VALETE
Robert Weaver S tories accumulate around Robert like the build-up of barnacles on a rock. Shortly before he arrived at the College in 1986 from The Royal Grammar School, Guildford, he was reliably said to have sacked a newly appointed member of his future department for having fabricated his CV. There was also a fascinating rumour that while at R.G.S. he had nailed a boy’s tie to his desk to prevent him from repeatedly wandering around the classroom. After hearing these accounts of their new Head of Department, his colleagues-to-be waited in trepidation for several months, wondering just what they were lettings themselves in for. When he eventually arrived, however, they were greatly relieved to encounter not the ogre of their imagination but an amusing, cultured and humane individual who would be their friend and mentor for many years to come. During his 22 years as Head of Religious Studies Robert waged a successful campaign for its recognition as an academic discipline, increased the numbers at GCSE, introduced A levels and broadened the scope of the curriculum to include topics such as Buddhism. Regarding himself as first among equals, he ran the department with a light touch, leading by example rather than by diktat, and motivating his colleagues through his energy, enthusiasm and good humour. In the words of one of them, ‘there was never a dull moment where Robert was concerned’. His daily skirmishes with IT were an unfailing source of merriment to them. Mornings, for example, invariably began with the lament that ‘the printer isn’t working’, followed by the random pressing in turn of every button in the hope that it would capitulate. If the computer failed in its duties, the keys would be pounded harder and harder as if to force it into submission. His hospitality was boundless. The departmental filing cabinet was well-stocked Ian Senior
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