Staff Farewells

STAFF LEAVERS

Teachers at Kingswood are a very talented group of people. Wesley set the bar high to recruit teachers back in 1748 and we set the bar high today. However, eventually we must say goodbye; sometimes after a short period, other times after decades of serving our community. The following words are an adaptation of the Headmaster’s valedictions to these members of staff.

MR PHIL HOLLYWELL & MRS CERI HOLLYWELL

Mr Hollywell started his career here 31 years ago at Priors Court, the historic feeder prep school, and when that school closed and moved to Bath, Mr Hollywell moved as well.

He is a born school master and although has a gruff exterior, it belies a heart of gold and a deep care for our pupils. His contribution to Kingswood, in Sport, Geography and in Westwood has been the stuff of legend. The culture of care and kindness starts in Westwood and as Houseparent, Mr Hollywell has given thousands of Kingswood pupils the best start to their school careers.

When Mr Hollywell wrote to me to say he was retiring, there was mild panic in the ranks. Not just because we would be losing Mr Hollywell, but also because this would mean we were probably going to lose his other half (some might say his better half) in Mrs Hollywell. She has been the beating heart of Westwood, the second mum to many, the person who more than anyone else has reunited Westwood pupils with their lost property. Thank you for your huge support to the Westwood team through the years and, of course, for keeping Mr Hollywell on the straight and narrow.

MR MATTHEW THATCHER

Mr Thatcher taught RE from January 2012, and was promoted to Head of the department from September 2013, and Westwood Resident House Assistant from September 2017.

He has been an excellent tutor to Year 7 and Gifted and Talented students. He has made a huge impact on RPE education, planning and delivering bespoke schemes of learning for all in the school, resulting in excellent outcomes in examinations, and organised the Indian Himalayas trip in 2017. He has been someone who gave balance to students’ spiritual experience and he leaves us to take up a Head of Department position at Stonar School. Ms Robinson has been a teacher of French and Spanish with us since 2010. She moves to KPS to take the role of Head of MFL there from September but we will see her at the Senior School from time to time. I am looking forward to an ongoing and developing relationship to work on the vision for MFL across the Foundation.

MR DAN CATER

Mr Cater has been our Graduate Assistant and has immersed himself in school life this year. He has now secured his first teaching post as a PE teacher, which is about the most competitive teacher market in the UK. He will be missed.

MR PAUL WATTS

Mr Watts has been a Part-Time Teacher of Physics with us since 2019, after a previous 9 years in a Deputy Head role. His experience meant our pupils were in safe hands. We will also miss his contribution to the football programme.

MR ANDREW WARD

Mr Ward has been a Senior School Games Teacher since September 2019, making a huge contribution to the Department. He has co-ordinated the ECA Programme and also taught Games at KPS.

MR JEROME SHAH

Mr Shah joined us in 2018 as a teacher of Computer Science and Mathematics and in 2019 decided to focus on Computer Science. He brought significant subject knowledge and expertise to his lessons, being particularly excellent at coding. Jerome helped to develop the Computer Science curriculum and enhance the co-curricular provision in the Department.

MR RORY MANSFIELD

Mr Mansfield has taught English with us since September 2017. As well as leading the Literary Society, he has also contributed significantly to the cycling and outdoor education with the management of Ten Tors and DofE expeditions.

MR WILL MUSGROVE

Mr Musgrove joined us in September 2014 as Teacher of Physics. He has been an inspirational teacher and has engaged many reluctant physicists over the years!

In 2016 he took on the role of Sustainable Developer and World Action Coordinator and he holds the record for leading more clubs and activities than anyone else! His joy, energy and optimism will be missed as he pursues his next path as a consultant in Sustainable Development.

Mr Snell originally came as maternity cover in the Chemistry Department in September 2017 and his contract just kept getting renewed for the next few years! He has significant experience and wisdom and has taught with real joy and flair, having so much charisma and energy. This year, he rallied the winning team at the Big Bang Competition and he will be greatly missed.

MRS AMANDA PHILLIPS

Mrs Phillips has been with us since September 2016 as a Part-Time Teacher of Classics. She has been a huge support to Mrs Dakin, has helped with EPQ and single-handedly delivered our Greek offering which has enabled passionate classicists to pursue their interests. Mrs Phillips is hugely knowledgeable and is leaving us for a position at Cambridge University.

