The Chronicle 682

37 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

being a teacher was about building rapport, about passion for one’s subject, and about academic integrity. His career spanned some 30 years across three schools - Frensham Heights, Downside and 17 years at Teddies. Over all this time he made significant impact on hundreds, more likely thousands, of students. He was an immensely principled historian, firm in conviction, even if it flew in the face of convention. His faith in what he believed to be right or indeed downright wrong was impressive - and he was more than prepared to voice this. He instilled a huge love of history in so many whom he taught. Very quickly after his death messages poured in from his former pupils. Here are a few: • The greatest teacher, mentor and support system I could ever have asked for. • He was one of the people that made Teddies such a special place. He was a great teacher and a true gentleman. • I left Teddies considering him a friend and such a great man. • He introduced me to surfing which obviously has had a huge impact on my life. He was one of my favourite teachers at Teddies (from a former pupil now doing a PhD in surf therapy). • One of the greatest teachers anyone could ever ask for.

A school trip to Israel in 2013

As well as Head of History, Cowell’s Tutor, hockey, sailing, surfing and let’s not forget frisbee coach, Jonny was an incredible organiser of parties - and here at Teddies he

fulfilled the role of Common Room ‘Food Member’ perfectly, negotiating and working with our phenomenal Catering Team and wonderful stewards, Jane and Andy, to

Jonny the History Teacher By Anna Fielding, History Teacher and IB Coordinator Jonny was a Head of Department who cared about much more than just grades, data and timetables. He had a genuine wish that the hundreds of pupils (and staff) who spent time in the Department would love history; whether that meant going to lectures or insisting that pupils should visit National Trust properties or museums in the holidays. Great relationships were developed with many leading historians around the country who came back year after year to give talks, from Dominic Sandbrook’s engaging approach to the twentieth century to Professor Michael Lynch’s sometimes controversial take on the Russian Revolution.  Under his leadership the Department developed a reputation for organising foreign visits. But these were not just jollies for the sake of fun; Jonny’s concern was that the trip would allow pupils to understand topics being studied and to widen their interest and knowledge. There was never a spare minute for sitting around looking at their “cell phones” (as he would insist on calling them). After a full day of museums, guided tours and sometimes long walks through snow to look at the remains of a building, it would be back out again to experience more of the city we were visiting.

Many who had the opportunity to take part in these trips will have fond memories of walking along the beaches in Tel Aviv, the authentic night life of Le Marais in Paris or attempting to negotiate the Moscow Underground with no automatic ticket machines and no Russian speakers.  It was Jonny’s determination that ensured that not a minute of a trip was wasted nor any experience missed. In Israel that meant forcing the coach driver to go off road into the desert to find the site of a particular battle of the Crusades. In Russia his willingness to challenge some rather frightening ex-KGB tour guides allowed pupils to play real Soviet arcade games and haggle for fur hats in local markets. He even tried to force everyone to eat local food, until a few days of beige meals and a cockroach in a coffee made him give in and join us at McDonald’s.  Jonny has undoubtedly left his mark on the Department at St Edward’s. He leaves behind not just pupils who achieved good grades in exams but many people who, thanks to him, have experienced and seen things that they will remember for the rest of their lives.