Senior Common Room

John Brown

We were all saddened by the news of John's death, in June of this year. Keith Coulthard, who gave the address at John's funeral, writes:

John served the school unstintingly for thirty-five years, until his unfortunate forced retirement in September, 1991. His service to the school was fittingly covered by others in the 1991-1992 issue of the Peterite. I would like to concentrate on the three-and-a-half years of retirement fully used and enjoyed by John and on the man himself.

Though his stroke was a bitter blow to John, he showed no resentment about the early retirement which followed, though he was still in the full flow of his creative work, teaching and encouraging his pupils and planning ahead as always. Despite the loss of real control over his dominant right hand, by sheer determination he taught himself to use his left hand. Indeed, while still a patient in York District Hospital, he was producing portraits of other patients, much to their delight. We are fortunate in having his oil painting of a remote part of the west coast of the island of Lewis. John had not been there, but he interpreted a photograph of the coast and fully captured the atmosphere and movement — all with his left hand. Until a few days before his death John continued to use his gifts to the full. Sculpture was his first love and, in his garage, there stood an incomplete model of a horse, with two riders, which he had spent many contented (and some frustrated!) hours building and rebuilding. He was always the perfectionist and his own severest critic.

His three-and-a-half years of retirement have been full and busy ones. To his regret he could no longer drive, but the loss of his car at least gave him additional valuable studio space in his garage. By his own efforts and with the help of his many friends, John lived a very active life and travelled widely. He visited his sister and her family in New Zealand, enjoying the flesh-pots of Hong Kong on the way. He toured the Outer Hebrides last summer and last January took himself off to Northumberland because he wanted to paint and draw views of Hadrian's Wall in winter light. He used public transport and picked up bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation as he went. This enabled him to meet and mix with local people — he always enjoyed a 'natter' in a country pub.

John was generous and gregarious and he loved to entertain his friends. Less than a fortnight before he died, four of us were invited to dinner, one which he had prepared himself. This was a convivial evening, at which there was much reminiscing; an evening that will remain vivid in the memory.

Above all John had a sense of humour, often quirky, and he could be outspoken. His sense of humour was never more shown than when he was talking about his family. He was extremely proud of his children and his grandchildren, and their achievements. One of his stories concerned the birth of his son, Charles. He liked to recount that in the nursing home it suddenly struck him that his sister had become 'Charley's Aunt'! Another story, or 'yarn' as he preferred to call it, was about a family camping holiday in the Scottish Highlands. He and Peggy were approached by the local farmer who asked whether their children could have cut off the water supply. " N o ", said John, but when he and Peggy accompanied the farmer to the stream they found that all three children were happily building a dam which was diverting water from the pipe feeding both the farm and the local village!

Though John's death is a blow to us all, its suddenness meant that he was able to use his gifts to the end. He leaves

behind much more than many of us can to remind us of the man and his life. Artefacts include die dramatic Cross in the Chapel, die seated cellist and, away from school, die emblems in me Choir of York Minster and die medallions in York Fire Station, to name but a few. We hope that Louise, Charles and James will keep in touch widi all his friends in York as a way for us to keep in touch widi the John we knew.

New Faces

On a happier note, mis has been anodier productive year in terms of expanding staff families. Our congratulations go to Liz and Paddy Stephen on the birth of Nicholas, a younger brother for William, to Susan and James Bellis for die safe arrival of Rory, a litde brother for Catriona, and to Gail and Rex Negus on die birth of their firstborn, Rex junior. Fortunately, me cares and responsibilities of parendiood did not prevent Jim from organising anodier highly educational field trip to die Black Sheep brewery in Masham, one of die few events on me Common Room sports and social calendar diis year.

In addition to die new Headmaster, we welcome aboard two new members of staff diis year, bom of them Madiematicians: Claire Wike studied Sport Science and Mathematics at Loughborough, and her sporting achievements include representing Essex in atiiletics, cross-country and hockey. Before starting a family she taught at Dame Alice Harpur School in Bradford. Neil Matkin, a graduate of Leeds University, joins us from the Navy, and is interested in cricket and rugby. Before joining us, Lieutenant Matkin was die Staff Training and Development Officer at H.M.S. Daedalus.

Valete

At die end of die Summer Term we said goodbye to Ann Hodgson and Jacqui Finney, who are leaving us to join St. Edward's (Oxford) and Stramallan, respectively. Our best wishes go witii diem, along widi our congratulations to Jacqui on her marriage to Mark Higginbottom, die new Head of Classics at Stradiallan. David Waddnson, Head of Mathematics, writes:

Ann Hodgson took up her first teaching post on the staff of St. Peter's in 1986. During her time here she has been successful in every aspect of me Matiiematics Department's work. Ann can communicate me subject to pupils of all ages and abilities. Many a boy or girl who has found mathematics demanding has benefitted from her patient and sympatiietic explanation but she has also been able to challenge die high-flier. Although her desk and the area surrounding it in the Scott Block was strewn widi books, paper and rowing kit she always knew just where to find die elusive test paper or solution.

Ann will also be remembered for her contributions to two otiier areas: first die Boat Club. A very competent rower herself, under her leadership die number of pupils actively involved in me Boat Club has soared and many youngsters, who have not succeeded in otiier games, have been given opportunities to develop different skills and to represent their school at sport. Much of die success of the Boat Club in recent years is due to her expert coaching and her motivation. Ann has also done much to ease die patii of girls into the life of St. Peter's; not only as a tutor in Clifton House, but more generally she has always been willing to involve herself in bringing the needs of die fairer sex to the attention of a male dominated staff. I am sure mat she will quickly settie into her new post at St. Edward's School in Oxford where we wish her every success.

Jacqui Finney was appointed to the staff in 1990 straight from her student days in Cambridge. She brought a great professionalism to all that she did, both inside and outside die classroom. Jacqui demanded the highest of standards from her pupils and they have always responded to her entiiusiasm and commitment. It was rare for any pupil to achieve anytiiing less than tiieir potential under her teaching.

As well as her teaching Jacqui has made a significant mark in many odier areas. After two years of boarding duties in Dronfield she became my assistant in The Rise when it became a girls' House in 1992. She was greatly respected and liked and will be missed, not least by die current fifth form whom she tutored with a delicate balance of sympatiietic cajoling and an iron fist! Jacqui was always a leading figure in die success of the Boat Club, encouraged pupils witii their running and orienteering and went on tiiree ski trips to France. We wish her and Mark well, botii for their forthcoming wedding and in tiieir new posts at Strathallan School.