MRS REBECCA MURCHISON

Mrs Murchison joined us in January 2016 as a Part-Time Teacher of Mathematics. She has been a very dedicated and conscientious teacher who is particularly thorough in her preparation. With her husband leaving the forces, they have some exciting plans to make the most of the flexibility this gives them.

MISS KIRSTY SUTHERLAND

Miss Sutherland, our much-loved Librarian, leaves us to move back up to Scotland to be nearer to family. She leaves her positions as School House resident boarding assistant, Head of EPQ, tutor, and custodian of the library – one of the great pastoral spaces at school. We wish you all the best.

MR RICHARD BURTON

Mr Burton has been our Head of Physics for 23 years since September 1999 and stood in as our Head of Science in 2012-2016.

He has demonstrated steadfast academic leadership of a highly successful department in terms of numbers and outcomes. He has run subject clinics and helped Oxbridge students. He has been a Year 10 and 11 Tutor in Hall House and has contributed significantly to the Outdoor Pursuits programme in kayaking, climbing, DofE and Ten Tors. He cycles to work it seems every day and is as fit as a fiddle! He tells me that he is now looking forward to going off in search of steep hills to conquer on his bike. Thank you for your many years of service and we wish you well.

MR GORDON OPIE & MRS JENNY OPIE

It was heart-warming that Mr and Mrs Opie received a standing ovation several times during our end of term events.

Mrs Opie came to Kingswood in 1992 as Teacher of Biology and was promoted to Head of Biology in 2003. It has been a hugely popular department and Mrs Opie has inspired an endless number of pupils to love the subject. She has also made an extensive commitment to co-curricular activities, not least swimming. My experience of Mrs Opie is that she should win the ‘Do all the good you can’ award. Her thoughtfulness and care for the members of this community is legendary. When we arrived at school two years ago, she came around with a whole hamper of delicious homemade goodies that frankly would put Fortnum and Mason to shame, but this wasn’t just a special occasion – she does this for everyone. She has done a huge amount of charity work for projects in Malawi, not least the organisation of the annual Malawi Christmas Market and Grand Jumble Sale and has been our liaison with Malawi schools. Thank you Mrs Opie for inspiring an endless number of pupils to love Biology and thank you for leading our charge as a community to 'do all the good we can'.

2010 2012 2018

MR OPIE’S RULES FOR SUCCESS:

1. If you are going to do a job, do it properly. 2. If you are not early, you are late. 3. Make the most of every day, it is a privilege. 4. No time spent with people is wasted time. 5. Life is a journey. 6. Be kind and have integrity.

Mr Opie was a pupil at Kingswood and returned here in 1990 to teach as Director of PE. He soon became Senior Houseparent of Middle House where collectively Mr and Mrs Opie engendered a unique loyalty from all the boys in their care, both day and boarding. Mr Opie was then appointed Deputy Head in 2009.

Loved and respected in equal measure, it’s impossible to overstate Mr Opie’s contribution to Kingswood. Before you saw him at the crossing at morning drop-off, greeting all the pupils by name, he had most likely already taken early morning tennis, hockey or swimming, overseen the boarders coming through breakfast, popped in to see if the Head was alright, and patrolled once around the school. The rest of Mr Opie’s day always continued in this vein, making time for everyone who asked and being a great standard bearer for the values of Kingswood. Mr Opie loves his hockey and he successfully coached the 1st Hockey teams. During the last week of term, over 100 alumni, pupils and parents came along to the Lower Astro to play some hockey to pay their respects, which tells you so much about the high regard in which he is held. There is a new bench, donated by Kingswood parents, situated above the Lower Astro which will have Mr Opie’s name on it. Next time you are watching a hockey match, or indeed any sport on the Lower Astro, rest a while to remember Mr Opie and smile.

We have all benefited from having Mr Opie as a benevolent figure watching over us and doing his best to care for each and every member of staff and all pupils. He certainly is a godly man.

Mr Opie, you came here as a boy, worked here as a man, and retire as a legend.

mentored by Mr Opie over the years and, despite the fact that we have had to replace him with about three people, I feel confident that Mr Opie’s outstanding pastoral work and general strategic input will live on through other excellent people who are cut from the same cloth.

Mr Opie, you came here as a boy, worked here as a man, and retire as a legend.

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