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We all have had teachers who stand out in our memories and who influenced us in countless ways. Children prep school age are especially taken by teaxhers with strong personalities and are delighted by their little excentricities. Prep school publication contain some wonderful tributes and other commnts about teachers.
It was with great sadness that we learnt of the death of Joyce Morland. For many years she taught Junior subjects at Mount House and many budding authors owe their first encouragement to the gentle persuasion and patience of Joyce. It is rare to find a really kind person without a trace of guile or pettiness. Such a person was Joyce, who with infinite patience and unfailing good humour managed to coax the most reluctant pupil to give of his best. In a very male oriented common room she brought humour and often a beguiling innocense which delighted her colleagues and covered a knowledgeable brain and sharp wit! Joyce will be sorely missed and our deepest sympathy is extended to her husband Ben. She was trspected and loved by all who knew her and was one of the few who epitomised the title 'gentlewoman'!
Graham Bush, Fanfare Mount House School, Autumn 1988.
Wilfred taught English, History and Divinity to the Middle and Junior school for 2 years. To say that he proved an able teacher would be to do him a great diservice: he was (in the true tradition of prep school teachers) for more than that. He cared intensely about his subjects and his pupils, rejecting the idea of classroom walls as demarcation lines of learning. He taught by conversation -- anywhere, anytime. Many will remember his artistic talents which he used to such good effect, adorning blackboards with scenes from history and the Bible. His love of poetry inspired several children and was the driving force behind the first magazine written and produced by Beachborough pupils. We wish him well in Scotland.
The School Record Beachborough School, September 1979.
The quality of Derek's not restrained --
It droppeth on the guilty like a brick;
And legendary is his strong right arm,
No more to take its toll -- and where will be
Those "Great Granny McFergerwhistle" shouts
That emanated from the room of Geography?
And where will be those lunch-time notices:
"It's as simple as that!" they ended oft;
Stentorian roars that echoed to the skies;
"So now you know -- don't say you've not ben told."
He kept us on our toes; remember too
The chapels with mnemonics by the score
And favorite lines:
"'Tis the only gospel that some men will read,
the gospel according to YOU."
And always there is a deep sincerity
And underlying love -- no better word --
For children, never mind how bad they were.
A heart more gold than Pat's you will not find,
And even with her voice with Scottish lilt
Came ringing down the corridors : "And where,
Young rascal, have you put your swimming trunks?
It's no good tlling me they're in your bag --
"They're not, " the boy well knew that love was there
And motivated all those telling off;
And if in need he was or sick for home,
Then she would show a mother's gentleness.
So, Derek, Pat, we wish you both Godspeed,
And future blessings -- rich beyond compare
And joy, and usefulness, in God's own care.
HJL, Great Walstead Magazine 1987.
The retirement of Mr Chalmers this year after 45 years of devoted service to our school has left us with a feeling of sadness at his going, mingled with gratitude, admiration and affection towards himself. Now we must suffer the consequences of his departure. He will be very greatly missed. Alec Chalmers arrived here in 1933. He was engaged by "Big Sir" the co-founder of Beaudesert to teach general subjects in the middle school. His talents were soon recognized and before long he took on that tremendously arduous but rewarding task of coaxhing boys for the Common Entrance Exam. He did this for forty years and his successes were phenomenal. not only with able pupils but backwards ones too. Geneations of boys knew him and many have rason to be grateful for his teaching. To everything he did he gave his all. And this happened also in his out-of-school activities -- winter games with the Colts, summer swimming, and voluntary pastimes especially in drama. Everyone benefited from his wholehearted enthusiasm. Characteristically, when war came in 1939 hewas the first to go and one knows from experience in what esteem he was held by his regiment. In 1944 soon after D-Day he won the Military Cross while commanding a company of the Glosters. In 1945 he returned to Beaudesert to continue and embellish the splendid weork he had started here. For the rest we can only say to him: "Thank you Alec for what you have done. All our heartfelt best wishes go with you, for years of hapiness and relaxation in your new home near your family. Fotunately you have chosen to live not far away, and we hope to see you often." Let us end with a comforting thought. It is simply this: How glad "Big Sir" would have been in the fulfillment of his choice of the young master he engaged in 1933.
Beaudesert Park Magazine, Autumn 1978.
