Dear Kefale,
Talking about anecdotes. Do you remember our complaints to Mr. Roydes about the poor quality of the marmalade we were being served for breakfast. He listened quietly and promised to check. The next morning after the usual flag ceremony he announced " Boys I have tasted the marmalade. This is what the queen of England eats for breakfast." Powerful as the argument was [if good for the queen good for you] I have always wondered how he could possibly know what kind of marmalade the queen had for breakfast.
Getachew Kitaw
Dear mr Andrews
I am sad to learn about the death of mr Royds.Those of us who had the privilege
to know him do remember him as a wonderful head master of General wingate high
school Addis Abeba,Ethiopia.
Yilma yifru
(1962-1966)
Sam has left a new comment on your post "Rev.John Royds, M.A.":
ReplyDeleteI am saddened to hear about the passing of Mr. Royds. He was a unique person who made a lot of people happy by his fairness and helping attitude. He was a born leader. When he took over Wingate School, he had plans to make the school the best in the country. He introduced the 'Scholar Program ' and in four years, Wingate lead all the schools in producing the best results at the E.S. L.C. exams.
We were proud to be part of the General Wingate School Its students were shining in different fields, globally. Mr. Royds is the best Headmaster with whom I have worked. He had an imperceptible influence on my performance as a teacher and I would gladly admit that he played a great part in making my teaching career very satisfying not only at Wingate but also in Canada as Head of the Science Department. (I am still teaching as a volunteer, experimental science to slow learners...).
I knew the Royds family before I met him. His aunt was a missionary in India and my sister was a student in the school she managed. During the war, when Mr. Royds was posted to India he travelled from Madras great distances to visit her. After retirement, she sent us souvenirs from England, through him.
My wife Ida and I visited him in Salisbury and had lunch with him in 1997, a year before Ida passed away. We were corresponding and he would give me news about Wingate and how a former Wingate student was running a school for underprivileged students.
I made a videotape of 'Life in Wingate' with Mr. Royds' picture taken in his office. I converted the 8 mm movie taken during the Queen's visit, annual sports events, morning parade, tennis and cricket, shots of the buildings and the compound. There is a staff photo taken before Mr. Royds left. I sent a copy to Mr. Royds as my humble tribute to him. I wish a Wingate student will be able to make copies available for those who are interested. Mr. Royds had a remarkable beneficial influence on all who were under his care. My family and I owe a lot to him.
May his soul rest in peace.
W. Martin Schwartz,
366 Hudson Street, New Waterford, Nova Scotia
B 1 P 3 P 6 Canada.