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THE

ELLESMERIAN

2004
THE ELLESME,

Common Room Notes


Various arrivals in September 2003 were county. In addition to her fine work as Head and observed 'A postman, couldn't they
noted in the last edition. Jan Cowan also of Art Kirsty assisted with the coaching of get a proper teacher?'
joined Learning Support and there were a girls' games and latterly she became an
Well, as we know, a proper teacher they
number of other arrivals during the year as officer in the Navy Section of the CCF.
did get, and much else besides. It would be
gappies to replace gappies who had done Emma departs after a qualifying year as a difficult to pinpoint any significant area of
their stint. These included Jason Lu from full time teacher in Lower School. Ellesmere life that Keith has not adorned
the Republic of China, who worked during his 38 years here. Lured to North
In September 2004 we were very pleased
extremely hard in support lessons for our Shropshire, as several of us were, by Ian
to welcome Peta Fox as House Mistress of
Far Eastern pupils, Jane Chynoweth and Beer, Keith came first to teach sums, er I
St. Oswald's and an English teacher,
Ferris Stone from Australia and Hayden mean Mathematics. I have little to go on
Trevor Brazier as Housemaster of St.
Wadams from New Zealand. As with here, but I do know that Keith is one who
Patrick's and a Physics teacher, Dale
Rosalind Hind, Jane stayed for just two demands high standards. I know too that
Crawford as Head of Physics, Siobhan
terms whilst Jason Lu has also returned he is equally adept at passing on his skills
Phillips as Head of Art, Vivian Howie
home after almost a full year here. Colin to the clever and the not so clever, and
(Learning Support), Elaine Phillips
Davies acted as cover in the Mathematics there have been quite a few of the latter.
(Learning Support), Richard Purnell
Department for much of the Michaelmas As Keith started his teaching career, the
(Lower School), and Peter Stanway
Term, and Joanne Davies took over this 'new' mathematics was taking root, much
(Mathematics). New Gap Students also
role for the remainder of the year. to the disgust of the more traditional
starting in September were Tim Huang
mathematicians, in which category one
A number of movements were caused by (China), Anja Kallweit (Germany),
would firmly place Maurice Gray, and it is a
the inauguration of co-educational Rushitha Mapitiyage (IT) and Shaun pity he is not able to be here tonight. I
Competitive Houses. Cliff Davies became Turnbull (Music). frequently used to get at Keith on the basis
Housemaster of the new Woodard at the
that his subject was 'dumbing down'.
start of the year, whilst by the end of it
Whatever had become of quadratic
Ranjit Chatterjee had replaced Graham KEITH SHUTTLEWORTH equations, water running out of baths, and
Hutchinson in Talbot and Tom Gareh had trains passing each other in tunnels, those
On the occasion of Keith Shuttleworths
taken over Wakeman/Lambart from Martin well loved staples of O level examiners?
retirement dinner (July 2004) presented by
Clewlow. Graham Hutchinson and Martin What on earth are pie charts, why do your
John Scorer
Clewlow continue in their roles as boarding sets spend entire lessons rolling dice to
