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From the subject of distinguished visitors to "Spring Grove" which ended the first article, our thoughts turn to outstanding members of the staff. The first Headmaster was C.A. Wood M.A., whose death in 1952, at the age of 80, ended a remarkable career and caused sadness to many. He was a very active man with wide interests, among them Natural History and Sir Walter Scott's works; not only was he a great lover of books, but he showed a truly remarkable encyclopaedic knowledge which made him a singularly interesting and effective teacher.
The school has been most fortunate to have as members of staff several of outstandingly long service, such men as Mr. A.H. Aldersly (Chemistry), and Mr. A.C.P. Handover (Mathematics). In 1941 these two much-loved and respected masters died. Their services to the school are commemorated by a plaque in the main entrance hall and by the Aldersly-Handover Prizes given annually to a Fifth Year boy and girl for outstanding perseverence (sic) . Mr. Handover's enthusiasm on behalf of the Royal Lifesaving Society received world-wide recognition. Mr. Cross, who taught woodwork and P.T. and took a great interest in the Parents' and Teachers' Association at Spring Grove for 24 years, retired in 1947; Miss Nash also left, after more than 20 years teaching Biology, to join the staff of the Cty of London School for Girls where she still is. In 1949-50 came the resignations of Mr. Trevor Owen, still so well known in the borough, and Mr Corby, whose death, so soon afterwards, was a great blow to his many friends, as was that of Miss Bromwich in 1953. Miss Bromwich who had taught cookery, needlework and baby-craft to so many girls in the Old Cottage, now the caretaker's home left in 1949, followed in 1951 by Miss Walters who taught art here for 29 years before she also retired in 1951 to a Suffolk village where she still lives. Bernard Joy, well-known sports reporter, played association football for Arsenal and England and was a member of the Olympic Team while on the Spring Grove staff
Three even more outstanding members of staff must now be mentioned. First, Miss Griffin, who retired in 1948 after 23 years' service as Senior Mistress and teacher of French. In his address, the Headmaster paid warm tribute to her as a most helpful colleague, praising her amiable temperament and friendliness, while stressing the fact that, while she could be severe in dealing with misdemeanour, she was always eminently just in her administration. A former pupil wrote: "Her individuality inspires leadership in others, together with the will and the zest to lead full and useful lives to the utmost extent of their capabilities." She married and now lives in a Dorset village.
Mr. F.W. Brown, who joined the staff in 1925 remained here for 30 years, 13 of which were spent as Senior Master. When he succeeded Mr. Snaith in his post in 1941, he maintained a remarkable level of efficiency as a teacher and organiser of the Mathematics Department. He was a man of wide cultural interests; among them music and chess. When he retired in 1953, it seemed impossible to imagine the school without this kindly "tower of strength." His death in 1956 brought a sense of loss to all who knew him. A pastel portrait of him, executed by the art master, Mr Bullough, hangs in the school library, a lasting tribute to him from the staff.
The most recent member of these distinguished three to retire was Mr. R.L. Callow, who had spent thirty years at the school as a Geography and Scripture Master, the last four as Senior Master in succession to Mr. Brown. For many years he arranged the annual school outings and he also showed great interest in the Christian Union Society which was founded in September 1954.
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