Adieux to Colleagues

Fond farewells to exulted staff

GILES ASHMAN: MR EXETER SCHOOL

“Cut me and I’ll bleed maroon and blue”, as Giles has never actually said - but it does sound like him.

Giles Ashman’s career and time spent at Exeter School has made him into the ultimate Exonian: a man who so enjoyed his time at Exeter School as a child that he decided to come back as a teacher.

Giles started his association with the school as a bright and fresh teenager back in 1982. Being 14, he joined the Lower Fifth as a boarder, his dormitory being where the top floor of the senior library is now. Apparently, his favourite band was Depeche Mode, which might explain the New Romantic eyeliner and earring which did not exactly enthral the teachers of his day.

After achieving a decent set of A Levels and completing his studies at the School of Slavonic Studies, Giles set out to light up the heady world of insurance. Successful as he was in this industry, the pull of Exeter city, Exeter School, and Devon remained.

Giles trained to become a teacher at Rolle College Exmouth, and, after cutting his teeth in the state sector, re-joined Exeter School in the junior school. Giles’ passions were - and still are - football, cricket, and history; we have been lucky enough to have him lead the school forward in all these key areas.

In case you didn’t know - and perhaps you do indeed live on the moon - Giles is a huge Exeter City fan. In 1973, the four-year-old Giles was taken to watch his first game (Exeter City 1, Workington 1 - in case you wondered). Thus, Giles started his lifelong relationship with the mighty Exeter City FC. It has been a sometimes rocky relationship, but they are still together after almost fifty years.

Another great passion for Giles Ashman has been his teaching. It is easy for a piece like this to drift into a long series of accomplishments, so here is a flavour of what the man himself would probably regard as his greatest moments at Exeter School.

At both U11 and U18 levels, Giles has led the school to fantastic success in football, both in terms of matches won, and in terms of players developed. In 2014 he led the U11A football team to become south west champions, and to play at Portsmouth, representing Exeter City FC in the national finals: a proud moment for a City fan.

In the 2019/20 football season, Giles led the U18 football team to win their league. This was no small accomplishment: they played against excellent local teams, some of whom specialised in football. Current Exeter Junior School gap year pupil, James Horler, was in that very team.

As well as football, Giles Ashman has been a leading teacher of cricket. He has coached the U14s, the second team and the U11A, producing some great teams over the years. From 1994 -2012 he was also the U11 Devon cricket coach.

The highlight of Mr Ashman’s cricketing leadership has to be the U11A boys’ national finals. This team went on to win and become English national champions. The boys played brilliantly, inspired by their coach and with a certain Mr Pidwell carrying their bags behind them. In an incredible career, I’m sure that was one moment Giles will never forget.

One or two now-famous cricketers have also been coached by Mr Ashman and are household names.

Giles has led Exeter Junior School forward in terms of outdoor pursuits. He developed Exeter Junior School’s association with Haven Banks and with many other out-of-school groups from the wider community. Some older Exonians may even remember being deafened and eating dirt whilst watching the speedway with a very excited Mr Ashman. As Giles has entered the halcyon years of his teaching career at Exeter School, he has developed his role with the old Exonians. He is now games secretary and oversees hugely exciting and competitive matches between the first teams and old Exonians keen to show the young whippersnappers a thing or two. I know Giles will always think of himself as an old Exonian for the rest of his days.

It is hard to imagine an Exeter School without Giles Ashman. A legend to small and quite (old) big boys and girls, many still cherish the nicknames he bestowed upon them. Captains of industry still quake with excitement at seeing their old schoolmaster again. At heart, Giles will always be an Exeter School pupil, and a proud Exonian. Cut him and he’ll bleed maroon and blue.

MR PIDWELL TOM BRIMELOW

Tom Brimelow’s contribution to the department over the last seven years has been first rate, not only as a fine musician, superb practitioner and top classroom teacher, but also as my foil, and friend to us all. Tom has that rare knack of being laid-back, warm and friendly to the children, while imposing an expectation for hard work and achievement, the result of having earned their respect.

Over the years Tom has led choral singing in the senior school. He runs our choral flagships, Chamber Choir and Vocal Ensemble. These are the elite choirs to which young musicians aspire to belong. Tom has also been very supportive of the excellent junior school singing. Spotting a hole in the market, where boys feel less comfortable singing, Tom has used charisma and a good choice of repertoire to encourage boys into the close harmony Barbershop Boys. Initially aimed at Lower and Middle Fifth boys, many have stayed loyal beyond these years, acting as young leaders under Tom’s watchful eye, right through to Upper Sixth. It has been super to hand over segments of the Choral Society concerts to Tom. The chorus responded instantly to his knowledge of singing and choral music. He was a little nervous about handling a professional orchestra, of which he had far less experience. His charm and musicianship saw him through this and won them over.

