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Staff Leavers
www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk
Geoff Johnson (2004-2011) Geoff Johnson joined the staff in September 2004. Appointed to teach Chemistry, he had a degree in Geology and this gave him one big advantage over the rest of the Chemistry Department – he actually found rocks interesting. This is a rare occurrence amongst Chemistry teachers, who generally resent the introduction of Earth Science into the National Curriculum for Chemistry. During his seven or so years at Bromsgrove Geoff did a sterling job as a geologist masquerading as a chemist (and, briefly, as a physicist). In the department he was a supportive and reliable colleague and he formed good relationships with pupils he taught. Geoff played a full part outside the classroom too. He was a supportive tutor in Elmshurst, Mary Windsor and School House, and was well liked by his tutees for his approachability and his droll sense of humour.
Ben White (2004-2011) He threw himself into the extra-curricular life of the School. He is an accomplished lacrosse player and was keen when he arrived to put Bromsgrove on the map as a lacrosse school. This didn’t happen, but he allowed himself instead to be trained up to the dizzying heights of 4th XV rugby coach, and he was well liked and respected by the boys who came across him on the rugby and cricket pitches. A colleague summed up Geoff’s contribution to the School in a simple accolade, but probably one of the best Geoff could have – “a genuine all-round schoolmaster, and one we will find difficult to replace”. The lure of geology finally became too much for Geoff to resist, and he left us in April for Aberdeen to take on new challenges looking after some of Chevron’s oil rigs in the North Sea. Our loss is Chevron’s gain. We wish him well in his new post, and Clare and Michael too as they start a new life together in the Granite City.
As a tutor in Elmshurst and Walters he excelled. Getting to know his tutees was second nature and he dealt with parents and others really well.
Ben joined the School in September 2004, having been one of the final appointments made by Tim Taylor. He quickly became one of the most popular members of staff mostly due to his overwhelming enthusiasm for everything he did. He settled into the teaching of Business Studies and Economics and very quickly confirmed that he was a very good teacher of both subjects. He progressed to Head of Year, and eventually succeeded me as Head of Department. I would like to think that I might have been a hard act to follow; in Ben’s case, not at all. Numbers continue to grow and he leaves the School with the department at the very top of its game: a real legacy.
Ben’s great love in the School has been his approach to School Sport. It is the football though, and the development of it that, in many ways, he will be most remembered. Not bad for a Newcastle fan but football has thrived beyond belief here. On football, he really will be a hard act to follow. St Peter’s, York, gain massively from our loss. We wish him and Jess the very best for a great future. S Challoner