FROM THE HEADMASTER’S STUDY

Dear Old Caistorian December 2011

2011 has had its share of thrills and excitement. Last year we achieved the School’s best ever A level results by a country mile and now we have matched that achievement at GCSE with our best ever results. Our House system has flourished and we have established successful new school partnerships with schools in China and Germany, as well as creating links with many schools in Morocco, which has helped to bind us to our local primary schools.

But as I reflect on the year coming to an end, the thing I remember most is the passing of two great Caistor Grammar School personalities. Many of you will remember Ken Oxspring, who sadly died in June and who served with distinction as Deputy Head for many years. I know relatively little about this since I replaced him as Deputy Head in 1992 upon his retirement. What I am an expert on is the loving and devoted way he continued to serve the School as a volunteer from the touchline and in the drama studio helping successive year groups of students. Many ex-CGS students attended his funeral who knew him only after he had retired. Much more recently, and still an acute pain rather than a dull ache, I note the passing of my colleague, Mrs Maxine Jackson, who was Assistant Head Teacher for 20 years until her sad death last month. She contributed hugely to the life of our school (and you can read my appreciation of her life at Caistor Grammar School by visiting our School website www.cgsonline.org.uk) but it is not any particular thing she did that I remember most, but rather the person she was. Her passing at the very young age of 55 reminds me of how we must appreciate every day we are given and make the most of the opportunities we are presented. This came across in a poem which has helped me personally to get over the mourning process a bit better and, mindful that some of you might be sadly remembering either Ken or Maxine or someone else known to you, I share it with you hoping that it will provide some solace to you.

“If I should die and leave you here awhile, Be not like others, sore undone, who keep Long vigils by the silent dust, and weep. For my sake – turn again to life and smile, Nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do Something to comfort other hearts than thine. Complete those dear unfinished tasks of mine And I, perchance, may therein comfort you.”

Charlotte Linsell, Polly Baxter and Peter Steele have been working tirelessly to develop a multi-media resource of materials telling the story of Caistor Grammar School in recent decades. Letters, reports, photographs and interviews will all contribute to their store and they have ambitious plans to ensure that this material is preserved and available for future generations. I am very enthusiastic about their work and believe that our current students will be very interested to find out more about what previous generations thought and did at the School. To this end, I am trying to fund raise via the Friends of Caistor Grammar School to purchase some display cabinets which could be sited in the Old Hall and contain some of the materials which have been gathered. It might be that an Old Caistorian has such a display cabinet that they no longer want, in which case they might consider donating it to School for this purpose or, alternatively, you might like to contribute to my fundraising campaign, in which case, please send a cheque to me at School marked “Display cabinet project” and I will ensure it is put to this good end. I wish you, your family and those who you care about, a joyful festive season and an exciting New Year. You can be reassured that your old school is moving along happily and successfully.

With very best wishes and festive greetings.

Yours sincerely, Headmaster