Tom has ably led the visiting music teachers team, as well as spending some time overhauling our academic work and keeping us in check with exam requirements. He led a memorable choir tour to New York (2017), as well as being top company on department tours in Budapest, Slovenia, Salzburg (2015) and the coastal towns of Liguria (2019) in sweltering European summers. I could start to tell a story about the joys of lugging heavy timpani down the grand Hapsburgian avenues of Budapest in 35-degree heat, but I

know that, no matter how much fun we’ve had, or what adventures I could relay to you, Tom will have a story up his sleeve which will be far funnier, more extreme or just crazy, frequently featuring someone in a cassock. To his great credit he makes us all chuckle - a lot. He starts as Director of Music at King’s College in Taunton in September, and will be greatly missed, I know. MR TAMBLYN

JULIAN FAWKES

Julian Fawkes started his teaching career at Exeter School straight out of university. He was with us for eight years making an impact in many areas of school life – running cricket, a coach in multiple sports and also a deputy head of house. He left in 2016 to take on a role in Wesley College in Melbourne where he developed his career in the Head of Sport role and then moving into the Head of PE role. When we were looking for a maternity cover for the year we were extremely fortunate that it coincided with Jules return to the UK.

In his teaching he has brought back his usual dynamism and positivity. Pupils from his Form One PE class right up to the senior cricketers have clearly enjoyed his input and feedback. His lessons are well thought out, creative and with pupil enjoyment and activity at their heart. He has brought a wealth of ideas from Australia into the PE department and a multitude of resources that were able to be accessed during the remote learning period. He has been key in helping to develop girls’ cricket in the school, particularly in the Third Form. He has also worked one-on-one with players from the U12s right up to the 1st team and his coaching and guidance has been well received.

Julian has been a valuable colleague in the department – a wise head to talk to, someone who clearly wants the best for the pupils, and always ready with a smile and a joke. He will be sorely missed but I am sure we will continue to see him in the future, whether in school or on the golf course. MR MASON

JAMES HORLER

James Horler was well known to Exeter Junior School, having been one of the exalted breed of 7 – 18 pupils! During his time at this end of the school, James was House Captain of Scott and someone who contributed significantly to the sporting life of the school. He carried this on in the senior school and, as he was a fine cricketer and very capable football goalkeeper, I monitored his progress with great interest! This culminated in him being the captain of the 1st XI cricket team and a stalwart of 1st XI football for his last three years. I had also spent a week with James in Dubai on the cricket tour in 2019. Consequently, I was delighted when he applied for the job as gap student and I had no doubt whatsoever that he would be a great asset to the school during his time here; he has not disappointed!

In short, it has been an absolute pleasure to work with James this year and he has been right up there with the best of our gap students. He is incredibly reliable, conscientious and has a fantastic rapport with the pupils. Whatever task James is entrusted with, you know that he will be carry it out to the best of his ability. Whether it be assisting at late room, dealing with sports admin or coaching the U8 cricketers, he has delivered.

We wish James every success for the future, as he makes his way up to Cardiff University, and I look forward to ‘chewing the fat’ with him in the Sports Bar at the Exeter Golf and Country Club, as we put the local cricket world to right!

Good luck and thank you, JDAH!

MR ASHMAN ANNABEL JAMES

Annabel has worked in Exeter School for nine years and taught over 850 pupils mathematics from the Third Form through to Upper Sixth A Level. She has been a wonderful member of the department, full of diligence, organisation and a passion for her subject. She developed a codebreaking and problem-solving day for Year 6 pupils from local schools – both of which gained a reputation for being fun, wellstructured and interesting for the attendees. Annabel was typically professional, adapting them each year so they constantly improved. She was a reluctant but excellent public speaker and took the time to rehearse so that the day was clearly led – no detail was overlooked. Her desire to constantly improve as a classroom teacher was undimmed throughout her time at Exeter School – she was a member of the teaching and learning committee for many years and was always excited by new developments in mathematical education. Always popular with her classes, Annabel found the key balance in lessons of hard work and fun, and pupils were always delighted to find out that they were going to be taught by Mrs James. Her love of badgers was legendary, and they featured throughout her room and PowerPoints. Annabel said that she liked badgers so much she even married one! Those of you who have met Chris will know what she means.

