Memorial mass for much loved former New Malden headteacher (From Your Local Guardian)

Memorial mass for much loved former New Malden headteacher

8:30am Thursday 9th February 2012 in Kingston

A New Malden school will hold a memorial mass for a much loved former head teacher known for his dry sense of humour and love of poetry.

Oswald Thomas Jones will be honoured at Richard Challoner School, where he became the first head teacher in 1959, at a service held at the Manor Drive North school on February 10.

During his tenure the railway inspector’s son became famous for his entertaining wit- he once remarked to a parent that "disco kids rarely make academic records".

Extracts from Mr Jones public addresses were often quoted in the Surrey Comet and in 1968 a phrase from one of these speeches made the Sunday Times quote of the week.

It read: "I feel that we will have attained a great deal if we have succeeded in producing men who are dignified in dungarees."

Texts of Mr Jones speeches and his retirement poems were brought together in a book published to mark the school’s Golden Jubilee two years ago.

On the book, A Head of His Time, current director of sixth form studies Chris Doran said: "The book is a precious record of Oswald Jones’ talents as educator and wordsmith; his distilled wisdom, deep faith, and dry humour; and an eloquent testimony to his loving devotion to his family and friends."

For more information on the memorial service please call the school office on 0208 330 5947