OBITUARY: CHRIS LEACH

OBITUARY

CHRIS LEACH 1979–2021

Head of ICT 2010-2021

Chris was recruited to Winchester House by Mark Seymour who describes him as a brilliant fellow. It was an inspired appointment, as Chris brought to Winchester House a creative mind which had a passion for teaching and learning, all things technological and an empathy with young people.

He joined WHS with last year’s leavers and he was duly proud to have watched that particular cohort’s journey through the school. This last year before his tragic diagnosis saw Chris at his best. Within days of the school being locked down due to the pandemic, he had created 'House on Line', set up a virtual learning platform and created a range of training videos to support staff and children in accessing their learning. Nothing was ever too much trouble for him, he would answer staff queries morning noon and night during this very intense period. We have so much to be grateful to Chris for in the last 11 years, but no more so than in the last year.

Chris was an integral part of the WHS community as a tutor, one of the few teachers who taught every child in the school, a boarding tutor and champion of those children who found school rather more challenging. He was a much loved colleague and his quiz mastering was legendary even down to his jazzy waistcoat and socks in his role as quiz master.

Chris cared deeply about WHS, its history, its community, and most importantly, the children. It was no surprise then, when he was diagnosed with inoperable cancer, that the community far and wide rallied to give him and the family support and help them to tick off a number of items on their bucket list. This included having his novel, ‘The Crimson Mask’, published.

Chris’ legacy will live on at WHS and his influence on a generation of children will keep him locked in their hearts. H

Above: Chris and his family. Right: Chris' novel 'The Crimson Mask'.