Wishing Mr Williams A Happy Retirement

At the end of the summer term, we are celebrating the extraordinary career of Geoff Williams, a pillar of the school community and teaching staff since the turn of the millennium. He is retiring and leaving his role as Deputy Head Academic in which he oversees the progress of pupils towards the country’s most prestigious senior schools. However, his time at St John’s has involved outstanding service across all areas of school life that is worth celebrating.

Mr Williams took a leap of faith, moving with his wife, Natalie, and young family from South Africa to the UK twenty-six years ago. As today, it was not uncommon for teachers to join the school from around the world. Geoff brought with him experience of teaching technical drawing and geography in the some of the rainbow nation’s top secondary schools, as well as elite level rugby (Sharks) and water polo coaching experience.

Mr Williams legacy will be his passion for learning through trips and experiences. A stalwart of the school ski trip, he has travelled the world with SJB pupils, from Iceland to the unbelievable experience of boys swimming the Midmar Mile in Cape Town.

On the sports field, Mr William’s rugby teams were always inspired and organised. He played a major roll in years of success the school had along with its formidable reputation on the prep school circuit.

Prep school life has change a great deal in a quarter of a century, yet Geoff’s willingness to put in the extra hours to give pupils fantastic opportunities has never wavered. It is a testament to his resolve and continued pursuit of excellence that St John’s recently received the High Performance Learning World Class School Award. Under his leadership, the evidence presented was among the best ever in the programme.

Throughout his time with us, he has always had the gravitas to engage pupils, bringing a sense of calm and purpose to all his lessons. In the staff room, he will be missed for his dry, self-deprecating sense of humour and unending hardwork. He has been a loyal and dedicated mentor to colleagues, who value his counsel and level-headed approach no matter the circumstances. He departs with lifelong friendships with staff past and present.

As he and his wife move to the coast of the South West of England, more than a generation of St John’s pupils will be sending their thanks and best wishes for his contribution, not only to their education, but sustaining St John’s, time and again.