housemasters, but Al McClure has stayed Ladies and Gentlemen,
determine probability? Keith was well able
on in charge of Meynell Competitive House It was I believe (unlike Keith I have little to get his own back. 'Latin is an easy
and passed on St. Patrick's to Trevor memory for dates) in September of 1966, subject', he would opine. 'Why, even I
Brazier, who arrived in September 2004. that Keith Shuttleworth arrived hot foot scored 98% (or was it 99%) in my O level
from Merton College, Oxford. Some weeks Latin, without any work at all'. I suspect
During the year both Debbie Joynson and
into the term, the school list appeared (is it however that there is mutual appreciation
Julian Whittaker walked down the aisle and
still late?). It contained, inter alia, a list of of the two disciplines. If you can do the
we welcome their respective spouses to
teaching staff, complete with Almae one, you can do the other.
our community. It is also sad to report that
Matres, and academic distinctions. One of Keith began to work his way up or through
Elizabeth Rees, formerly on the staff as a
my pupils, on receiving his copy, perused it the Ellesmere treadmill. First he was the
teacher of Spoken English and a much-
respected friend and colleague, has lost house tutor in the Blues for several years
her long battle with illness. under Rodney Hill. It was often said that
Rodney Hill was indeed fortunate to have
The end of the summer term brought a such a dedicated assistant. Then it was
number of departures. Keith Shuttleworth Head of Mathematics. Inevitably Keith
has retired after magnificent service to the moved on to take over a house, in this case
College over 38 years, nominally as a Woodard, a hard task after such a well-
teacher of Mathematics, but so much more loved figure as Nigel Ainscow. How good it
besides. The Common Room, of which he is that he is here tonight. I suspect that
is the retiring President, will seem very Keith will regard his years of
strange without him. Margaret Pritchard housemastering as his most demanding
and Fiona Turner have also retired from the and yet fulfilling. I often admired the way
Learning Support Department, and Hugh Keith ran his house. He was utterly
absorbed in it though remaining well aware
Crust has finally brought his second career
of the world outside Ellesmere. Those who
as a sports coach to an end. We wish all
passed through his hands have good
four of them many happy years of leisure.
cause to be grateful.
Diana Deakin has joined husband
Christopher in his new parish after over a Outside the teaching and the house, I
decade running St. Oswald's. Nick Blake, would imagine that it is cricket that gave
Kirsty Savage and Emma Swanson have and still gives Keith his greatest pleasure.
all moved to new posts. In addition to His double act with Brian Poll with the
running Physics Nick was an Under 15s (remind me how long, Keith)
was undoubtedly the base on which cricket
accomplished adventurous training officer
at Ellesmere was based. I bet that Keith
in the CCF and he gave sterling service to
can give chapter and verse of every game
cross-country for both the College and the
his team played, a ball by ball commentary,
RlAN 2004

