors". Merlin was creative to his fingertips, but also determinedly practical - a "get-it-done" person - brilliant at getting orchestras, actors, producers and the powers to be to put it all together. And of course, he had a great image - rubbing shoulders with Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears, always off at Aldeburgh or somewhere. For us lower school kids he was pretty heroic - not in the same way as Bill Coutts or Mickey Baranyai of course, but in an equally devoted sort of way. And |
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Colin Eldergill | 9/63-4/65 | 5 terms | Teacher Asst. Housemaster |
Chemistry Johnstons |
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D. Cutler | 9/63-12/63 | 1 term | Teacher | English | previously taught in Siam & Nigeria | ||
way, I feel overawed still, after all these years, so insignificant in achievement when compared to this man. What a colossus of music at Woolverstone! His encouragement of talent, those great productions, his putting together of orchestras of such quality for a small school, and when we needed a boost, getting in such good pro's that we could listen to and admire. I remember in particular several first-class violinists and then a wonderful oboeist for "Amahl & the Night Visitors". Merlin was creative to his fingertips, but also determinedly practical - a "get-it-done" person - brilliant at getting orchestras, actors, producers and the powers to be to put it all together. And of course, he had a great image - rubbing shoulders with Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears, always off at Aldeburgh or somewhere. For us lower school kids he was pretty heroic - not in the same way as Bill Coutts or Mickey Baranyai of course, but in an equally devoted sort of way. And getting in such good pro's that we could l |
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Roger Barker | 9/63-7/70 | 7 years | Teacher Housemaster |
Maths Corners |
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I. H. C. Waters | Dick Drip |
9/63-7/70 ? ??? |
7 years ? |
Teacher Asst. Housemaster Coach |
French/German Berners UX13 rugger team |
from R.G.S. High Wycombe | ||
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Barry Salmon | 9/62-7/89 | 27 years | Head of Department | Music | ![]() |
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Barry was a hero to anyone who did music at the school. Wow, here was a guy who actually wrote music! We hadn't realized that ordinary people could do that, only Mozart and the like. Barry is a true WHS legend, and it was a privilege to have learned and played with him. (Chris Snuggs - Jan 2003) |
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J.E. Matthews | 9/61-7/63 | 2 years | Teacher | French & German | left to be Head of Modern Languages, Eltham College | |||
Peter J. Cox | 4/76-?/? 9/61-?/? |
Head of Department Teacher |
Science Physics |
from Woodlands School, Coventry - plyed rugby for Coventry | ||||
died November 2022 |
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Carey F.J. Harmer | 9/61-7/64 | 3 years | Asst. Housemaster | Corners | ||||
way, I feel overawed still, after all these years, so insignificant in achievement when compared to this man. What a colossus of music at Woolverstone! His encouragement of talent, those great productions, his putting together of orchestras of such quality for a small school, and when we needed a boost, getting in such good pro's that we could listen to and admire. I remember in particular several first-class violinists and then a wonderful oboeist for "Amahl & the Night Visitors". Merlin was creative to his fingertips, but also determinedly practical - a "get-it-done" person - brilliant at getting orchestras, actors, producers and the powers to be to put it all together. And of course, he had a great image - rubbing shoulders with Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears, always off at Aldeburgh or somewhere. For us lower school kids he was pretty heroic - not in the same way as Bill Coutts or Mickey Baranyai of course, but in an equally devoted sort of way. And getting in such good pro's that w |
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P.S. Wright | 9/61-12/61 | 1 term | Teacher | History | ||||
Keith Hindle | 4/61-7/61 | 1 term | Teacher | had just left Solihul School - went on to Oxford | ||||
Mrs ????? Barraclough | 9/60-7/61 | 1 year | Ancilliary Teacher | Speech Training | ||||
Michael Girling | 1/60-7/63 | 3.5 years | Teacher | Maths | left to be Head of Maths at Tulse Hill, London | |||
knew Bailey well as a kind, competent and innovative Headmaster under whom the school continued to develop and excel. His wife was hugely supportive, and in my year taught the Lower VIth ballroom-dancing in the gym. His daughter Angela lived on the premises and attended Ipswich High School, seen generally as the creme de la creme of local girls' schools - and which of course eventually took over Woolverstone Hall. GHB had a brilliant career and was a worthy successor to Smitherman, though at the time there was a rumour that Leslie Johnson was disappointed not to have been offered the position. He, too, would have been an excellent Head, and is one to whom WHS owed a huge amount. (Chris Snuggs - October 2020) There is a moving tribute to G.H.B. from Hudson on this |
