Rhubarb 2024

ST EDWARD’S

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 one schoolmaster. He was a devoted Tutor in Sing’s 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.

OBITUARIES

FredTao (SCR, 2018-2023) By John Wiggins W ith heartfelt thanks to the Warden, Hugh Stephens (SCR),Tom Poynter (Apsley, 2002-2006), Sixth Former Fifi Pucks-Fazel and Fred’s family for their contributions, here is a reflection on the unique and all-too-short life of Fred Tao. Anyone who attended the packed Olivier Hall for Fred’s memorial in January 2024 will not have been surprised by the number of people there, many dressed in colours to match the encouraged dress code of Fred’s beloved Henley Royal Regatta.They will have felt, overwhelmingly, the warmth and depth of the tributes paid by colleagues, friends and family. Fred loved his school, his boat club, the boarding houses and the children therein, and his colleagues – be they geographers, rowers or domestic staff – but above all his love of Christ underpinned his attitude to life and the people around him. Fred’s respect for institutions was, however, always at risk of being undermined by his somewhat relaxed attitude to the rules that aspired to hold them together. His knowledge of where the lines were drawn was incomparable, largely because he was forever easing them aside or even stepping completely over them: a Health and Safety officer’s nightmare but a dream companion and the ultimate team player. First to arrive and last to leave, Fred had an eye for what needed doing and would quietly get on with it, drafting in uncomplaining volunteers when numbers were required. His final hours were spent beside, and then on, the river, enthusing and herding novice scullers, tidying away scattered J14 sculling blades and then stepping into a boat short on numbers to avoid others in the crew having a wasted session. His journey to St Edward’s as well as his love of geography and rowing started at Kingston Grammar School under the watchful and inspirational eye of Ray Ward. Ray remembers an enquiring and enthusiastic teenager both in the classroom and on the river. Degrees from North London University and then the LSE did not 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

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 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’.

Born 21st January 1968, died 10th October 2023.

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