Headline News
End of an era
Farewell to St John’s ‘Mr Sport’ From Groundsman to Headmaster, from Invercargill, New Zealand to Chepstow, Wales, it has been one truly amazing journey for Jason Kyle Dobbie. Walking through the doors of St John’s on-the-Hill school in January 2001, who would have known just how much of a legacy he would leave behind as he prepares to embark on a new adventure as Head of Airthrie School in Cheltenham. Working in Cardiff at the turn of the millennium, Mr Dobbie met former St John’s Head Ian Etchells, who was so impressed with his cricketing prowess that he asked him to work in the games department in the afternoon, after tending to the grounds in the morning. “I knew Mr Freeman, a gap student, and he was influential in me starting at St John’s,” he said. “I thought my next job would be back in New Zealand, I had no idea I would still be here after all these years - but I’m glad I am!” Over the next two decades, Mr Dobbie has seen headmasters come and go, buildings knocked down and takeovers completed, but one thing has remained constant. “The family feel. It’s something that’s impossible to explain but it’s always been there. St John’s became my new family. My parents are my inspiration; they have very high standards - perhaps that’s where my catchphrase came from! But I was so far away from home and it was strange being in a new country. Thankfully, the people here all made me feel at home. I’ve made many wonderful friends over the years, and keep in touch with those who have left, even playing golf with Mr Coleman.” Sport became central to his life, as Head of Boys’ Games at school, as cricketing superstar for Chepstow CC, coaching the U13 cricket team to the national JET trophy final and being the go-to Haka performer for the many rugby teams he has coached over the years. Jason then became Head of Pastoral, boarding parent, Deputy Head and, finally, acting Head before Mr Thrower arrived in January 2021. After such an epic journey, he feels “very excited about the challenge at Airthrie, but I’m so, so sad to be leaving St John’s. It’s a home from home and I shall miss it.” But perhaps not too much… for, in a strange twist of fate, Dean Close completed a takeover of Airthrie School in June of this year - so it’s less a case of ‘farewell’, but rather ‘see you soon, Sir!’ The Embassy 2020~21
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