Ecolint - Newsletter.indd

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER 16
or articulate the knowledge he had
built for himself over a life-time’s
authentic classroom experience. He
nevertheless (or therefore) achieved
by his own quiet, honest, sound
practice a teaching career that many
would envy and all could learn from.
His students were the lucky ones to be
able to experience this at first hand.
Melvyn Elphee
Alan Sharpe (1965-2004)
September 1924 – Ecolint opens with
three teachers.
September 1965 – Ecolint opens
with over one hundred teachers,
including Alan Sharpe as a newly
recruited physics teacher.
September 2004 – Ecolint opens with
well over three hundred teachers, but
Alan Sharpe is 300 km away in France,
enjoying his first days of retirement!
For nearly half of its existence Alan
served the School. He lived through
many of its political and administrative
upheavals and crises but as a true
professional he never allowed these
to deflect him from his primary task
of teaching, encouraging and guiding
the young people entrusted to him.
His innovative and sometimes
unorthodox ways of presenting
Physics as an exciting and accessible
subject inspired many of his students
to continue on to brilliant careers in
science or technology, but even those
who chose other directions can look
back on his classes as “fun places to
have been”.
Whether in the Physical Science
and, later, Integrated Science courses
he developed for years seven and
eight in the pre-Middle School days
or Chemistry for classes nine and
ten or “la physique” for francophone
classes Alan’s infectious enthusiasm
communicated itself to the students.
A generation of IB students will have
experienced his talents through the
compulsory Theory of Knowledge
course. Not all will know that Alan
worked hard and long with the
IBO in trying to develop a course
which would be interesting, thought
provoking and relevant to all students,
whatever their particular specialities,
yet not overburden the hard-pressed
Diploma candidate.
From his earliest days at Ecolint,
Alan was recognised by his students
as a friend in whom they could
confide and who would champion
them as individuals or as groups. He
was always ready to help with student
activities, whether by chaperoning
dances, accompanying groups to the
Walabi Fun Park or sports events,
or facilitating the annual Students
Day Fairs. Alan’s talent for pastoral
care was recognised more formally
in his duties as Class Tutor and later
as Assistant Principal. Through his
wise and concerned mediation many
potential disputes between individual
students, or between students and
members of staff, were quietly and
tactfully defused and settled. His
personal integrity gives Alan an
authority respected by students and
colleagues alike.
His salary statements will dryly
record Alan as a science teacher, a
tutor, an assistant principal. To the
wider Ecolint community he was
much more than these. Who can
forget his stage appearances, or the
English Pub which Alan and his wife
Carole have run at the LGB Kermesse
for so many years Staff will remember
his gastronomic prowess when along
with Les Wise and Mary Sorrentino,
he carved and served mouth-watering
ham and gratin in “Piggies” at the
Student Day Fairs whereas Alumni
attending the 5th World Reunion last
June will remember Alan, Isobel Wise
and Frank Lunt as the master chefs
of the Sunday morning Bar-B-Cue at
LGB.
I had the privilege of working closely
with Alan in the Physics (later Science)
Department for over thirty years. He
taught me a lot about Physics, about
people, about life in general and I
value his continued friendship.
Alan deserves a long and happy
retirement, to give him time to
indulge his passions for antique
scientific equipment and veteran cars
but it seems unlikely that Ecolint will
not be able to tempt him back into the
laboratory from time to time.
Tony Montgomery
Anne-Marie Trémeaud (1982-2004)
est partie avec sa Mini vers d’autres
horizons en juin 2004
Pour elle, pour notre Dame,
quelques mots agencés en acrostiche.
A comme Actrice de talent, à tout
moment, à chaque instant, mais aussi
un A comme Amatrice éclairée d’arts
de toutes sortes, en particulier la
musique, la peinture, la littérature.
N comme Nouvelle venue perpétuelle,
qui demande à son voisin : « Mais qui
est donc ce Monsieur » « C’est le DG,
Anne-Marie, depuis quelques années
déjà ! »
N encore comme Narratrice
passionnante d’anecdotes amusantes
ou des mariages de ses trois enfants.
E comme Enseignante originale,
attachante et brillante, qui a aimé tant
d’élèves qui le lui rendaient bien !
M comme Magnifique dans sa
simplicité seigneuriale de femme de
qualité à l’esprit raffiné.
A comme Amie des bons et mauvais
jours, toujours fidèle et bienveillante,
compréhensive et tolérante.
R comme Rigolote et facétieuse qui
sait rendre supportable une réunion
ennuyeuse, faire disparaître un coup
de spleen et ensoleiller un matin
brumeux, à 8h sur le parking.
I comme Innocente, même devant
le pire tribunal de malfaisants et
médisants.
E comme Economie, bien sûr,
discipline difficile qu’elle a su rendre
passionnante pour 22 générations
d’élèves turbulents que pourtant
elle appelait toujours « mes petits
chéris ».
T comme Travaux à corriger,
cauchemar des profs et voleurs de
dimanches dont elle est désormais
débarrassée.
R comme Rageuse devant
l’incompétence, l’injustice et la
bêtise.
E comme Ecolint qui perd avec
elle un membre emblématique,
charismatique, intelligent, fin et
cultivé.
M comme Mini noire légendaire à
l’intérieur apocalyptique garée devant
la grille et remplacée désormais par
une autre Mini verte.
E comme à l’Ecoute des autres, de ses
amis, de ses collègues, de ses élèves,
des membres du CDG où elle a siégé
quelques temps.
A comme absolument géniale et
irremplaçable dans sa singularité.
U comme Utopiste et néanmoins
réaliste qui apporte sa petite pierre
lumineuse à l’édifice du monde pour
le rendre meilleur, par exemple avec
sa chronique littéraire dans le Journal
des Français à l’Etranger.
D enfin, D comme Départ vers une
nouvelle vie que nous lui souhaitons
tous, avec ceux qu’elle aime, longue
et bienheureuse.
… Connaître Anne Marie Trémeaud
est une chance, compter parmi ses
amis, un privilège…
Marie-Claire Vigneau-Ribal