Staff Valete
Saying Goodbye too…
Tony Woolstone
Alan Dyson
In summer 2007 we had a major change in the Senior Management Team with the retirement of both deputy heads, Tony Woolstone and Alan Dyson.
Tony joined LWC in 1972 and has served as Senior Deputy Head since 1986 and as Foundation registrar since 1996, a role that he will maintain this year.
Alan first came to the school as a Foundationer pupil in 1960, leaving in 1967 and returning to teach in 1970. He has served as a Houseparent in Summerfield for 16 years and as Deputy Head (Pastoral) for 11 years.
Jim Boyd
Schools such as LWC simply cannot function without teachers typified by Jim Boyd. A man of principle who for 29 years always made himself available to further the requirements of any pupil who needed his help in any sphere of college life. For the majority of his time he was a tutor in Summerfield house
where he saw three changes of Houseparent and three changes of approach.
In all this time his commitment to the cause never wavered. He could always be relied upon to be efficient, sympathetic and interested in what the house or the individual was doing. All his tutees were guaranteed a no-nonsense, consistent form of support which they appreciated, even if they needed to be put back on the straight and narrow!
This commitment was equally evident in his teaching of a subject which he transformed from Woodwork and Metalwork to Design and Technology in as seamless a way as could be hoped for and through out this change his delivery remained the same - there was always time available for the individual in a day which might sometimes go on until 8.00pm! As a practical man, he was always in demand, fixing anything from the set for a theatrical performance to a broken bicycle.
On top of his commitment to Summerfield, Jim was also prominent at Junior House, giving his time to coaching and introducing endless numbers of children to rugby, often under the stress of having a fixture list designed for a much larger school. It is to his credit that rugby remains such a popular sport in the Senior school and that so many of his former players have gone on to represent the 1st XV and beyond. For many years he ran the college swimming team which required training at unsociable hours and he was invaluable to athletics, with his considerable knowledge of training and fitness techniques.
Pat Boyd - retirement
Pat Boyd, or Pat Horsey as she began life at Junior House, was a remarkable lady who was a resident matron for 9 years, for the later five years as senior
matron. With her caring and sensitive nature she was often the member of staff who the juniors turned to in their moment of need.
Endlessly popular with pupils, staff and parents Pat was the calm facade of Junior House. Her ability to juggle a variety of tasks: meals; phone calls; injured pupils; admin duties, all at the same time, and all with a smile encapsulate how much she was appreciated. She was an excellent support we know
the house would not run half as smoothly without Pat’s infinite patience and dedication.
When marrying Jim Boyd, a year before retirement, Pat’s enthusiasm did not wane and she always put the children first. It was always fun having a cuppa with Pat reminiscing about past trips or juniorpupils; incredibly she always remembered names.
David Goldsmith MBE
LWC was fortunate to have had David Goldsmith on the staff for 13 years. He came to us after the most distinguished career in teaching which began in 1948 at Hurstpierpoint and continued for another 59 years, notably via Radley where he was Sub-Warden and Cokethorpe where he was Headmaster.
But to a generation of Lord Wandsworth sixth formers he wassimply the best and most knowl edgeable maths teacher they had ever encountered. Politically incorrect and rejecting most educational innovations, he had the gift of explaining the most complex ideas in a straightforward fashion, always challenging his pupils and covering far more topics than were ever in the specifications of Maths or indeed many other subjects. David could teach A-Level Classics, French or probably most of the traditional subjects on offer. He loved teaching and the long daily commute from Cranleigh was no bar to teaching, invigilating or being part of the Common Room.
And he loved the camaraderie and banter of his colleagues. Whether completing the Times crossword in half an hour, offering racing tips or championing the fortunes of Ipswich Town, he was at home in the staff room and he was as appreciated for his quiet courtesy and sharp wit as well as his gentle advice and wisdom. Interested in others, never a gossip, he was, and is, a perfect gentleman.
The reception given to David by the whole school at the end of term was remarkable and represented the thanks of generations of pupils, parents and staff. He does not understand the concept of retirement and one fears for his wife Jan having to cope with him at home all day. And it would be no surprise to hear that some students somewhere were having the privilege of being taught still by the remarkable David Goldsmith.
Chris Warren
Chris Warren was Bursar at LWC for 10 years. Of course staff 'know that Bursars exist to respond ‘No’ to any request, parents know that it the Bursar’s fault that school fees rise very year and pupils don’t know why Bursars exist at all.
But Chris was unlike normal Bursars. He had a sense of the ridiculous, never took himself too seriously, was unconcerned by status, was the front end of a pantomime horse in a staff charity show and was always totally approachable.
He came to us from Moira House School in Eastbourne where he had by all accounts been at the heart of the community. And he thoroughly enjoyed community life in Long Sutton whilst caring passionately about LWC and the people who make up this special place. Chris had himself thoroughly enjoyed his own boarding school days at Millfield and whilst never one for nostalgia, he knew at first hand he complexities of boarding school life and what pupils gained from it.
Much of a Bursar’s work is unseen, but the College was and is aware of Chris’s legacy which can be seen in the multiple projects that were able to be financed in his time. Not just buildings, but systems and appointments of key staff on the non-academic side are also part of what Chris left behind enabling the College to confidently advance during and after his time.
Never too busy to be unable to chat about Plymouth Argyle, Wasps, real ale or the future of English cricket, Chris was never the stereotypical MCC member. His laugh was ever-present, his compassion too and he wanted the College to prosper and all in it to enjoy life at the school to the full. On touchline, at staff meetings and through Bursar’s Business, his in-house publication, his common sense and sensitivity to others shone through.
Not many employees are clapped down the Main Drive as they leave with staff applauding and waving Chris and Julia headed off to
their new home in Western Australia but that was the scene in June.
Julia Warren
Julia pioneered the role of Health Care Assistant at the Medical Centre. She brought empathy and support to the pupils and staff and became an important part of the nursing team.
Tristan Stone
Tristan’s one year at the College was easily long enough for him to make a huge impact inmany areas. He became an excellent role model
for the School House lads as their tutor and was also a talented sports coach and maths teacher.
Probably Tristan's greatest achievement was winning the staff football league in his rookie year!
Tristan has moved on to Park School in Newbury.
Alex Allan
Alex played a full role in the DT department during his year at the College and was greatly appreciated by Jim Boyd. At Sutton, Alex became a popular tutor and even risked a tutor group outing to the Madejski. Alex's real claim to fame was the excellent drama sets that we have become accustomed to.