VALETE
with her audience ensconced in reception requiring a combination of virtues her teaching colleagues in classrooms would envy: patience in spades, a soothing manner, willing listening, sympathy at the right moment, reassurance, upbeat optimism (ingrained over years of loyal support of the wandering fortunes of her local team Crystal Palace), alertness and the ability to multitask as she also fields the endless stream of phone callers with
occasion. The Jesuit poet Gerald Manley Hopkins once wrote in honour of a hero of his, St Alphonsus Rodriguez, made a saint for exercising a steady but vital ministry of 40 years as doorkeeper of a Majorcan monastery. Eileen Fahey has done nearly that stint and in her
her bright toned ‘Dulwich College, how may I help you?’ Large organisations cannot do without the Eileens of this world at the centre of things. Family have played their part in Eileen’s Dulwich contribution, both as parent of Ben, OA, which experience has yielded a vital perspective on life here from the other side of the fence, and as wife of Dan, loyally wheeled along to all the staff socials where their smiling presence would lift any
own distinctive non-trumpeting manner. So, St Eileen, thank you for all you have done here and for what you have been to so many in and outside this place.
Bronwen Nugent Dª ¯}
I t is believed that Margaret Thatcher only ever made one unself- conscious joke in her life when she remarked, to the delight of her MPs, that ‘every Prime Minister needs a Willie’. She was, of course, referring to the stalwart support she received during her Premiership from William ‘Willie’ Whitelaw MP. The attributes that she so admired were his loyalty, common sense and hard work. H aving previously worked in industry at Delta Compton Cables, Alan started at Dulwich in1990 and seamlessly took over from a previous Design and Technology technician who had also completed over 20 years of service. Terry Kent was Alan’s first departmental head and he has supported a further four since. His duties were as a general workshop technician to begin with, but his superior level of knowledge and his expertise in many technical areas meant he quickly
Bronwen Nugent came to Dulwich in 2007 from The Villa Pre-Prep School to work in the Middle School Office. Over the last ten years, she made herself invaluable to all around her. Unflappable and organised, Bronwen was adept at reminding all of us, kindly, that we had missed another deadline. The production of letters, booklets, and parents’ evening structures was seamless and if things did go Alan Ward Cª V»ËË took on additional responsibilities. The department unanimously felt that Alan was the grease that kept the D&T engine running and he has left an enormous pair of steel top-capped boots to be filled. An integral part of the Design and Technology department as it went through significant changes during the 27 years that he was with it, he looked after the technical care, management and maintenance of all tools equipment and machinery. He was the department Health & Safety Advisor and he
wrong, it was not for the want of her organisation. She also brought humour to her work and enjoyed adding just one item to the minutes of each Middle School meeting in the belief (perhaps rightly) that none of us would spot it. She leaves the College to take
care of her mother and she, as well as the Vogel bread, Spanish Old Marmalade and fresh cakes, will be much missed by us all.
looked after ordering, stocktaking and the organisation of the workshops. In addition to his main duties, he regularly assisted with departmental events, trips and excursions, including annual Engineering Days and Design Shows. He ran the very successful Lego Club for boys during lunchtimes and was instrumental in setting up the Non-Teaching Staff committee (Ops Staff), which is currently still flourishing. He helped with a variety of excursions including trips to France, Berlin, Budapest and Vienna and was
164
Made with FlippingBook Online document