CHELTEnHAM nEWS
Valetes (continued) gifted teacher who has both encouraged and inspired not only the pupils she taught but also her colleagues in the Common Room. She will be missed by everyone and I know her next school will be a better place because she is there.
Richard Woodberry History Teacher 1990-2015 Richard came to College in 1990, attracted by the outgoing Headmaster, Richard Morgan, the beauty of the buildings, and what he remembers as ‘a very nice Sixth Form’. First as Director of Studies, and subsequently as Head of that Sixth Form, he masterminded university applications in the UK and overseas, and arranged a glittering programme of General Studies speakers that included Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London; Lord Robertson, Secretary General of NATO; Nigel Farage of UKIP fame; the historian David Starkey; and Professor Anthony Grayling, the philosopher. Richard came also to teach History, and went on to provide unforgettable memories for generations of colleagues and pupils. He brought a wealth of experience from Badminton School, The King’s School, Canterbury, City of London School for Boys, and Colfe’s School, as well as the academic rigour of the Neale scholar of the Queen’s College, Oxford. In 2007 Richard completed his PhD on the impact of the 1867 Reform Act. He has published articles on Politics in Bristol, 1865‑86, Suffolk and the Reform Acts, 1867‑68, and has books and other articles in mind or in preparation. That academic engagement has informed all his teaching with passion, insight and authority, which made his lessons masterclasses of the craft. Next year he will continue to teach part time, at Godolphin and Latymer School. So many Cheltonians, on both sides of the desk, owe Richard a huge debt of gratitude. Our warmest good wishes go with him and his wife, Jill, for a long and happy semi-retirement. 8
Fergus Llewellyn Newick House Housemaster 2004-2015
Nick Nelson Christowe Housemaster 2010-2015
Farewell Newick House
Farewell Christowe
In losing Fergus Llewellyn at the end of the Summer Term, we said goodbye to a schoolmaster of real pedigree. He arrived at College from King’s School, Bruton, in 2004, and with boyish enthusiasm and commitment entered into the full gamut of College life. No class felt unloved or untutored; no team felt unmanaged or unmotivated; and no stage felt unlit or unprepared. Fergus’ infectious desire to get to know his charges, in the same breath as guiding them to achieve results beyond their beliefs, is a true gift. On both academic and pastoral plains, that was acknowledged; he was appointed Head of English in 2009 and, one year later, along with Tamsyn, the Llewellyns took on Newick House. As an English and Drama teacher, he brought texts alive: Chaucer was unravelled; Emily Dickinson was unfolded and Shakespeare was unbridled; in both disciplines he was a master at moving texts from the page to the stage. He oversaw College’s decision to offer Theatre Studies at A Level. As Houses began to increasingly combine, he directed Museum, Mixed Doubles and Role of Three as House plays where emotion, timing and simple inclusivity rode strong. He sat well in the Director’s chair. As his first pastoral position in College, Fergus was Resident Tutor in Leconfield in 2005. He was also an ever-present on the games field. His stewardship of Yearlings and Junior Colts, in Rugby and Cricket in particular, showed pupils how they might unlock skills not only for themselves, but also in each other. His nurture of Christian Union (or TCP as it was called until recently), ensured that as a body it was rewarding and uplifting for those present – both love (and soft drinks) were in evidence. Of course, Newick House for Fergus, Tamsyn and family, was the pastoral prize. A number of initiatives ensured that it was indeed a home, not a House, for every pupil. He moves to St Andrew’s School, Turi in Kenya, as Headmaster of their Prep School. We wish them the very best in their new East African home.
Nick Nelson finished more than 10 years service in Christowe House this summer, having lived there as a newly wed tutor and then becoming Housemaster over 7 years ago. He and his wife Katie, and their growing family have made a relaxed, friendly and supportive environment for hundreds of boys over that time and parents gathered together for a celebration of his tenure at the beginning of June. Parents had organised a collection and bought a very splendid garden bench for their new home, complete with a Christowe 'skull and cross bones' plaque, in the hope that Nick could enjoy some peace and quiet in his new garden whilst marking essays and doing a little of his favourite 'twitching'. During a farewell speech from one of the parents, it was remarked that Christowe under Nick's leadership had enjoyed a great reputation, which the boys explained so well as, 'we're not particularly good at any one thing in Christowe, but we have a lot of fun trying everything'. Nick has always been available for the boys and they fondly remembered his slightly random e-mails to them regarding preferences for hobnobs or chocolate digestives, or more recently the weighty Dominos vs Subway debate. Parents marvelled at the fact that an email at midnight got an instant response and are all now missing his pun-laden weekly newsletters. Nick moves on to be responsible for international students, liaison with the Cheltenham Festivals and overseas universities, as well as his normal teaching workload at College, and he and Katie finally have a family home without disturbances at all hours of the day and night. He is hugely missed and parents and boys enjoyed several opportunities at the end of the summer term to thank him for all his hard work and to wish the whole family well in their next chapter. n