Four Very Distinguished Retirees!

(18 June 2008)

Friday evening 13th June saw a special celebration to mark the retirement of four very distinguished members of staff at the School who, between them, have notched up close on 100 years of dedicated service to Durham School.

Heading the list (and guest of honour) was John Everatt whose 37 years as a schoolmaster have all been spent at Durham. John has been Housemaster of two Houses (Ferens and Poole), Head of Classics, Director of Studies and, latterly, Assistant Deputy Head (Curriculum).

John Burgess (who was not able to be present at the dinner) retires after 28 years as Head of Biology, Head of Science and Commanding Officer of the CCF.

Bob Gibbon was appointed Head of ICT in 1994 and was also Examinations Officer and a long-serving tutor in School House.

Last in terms of years of service (but by no means least), Mr Neil Kern retires after 11 dedicated years as Headmaster. During Mr Kern’s headmastership the number of pupils at the Senior School has risen from under 300 to around 450; the number of girls has risen from 24 to around 120; Durham School has become a fully co-educational 3-18 school (incorporating Bow, our Preparatory School); and the facilities at the School have improved immeasurably (including a new girls’ House and the Astro-Turf all-weather pitch). Mr Kern has also directed several outstanding school productions, most recently "Godspell" in March.

Mr Everatt spoke movingly of his many years at the School, especially of his time as a Housemaster and the very special relationships between staff and pupils which the House system at Durham School engenders. All three leaving staff present at the dinner focused their attention on the importance to them of the community that is Durham School and how much the warmth, support and friendliness of their colleagues has meant to them.

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Monday, 06 September 2010

Testimonials

"An excellent atmosphere between pupils and staff with a really good House system, great teaching and a fantastic pastoral side. I thoroughly enjoyed attending Durham School and am very sad to leave."
Graham Thorpe