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Adrian P Allchin | Chinny |
9/60-12/66 | 6 years | Teacher Asst. Housemaster |
Maths & Geography Orwell |
left to be warden of Tynemouth Field Centre, High Borrans near Windermere | |
Steve Wright | 9/60-7/63 | ??? | History | |||||
I knew Bailey well as a kind, competent and innovative Headmaster under whom the school continued to develop and excel. His wife was hugely supportive, and in my year taught the Lower VIth ballroom-dancing in the gym. His daughter Angela lived on the premises and attended Ipswich High School, seen generally as the creme de la creme of local girls' schools - and which of course eventually took over Woolverstone Hall. GHB had a brilliant career and was a worthy successor to Smitherman, though at the time there was a rumour that Leslie Johnson was disappointed not to have been offered the position. He, too, would have been an excellent Head, and is one to whom WHS owed a huge amount. (Chris Snuggs - October 2020) There is a moving tribute to G.H.B. from Hudson on this |
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George H. Bailey | Bill |
9/60-7/74 | 14 years | Headmaster | ![]() |
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I knew Bailey well as a kind, competent and innovative Headmaster under whom the school continued to develop and excel. His wife was hugely supportive, and in 1965 taught the Lower VIth ballroom-dancing in the gym. His daughter Angela lived on the premises and attended Ipswich High School, seen generally as the creme de la creme of local girls' schools - and which of course eventually took over Woolverstone Hall. GHB had a brilliant career and was a worthy successor to Smitherman, though at the time there was a rumour that Leslie Johnson was disappointed not to have been offered the position. He, too, would have been an excellent Head, and is one to whom WHS owed a huge amount. (Chris Snuggs - October 2020) |
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Charles A. Thomas | Tooms |
9/56-7/76 4/59-12/66 |
20 years 8 years |
Teacher Housemaster |
Chemistry Corners |
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In a way, I feel overawed still, after all these years, so insignificant in achievement when compared to this man. What a colossus of music at Woolverstone! His encouragement of talent, those great productions, his putting together of orchestras of such quality for a small school, and when we needed a boost, getting in such good pro's that we could listen to and admire. I remember in particular several first-class violinists and then a wonderful oboeist for "Amahl & the Night Visitors". Merlin was creative to his fingertips, but also determinedly practical - a "get-it-done" person - brilliant at getting orchestras, actors, producers and the powers to be to put it all together. And of course, he had a great image - rubbing shoulders with Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears, always off at Aldeburgh or somewhere. For us lower school kids he was pretty heroic - not in the same way as Bill Coutts or Mickey Baranyai of course, but in an equally devoted sort of way. And |
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H. J. S. Taylor | Sid |
9/59-7/63 | 5 years | Teacher | History | Leeds University Dept. Education | ||
In a way, I feel overawed still, after all these years, so insignificant in achievement when compared to this man. What a colossus of music at Woolverstone! His encouragement of talent, those great productions, his putting together of orchestras of such quality for a small school, and when we needed a boost, getting in such good pro's that we could listen to and admire. I remember in particular several first-class violinists and then a wonderful oboeist for "Amahl & the Night Visitors". Merlin was creative to his fingertips, but also determinedly practical - a "get-it-done" person - brilliant at getting orchestras, actors, producers and the powers to be to put it all together. And of course, he had a great image - rubbing shoulders with Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears, always off at Aldeburgh or somewhere. For us lower school kids he was pretty heroic - not in the same way as Bill Coutts or Mickey Baranyai of course, but in an equally devoted sort of way. And |
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Dr J. D. Illes | 9/59-7/60 | 1 year | Teacher | Maths | ||||
Patrick H Hutton | 9/59-7/65 | 6 years?? | Head of Department | English | ||||