which is what we got in the Common Christian (for some reason I don't like the She also contributed a great deal to the
Room bar after matches. A passable term 'committed') Keith supported the life Navy Section, eventually taking a full
trundler himself in the early years, with age of the College Chapel and the chaplains commission.
and increasing girth he turned to the wholeheartedly. A great lover of the
devious skills of off-spin bowling. Here is a traditional hymns, we could always be From the point of view of Art & Design Miss
mathematical teaser for you all. How many guaranteed a good sing when Keith was Savage has entered the show of art work
balls has Keith bowled in the nets during taking morning prayers. Keith gave his all around the College and raised the profile
his time. I have worked out an approximate to this school, and it is this great generosity of the subject in doing so. In recent years
figure, and for any one who gets within ten which I would emphasise most in Keith, she has launched several ambitious and
thousand of my total, there is a drink in the and which I treasure in his friendship. We thoroughly exciting art trips to Spain and
bar afterwards. Keith captained the both served under five headmasters, two Manchester. As a tutor to years 9, 10 and
Oswestry Sunday 2nd XI for several years. of whom are here tonight, and all received 11 in St. Aidan's House, Miss Savage will
He was invariably keen to inform me of his his unswerving dedication and loyalty. be remembered by large numbers of pupils
exploits, which came in the form of 'what at Ellesmere.
I do not know precisely what plans Keith
do you think my analysis was against Cae
Shuttleworth has for his retirement. It is Kirsty has now moved on to take up a
Glas yesterday?' I was pretty good at
safe to say that it will not be retirement in position in the Kings School in Chester,
guessing from the look on his face and
the accepted sense. You have bridge to where she divides her time between
would reply on the lines of '12 overs, 3
play, there are still a few more overs left in teaching art and pursuing her own art
maidens, 36 runs, 4 wickets'. 'Not bad', he
you, there are hills and fells to tramp. There career. She specialises in designing and
would say, 'but it was actually 5 wickets
is singing to be done, there is the estate to making jewellery. She can be contacted for
and I had three catches dropped'. Keith's
tend at Dol Hafren, where many of us have
exploits were often reported in the local commissions through the Ellesmere...
enjoyed your hospitality. Ellesmere has
paper, the Tizer', and it is this publication
good reason to be grateful to you for your
which is responsible for the nickname by
service to this school. I now ask you all to
which Keith came to be known to his
join with me in drinking a toast to Keith and JASON LU
colleagues, though not to the boys. True to
wishing him a long and happy retirement.
a common tradition in the press for Once again the English as an Additional
typographical error, the final H had been Language Department was very fortunate
omitted from Keith's surname. He quickly in having a GAP teacher from China.
became 'the wort' or 'wortie'. I stress that KIRSTY SAVAGE Jason Lu proved to be a huge help in the
was very much in the nature of an
Last summer saw the departure of a well department. He was able to sit in classes
endearment. My abiding memory of Keith
respected member of staff. Miss Kirsty and really helped some of our Chinese
on the cricket field however, is the Clash of
Savage joined Ellesmere College as a speaking overseas pupils understand
the Titans, a collision with Hugh Jebson,
Newly Qualified Teacher in 1997. She more fully what was being taught. This
himself a very large man, in a Common
progressed very quickly to become Head increased their confidence and enabled
Room match at Wrekin, when both were
of Art after only one year. Initially Miss them to cope much better on their own. He
determined to bring off a spectacular catch
Savage lived on site, but later moved to also prepared them for both Chinese
in the deep. The reverberations were heard
settle in Oswestry. During her time at GCSE and A level. The passes were all
back at Ellesmere, fortunately no serious
Ellesmere she contributed to a number of A's. He spent many hours quietly talking to
injury was sustained, and I was reminded
activities. She helped to run the Duke of pupils who were feeling the strain of being
only recently that the catch was actually
held. Edinburgh Award Scheme for five years. so far from family and friends. His caring
Her skills also embraced netball, hockey, approach helped many pupils, not all of
It was not only in cricket that Keith made
weight training, tennis, and a rather them from abroad.
his mark on the sporting scene at
hilarious stint as an aerobics instructor.
Ellesmere. He was, not without good While here he also undertook a rigorous
reason, known as the 'Master Referee'. I preparation for one of the highest levels of
am not offering a drink to those who come English as a Foreign Language exams
up with a figure for the number of Rugby available, one which this writer had to
matches Keith has refereed, but I think it work very hard to teach. He was
must top the 1000 mark. He also organised deservedly successful and his new
the popular Ellesmere Junior Sevens for qualification should be of great value to
many years, and was much in demand by him at home in China.
local prep schools as a referee.
All the above was achieved by a delightful
I could go on and we have not done half.
man who had only been married a matter
There was drama either as a producer of
of weeks before coming to England,
house and school plays, or playing a little
leaving his bride at home. Jason provided
cameo in a Common Room production.
an inspiration to those of us who
There was his loyal support to the Choral
sometimes feel hard done by.
Society. There were the Scouts and the
Duke of Edinburgh. There was (I stress We all wish him a happy and successful
was) the eccentric driving. There is bridge, career.

