Farewell, Mr Chan

COLLEGE LIFE Farewell, Mr Chan

As you may know, Mr Chan is leaving at the end of this year but it would be wrong to let him escape us without an interview for T he Stag. What led you to your passion for tennis?

Roger Federer’s first Wimbledon was the first time I really watched Wimbledon, and I followed him all the way through. I found the game really fascinating. I never really played tennis at school. I picked it up after university and joined a club. I dabbled a little bit with various people in London, but I wasn’t great to start with. After a while, I played a few league matches which initially were awful as I didn’t hit many balls in play but it was fun nonetheless. A year or two later, I was captain of a team and I ended up being captain of about five teams which isn’t the most popular of jobs, but I just loved the sport. It’s good for the brain and the body, it doesn’t matter whether you’re big or how hard you hit the ball; you just play and it’s enjoyable.

What you will miss about Eastbourne College?

Firstly, I’ll miss the whole college community. I think it’s a great community; everyone’s really friendly and pupils are really respectful and a joy to teach. I think I’ll also miss seeing the boys in Wargrave develop. I’ll miss my maths lessons. Some people don’t find maths too easy but seeing them try and make progress is always great. In terms of the College, the tennis again is a big part. I’ll miss seeing everyone enjoy the sport. Obviously, I’ll miss the location, just being by the sea and the weather that we have compared to up north but overall, I will probably mostly miss the people of this community who have made this experience very memorable.

Who is your role model?

I think a lot of my character is probably developed from my mum. She’s quite inspirational as she’s had a lot of adversity and not necessarily the easiest life in the world as she’s had a lot of setbacks such as illness, but she is the most positive person that I know. My mum has always worked hard; she has always done the best she can for the family, putting them first. She encourages me to be persevering and work hard, doing the best that I can in whatever I pursue as well as whatever I do. I think that for me that is the biggest lesson I have learned from my mother.

Give your best in everything and there is always something else if it doesn’t work out

What will your life after Eastbourne College look like?

My partner lives near London and my family is a bit further up north as well so, longer term, I’m probably on the wrong side of the M25 really. Initially, I’ll probably be travelling for the first term, maybe to New Zealand, after which I’ll look for another teaching job. I’m quite open-minded in the sense that, if I’m given a challenge, I’ll face up to it and give it my best but if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. My main message is to give your best in everything and there is always something else if it doesn’t work out.

On behalf of the Eastbourne College community, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Chan for his time at the school and wish him the best of luck for his future.