Patrick was a much-loved teacher at WHS who imbued us with his deep love of language, literature and learning, making Chaucer, for example, seem fascinating and even magical. He was such a civilised, erudite, cultured and positive man, yet so easy to get on with: never condescending, always helpful, whether on drama, poetry on on the more practical aspects of life, such as planning a career, finding a job. He had a wry sense of humour, too, and I never remember him in an ugly mood. He was a terrific contributor to culture and general school life at Woolverstone, not least with his massive involvement in school dramatic productions. He was a great purveyor and communicator of quality in all his work and human relations. I'll never forget him setting us a general English question in the Lower VIth. "Why is a rose beautiful?" I think that was the first time I began to think. A genuine and terrific guy. We were lucky. (Chris Snuggs - Jan 2003) |
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Robert J K Cromarty | Jock |
9/59-7/71 | 12 years | Teacher | Classics | |||
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Brian Middlebrook | Stringy |
9/58-4/69 9/65-7/69 9/58-12/58 |
11 years 4 years 1 term |
Teacher Housemaster Asst. Housemaster |
Latin Halls Corners |
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Learning latin may not seem much fun to today's generations of first-formers, but to a South-east London backstreet kid it was a romantic affair, reminding me of those Billy Bunter stories I used to lap up after a hard day's clambering over the bombsites at the bottom of the road. (This was 1955!!) He played a major role in school activities, including coaching sporting sides. He was like so many of them, simply unforgettable for me. Thank you Brian. (Chris Snuggs - Jan 2003) |
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Benjamin R Turner | Ben |
9/74-?/? 9/58-7/74 9/61-7/? |
Head of Department Teacher Asst. Housemaster |
Handicrafts Woodwork Berners |
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Ben taught me woodwork for 5 years, and I was rather sad to have to give it up in the 6th form. He was a bit gruff, but never unkind, and his lessons were great. They followed a similar pattern to Fred Mudd's science lessons: a demonstration at the front of the class and then we trotted off to try to copy what he had shown us. Over the years we made a number of small pieces of furniture and other things. I made a small table and some shelves: both survived may years but eventually got lost in yet another house move. But the techniques he taught me were incredibly useful and I have done a huge number of DIY projects involving wood, including dovetails! We met after many years at a reunion in Woolverstone and during a tea session at Doc Thornbery's I was able to chat to him about what he have taught me and how much I appreciated it. Sadly, he died not long afterwards. (Chris Snuggs - Jan 2003) |
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David F Green | Ernie |
9/58-7/64 | 6 years | Head of Department | Art | |||
One of the many special things about WHS was the focus - conscious and/or unconscious - on teamwork. Each team has its stars, but Ernie was probably not the first to come to mind. Gently, kind, unassuming, quiet (I never heard him raise his voice) he did his best to teach non-artists how to draw and paint. He didn't turn us all into artists, but I remember his classes being agreeable, peaceful, interesting and a welcome change from everything else going on. But in one area he definitely was a star. We all remember the dramatic and musical productions, though probably think first of the actors and musicians, but during his time at WHS Ernie did a huge amount to make the sets for all productions nigh-on professional. I never heard or would imagine anyone saying after a production: "I didn't think much of the sets." Like the stoker in the engine-room, the ship would not have moved without him. (Chris Snuggs - October 2020) |
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Derek R Thornbery | Doc |
9/58-7/81 5/59-7/61 5/59-7/61 ?/?-?/? |
23 years 10 years 2 years |
Teacher Housemaster Asst. Housemaster Coach |
English Orwell Corners cricket & rugby |
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Derek Thornbery achieved the rare distinction of becoming a legend in his own lifetime among those who know him best, his former pupils. Who could watch " Chips" or "Dead Poets' Society" without Derek Thornbery and his total devotion to and involvement in his life's work springing to mind? His creation of the Orwell House music phenomenon is legendary, but he was active in all areas of school life, often running a cricket team, for example. AND he was an excellent flautist in the school orchesta.. He was never short of a cheerful word. I remember sitting next to him in the orchestra during rehearsals for "Mother Courage". After a particularly long wait while the actors were getting their act together, he turned to me and said: "They also serve who sit and wait." Ignorant that I was, I only realized much later how clever this was! One other thing about Derek (and not the least important) was