|
Staff, pupils, parents and friends of Colston’s School are united in their grief at the sudden death of Ray Mardle,
He was taken ill last Monday and died at Bristol Royal Infirmary on Saturday evening, aged 53.
Ray, who lived at Yate, joined Colston’s 24 years ago as Head of Chemistry. He went on to be Head of Science, but will be most remembered for a range of pastoral roles including Head of House, Head of Middle School, Senior Housemaster and more recently Acting Deputy Head.
Currently Deputy Head (Academic), his roles included overseeing the curriculum and Heads of Department. Other responsibilities included daily routines, school photographs and acting as the school’s designated Child Protection Officer.
Ray has coached rugby, hockey and cricket, mainly at Under 12 and 13 levels. In the 1990s he assisted with the Army section of the Colston’s Combined Cadet Force, entering teams for the Ten Tors event on Dartmoor.
More recently he has trained Duke of Edinburgh groups for their walking expeditions in the Brecon Beacons, Exmoor and Dartmoor.
Ray’s wide-ranging personal interests include rugby, cricket, football, hockey, skiing, golf, running and walking. He was a keen member of the Hogweed Trotters Road Running Club in Chipping Sodbury, and four weeks ago he was one of a team of staff and pupils who successfully ran in the annual Bristol Half Marathon, raising money for the Bristol Dolphin Society.
He and his wife were also regular members of the congregation at St Nicholas Church in Yate.
Ray is survived by his wife Caroline, his daughter Charlotte and sons William and Peter – all members of the Colston’s family.
In a personal tribute, Headmaster Peter Fraser said:
“Ray will be remembered, first and foremost, as an outstanding teacher and numbered amongst the finest Colston’s has seen.
“I know of few pupils who would not consider Ray an inspiration and know many who studied Chemistry because of him. As a teacher Ray demanded the very best from his pupils and made them believe that they were always capable of more. He believed in them and they, in turn, had huge confidence in, and respect for, him.
“Ray was also a central figure in the pastoral life of the school. All pupils mattered to him and he had time for everybody and everything. In this, as in so many things, he was the complete schoolmaster
“Everything he touched became ordered, organised and efficient, and there was little that escaped his attention
“Latterly, his work as Deputy Head (Academic) was characterised by a willingness to innovate and to challenge historic practice. He was meticulous in his scrutiny of results and anything affecting pupil experience in the classroom.
“My wife, Sara, once had cause to cover Reception and referred to Ray as Mr Marvellous. Ray knew everything about the school, could deal with anything and took everything in his stride. Nothing was ever too much trouble for him.”
Longstanding colleague Gerard Boyce, who retired in the summer as Senior Teacher, said: “Ray always went the extra mile - beyond the call of duty was, in fact, his default position.
“Without ever showing the least suggestion of self-importance, Ray set the highest standards for us to measure ourselves against, and a word of approval from Ray for your efforts was one of the highest accolades one could receive
“We were all in awe of his tireless drive, his unshakeable integrity and his selfless dedication to Colston’s.
“All of us who taught alongside Ray are proud and privileged to have worked with him and better people for having known him.”
Peter Fraser added: “Our pupils would not need so many words and would simply say, ‘Mardle – Legend’.”
If you would like to share your thoughts, memories, and condolences, please email:
webmaster@colstons.bristol.sch.uk
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Floral tributes to Ray Mardle at Colston's School on Tuesday 11th October 2011 |
|
|
