Rhubarb December 2025

MALCOLM: THE Quintessential HOUSEMASTER

M alcolm’s influence spread beyond the classroom and touched every part of school life. He was described as ‘an indefatigable and outstandingly successful Housemaster who pioneered pastoral methods and communal enterprises that are vividly recalled by countless pupils and parents.’ * Here OSE from Segar’s remember him with great affection, recalling his impact, warmth, guidance and dedication he brought to his role as Housemaster.

FEATURE

M alcolm was my Housemaster in House.We were treated like adults, taught the importance of respecting others and encouraged to express our views in a most open environment. Malcolm showed real interest in everyone and whilst his methods went against the norm, I think most of us felt quite privileged to be under his wing as we made our way through Teddies. Unusual hobbies (with me, a passion for horse racing!) were actively encouraged. A blind eye was turned to before-breakfast visits to the local newsagent to purchase a racing paper and although Malcolm's interest in horse racing was minimal to say the least, he never failed to enquire how my selections were faring at the races. He wrote in my Summer 1978 Housemaster report ‘...meanwhile it has been another good year for him on the turf – horses and cricket!’.A report that I still have today as it brings a smile to our faces. Segar's during my time at the School was an incredibly happy House and Malcolm's influence in developing all the boys under his care and preparing them for the outside world cannot be understated. I count myself most fortunate I count myself most fortunate to have been at Teddies during his time as Housemaster. Segar's 1974-79 and very much ahead of his time with how he ran the

W ithout doubt Malcolm was one of the formative influences on my life, no one outside my family has been a greater influence on my development and life. I was so lucky that he was my Housemaster. He never taught me in a classroom, but as a schoolmaster and Housemaster he provided the most extraordinary education for life. It is perhaps only with the benefit of hindsight that one realises how revolutionary his teaching was in a public school of the 1970s – from taking practically the whole of Segar’s to Paris for the weekend to the way he involved prefects in the running of the House. He placed his trust in me and for that I will always be grateful.

Segar’s 1974. Malcolm Oxley, 7th from the left.

I visited Malcolm in his flat at Ritchie Court in Summertown about a year ago. Surrounded by his books, the conversation was as interesting, kind, thoughtful and humorous as it always had been. Malcolm was never conventional but was all the better for being that way. He had a huge influence on my approach to life and I am confident that the same is true for many, many others.As a Housemaster of Segar’s, he possessed that very special character of showing interest in everything that everyone did, including areas such as sports events, which in reality he could have very happily ignored. I still find myself singing along to ‘There is Nothing Like a Dame’ from a House singing contest that was much more in Malcolm's comfort zone. He will be very greatly missed

Segar’s 1986 leavers with Malcolm at the 2023 school reunion.

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