that he clearly loved the English language and was able to share and communicate that with and to us. English is extraordinarily rich and beautiful (as I am sure most nationalities would describe their own language before I am accused of languageism - or indeed racism). We read and listened to stories, we analysed language doing clause analysis (do they even DO that these days?; we explored new words and their etymology. I didn't know Neil Clayton, but I imagine he was similar, as was Patrick Hutton, who did Chaucer with us when we were a bit older. It was exhilarating with him to see the language of Olde England and how it has developed over the centuries. With DT, some of my most vivid and pleasant memories are of wandering across the main field on a summer's afternoon to a late-afternoon class of English with Derek T and him reading us a story: "Prester John", "The 29 Steps" or "The Ruhn" about an alien collecting human specimens to take back to their own planet - and so on. I'm pretty sure we also did precis with him, a really useful but demanding skill. The English language is at the heart of everything else really, and it was beautifully taught by DT. Simon Jones - Johnstons 60-65: “I still remember during Rugby Choir practice if he heard somebody singing out of tune, he would stop the singing and instruct the culprit to sing on their own. He would also stop us during actual performances. He always wanted us to produce our best. Another vivid memory is that he occasionally used to jump up on the desk at the front of the class if he was getting excited about something he was telling us.” |
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Jim Hyde | Jimmy |
9/58-7/67 9/61-7/67 |
9 years 6 years |
Teacher Housemaster |
Geography Johnstons |
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Jim Hyde was a WHS colossus, and not only intellectually. I can't possibly do justice to this man, who gave so many years of complete dedication to the school and boys, both as a supreme teacher of geography and as a housemaster, not to mention his "Young Farmers" and other activities. I wasn't in his house, but once on the touchline watching a 1st XV game he confided in me his regret at not being able to take on a Headship, given that he was not a practising Christian and would not be able to carry out the religious role and duties required of a Head at that time. I have no idea why he suddenly opened up to me; I was in the 5th form and certainly didn't know him all that well, but I guess this was a matter he felt quite deeply about. When Peter Brown, Mike Bysh, Jim Atkinson and I organised a reunion at Pin Mill after a 40 absence from school, we were fortunate enough to meet up with him. Sadly, Enid had died a year or so before, which hit him very hard. But he was very pleased to see us and invited us round for tea. I reminded him of something he'd once said, when a boy whose name I forget said to him. "How comes you are so clever, Sir?" He replied. "I'm not that clever; I'm just 5,000 books ahead of you." But of course he was very clever indeed - and an unforgettable personality. One cannot think of WHS without thinking of his contribution. It will sadly no longer be possible to see him again, but he will always remain a part of what made us. (Chris Snuggs - December 2011) |
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Enid Hyde | Teacher | French, Russian | |||||
Chris Snuggs Berners/Halls 58-64: "Enid was a highly-accomplished woman: a polyglot and botanist of considerable repute, and a marvellous support to Jim Hyde throughout his distinguished WHS career. It is possible that many WHS boys did not realize the scale of her accomplishments at the time." Mick Wenlock Johnstons 65-70: "I met her a few times at various meetings in the Housemaster's apartment to watch some significant TV program or for a social call. As far as i know she never taught a class at Woolverstone but she played a very important role for me in my last year at Woolvo. In 1970 it was 'O level" time for the fifth. It was also the time I peaked in my unpleasant attitude. I managed to tick off two of my Teachers (Pete Sadler and Mr Shakeshaft) to the point where they banned me from their classrooms. I, of course, was the one who precipitated the blow by being a supremely objectional twat. So in that spring term I spent those class periods either wandering aimlessly or studying in the 5th form common room at Johnstons. It took Edith about a week to gently knock on the door of the common room and to ask me if I was ill. I told her what I was doing. She asked if she could help me with the French revision - I had no idea until that point that she was a good linguist. For the rest of that term and then again in the summer term when there were no classes she persisted in stopping by a couple of times a week and taking me through exercises in French. It is because of her that I made my way through "La Chanson de Roland". For that feat alone she deserves my lifelong thanks.
