CATCHING UP WITH OUR COMMUNITY This Christmas, we say a fond farewell to Nick Prockter, Alex Costa and Tim and Jo Jefferis. Read on for some reflections of their time at Harrow Bangkok.
Tim Jefferis What an adventure it has been. On the professional side, I’ve had my eyes opened to the international scene, to working in a group, and to a wonderfully diverse array of leadership approaches. The challenges I’ve sometimes felt at the need for consensus-building has been more than offset by the comfort of solving problems together. COVID-19, throwing its grisly shadow over nearly a third of my time in Thailand, generated a series of irreconcilable demands which I’m very glad we were able to arbitrate on as a team. Whereas three years ago I was headstrong and in a rush; I feel I’ve become more thoughtful as a leader. I have Harrow Bangkok to thank for that. Outside work, Jo and I have enjoyed somewhat of a second honeymoon. With our kids out of school and largely self-sufficient, we’ve cycled, swum, snorkelled, run, windsurfed and even squeezed in a bit of loung-
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ing about. Thailand, and south-east Asia in general, will forever hold a place in our affections. Before COVID we were able to share our adventures with friends and family, and we have many happy memories of that time. More recently, a particular highlight has been completing the Mae Hong Song loop on our bikes. We were dragged around by the super-fit Natalie Wilson and Brian van den Berg and had a whale of a time – the perfect balance of laughs and graft. Many will know that we had planned to turn our hobby into a lifestyle and cycle back to the UK in 2021. It now looks as though this will be impossible, so we’re lining up a series of more prosaic itineraries instead. Whatever happens though, our time in Thailand has changed us for the better. We’re very grateful for the opportunities the school has given us, for the friends we’ve made, and for hospitability of the Thai people. The story isn’t over yet. Tim Jefferis Second Master