another love of his life, he is a frighteningly


good player, and is spoken of in hushed
tones at the Morris Hall in Shrewsbury. I
daresay he will have more time to play MARGARET PRITCHARD
now, or become a professional tournament
Margaret came to Ellesmere in September
director?
1998 having spent some years as Deputy
I doubt if Keith knew quite what he was Head of Queen's Park School in Oswestry.
coming to when he took up a post all those She was a Geography graduate who had
years ago in a Woodard School. As a true also obtained a Dyslexia Institute Diploma.
THE ELLESMERIAN

of experience but we didn't realise until we was recognised and he became a rugby
Margaret brought with her not only great
got to know her how wicked her sense of coach while at Ellesmere. To keep himself
expertise and experience but also
humour is. Fiona is in many ways quite trim and lean he joined the Oswestry
enormous enthusiasm, which fired even
the most reluctant learner. Her successes unconventional; she can often surprise you Olympians and could often be seen

ranged from the youngest students who with her angle on things, but perhaps more running along the lanes around college.
important than that is the warmth and He continues to be a keen club runner.
were struggling with reading and spelling
patterns to sixth formers embarked upon honesty of her personality, which benefited This interest of his was also put to good
A-level studies. Margaret's particular forte her students. use and he was involved in training school
in this area was Geology: no one knew athletics and cross country teams. This in
Fiona has left us to join her husband in his
more about plate tectonics and turn led to him becoming Shropshire U13
Staffordshire parish. She also needs more
metamorphic rocks than she did! and U15 cross country team manager. His
time to spend with her mother, who is not
keenness to take part in common room
With this knowledge Margaret was of great well, and I know that she hopes to see
sports' events more often than not ended
assistance to the Geography Department
in tears, generally his own due to frequent
on field studies. She was immensely
accidents - but still he went back for more.
helpful, particularly to the younger
students, both in the field and at Preston As an officer in the CCF Nick has taken
Montford Centre. particular responsibility for adventurous
training, where his stamina and expertise
Margaret was a very strong personality
were greatly appreciated. He was a regular
within the department and worked
at Easter camp in the Highlands of
unceasingly to maintain its academic
Scotland and suffered the hardships of the
profile. Neither was she one to rest on her
Atlas mountains in Morocco stoically to
laurels: she represented the department at
complete all aspects of the trip. Whilst at
various conferences and was constantly
Ellesmere he gained his Mountain Leader
widening her knowledge of new research
Award and was working towards becoming
and practices.
a climbing instructor before he left us. This
Margaret was attached to Meynell and enabled him to help organise two very
took an interest in House events and the challenging events that are run at
progress of its members. She attended Ellesmere. The first is the fifteen peaks
many House events and was very pleased challenge where the aim is to climb all the
to be awarded her Senior House Colours. peaks in Wales over 3000ft in under twenty

We shall miss Margaret and her sound more of her daughter and new four hours. The second is the Ellesmere to

common sense: we wish her all the best in granddaughter Eliora. Fiona flew to Snowdon run (which he instigated) in aid

her retirement. Canada in the summer to be present at the of the charity Chernobyl Continuity. Nick
birth of her first grandchild, which she has himself completed both events twice.
found an incredible experience. We miss
Nick has now opted to retire to the Welsh
her as a colleague in the Learning Support
boarders with his wife and three boys,
Department, and I know that her students
where he will continue to keep bees, go
miss her. She is doing some student
running and go for long walks with his
support work at Keele University at the
faithful hounds. All this and find time to be
moment, but I am hoping that her absence
head of Physics at Morton Hall! A fond
will only be a 'sabbatical' and that when
farewell to a valued colleague and best
Mark retires to Selattyn at the end of next
wishes for pastures new.
year we will be able to entice Fiona back.

Fingers crossed!

NICK BLAKE
Nick Blake joined Ellesmere College in
1994 as Head of Physics. Prior to this he
had been Housemaster at Dean Close
(Cheltenham) for seven years - experience
which he put to good use here as a tutor in
Meynell House. His wealth of experience
meant that he had no problem taking over
a department that had two former heads
FIONA TURNER still in residence. For ten years he ran
Fiona's C.V. popped onto my desk in Physics in his own quietly efficient way
March 2001 just as we needed another without upsetting the two former
teacher. She always had the knack of incumbents of his position - which has to
appearing just when she was most be considered quite an achievement by
necessary and we in the Learning Support anyone's standards! Nick introduced an
Department were most grateful for that. I astronomy club to the department and
will never forget her appearance through some students even took a GCSE in it.
the Chapel doors and up to the lectern for
Physics may have been Nick's first love
a reading. She had been delayed en route
(after Jean of course!) but sport of any kind
and arrived at exactly the right moment!
was not far behind. Prior to his move to
We knew from the beginning that Fiona Ellesmere Nick had played rugby at county
had the best of qualifications and a wealth level and so, not surprisingly, his expertise

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