My top two 'O' Level results were French and History."
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J Birtles | Joe |
9/57-7/60 | 3 years | Teacher | Physics | |||
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J. K. Pillai | 1/57-7/57 | 2 terms | Teacher | ? | ||||
B. Davies | 9/56-12/56 | 1 term | Teacher | ? | ||||
H. C. 'Doc' Lewis | 9/56-?? | Teacher | ? | |||||
Stanislaus Walter Arnold 'Stan' Goetzee |
Stan |
9/55-7/76 9/62-7/76 9/55-7/62 |
21 years 7 years |
Teacher Housemaster Asst. Housemaster |
Maths Hansons Hansons |
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Louis Parperis: "The family came from The Netherlands and he, his brother and sister were second or third generation. He had an uncle called Stanley who was killed at the Battle of the Somme, hence my knowledge of his name as I had written ‘Stanley Goetzee Is Fat’ on the front of John Morri’s Maths workbook and Stan announced that: ‘Stanley Goetzee is not fat; he died etc’ and went on to advise the class of his full name. I missed all this as I was in the B set for Maths being taught by the late Roger Barker, but was given a full account by young Master Morri when I rejoined him en route to the next lesson." In a way, I feel overawed still, after all these years, so insignificant in achievement when compared to this man. What a colossus of music at Woolverstone! His encouragement of talent, those great productions, his putting together of orchestras of such quality for a small school, and when we needed a boost, getting in such good pro's that we could listen to and admire. I remember in particular several first-class violinists and then a wonderful oboeist for "Amahl & the Night Visitors". Merlin was creative to his fingertips, but also determinedly practical - a "get-it-done" person - brilliant at getting orchestras, actors, producers and the |
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Dr A. Hassell-Smith | 9/56-7/62 | 5 years | Asst. Housemaster | Halls | ||||
Louis Parperis: Alfred Hassell Smith, who died in 2013, was an eminent historian specialising in the social history of the 16th century, particularly in Norfolk where he was born and spent much of his life. He became a professor in the history department at UAE which is where I came into contact with him, without realising he had once taught at Woolverstone. He was married, but not to the delightful yet redoubtable Joan Kynaston-Shaw, a lifelong spinster and a very accomplished makeup artist whose skills contributed enormously to school productions. |
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Michael Shakeshaft | Shakey |
9/55-7/81 9/57-7/70 9/55-7/81 |
26 years 13 years 26 years |
Teacher Housemaster Coach |
French Berners badminton |
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Merlin Channon | 9/55-7/62 | 7 years | Head of Department | Music | ||||
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Malcolm A. R. Poole | Stretch |
9/54-12/87 9/68-12/72 9/62-7/68 |
32 years 4 years 6 years |
Teacher Housemaster Asst. Housemaster |
French Halls Hansons |
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Charlie Palmer | 54-? | Teacher | Latin & Roman History | |||||
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Ian Richardson | Butch |
12/54-1/59 | Teacher Asst. Housemaster |
Latin Johnstons |
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John Tuddenham (McGown): "He taught Latin ... spoke various Chinese dialects .... was in Military intelligence during the War!!! He could actually converse in Latin!!!! | ||||||||
Peter Josselyn | 9/54-7/60 | 6 years | Teacher Coach |
English cricket & rugger |
left to go to Shawnigan Lake School, Vancouver | |||
There is a "COMPENDIUM" article about Peter here. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
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Robert Vickers Rowland | Rommel |
9/53-3/61 1/59-3/61 |
8 years | Head of Department Housemaster |
German Johnsons |
to be Head of City of Coventry School in Shropshire - kiled in car crash Feb 1964 | ||
's that we could listen to and admire. I remember in particular several first-class violinists and then a wonderful oboeist for "Amahl & the Night Visitors".
