MR JOURDAIN LEAVING PENNELL

By Tom D. Müller-Broich

I´m interviewing Mr. Jourdain, who is leaving Pennell House after this academic year. He started in Pennell as a tutor over 20 years ago and has never changed house since!

What did you like most about being the Pennell Hsm?

Two things: the daily exchange with Pennellians, laughing about whatever is happening at the time (usually footballism, where “ we ” are playing “them” and they fall over a lot) Even roll calls can be unintentionally hilarious And sometimes even intentionally hilarious It’s good to laugh off life’s vicissitudes (ups and downs) The other thing I love is seeing Year 9s turn into Year 13s and then meeting them after a year at university The change through school can be dramatic but the shift to undergraduate is subtle and potent; they are suddenly proper adults. It’s an amazing privilege to observe that journey

What was the funniest thing that has happened in the house in your 20 years as a Pennell tutor and housemaster?

Interviewing for house prefects in my first year as Hsm when one of the candidates, in response to an easy warm-up question (“why do you want to be a prefect?”) made a rather overly bold claim that he enjoyed doing duty. I thought it was a bit of interview bluster so I challenged him on what he enjoyed about it, assuming he had a ready answer But he then just said “ erm ” about 15 times I tried to stifle my giggles but started to go purple holding it in, not wanting to undermine his confidence I shot a desperate look at the member of staff who was interviewing with me and he had just taken a big gulp of coca cola He laughed so hard that coke sprayed out of his nose and we had to abandon and re-start the interview later And yes, he did make it to house prefect

What are you going to miss most about being the Pennell Hsm?

As above, the daily to-and-fro with the boys It’s not quite the same in the classroom Matron and I agreed the other day that if you ’ re feeling a bit low, just spending a bit of time with “the chaps”, chewing the fat, answering ridiculous hypothetical questions like “would you rather live in a giant hollowed-out apple or a giant mushroom?” really lifts the spirits. It’s a form of mental health hygiene that is easy to take for granted

What are your plans for the future?

I have loads of hobbies that I have only been able to indulge in sporadically over the last ten years: drawing, painting, playing and recording music on Logic, and creative writing. I am also a book hoarder and I have a very big pile of very good books to work through Simple things I guess but, for me, very grounding and creative

The Pennellians thank Mr. Jourdain for his incredible service and loyalty to the house and wish best of luck in the future