SCHOOL NEWS// STAFF LEAVERS
DAVE GALLOWAY
“KOMMT REIN!”
Herr Galloway. Dave. Daggers. Blue
through and through for 20 years. The
Galloway-Pocklington era started in
1999 and he has supported, guided and
inspired literally hundreds of pupils
during their time at Pocklington School
whether it was in the German classroom,
on the sports field, on trips and exchanges
or indeed with his vocal talents…
Dave has worn many hats during his
time at Pocklington as well as many ties
(apparently he has around 300…). Not
only has he taught German to the full
range of year groups, he has been a rugby
coach, i/c golf, did an impressive stint as
Dolman Middle School Housemaster,
is an examiner and trainer for AQA
German and of course he has been our
fabulous Head of MFL for 7 years. His
warm but “chilled” nature has meant
that the department has flourished under
his leadership and we have been lucky to
have him at the helm.
I asked some pupils for some words
which would sum up Mr Galloway and
they gave me the following: bubbly,
charismatic, inspirational, dedicated, a
true Scot and a “Wise Guy”. To these
I would have to add reliable, supportive
and a passionate MFL teacher. I have
rarely met anyone so passionate about
the subject they teach, and indeed how
they teach it; Dave is always looking at
new ways of doing things and getting to
the bottom of what it is that helps pupils
learn a language most effectively. His
dedication to and passion for his subject
saw him run 18 German exchanges and
as many A Level study trips to Berlin
which all hugely contributed to pupils’
understanding and appreciation of
German culture and language.
In fact, Dave’s passion about everything
German meant that we have enjoyed
many an Aldi snack in our department
meetings. Dave always went above and
beyond for all of his pupils and cared
deeply about their learning. Only just
this week were we helping him pack the
5th year German revision packs which
included a hand-written personal “good
luck” note to each pupil along with a bag
of Haribo as a revision aid. He also writes
personalised poems to the U6 before
they start the next chapter of their lives.
Always above and beyond.
Dave’s talents stretch way beyond the
classroom. A highlight of his time at
Pocklington, I am sure he will agree, was
his stunning performance in the Musical
Theatre Society’s extravaganza where
he performed “Stick it to the Man”
from The School of Rock in the finale.
His impressive vocals have also been
heard at Party at Pock, in school bands,
in the staff/pupil choir and in Music
Society performances. A few years ago
he also wrote the lyrics toe the School
version of The Threepenny Opera. Dave
embodies “Pock spirit”; the spirit that
we as staff aim to instil in the pupils and
it’s that spirit that makes this school and
community what it is.
Inevitably however, where there are so
many amazing qualities, there has to
be a weakness. His office. Dave’s “filing
system” is hard to believe. It involves
piles, more piles, piles of piles and yet
more piles. And lots of (empty) German
beer glasses. And an inflatable birthday
cake hat. And some juggling balls. And
an obscene amount of Haribo (I’ll miss
them being thrown at me). So whilst you
will be terribly missed, Beth will be glad
to see the worktop in your office.
There will be a Galloway shaped hole left
in the department and the school even
though your ties live on worn by the staff
who purchased them in your Galloway
charity tie sale.
Genieße Deinen Ruhestand. Wir kennen
Dich ja und wissen dass Du immer
etwas zu tun haben wirst – Neues zu
entdecken, Leute und Länder zu besuchen
und viel Golf zu spielen. Wir werden
Dich sehr vermissen und natürlich auch
Deine Gläsersammlung.
“There will be a Galloway shaped hole left in the department and the
school even though your ties live on worn by the staff who purchased
them in your Galloway charity tie sale”....
THE POCKLINGTONIAN
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