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Ian R. Bell | 9/52-7/60 | Teacher | ||||||
Ron Gould - Corners 51-55: "Ian Bell was wonderful. When he found out that I was from a Jewish family he told me some of his wartime experiences. He was in Military Intelligence; was one of the first British officers into Bergen-Belsen. He told me then that some of the things they found were still Official Secrets (this was 1955). There was a fictionalized documentary a few years back, but he was not mentioned. I contacted the director about the film, and was told that they were forbidden to mention Military Intelligence being there. I wonder what is still being kept under cover."
Nigel Fletcher - Halls 53-61: "I remember Ian Bell well. Fairly extreme left-wing views. Visited me in hospital (rugby) bringing Silas Marner for me to read." |
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Leslie Woolford | Willy | 9/52-7/55 | 3 years | Head of Department | Art | |||
In a way, I feel overawed still, after all these years, so insignificant in achievement when compared to this man. What a colossus of music at Woolverstone! His encouragement of talent, those great productions, his putting together of orchestras of such quality for a small school, and when we needed a boost, getting in such good pro's that we could listen to and admire. I remember in particular several first-class violinists and then a wonderful oboeist for "Amahl & the Night Visitors". Merlin was creative to his fingertips, but also determinedly practical - a "get-it-done" person - brilliant at getting orchestras, actors, producers and the powers to be to put it all together. And of course, he had a great image - rubbing shoulders with Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears, always off at Aldeburgh or somewhere. For us lower school kids he was pretty heroic - not in the same way as Bill Coutts or Mickey Baranyai of course, but in an equally devoted sort of way. And yet I seem to remember him being a good communicator even with unimportant little oiks in year 1, interested in our musical progress, always encouraging - even though he was always very busy! Never heard him play the cornet enough, but when we did it wa |
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Raymond Warren | Bunny | 9/52-7/55 | 3 years | Head of Department | Music | |||
In a way, I feel overawed still, after all these years, so insignificant in achievement when compared to this man. What a colossus of music at Woolverstone! His encouragement of talent, those great productions, his putting together of orchestras of such quality for a small school, and when we needed a boost, getting in such good pro's that we could listen to and admire. I remember in particular several first-class violinists and then a wonderful oboeist for "Amahl & the Night Visitors". Merlin was creative to his fingertips, but also determinedly practical - a "get-it-done" person - brilliant at getting orchestras, actors, producers and the powers to be to put it all together. And of course, he had a great image - rubbing shoulders with Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears, always off at Aldeburgh or somewhere. F |
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William Halls | 9/51-7/53 | Housemaster | Halls | |||||
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John Shuttleworth | 9/51-7/53 | Teacher Asst. Housemaster |
Maths Corners |
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Richard Cobb | 9/51-12/57 | 6 years | Teacher Asst. Housemaster |
Geography Halls |
died of cancer: http://www.whs-archives.net/staff/comments/rtcobb.htm | |||
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William Halls | 9/51-7/53 | 2 years | Teacher | |||||
Frederick S. Mudd | Fred |
9/51-7/61 9/51-7/61 |
10 years | Teacher Housemaster |
Physics Orwell |
went to PRS Wilhelmshafen - | ||
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Leslie Johnston | Jonny |
9/51-7/63 9/51-7/63 9/51-7/54 |
12 years 12 years 3 years |
Acting Head Deputy-Head Teacher Housemaster |
latin Johnsons |
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Steve R. Corner | Pop |
9/51-4/76 9/63-7/59 |
Head of Department Housemaster |
Biology & Head of Science Corners |
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In a way, I feel overawed still, after all these years, so insignificant in achievement when compared to this man. What a colossus of music at Woolverstone! His encouragement of talent, those great productions, his putting together of orchestras of such quality for a small school, and when we needed a boost, getting in such good pro's that we could listen to and admire. I remember in particular several first-class violinists and then a wonderful oboeist for "Amahl & the Night Visitors". Merlin was creative to his fingertips, but also determinedly practical - a "get-it-done" person - brilliant at getting orchestras, actors, producers and the powers to be to put it all together. And of course, he had a great image - rubbing shoulders with Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears, always off at Aldeburgh or somewhere. For us lower school kids he was pretty heroic - not in the same way as Bill Coutts or Mickey Baranyai of course, but in an equally devoted sort of way. And |
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Ivor Glyn Evans | Taffy |
9/50-7/70 9/53-1/65 9/50-7/3 |
Teacher Housemaster Asst. Housemaster Coach |
Maths & P.E. Halls Hansons rugger |
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Woolverstone gave great opportunities to anyone with talent and motivation. But it's true that sport had a special place in the school, and rugger was the king of sports.
