Rhubarb December 2025

M alcolm was a significant presence during my time at Teddies from 1990-92 and he would frequently join us around David Wippell’s kitchen table for “CnB” (cheese and biscuits), which was a great opportunity for members of Segar’s to wind down and chat at the end of a busy Teddies day. As he was a senior member of staff, my initial reaction was to feel daunted by Malcolm, but that all dissolved the moment you spoke to him, as he was an incredibly down-to-earth and friendly, yet authoritative, member of staff. Malcolm encouraged me to participate in a Noel Coward musical evening at School and sing a solo on stage, leading me to push my own boundaries to do something that I had never imagined was within my capability. I’ll always be extremely grateful for this opportunity.

I n 1976 I made Malcolm Oxley (my Housemaster in Segar’s) and the Reverend David Conner a Malaysian curry because my family were living in Malaysia. Malcolm cut me a lot of slack because I could not go home except at Christmas and summer, and he let me go feral in the Easter holiday, staying in Segar’s or travelling around the country. He would ask no questions and after all I was 17! I had just returned from Leicester after watching cricket, and had loaded up on spices. Malcolm let me use his kitchen – he and David sat through my curry (I told them it was traditional to drink beer with it) and at the end they pronounced that ‘it was an interesting dish, but unlikely to become popular in Britain, except perhaps in port cities!’ Malcolm has been a role model and guide to me throughout my life by teaching me one of his key skills – the art of active listening. This is the art of not responding until I have heard everything the speaker wishes to say, and only then will I give my advice or judgement.

FEATURE

A great man, mind and philosopher.

W e interacted over the Kenneth Grahame Society and drama – he played a memorable role in

rehearsing and directing Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.

At an earlier stage, I also remember a fierce telling off from Malcolm after a weak lie I had told had been easily found out – the first and most forceful account of the value of truth and integrity I had ever had at that point (and perhaps ever since). I remember his life with deep gratitude.

Will Tadros in 'Rosencrantz and Guildensternare Are Dead’, 1997.

OPENING MINDS THROUGH ART & TRAVEL

M alcolm’s love and deep understanding of art history and the subsequent school trips he undertook have been well documented: “Developing an abiding interest in the history of art and architecture, he took pupils who were often unaccustomed to leaving the school premises on weekend expeditions to historic houses, churches and galleries. There were more ambitious excursions in the holidays. If there was a founding influence in the development of academic and artistic life in the School over the past half-century or so, it was he.” * Over the next few pages we share some of your stories of the adventures you took with him and the profound, life-long impact it had on those fortunate enough to travel with Malcolm.

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