In Memoriam - continued

Music was always an important part of Colin's life. As a boy soprano he sang many solos and had a record made of him singing. He continued his interest in singing in the Methodist Church and Circuit Choirs as well as performing solos in various services, concerts and musicals at the church. He gave of his talent by singing in local choirs, one of which was Streetly Singers who sang at his Thanksgiving service.

Colin had been an influence for good to so many people both at the school and in the community. At the service 4 people paid tribute to his life, representing his work as the longest serving magistrate in Sutton Coldfield, as a Methodist Local Preacher, as a Father, as well as a teacher at BVGS. After he retired Colin became a volunteer at the local Stroke club and also helped with a dementia group, both of which Liz used to run. He and Liz continued to take an interest in the school and attended many concerts at the school, mainly music concerts, Colin coming back as MC for at least one or two of them. The tribute to Colin as a teacher at BVGS was given by one of his colleagues, Andrew Jones (printed below) at his Thanksgiving Service.

I first met Colin in early 1982 when I was invited for interview at BVGS. I had graduated in Chemistry in 1981 at the University of Birmingham and completed my PGCE at the same institution in 1982. This was my first ‘proper’ job interview and I clearly remember that Colin immediately put me at my ease. In fact, the whole interview process was very relaxed compared with that which candidates have to go through today - an observed lesson, and a pupil panel did not feature in those days! How much Colin had to do with my appointment I do not know to this day, but I got the job and began teaching at the school in September of the same year.

Colin had been appointed as Head of Chemistry at BVGS in 1966 by the then Headmaster, Mr Arthur Johnson, having previously been teaching at Ashby Boys Grammar School, the school that he had attended as a boy before going up to Brasenose College, Oxford, to read Chemsitry

I know little of his time at Ashby, but I do remember the tale that he told – and Colin could certainly tell a tale – of an interviewer asking candidates, ‘Is God?’ Candidates that were bamboozled by what is really a philosophical question, probably didn’t get much further with their application. The answer of course is, ‘God Is’. However, for Colin, ‘God Is’, was not a mere philosophical statement. It was the ‘Truth’ with a capital ‘T’ that underpinned his life, including of course his teaching

I do not know that much more about his early years at Vesey, though I do know that in 1966, he was joined by Mr John Griffin (Scripture and Art), and a Methodist Lay Preacher like Colin, and N.T.M. (History). Sadly, John Griffin passed away some years back now, but it was N.T.M., who described Colin to me as ‘a ‘pillar’ of the Vesey community and a teacher of the ‘old school’’. Perhaps no further words are necessary, although I will offer a few more insights for those who were not privileged to know Colin as a teacher. Colin was immensely supportive of me in my first post, whilst never being ‘suffocating’. He allowed me to ‘learn on the job’, to make mistakes, and to offer constructive criticism. As a new graduate it can be tempting to think that one knows all that there is to know. After all, I had just come from university where I had been doing the latest chemistry, learning from those at the top of their field, and now I was faced with pupils who think that sodium chloride is a molecule, and who don’t know one end of a burette from another! Don’t worry if you would fall into the same category – I don’t judge! However, Colin gently taught me humility as a teacher, and I hope that I never forgot that lesson throughout my own career. As Sir Isaac Newton is reputed to have said of his own successes, ‘ it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants’, and Colin was indeed a giant of the Vesey community.

Of course, Colin was a great teacher, but he was so much more. He showed me that the best teachers do far more that simply ‘teach’ their academic subject He was a stalwart of the School Opera, bolstering the chorus in Gilbert and Sullivan productions while keeping a helpfully watchful eye on the pupils. He served as a Teacher-Governor, thereby contributing to the management of the School. Colin was also very much involved in the House system, being Head of Red House when I knew him. At one point in his career he was involved in timetabling, a complex and often thankless task, but one that he carried out with meticulous attention to detail and as much fairness to departments and teachers that he could arrange.

In his latter years at the school he was promoted to the role of Senior Teacher and he had particular responsibility for organising the daily rota of cover for absent colleagues, and as would be expected this was done in a fair and equitable way for all. However, as I have already mentioned, Colin was a man with a deep Christian faith, and this informed all of his interactions in connection with the School. For example, he wanted the school community to recognise those in need, and so he set up the weekly charity collection which over the years not only raised considerable sums of money, but also heightened awareness of the needs of others. I am sure that others could have included other recollections. However, in summary, Colin influenced for the good the careers of many teachers other than myself, and the lives of the countless students taught by him.

A schoolteacher and my first teaching mentor, yes, but a real friend to me and my family too. ‘Well done, good and faithful servant Enter into the joy of your master’ (Matt 25:23)

NOAH GREEN

(December 2003 - April 2023)

I met Noah on the first day of school (in white house form time) in September 2015 where his height and long, blonde, wavy hair stood out to me.

We soon bonded over our shared love for video games and rugby Over the years we would play and watch rugby together, attend orchestra where Noah played the drums and hang out lots after school in Sutton On top of this, Noah was an excellent rower and went on to represent the school on many occasions. Together we completed our bronze and solver DofE awards as well as a world challenge expedition in Norway, an incredible experience for both us. Noah was an incredibly talented artist and his funny, witty personality made our time at Vesey so much better

After leaving Bishop Vesey following his GCSEs, Noah studied art at Lichfield college where he continued to excel at his art. Noah passed away peacefully in his sleep during the early hours of the 7th April 2023

A life cut too short, Noah will be missed by so many of us

Ben Dodwell

BVGS (2015-2022)

Noah joined BVGS in Year 7 and was always a student who stood out with amazing art skills. At a young age he enjoyed detailed pencil drawing the most Noah completed GCSE Art to a high level He was always a polite, hardworking and kind student, Mrs Heer enjoyed supporting him throughout his time at school Noah went on to college to study Art further Mrs Heer attended Noah's funeral, and found it so moving but lovely to see how many people were there together to remember his amazing life.