As a sixth form tutor she could often be seen doing yoga with her charges – the mental health of the pupils always high on her agenda. She was a tireless advocate for them and often gave more than she reasonably would be expected to in order to ensure their care. She was a great listener and always keen to offer support and care. She was a dedicated CCF officer and a firm believer in the CCF in Exeter School. She led the DofE provision for Middle Fifth cadets enabling many cadets to gain the DofE bronze award. She led the Royal Navy section for around seven years and led on big projects such as the Middle Fifth recruit training and working with the Upper Sixth cadets to deliver the training programme. She shaped the Upper Fifth to give all cadets certificated first aid qualifications, climbing sessions and self-defence classes. Annabel also led trips to Roadford Lake, Exe Sailing Club, Haven Banks, Woodbury Common, Dawlish, Exmouth, HMS Raleigh and more and hosted the CCF Royal Navy South-West Conference.

She renewed links with Exe Sailing Club ensuring the RN Section could cater for all. The Royal Navy camp each year was a real highlight where she brought her inimitable style and (of course) the badger family. Annabel ran the sailing element of the camp and enabled many to gain RYA levels one to three as well as the advanced sailing modules. Her passion for sailing was always evident and she put on an exceptional programme of waterbased training, including an annual sailing regatta for the Lower Sixth. The pupils loved her and the navy section expended hugely under Annabel’s command. Annabel: we send you our love and best wishes for whatever you choose to do next.

Fair winds and following seas, buddy. Namaste.

MR PARRY AND MR HALL

MARIE JOHNS

Marie joined the alumni team in October 2019 and after only a few weeks it was like she had always been with us. A kind, warm and conscientious colleague, she was great to work with and good fun to be around. She played an integral role in enhancing the brilliant volunteer programme from the alumni office, helping to bring in Exonians from all over the country to share their knowledge with our pupils. She helped to inspire and inform pupils about all kinds of different careers, university pathways and more. Marie was always up for a challenge and gave it her all; even upon discovering that

shooting was most definitely not her forte (she missed every single target), she kept on trying and still got stuck in with extra training so as not to let her team down. She showed passion and care in her work, was an excellent team player and is very much missed!

MRS MAGEE

NIC JOKONYA

Starting at Exeter School back in the September of 2014, having moved down from Sheffield with young children, Nic went on to lead the small team of science technicians. She arrived with her characteristic, no-nonsense, diligent and forthright manner and developed a reputation of an enthusiastic team player who wanted to contribute to the broader life of the school. She became treasurer to the common room association, helped with science outreach and the training for the Ten Tors.

Our morning tea lady, Nic makes sure that everyone is provided for to get us going – who is going to stand up to the plate on that? Her memory for detail has astounded us all, particularly for remembering who owns which car parked on the school site… ! Nic has the ability to really make things happen, she is extremely efficient, and can whizz through a mountain of washing up in no time. She is fiercely loyal to her team, making sure that members of the science department appreciate the valuable role of technicians. We would say we will miss her but don’t expect to have the opportunity, as we’re looking forward to her being in regular contact. Exeter School will feel very different without her presence.

She goes on to lead the team of science technicians at Colyton Grammar School and will be very much missed by all at Exeter School.

MR TEAR AND THE SCIENCE TECHNICIANS IAN LOWLES

Ian Lowles leaves in 2021 after 19 years of service in the design technology department at Exeter School. Ian began his career teaching in Oxford at Radley where his son Adam was born before moving to Clifton College for 10 years. Ian then moved to Budleigh Salterton, and at Exeter School he taught all years, guiding the design and manufacture of a huge variety of products from large radio-controlled aeroplanes to surfboards, lamps and coffee tables. I am sure there are products around the country made by his past pupils that remind them every day of their time at school. Ian is very much a craftsman where wood is concerned, and if ever a sharp chisel is needed, it should generally be “borrowed” from him.

Each morning Ian and Dave can be heard laughing upstairs before school, which is quickly replaced with vibration, snatches of instruction, the drone of extraction systems, the dropping of a tool, and other sounds which I have yet to identify.

Ian’s wider contribution to the school includes CCF and, in particular, the navy section, staffing summer camps and adventure training, manning the safety boat and instructing upon the climbing wall. Ian has organised sixth form ski trips and led the department before Nick Moon.

