Valete
Robin Bendall
Educated at Epsom College and Queen Mary University, Robin Bendall joined the staff in September 1988 to teach French and German, after a brief spell in a school in Leicester. Steeped in boarding, he was a tutor in Cameron House initially, before becoming the Resident Tutor in Tower, under the Housemastership of Dr. Ellis Gill. An excellent marksman, he also became Master i/c Shooting in the days when the College competed annually at Bisley, and in this role he formed a successful partnership with RSM John Holland, the College’s SSI. Robin began his long association with the school’s drama productions, by acting as stage manager in plays directed by Seb Neal, before taking over as director himself in 1992. There followed over the next decade a series of high quality productions each March, including Antigone, The Importance of Being Earnest, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Arcadia, Romeo and Juliet, Ghosts, Much Ado About Nothing, The Miser and Oedipus Rex . On top of these there was an annual October play for several years. The Dumb Waiter, Waiting for Godot and End Game stand out in the memory, but there were many others. Robin encouraged pupils to direct some of these plays, providing them with a great opportunity for development and experience. If this wasn’t enough, he also oversaw the annual House Drama competition throughout this period. Being a teddy bear enthusiast, Robin
brought Woolly Bear to all productions, where he had his own seat and gave invaluable assistance with prompting. As well as shooting and drama, Robin was also heavily involved in CCF weekend camps and Duke of Edinburgh. The annual trip to Scotland for what was then called Arduous Training, was a highlight of the year. Robin was never happier than when sitting round a camp fire with a group, having walked all day with them. You might think that involvement in all these aspects of school life would be enough to keep Robin fully occupied, but that would be to omit the small matter of a nine-year stint as Housemaster of Tower from 1995 to 2004. Having served for several years as the Resident Tutor, Robin knew the house well and was well placed to take over. He ran an excellent house in which boys were cared for and nurtured, whilst still being encouraged to become independent and self-reliant. During this period he married Callie, and she became a great support to him and a much loved figure in the house. After stepping down from Tower, he was briefly Housemaster of Lodge when the need arose, before serving in that house as a tutor for the last dozen years. Throughout his time on the staff, Robin was a popular and effective classroom teacher. Younger
pupils loved his fun filled lessons, whilst he encouraged and inspired a love of French and German literature in those lucky enough to benefit from his teaching at A Level. In the final weeks of his time here, he was interviewed by the Chaplain and this interview was then shared on the Old Lawrentian Facebook page. Not surprisingly this generated an enormous response from OLs. Within a few days there were 86 comments and 183 Likes. The comments were unanimous in their lauding of Robin as an inspiration to their authors; his wonderful teaching, his sense of humour, his encouragement of young actors, his care for boys in his house, his advice and wisdom, and all of the other threads alluded to above were referenced. The esteem and affection in which he was held throughout his 33 years on the staff are testament to a fulfilled and enriching teaching career, of which St Lawrence was fortunate to be the beneficiary. We wish Robin and Callie a long and happy retirement.
Mr T Moulton
LAWRENTIAN 2021 75
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