Chronicle Summer 2024

39 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

one schoolmaster. He was a devoted tutor in Sing’s House bringing his love of cooking to the boys (and then girls as the house went co-ed) on a weekly basis culminating in his annual feasts celebrating the lunar new year. The Geography Department took on new life with his perfectly stationed corner classroom offering views and opportunities for conversations through the windows to any passers-by. On the whiteboards in this room, within hours of his death, there was an outpouring of grief and gratitude for a person who had shared so much of himself for the betterment of others. Like cream rising to the top, Fred found himself once again as Head of Geography with his unique brand of leadership: care, enthusiasm, passion and hard work. At the Boat Club, for several years he set the tone for so many starting their time on the river, patiently cajoling and coaching pupils who

immediately lead to a career in education but to a spell in the City. In parallel was a devotion to his church where he met and, after several missed opportunities, finally got together with Claire, ‘Mrs Tao’ as she was to become. Still in London, he started teaching Geography at City of London School, Dulwich Prep and Henrietta Barnett before moving out to the country and Pangbourne College in 2010. There, with a growing family, he immersed himself in many aspects of the school, holding positions as Head of Geography, Head of General Studies, Sixth Form Tutor, Chapel usher and, of course, rowing coach. It was here that his enthusiasm for social media took flight, enabling all sorts of mischief and occasionally dubious humour to be expressed. Fred’s move to Teddies in 2018 enabled him to exercise to the full all the talents one might hope for, but rarely see, combined in

would go on to far greater things or simply find themselves in love with the river with no greater aspiration than being in its presence. Of course, Fred continued with his social media, sharing stories and items of mutual interest but he was also a writer of letters. OSE and Geography colleague at Pangbourne, Tom Poynter, finished his memories of Fred at the memorial by quoting from a letter Fred had written to Tom’s son, Teddy. It finished with words for us all: “The world is a marvellous place… Iife will be fun and occasionally trying, but it will never be anything but an adventure… See you in due course… affectionately, yours, Fred.” The example set by Fred in all his actions and all that he taught will live on in those fortunate enough to have spent any time with him. We were blessed to have known him and now have the opportunity to live up to the mantra from his eldest son challenging us simply to ‘Be More Fred’.

The world is a marvellous place… Iife will be fun and occasionally trying, but it will never be anything but an adventure… See you in due course… affectionately, yours, Fred.

Spring 1995 in Yorkshire