Ian has fond memories of many trips to the Lake District, Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons, has enjoyed staffing the art trip to St Ives come rain or shine and visited Jaguar, Land Rover and Morgan factories on many occasions with his classes. Ian enjoys sport and has a great love for tennis and has coached hockey for many years, touring the south west and branches of McDonalds requested by those in the back seats.

Ian hopes to tour Europe with his wife Mary, spend more time with his family and get stuck into some DIY!

MR ROSE RACHAEL MAGEE

Rachael joined us in October 2018 from the fund-raising consultancy Graham-Pelton. Rachael had been helping us with the recruitment for John Davidson’s successor and had not initially thought to apply for the role. However, Bob and I convinced her that she would be great in the post, and she definitely proved us right.

With a wealth of experience behind her, Rachael quickly got to grips with the role. In her short time with us Rachael took the alumni office and transformed it from simply organising alumni events to being a modern school development office. Her ability to engage with pupils, colleagues and alumni of all ages was of the highest order and her tact and diplomacy contributed significantly to her success, be that with a hugely successful OE day, with the changes to the OE Club or with fund raising.

Supported by Karen Dart and, briefly, Marie Johns, on Rachael’s watch the office launched the Bright Futures and Bob Griffin bursary funds, a legacy programme and most recently an annual fund, generating nearly £200,000 since she joined the school.

Rachael’s time with us was joyfully interspersed with a period of maternity leave and frustrated by the pandemic. Given her success, what might she have accomplished without these interruptions? She will be a hard act to follow and leaves with our grateful thanks and best wishes for the future.

MR MACEACHARN KATIE MORLEY

Katie joined Exeter School in the September of 2018 as a chemistry teacher from Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis. However, she was always far more than just a chemistry teacher: she had a passion for the outdoors and all sorts of adventurous activities, not to mention her love of Harry Potter. In the laboratory she was a knowledgeable and enthusiastic teacher; her style was characterised by her energetic driving approach dashing around the laboratory like a ball of sodium whizzing across the surface of a trough of water. She used her knowledge and passion to take on the role of Master of Potions for the Harry Potter sleepover nights, a role in which she delighted. However, it was her leadership of the CCF RN Section that will characterise her most effectively. She was never more happy than when sailing dinghies, driving powerboats, balancing on a paddleboard, climbing a rock face, surfing a wave, cycling on her road bike, hiking across the moors or skiing down a mountain, except perhaps when she was helping young people share in these experiences. She was a real outdoors woman with a passion for adventurous things. In the end we lost her to a new skiing academy in France where she continues to teach chemistry: another characteristically bold step into uncharted territory.

MR TEAR

JESS PEARSON

Jess joined Exeter School in February 2019 having worked as an experienced graphic designer and artist for 23 years.

She has worked closely with staff in the senior and junior schools, designing many posters and programmes for music and drama productions, with the alumni department re-designing The 1633 magazine and countless school adverts in local publications. Jess has been a popular colleague amongst the staff, who appreciate the work she has done to support them. I am very grateful for her support in helping me run an efficient reprographics office; Jess has been a wonderful colleague and become a great friend.

We all wish Jess success as she continues working as a freelance designer and artist.

MISS MILLER

BILL SHARPE

There are some people whose character and contributions can be summarised only with the greatest difficulty: any such attempt risks failing to do them justice. What follows tries to go some way towards describing his achievements, even if the man himself is much more than the sum of his parts.

To begin with the basics. Bill has been leading Ten Tors since 2012, and was a helper for at least four years before that. In a typical year, up to 60 Middle Fifth and 15 Lower Sixth might start training for Ten Tors and the 1633 challenge. He has also organised teams for the Abbots Way Walk, as well as introducing NNAS bronze and silver navigation training. In the words of one co-worker: “Bill is the consummate 0A (pronounced Zero Alfa – it is the commander’s personal callsign at all levels), he is everywhere, encouraging, challenging and setting a great example to kids and adults alike. Bill is a natural optimist who believes anything is possible if you set your mind to it. It has been superb to work for a boss who is so professional, but who also trusts his team and lets them get on with it. Exeter School’s Ten Tors team has benefited hugely from his leadership and dedication and I’m sure that as he completes this operational phase of his life he will be searching out new and exciting missions to provide the personal challenge he relishes.”

