VALETE
J ohn and I started our Dulwich College careers together five years ago, back in the summer of 2013. He was returning to the UK after seven years of teaching in Abu Dhabi, a place where, in his very own words, ‘you either start drinking every day or take up golf’. (Just in case you’re wondering, he chose the latter.) The first thing that struck me about him was his instant warmth and how he took me under his wing. Five years my senior, John is a product of the Shrewsbury School and, at that time, had already acquired experience of teaching a more privileged student body thanks to his years abroad. It was evident that he sensed my slight trepidation at being employed by a school as prestigious as Dulwich and, despite having only just met me, he went out of his way to reassure me that all would be fine. I shan’t ever forget that. It didn’t take John long to make an impact at the College; in slightly less than a term, he ascended to Head of Year 10 as he stepped in for Jenny Stanley who was departing to have her first child. This rapid promotion soon made sense to me from my position as a Middle School form tutor. Of course everyone notices John’s physical stature — and yes it probably does add to his gravitas as a figure of authority — but to attribute his pastoral success to that alone would be a disservice to his other qualities. Having observed John in corridors and cloisters, attended both parental and pupil meetings with him, and been copied in on many an email of his, I can honestly write that he is a very talented individual when it comes to being a Head of Year. He is articulate and eloquent yet straight-talking and candid, he remembers little details about both parents and boys which prove that he views his role as more than just a job, and he seeks to cultivate an environment in which having fun is acceptable but not at the expense of maintaining high standards. It’s a role which he embodies and that seems to come so very naturally to him. Away from his Middle School leadership duties, he also proved to be an integral part of the College in so many other areas. During his time in SE21, he hasn’t only helped boys with the use of his meticulously planned English teaching; he has also been an integral part of the school’s sporting offer. An individual who is much loved within the Games Department, he has taken lessons for them in Rugby, Football and Cricket — and has even led the College’s programme for the last of those sports this academic year. Such has been his commitment in that particular field (pun most certainly intended) that even when he hasn’t had a weekend fixture, he has often volunteered to referee other people’s matches. Then there’s his involvement with Cakespeare. For years he has plugged the club and successfully encouraged many a boy to spend their lunchtime enjoying a slice whilst reading
John Craig
Alexander Hawes one of the Bard’s dramatic masterpieces. It didn’t seem to matter that they, unlike him, the Master, and most of the staff, never really understood why he raised his eyebrow and smiled when reciting the ‘beast with two backs’ part of Othello whilst on stage in assembly. And we haven’t even mentioned his responsibilities as Master in Charge of Crisps during his first year and his repeated performances as Santa Claus at DUCKS — the former of which often amused Al Trevill as he saw John hurriedly replenishing the crisps cupboard whilst dressed in Friday evening football gear up to his waist and work garb from there on up. John has also assisted with many trips and it is the 2014 Michaelmas one to Nepal, which I had the pleasure of sharing with him, that I think will live longest in the memory for a lot of people. Firstly, the locals, who were, on the whole, more diminutive than most westerners, were often seen marvelling at John and Rob Wood as they walked amongst them as two towering foreigners. Secondly, John’s musical talents were responsible for one of the loveliest Dulwich moments that I have ever experienced. Upon hearing the Sherpas strumming a guitar and singing ‘Knocking On Heaven’s Door’, John offered to play a few songs. What followed was an evening of teachers, boys and guides singing classics together as the Head of Year 11 plucked his way through what felt like a whole set list. The undoubted highlight, for me at least, was hearing contrasting accents all singing the chorus to Oasis’s ‘Wonderwall’ as one. On a personal level, John is a fantastically friendly, sincere, and generous person. He’s renowned for letting colleagues crash at his abode - whether that be at his former College homes or at his more recent flat in Streatham (or as he likes to call it St. Reatham!). Many a colleague has woken up to the sight of him already cooking them a hearty fry-up designed to reinvigorate them. In April of this year John was wed to the lovely Laura in
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