first female full-time member joined the Common Room in 1976.Throughout her time at the College, Helen maintained a love of the theatre, helping in many productions, not least overseeing the important role of the interval bar. Helen also accompanied Drama trips overseas, visiting the Phillips Academy, Massachusetts, the Latin School, Chicago, the Upper Canada College, Toronto, and a trip to Dublin. Director of Drama, Peter Jolly, remembers Helen as a key member of the tours, helping with the organisation and finance, as well as occasionally keeping spirits high after a difficult day, ordering (and paying for) gin and tonics for all staff. Helen was also involved with Music at the College, regularly singing in choir events at the Chapel and in concerts at the Fairfield Hall. It was, however, as Head of University Admissions that Helen will probably be most remembered, starting the role in 1998 and continuing it until leaving. All who were involved with the process knew how much time Helen put into the job, particularly in the Michaelmas term when Helen was regularly at the College until late in the evening, checking application forms. While totally committed to helping boys who followed the guidelines and deadlines for the process, Helen didn’t suffer fools gladly, as both students and members of staff soon found out if a poorly checked form was submitted. Helen was also an experienced inspector, regularly inspecting both overseas and UK schools (and not holding back when her views on what constituted an excellent lesson conflicted with current thinking at the College). Finally, Helen remained at all times a committed and dedicated Mathematics teacher. She was as happy teaching Year 7 as A-level Further Mathematics. A clear sign of the respect that boys had for Helen was the number of OAs who turned up for her leaving BBQ in the summer term: boys spanning the years that Helen had been at the College, including a large number of overseas boys for whom Helen had clearly been invaluable in guiding them through the intricacies of the UK university system.The final words should perhaps go to Maggie Jarman again, who remembers Helen as ‘a loyal friend, with impeccable style and panache, who clearly cared passionately about the boys and the College.’ I am sure that all who knew her wish Helen a very happy and fulfilling retirement.
Tony Binns Tony arrived at the College in 1988 to join the English Department. In later years Tony became Director of Marketing with the responsibility to market the College overseas in particular; there is no doubt that his marketing skills attracted many bright boys from the Far East. He also developed College contacts throughout the wider world and through these international marketing efforts succeeded in increasing boarding numbers significantly. Tony was a very good practitioner in the classroom and he had a particular delight with the teaching of writers connected to his northern roots – Alan Bennett was one. In Tony’s long connection with the College he will be remembered for his ability to get on with many people without ever causing conflict. He had a charm and an easy-going, charismatic manner and, when allowed to come out, a perceptive wit. A particular interest was WB Yeats and many remember Tony’s research on Yeats which, combined with Jan Piggott, resulted in a presentation which had remarkable impact on many who were engaged in the A-level course at the time. He also had a major hand in transforming The Alleynian into a vibrant and colourful magazine and as its Editor built up a most effective team of boys who were given major responsibilities in its production. SIMON NORTHCOTE-GREEN
CHRIS OTTEWILL
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