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Posted by Robert G. Brown on January 30, 2009, 4:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Old Master - Mr Thompson - Retired in 1960s"
Message modified by board administrator January 30, 2009, 4:50 pm
He was a superb English Master, and like Mike Augard tought me English for "O" level.
I will always remember him for a saying that has stayed with me for all my life and thought it very appropo, and I quote,
BOYS!!!!!!!, ALWAYS REMBER DO NOT EVER BE SATISFIED WITH YOUR LIFE, ALWAYS TRY TO DO BETTER, BECAUSE IF YOU BECOME SATISFIED, THEN YOU WILL BECOME COMPLACENT, AND YOU SHOULD NEVER EVER BE COMPLACENT, IT WILL JUST STUNT YOUR CAREER.
That has always stayed with ME since English in 3B.
I am not sure whether it has served me right in my life, but I always tried to live that way.
He was a strict Master and I can remember very vividly when I talked in his class he would tower over me with an order to hold out my hand, then wrap me across the knuckles with a steel edged ruler. You didn't talk for a long time in class after that.
Incidentally, I trust Mr. Ken Augarde is well, we were both in Atwell house. I still have vivid memories of him playing a female role in the School Presentation of "The Pirates of Penzance", he was very comical in his female role, while I played a young maid in the Chorus in the same Production.
That of course was many many years ago, and if memory serves me correctly, it was directed by Mr. Jackson who was head of Chemistry at the time.
God Bless all those great Masters we had at Skinners, I often tell stories about them to colleagues here in the USA and to my three grandchildren, and they all are convinced that I must have grown up in a Dickensian Novel.
Regards to all from this side of the pond, I listen on line to ClassicFm everyday, just to keep abreast of news from the Country of my Birth, but quite honestly I do not miss all that foul British weather, you guys have to put up with.
Sincerly,
Bob Brown.
rgbrown41@comcast.net.
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