Obituary: Ken Maxted

Mike Webb writes:

I have just had the sad news that Ken Maxted has passed away. Ken taught for many years at the school and was an Assistant Head, Master in charge of the Sixth Form, Head of Romsey House and a member of the Geography Department.

He was a founder member of the staff cricket team and he played for them with distinction for many years. Ken also organised the staff five-a-side for a time. He was a thorough teacher of geography and helped to build the subject into one of the most heavily subscribed in the school at one time.

As an Old Boy of Taunton’s School, Ken must have had divided loyalties when the two schools met of the sports field but Bournemouth School usually won out in his affections. He will be sorely missed by his colleagues at the monthly ‘Chips’ gatherings.

Bernard Walker

Hugh Walker, the son of the late artist, composer and Bournemouth School teacher Bernard Walker has been in touch to share his online tribute to his father’s life. The website has a variety of material from Mr Walker senior’s life, including some of his programme designs and playbills from his time at the school that were found among his papers in 2014.

Obituary: John Hawkins

Mr HawkinsWe are very sorry to announce that John Hawkins died on Monday evening at Bournemouth Hospital.

Mr Hawkins’ career at Bournemouth School spanned more than 40 years, as Chemistry teacher, Deputy Head and latterly examinations officer. During his time at the school, he always supported the Association, serving many years on the committee and as President of the Old Boys’ Cricket Club. However for most of us, we shall remember him for his happy demeanour, livening up lessons or calming pre-exam nerves, to justly earn his nickname of “Happy Harry”.

David Spencer and Paul Beardshaw wish to thank everybody who has written or sent cards and e-mails.

Jasper Dodds on film

Norman Martin (1942-47) has sent in this photo of his form group taken in 1946 and featuring the renowned J.J. ‘Jasper’ Dodds. Norman writes:

My only memento of my time at Bournemouth School is [this] photograph taken in 1946 showing the 5th form of that year presided over by J.J. himself and flanked by two of the veterans of that form, Messers Mudway and Hunt. Some of the members of that form had carried over from previous years and as the youngest member, aged 15, (5th from the left, back row) I recall thinking that I had joined a class of young men. Charles Gray was another member of that form but was apparently absent that day. (Charles Gray was to become a famous actor – perhaps best known as Blofeld in Diamonds Are Forever?)

Jasper Dodds was indeed unlike any other member of staff at that time. He was a strict disciplinarian. He demanded (and got) everybody’s absolute attention, no one ever failed to hand in homework and his was the only class whose pupils always lined up outside the room whilst waiting for him to arrive for a lesson instead of sitting around larking about! And all this without ever having to raise his voice. Fifty years on, I have to say I count myself fortunate to have come under his wing and to have seen him in his prime.

At the time there were very few private cars on the road, Jasper drove to school in a pre-war Morris 8 registration number CEL 57. The fact that, even today, the number comes easily to mind speaks volumes. Everyone’s radar was tuned to this vehicle and it needed to be because to be spotted by J.J. walking along East Way from the bus stop in Charminster Road without wearing the school cap was practically a capital offence. The sight of CEL 57 appearing over the top of the hill as it approached the school was the signal for the bareheaded ones to make themselves scarce.

Of his own time since leaving the school, Norman says:

I left school to work for Preston & Redman the solicitors in Hinton Road. After National Service I joined the Trust Division of Lloyds Bank and managed branches in Guernsey, Ipswich and Nottingham before retiring as head of financial services in the North West region based in Liverpool.

Headmaster John Granger announces retirement

John Granger has announced that he will retire as Head of Bournemouth School in August 2009. This extended period of notice will give the governors the opportunity to seek his replacement in a measured manner. The Old Bournemouthians Association would like to record their grateful thanks for the support that John has shown the Association during his tenure at East Way.

Eric Bennett passes away

Former Headmaster Eric Bennett (1957 – 1970) sadly passed away on October 8th 2005, aged 94. He was the third headmaster in the history of the school and oversaw many changes as education developed during the 1960’s, in particular with the rapid expansion in the number of pupils progressing to university. He leaves a widow Ria and sons Anthony and Stephen to whom we send our sincere sympathy.

Urfan Mirza passes away

It was with a sense of shock, disbelief and great sadness that we learnt this morning of the untimely death of Mr. Urfan Mirza who had taught chemistry at the school since 1996. He was only 38. As far as we know he passed way peacefully, having just returned to his family home in Southampton after going jogging. He will be greatly missed by his current pupils and by many previous students who have benefited from his dedication and understanding of his subject for the past 8 years. Our thoughts are with his mother and his sisters.