St Edward's Rhubarb - 2018

30 ST EDWARD’S r h u b a r b

Common Room Obituaries John Anderson On 17th May 2017, John Anderson (CR,

course, a devoted follower of rugby, particularly the Welsh team and the British Lions. Violet also spent time with her many nieces and nephews, family and friends. Throughout the years of failing health, Violet was patient, charitable and cheerful. A loving sister and sister-in- law, devoted aunt and loyal friend, Violet passed away peacefully on Sunday 27th November 2017. The OSE Office sent notice of Violet’s death to former colleagues and pupils of Cowell’s and Segar’s and received the most wonderful memories in return. The following comes from former colleague Rob Hughes (Teacher of Music, 1978-2010): Violet was a most extraordinary lady, a real old-fashioned house nurse. She was a fully qualified SRN and was a lady with a huge heart, birthday parties for all in the two houses, paid for by her! She attended EVERY event that a house member was in, was brilliant with the homesick children and rain or snow would be on the touchline in her green poncho. I have had so many messages from OSE and parents offering sympathy and reaching out to me over her death. I am not surprised. She was the WORST driver on the planet, it took her five goes to pass, (three in Oxford and two in Wales) and she passed. Pupils were terrified of her driving them to hospital and would never have set foot in her car either! One OSE asked if I was following the response to her death on the media… they all highlight her driving skills or lack of. In my 32 years at the school I know of no other who was so extraordinary. Every pupil in the school knew Miss D. Michael McCall (CR, 1987-1991) Michael McCall (CR, 19787-1991) on 8th April 2018. Our thanks to his sister for informing us. Abridged entry from The Chronicle in 1991 which was written by Richard Anderson when Mike left Teddies. Michael McCall joined the Common Room from Cranleigh in 1987 as a mathematician. He brought a slightly

1969-1971). Our thanks to colleague Roger Lawrence (CR, 1959-1970) for letting us know.

V A L E T E O B I T U A R I E S

Michael McCall

old fashioned academic rigour to the classroom, teaching his sets very fully and extremely conscientiously to the highest standards. He had little time for modern, or fashionable, trends in mathematics education - any suggestion that maths could be taught through the sort of project which starts off: " How many rugby balls can you fit in the back of a minibus " would turn him apoplectic. But those who were prepared to accept his approach learnt much. Apart from Mathematics his other great enthusiasm was cricket. He took the 3rd XI for all the time he was here, and in a typically unobtrusive way was brilliantly successful. Local Wisdens say that his team had the best record of any school team of the time, including an unbeaten season in 1990. The school General Knowledge teams were also very successfully organised by him, reaching the finals of regional competitions a number of times. He also organised the very popular inter- departmental ( Common Room and boys) Quiz Competition. He was promoted Assistant Head of the Mathematics Department in 1989 and always enhanced departmental meetings with tongue- in-cheek asides, which gently deflated colleagues' more fanciful suggestions. He left Teddies in 1991 to be the Head of Mathematics at King's School, Gloucester.

Violet Davies

Violet Davies (1937-2017) On 27th November 2017, Violet Davies (House Nurse of Cowell’s and Segar’s, 1979-2001). The following obituary was kindly sent in by Violet’s niece, Priscilla Phillips: Miss Violet Davies was born in 1937 into a large family in rural St Clears, Carmarthenshire, Wales. Violet was premature and weighed in at under three pounds; she spent the first weeks of her life being cared for in a wooden drawer and thrived. Violet attended the local church primary and then grammar school, where she developed an interest in sport. Violet’s first paid job was in a local sweet and pie shop, owned by her uncle, and then she worked in Lloyds Bank. Violet represented the bank in hockey tournaments. Violet trained as a nurse in Swansea and received her SRN, then decided to specialise working with children, in Carmarthen, Birmingham and New Zealand. Violet was House Nurse at St Edward’s for many happy years until her retirement. During retirement Violet was a member of many clubs and societies – WI, Mothers Union and belly dancing to name a few and, of