FAREWELL
Richard Oubridge n Richard Oubridge has long since been the stalwart of the Junior School, joining Dulwich College in September 1999. Form Teacher (across Year 4 and 5, but mostly Year 6), IT Coordinator, Grenville Housemaster, and coordinator of the ever-changing cover system and lesson timetabling are to name but only a few of the roles he’s taken on over the years. Richard has been an ever-popular Form Teacher with his students during this time, and this is particularly true with his Year 6 classes. His patient guidance in the Michaelmas term, as preparations for the 11+ gather pace, have been so appreciated. So many of his pupils rate him as their ‘favourite teacher’, and it is richly deserved for his care and good humour. In addition, Richard’s love of hockey has been a key element of his time at Dulwich, and it is fitting that in his final year with us – and due to overwhelming enthusiasm from the boys – Richard managed to mastermind the reinstatement of the House Hockey tournament into the increasingly busy Junior School calendar. As Richard leaves - and thanks in no small part to his enthusiasm and dedication - Junior School Hockey is flourishing like never before. There are so many other aspects of his organisation that have been done with quiet efficiency—e.g., the immaculate Junior School Speech Day organisation and all the residential trip coordination over the years (especially PGL to Dorset and the famous Tank Museum visit). He leaves us to take on retirement, although I’m sure he won’t be resting for too long. He has a number of projects to focus on and will be taking the long-awaited opportunity to spend time with his family and I’m sure he’ll also be seen on the hockey pitch a lot more with his local team. Then, is there a potential big move to France? I’m sure the weather will be much more consistent there as I know the vagaries of an English summer always affect Richard’s view of the world, as his weekend cover emails always comment on. Richard has been a calming, reliable and gentle presence in the staffroom, and his words of wisdom will be sorely missed by all of us at the Junior School. Who knows, maybe we’ll see him back here for the odd fixture or practice next year?
WELCOME
Catherine Beckford n Catherine will be joining the Junior School from Cyril Jackson Primary School in Tower Hamlets, where she was Assistant Head for Inclusion and Reading Leader. She holds a BA in French and German from the University of Bristol and a PGCE. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, theatre, gardening and watching live music.
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