And rugger at Woolverstone was and always will be associated with "Taffy" Evans. The ethos had been established from the early days, and year after year saw great teams run out onto Church Field on a Saturday afternoon to play hard, open, attacking rugby. The players were fit and tough, well-trained, techically-correct, tactically-aware and highly-motivated, and this was down to Taffy's influence - supported of course by many of his colleagues over the years. We loved the game, even though some of us missed the football (soccer!) we'd known at primary school in London and elsewhere, but which at Woolverstone (till the 1966 RODEO at least!) was limited to Sunday afternoon kick-abouts on Orwell Side. Taffy was hard, and this wasn't always appreciated, but then so was his game. He was tough, but he forced us to be tough, too. Woolverstone wouldn't have been the same without him. (Chris Snuggs - October 2020) |
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Roy Hanson | Sandy |
9/50-7/74 ?/50-7/62 |
24 years 12 years |
Teacher Housemaster |
Metalwork Hansons |
also taught woodwork in the early years | ||
I have a lot of respect, still, for Sandy Hanson who not only taught me how to work generally with metals and basic welding but also showed me the rudiments of climbing and did something to repair the damage to my small artistic abilities which had suffered under the mountain of chips/resentment that Mike Coulter had shed my way. Ernie Green had agreed with me and my primary school that I could paint, in my rather messy, primitive way; Mike Coulter seemed blinded to that by his views about "poor kids in't back end of Leeds doing better work wi' blunt stick and ...." whatever. I was young enough to believe him and give up. Being a small and gentle man but none the less effective for that, Sandy also helped dispel some of the macho bollo present at the time amongst us 'ruggerby football' types. (Tone Horwood - Corners 62-69 in March 2003) |
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John Shuttleworth | 9/51-7/53 | 2 years | Teacher Asst. Housemaster |
Maths Corners |
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Shuttleworth had a 3 wheeler as well as the Lagonda .... he crashedthe former near Freston Hill sometime. Rumour was, that a particular boy, who shall remain unidentified, had interfered with the brakes. Shuttleworth seemed to enjoy giving the slipper to bare bottoms across his knee after we were in our pyjamas in the evening. He left shortly after that car crash, I believe. |
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J.S.H.S. was an exceptional educationalist. He took on the challenge of launching what some must have thought was a crazy experiment and in ten years turned it into an extraordinary school achieving the highest standards in academia, sport and culture. After indisputably succeeding in his mission, Smitherman - not content to rest on his laurels - left to take on another challenge at a military school in Hong-Kong. After my 11+, I was interviewed by Smitherman sometime in 1958 at County Hall in London. Managing to impress him with my humble persona and be offered a place at WHS was the defining moment of my life. (Chris Snuggs - October 2020) After my 11+, I was interviewed by Smitherman sometime in 1958 at County Hall in London. Managing to impress him with my humble persona and be offered a place at WHS was the defining moment of my life. (Chris Snuggs - October 2020) After my 11+, I was interviewed by Smitherman sometime in 1958 at County Hall in London. Managing to impress him with my humble persona and be offered a place at WHS was the defining moment of my life. (Chris Snuggs - October 2020) |
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Ms Wynn Dawson | ?/?-?/? | ? | Teacher | Domestic Science | ||||
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