SAADIA RAHMAN
Saadia has taught in the English department for 16 years and has been generous in the encouragement and friendship she has given to pupils and colleagues .
To be in her class in the Swanzy building was to be gathered up and swept along by her evident pleasure in the freshness of words . Her approach was kind and inclusive , encouraging the sharing of feelings and memories , coaxing contributions from the quietest pupils . No fan of bad manners or laziness , a sharp rebuke from her was not unknown , but its very delivery was playful and good humour would be restored immediately .
The literature she valued most highly was poetry , and Ted Hughes had a special importance for her and was a touchstone . She encouraged her pupils to write poetry journals where reflections on poems were recorded alongside original compositions and all founded on belief in literature as a special chance for personal growth .
A memorable gift from her to the Lower Sixth was the Dublin literary trip . A consequence of her love of Irish poetry and her understanding of the land and its music , what transpired was a residential study visit where literary itineraries were enhanced by reading and discussion . The Dublin trip continued as a fixture for some years , led latterly by others in the English department .
With colleagues , there was always time to talk . Ranging over shared enthusiasms , especially books and music , such conversations brightened the day . One would return to necessary tasks with a freshened outlook . Over the years , her ringing laughter must count as one of the best sounds to have echoed down the Swanzy corridors .
Adrian Wilson
PHIL HULSTON
In the summer of 2001 , the Economics department were short of two teachers following the departure of Jo Toy and Richard Otley . One position was filled by the experienced , calm , thoughtful presence of Andy Day and the other was filled by a man who had never taught before , but had a proven track record of success in London ’ s bond trading market – could Phil Hulston make it as an Economics teacher ?
Well , yes , he did ! Phil is an enthusiast , a man of passion , someone who brings the classroom to life with his energy and his desire to take his students on a journey . He is a wonderful communicator and a brilliant character to have in front of a group of students . Phil also has very high expectations of himself and of his students . He is , however , not a man of IT and he is probably the last teacher in the UK still using an overhead projector !
As a Middle School tutor Phil always showed the same level of passion and enthusiasm as he did as a teacher . But as tutor , you could also see his caring side with the thoughtful , kind manner he showed his tutees . In addition , he was a tutor who liked to entertain his tutor group . The activities he organised during tutor time , on ‘ Thursday games day ’, saw all manner of intense competition , from cards to rounders .
144 VALETE