Framlinghamian 2022 - Flipbook - Page 125
DINNERS & SUPPERS
would make sense without thanking his
soul-mate Amanda.
I asked the contributors to my survey to
name 5 qualities which Paul displays. Just
so you know I wrote cricket, rugby, history,
1970s music and virility. But there were
other views.
President Simon Dougherty saying a few words after dinner, with Virginia Porter,
Dominic North, Margaret Dougherty, Norman Porter, Louise North (Principal of FC),
John Ellerby, Helen Ellerby, Andrew Wright and Margaret Wright on the President’s table.
Some of you will know of a recent
regrettable instance of a couple of pupils
vandalizing cars in the town. From one
who saw Paul’s handling from close at
hand: “He was firm but gentle towards
the perpetrators and ensured that honesty
and accountability fell to them, but
ultimately, to himself.” One of the College
maintenance staff shared that view: “The
way Paul dealt with the media, locals and
students was exceptional.” My own view
on this chapter is that the investment Paul
has made over the years in forging such
strong relationships with the Town reaped
its reward and in fact turned a potential
disaster into a PR success.
Discipline is a core definer of a
Head’s leadership: A member of the
Common Room said this: ‘Paul has
dealt with all disciplinary matters, first
of all with humanity, always putting the
pupil’s interests first, and secondly with
decisiveness, and his communication with
the whole school community over such
incidents has been first class.’
A recent leaver said this: “Paul has given
so many students who deserved it a second
chance. This caused students to feel they
belong at Framlingham and encouraged
them to change their ways and do better.”
The examples of Paul’s leadership
frequently dwelt on his caring qualities.
The wife of a senior teacher provided this
anecdote: “after my husband had spent his
half term abroad doing a recce for a school
trip, he and I did manage to get away to
a Norfolk hotel for the final weekend of
the holiday. Paul found out and secretly
arranged for the hotel to give us a bottle of
champagne and for our evening meal to be
paid. A very touching gesture.”
Paul cares for the whole Fram family. One
of the non-academic staff told me: “He
always finds time to give praise to others,
and another recalled Paul’s presentation of
a gift and some heartfelt words to a longstanding catering assistant: “this showed
that he includes everyone in the family of
the school no matter at what level. We are
all important. This gesture meant a huge
amount to the assistant involved.”
I love this tribute from a parent: “In Paul’s
eyes, no-one is forgotten: everyone is
famous - and that goes not only for the
pupils, but also for members of staff and all
the employees. Whoever I have spoken with
over the years, all have a soft spot for Paul
– which suggests they all feel valued.”
We come now to what is arguably the most
important aspect of his leadership: His
dedication to his pupils.
Paul attends just about every pupil event
imaginable. As one senior master put
it: “you would struggle to find a more
conspicuously supportive head anywhere in
the country.”
I asked Amanda for one phrase which
defined Paul. Her answer was immediate:
“he always puts the pupils first”.
The pupils notice that dedication. I quote
just one: “I have very fond memories of
how he always spoke to my year group,
and to all others, as if we were adults.
This may sound a strange thing to say, but
that approach is not natural to many other
teachers.” Paul knows the first names of
every one of his many hundred pupils.
It is said that behind every successful man
there stands an astonished mother-in-law.
In our house there is a wooden sign: “Do
you want to speak to the man in charge,
or to the woman who knows what is going
on?” I refer of course to Amanda who has
been the most wonderful support to Paul.
There is sadly little time to do her justice so
I limit myself to this - Amanda’s role in the
success of the school over the last 10 years
cannot be overstated. No thank you to Paul
The most frequently mentioned of the many
which appeared in my mini - survey were,
in batting order, Integrity, Warmth and
Approachability, Caring and Humanity,
Calmness and Consistency. These were
followed by many others, including my
favourite (I am here breaking my rule of
anonymity) Cameron Greenhall’s wonderful
Insanely Dedicated.
Many thanks to all who kindly answered my
various questions; many of whom are here
tonight.
I now draw all this together. There can
be no doubt as to this conclusion:
Framlingham College, senior school and
prep school, has benefitted hugely from
Paul’s Headship.
We will recall the ringing phrase from the
ISI inspection: ‘Framlingham is a school
where good is no longer good enough’;
a remarkable commendation. Paul’s
marvellous vision for the new sixth form
centre, and the way he put flesh on the
bones of the splendid Fowler pavilion these will be lasting physical memorials to
Paul’s time here.
But there is another aspect of his legacy:
Paul, a man of deep and personal Faith,
was never one to explicitly declare that
Faith but it was implicit in every action he
took as leader of this College. As a result,
all his staff appointments were of people
of honourable character and integrity - his
senior leaders, teaching staff and Chaplain.
And thus his legacy will be to leave a
College grounded on such Christian values,
a College that will remain the most highly
regarded school in East Anglia because of
its spirit of honesty, kindness, undefended
courage to forgive, and its ability to offer
hope for all pupils. With a moral compass
as firmly set as Paul’s, I suspect there has
not been a student or member of staff who
has passed through Fram under his charge,
who has not been inspired by him in setting
their own Moral and Spiritual compass.
Kipling tells us: “If you can walk with Kings
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