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THE ALLEYNIAN 710
Richard Coughtrie JAMES WISSON
Richard has had a superb impact on every area of College life to which he has contributed over his four-year tenure at Dulwich. From the moment that he joined us in September 2018 from Malvern College, it was immediately obvious that he is a supremely talented classroom teacher of Economics, and the safest of pairs of hands, able to inspire and motivate students to their full potential in the subject. What may be less well known is that Richard has developed a deep understanding of the teaching and learning research surrounding metacognition, using his own master’s degree research to fundamentally redesign how the department assesses and builds students’ written skills. His model answers are now the stuff of legend, and he has earned the affectionate moniker of ‘master in charge of metacognition’ in the department. Richard did not particularly need another title, having been appointed to the actual position of Master in Charge of Cricket for the 2019–20 academic year. Given that he played first-class cricket for Gloucestershire, his playing pedigree speaks for itself, and he has brought a wealth of experience to the role. While I know that the pandemic wiping out his first full season would have been a source of tremendous frustration, it was inspiring to watch him work creatively to maintain the boys’ experience of cricket that year, and it has been eye-opening to see how much work Richard has put in behind the scenes across all three years to keep the programme running smoothly. His care and commitment have been of enormous benefit to his tutees in the Upper School (he is an exceptionally popular form tutor) and more recently to students in Grenville House – an area of school life which he has clearly enjoyed immensely. What of the man himself? As the above demonstrates, he is an absolute professional and a hugely talented schoolmaster. But to truly understand the colleague we are losing, it might be useful to reference his previous career as a wicketkeeper. It takes a certain sort of person to be a good wicketkeeper: you need to have energy and concentration if you are going to be involved in every ball in the field; you need to be skilful, too. He clearly has all of those attributes as a colleague. But the most important thing that all the great wicketkeepers have is that they are the heartbeat of their side – encouraging, galvanising, and maintaining focus and morale in the field. It is this intangible element of working with ‘Coffers’ that I will miss the most. Whether it is listening to him telling a perfect, ripping yarn (often starting, ‘Well, at Malvern …’) or simply sharing the copious rounds of tea, it is impossible to work with Richard without a smile on your face, and for that we are all very grateful. Our loss is Eton’s gain, and we wish Richard, Olivia, Camilla and Beatrice all the very best in their move to pastures new.
David Iles
ASHLEY ENGLAND
David joined Dulwich College and the Mathematics Department in September 2018. He has thrived here and has taught his classes with care and dedication, stretching the brightest, and supporting all his pupils equally. David’s love of the subject is evident in all that he does with both pupils and staff, and he has been a great colleague in the Maths office, making contributions that support and entertain colleagues. He can always be relied on to lighten a situation, producing countless memes that are displayed around the office. Over his time in the department, David has taken on the mentoring of several new colleagues and trainee teachers. He has looked after them with care and diligence, imparting his love of the subject and giving them an excellent start to their careers, balancing the theory with the practice of teaching on the ground. For the past two years, David has taken on the role of Head of Lower School Mathematics, and has managed all the challenges of looking after our youngest mathematicians. He has also been instrumental in our work with City Heights Academy. His work with their students and staff each week has cemented the relationship, making it one of support and cooperation. David has, throughout his time at Dulwich, served as a tutor both in the Middle and Lower Schools, building excellent relationships with the students in his form through good humour and a caring demeanour, enabling them to flourish and to develop independence. He has also taught Games whilst at the College, taking several football teams and being a regular at staff football on a Friday evening. David will be massively missed by the Maths Department. His good humour and fun have been a great part of life in the Maths office over the past few years and we wish him the very best as he moves to King’s College School in Wimbledon.
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