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A Tribute by Rachel Crowe (2000 - 2007)

In late 2012, one of the most inspirational people in my life passed away - Mr Royston, my Latin teacher. From my first week at WGHS, his unfailing humour and good natured teaching style made Latin fun and fascinating, something to be looked forward to rather than dreaded. Without Mr Royston, I would never have developed a love of classical history that I have taken with me through my studies at University and beyond.

A donation drive set up in his memory has raised over £3,500 for the Samaritans so far, with money still being donated just this month. The page (https://www.justgiving.com/Mr-Royston-Memorial) more importantly hosts hundreds of anecdotes and tributes to Mr Royston who was clearly influential in so many people's lives. The notes left with donations describe a man of 'patience and endless goodwill', a 'faithful and conscientious' member of the school, of his Church and of his community, a man who provided a role model for hundreds of young people that were taught by him over the years.

In recognition of the impact Mr Royston made on so many, we continue to receive donations which are being put to use to help others, as he helped so many of us. I hope many of you will visit the site and leave a memory of your own, in the hope that such a wonderful man will never be forgotten.

From the Webmistress...

PERHAPS THIS CHRISTMAS TIME YOU COULD CONSIDER ADDING TO THIS TOTAL IN HIS MEMORY - the Samaritans are a very worthy cause to contribute to - especially at Christmastime.

There is an interesting tribute to Patrick on Elizabeth Wilson's Blog page. It is honest - she was not a 'model pupil', no lover of the school - and expresses some views that will horrify some of you, but I think it is worth a read. At the end of her rantings about how dreadful the school was she states she would send her daughter to WGHS. I reckon she would have been at school in the mid-eighties.

The Patrick Royston Memorial Bench

A stone bench flanked by planted urns has been installed in the school grounds near to the staff room. Above it is a plaque inscribed with the following words… PATRICK ROYSTON MA (OXON)  MAGISTER DOCTISSIMUS  AMICUS FIDELIS  VIR BENIGNUS  WGHS 1980-2012 Which translates as, "Most learned teacher  A faithful friend  A kind man".

The planting is predominantly evergreen to maintain a constant presence. The central plant is Sarcoccoca confusa or Christmas Box. This has glossy deep green leaves and, in winter, inconspicuous but very sweetly scented creamy-white flowers, followed by glossy black berries. Around this has been planted Cyclamen coum with white reflexed petals, Hedera helix (Ivy) to soften the edges of the pots and Gaultheria procumbens (Checkerberry) to add a splash of colour with its red berries. Winter pansies in purple complete the surface planting whilst beneath all this lie Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrops) and Narcissus 'Minnow' ready to emerge in the spring.

Thanks must go to the Staff and its Committee for providing such a fitting memorial to Patrick Royston; Site and Grounds Staff who erected and secured the stonework; Mrs Sally Bennett for designing the planting scheme and to three members of the present Year 11 who helped her to plant up to pots.

TRIBUTES TO PATRICK ROYSTON - Teacher of Latin, French and Classical Civilisations

Laura Buchanan nee BAYLEY (1994-2001) Mr Royston was a lovely man and teacher, who is fondly remembered by every pupil he taught. He will be sadly missed.
Franca McMANUS (1997-2004) You were a wonderful teacher and an interesting and original man. Different Class! Thank you.
Emma LEADBETTER (1997-2004) Though I gave up Latin in year 8 - something I've regretted daily since - I was lucky to keep Mr Royston as an incredible and inspiring French teacher, including for a memorable week's French exchange and an impromptu whistle-stop tour of the Paris metro. He somehow managed to make time for his customary digressions and gossip, keep us unruly girls in check, whilst impressing a love of the language which stays with me to today. He will be missed terribly.
Midori FRAME (1997-2004) Mr Royston was such a warm, witty man who inspired my love not only for Latin, but also grammar, rhetoric and improvement. He taught me every single year of the 7 I attended WGHS and his sense of humour, even temper, faith in the abilities of his students and dedication to his work have been unparalleled in any other teacher/tutor I have met. I will never forget that his teaching me GCSE French short-course was so good that he accidentally examined me on a full-course GCSE oral and I still got an A*. So many great memories from his classroom, and from his interactions with us in celebratory assemblies. His passing has caused me much sadness, I wish he could have known what he meant to us.
Gurbinder Kaur (Dhinsa) (1996-2003) I was one of few students who was taught by Mr Royston for the whole 7 years I was at school. He was an amazing teacher who was probably one of the most intelligent people I've ever met - he knew everything about everything, making lessons so much fun! I remember receiving a postcard from Mr Royston four years after I left WGHS in my final year at Oxford wishing me luck for my finals. It was such a lovely surprise in such a stressful time - again, showing the kind of teacher he was. The legend that was Mr Royston will be missed xx
Jessica LESTER (1998-2005) The volume of messages and donations being sent in Mr R’s name are testament to the impact one man can have on generations on students. There’s no question that I wouldn’t be who I am today without the encouragement, support, and good humour of a teacher who is surely at the heart of every old girl’s memories of WGHS. As I read other pupils’ stories, I realise now how he was all of things despite the constant playing up of apparently every class he ever taught! A true, irreplaceable legend. Requiescat in pace Roysty.
Siobhan BRUCE (1998 – 2005) To this day me and my friends still discuss the antics of Caecilius and Grumio . It was because of Mr Royston, his passion for the subject and his banter that this knowledge has lasted in all of us. He was a very a popular teacher. I hope he knows how fondly he is remembered by us all. Requiescat in pax.
Rosemari BAKER (1997-2004) I will never quite understand why you didn't just write straight on the whiteboard. With love and the fondest memories.
Susannah Ball (1998-2005) Mr. Royston was a rare breed; a kind-hearted man with a ferocious intellect and razor-sharp wit. He is, with no overstatement, the reason I chose to carry on studying Latin and eventually read Classical Civilisation at university. His anecdotes were legendary and his teaching style was truly unique. I can conjugate dozens of verbs and that is all thanks to Mr. Royston's passion for the subject; his enthusiasm was infectious. He was a complete natural and I am truly devastated by the news of his passing. May God rest his soul.
Lucy ANDREW (1997-2004)

'Ave atque vale'*, Mr Royston.  A very special teacher who made my time at the Girls' High so enjoyable and memorable.  I'll never forget your generosity, your dedication and your brilliant sense of humour.  Thank you.

November 2017 - I just wanted to share my book on here because of the dedication that I have included to Mr Royston. He was a wonderful teacher and a wonderful man and I know that he would have taken the time to read this because he was so supportive of his students and former students. I'll never forget everything he did to help me get where I am today and I'm incredibly grateful that I got to spend seven years in his presence.

*The last words, "Hail and Farewell" (in Latin, ave atque vale), are among Catullus' most famous; an alternative modern translation might be "I salute you...and goodbye". The meter is elegiac couplet, which was usually employed in love poetry, such as Catullus' addresses to Lesbia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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