Duke of Edinburgh

Getting to know...Mr Quarmby

We interview Mr Quarmby, our amazing DofE Coordinator and Maths teacher, to celebrate his twentieth year at NHEHS.

So firstly, why did you decide to become DofE coordinator?

It’s a great scheme and the school needed someone to run it.

In your magazine interview twenty years ago, you described yourself as ‘mathematical, mean and moody. Very moody’. How has this changed, if it has?

Rinda, you may be a better judge of that. Probably not as moody as I was but I certainly have my moments. Maybe aging, argumentative and acerbic.

Do you ever give difficult DofE routes to girls you don’t like?

How difficult were your routes?

Where’s the best place you’ve hiked?

I would struggle to choose between the Scottish Highlands and the approach to Everest base camp.

Who is your inspiration? (The correct answer is Rinda Naresh)

It is perceptive comments like that, Rinda, that does indeed make you my inspiration.

Our Further Maths class is familiar with your parents’ musical taste but now we want to know...what’s your favourite song/music?

Right now, probably Yo Yo Ma playing Bach’s cello concertos. My favourite song is probably Bob Marley’s Redemption Song purely because of the line “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our mind.” For me that means don’t point the finger anywhere else.

What’s the one skill you wish you had?

Envy. But seriously it would have to be a musical ability.

And the one skill you wish you didn’t have?

The only skill I have is making bread and I’m happy to have that one.

If you were an equation, which would you be and why?

a2 + b2 = c2. It’s pretty old but still has its uses.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Making the DofE work reasonably well in the school is probably it. However, getting up in the morning in this mad Brexit riddled “Trumpian” world is closer to the truth.

If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?

On the streets.

And lastly, what is it about NHEHS that has made you stick around for twenty years?

Trying to catch up with Mrs Critcher but she maintains her distance. Seriously you are a good bunch to work with and no two days are the same.

Interviewed by Rinda Naresh, Year 12

Gold Duke of Edinburgh

Gold DofE involves doing two week-long expeditions, a week-long residential course and a year of volunteering, a skill and a sport. Myself and three of my friends undertook this prestigious award and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone considering doing the same. Although at times the expeditions felt like the most challenging thing I’ve ever done, the feeling of having completed them is entirely worth it! Not only have I acquired a well-respected award, but I have also learned so many skills I would not have ptherwise learned, improved my perseverance, seen more of the beautiful British countryside and most importantly made friends for life.