There is no doubt that the pupils will remember him as a kind, considerate, knowledgeable teacher who wants them to enjoy themselves and discover their latent talents. This has not invariably prevented their occasional bafflement when told that reveille would be at 0500 (O five hundred hours), and he expected them to be on parade at 0700 : the same could be said for the civilian helpers amongst us, when receiving text messages full of FLAs and TLAs (four or three letter acronyms as used by those with a services background. It took a degree of courage to question such instructions).

Others recollect vivid moments, often articulated in memorable phrases. Thus: “Clearly the catch phrase is “Job’s a good un!’”. Or: “Military speak – maintain current position until further instruction” - the instruction often received when on an exposed tor, in rain, with no teams in sight.” Or, on the subject of acronyms: “the rest of us had no idea about them (including the one referring to location of spouse which unfortunately I have forgotten)”, while someone else suggests that this tribute should be “Bill’s final OJAR” – his Officers’ Joint Appraisal Report.

Other facets catch the light, such as Bill’s fluency in Norwegian, or his running of mountain marathons for fun. Likewise, such moments as him striding off up onto the moor to find the group which had called Mountain Rescue, only to lose his glasses and become basically blind himself. And stride he certainly does, with a deceptive speed that has him looming up just when you thought he was about half an hour away. And here indeed he comes, during the actual Ten Tors event, propelling a wheelbarrow full of kit; or organising the maintenance team to put up 20 tents with military precision; or, on the Sunday night, telling the training team we are folding up the big tent the wrong way, and need to do it again. But whatever he has done or demanded, it has always been in the context of his own good humour and his appreciation of the work done by others.

By way of a concluding salute, the following comes from Lt. Col. Tony Clarke: From ES TT FAO SUNRAY Cs 9 SITREP 062359Z JUL21

VMT for SP to ES for 10yrs after 4 yr recce. You’ve led fun team, contributed greatly to many ES pupil’s development STOP Congrats on 1633 obj gained despite met STOP At SL for adv for next phase, BH leading with bayonets fixed STOP RV on obj at H Hr STOP LOE TT 2022 STOP BZ PUFO TTFN T&HC OUT

BZs to Bill (!) (Bravo Zulu = well done)

MRS SAIL

MARIUS TUDOR

At the beginning of his time with us at Exeter School back in March 2020, Marius was thrown in at the deep end more than most! No sooner had he started than the school was closed for lockdown! Marius’s first and only experience of both his classes and fellow teachers from March to July was over the small screen. Not only that, but Marius had come to us as an NQT, aiming to work towards his QTS under the guidance of a team around him. However, even though many might have tipped over the edge in such circumstances, Marius carried out his work with calm resolve, setting classes on Google Classroom, a system that he had never used before, for classes he had never seen in person, and working with staff that he had barely met.

We all wish you the very best of luck in the future with your teaching career. All I can say is that it won’t be as challenging as what you have faced during your period at Exeter School and hopefully, you won’t have to worry about the fall-out from the pandemic. Instead, with luck, you’ll ‘only’ have to focus on everything else that a teacher has to consider! Good luck Marius and keep in touch.

MS TROTMAN

EMILY WHITTALL

Miss Whittall joined the English department in the summer term of 2010 and quickly established herself as an accomplished, academic and highly adept teacher of English. Her enthusiasm for, and proficiency in, the subject inspired and cultivated her pupils and she was very much one of those experts in the craft of teaching who could educate and stretch a skittish squadron of mixed ability Third Formers just as skilfully as a contemplative conglomeration of academically ambitious top set Upper Fifth Formers. Her calm compassion and quizzical smile soothed sometimes troubled minds and she patiently and unfailingly encouraged and guided those who were wont, on occasions, to stray from the true path, shepherding them back onto straighter, more fulfilling thoroughfares. Mardy pupils were no match for Miss Whittall – she could conjure order from the maelstrom of a Lower Fifth on a wet Friday afternoon with nothing more than the carefully orchestrated raising of an eyebrow or, in extremis, just the faintest hint of a trace of a look of the mildest mild disappointment. In addition, her many and varied contributions to the wider life of the school must also be saluted – whether as a magisterial and much-loved Head of Daw House or as a tactically astute netball coach. I very much miss her wisdom, her warmth and her wit, the latter of which could be amusingly earthy. A particular phrase recurred: Something about ‘All fur coat and…’ I forget the rest. Taken all in all, she was, quite simply, a proper Independent School Teacher.

MR DOBSON

Victoria Park Road Exeter, Devon EX2 4NS 01392 307080 admissions@exeterschool.org.uk www.exeterschool.org.uk @ExeterSchoolUK