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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
17 ALUMNI NEWSLETTER Les Wise (1970 – 2004) It all began back in 1970 with a misunderstanding. I was in London to interview applicants for a Chemistry teaching position – amongst them a certain young Leslie Wise. We waited in different areas of the chosen venue. We waited and waited and waited. Finally, and I am not quite sure how, we managed to make contact. This was our first misunderstanding. It was also the last! Like so many of us, Les came to Geneva thinking it would be for just a few years. I doubt that he ever imagined that he would dedicate the rest of his teaching career to Ecolint. Les is an accomplished Chemist and a skilled communicator. Generations of alumni are indebted to Les for their achievements in Chemistry. However he is more than just a Chemist. His knowledge of Geography and many other subjects makes him a formidable opponent in Trivial Pursuit. Indeed he might well have studied Geography rather than Chemistry at the University level had not a School Careers adviser told him that with a degree in Geography he would be condemned to teaching! One particular area of Chemistry in which Les excels is the thermal molecular structural modifications, of triglyceride, protein and carbohydrate materials. Yes, he is a superb cook and so many of us have had enormous pleasure by being on the receiving end of his skills in this area. However above the knowledge and expertise is Les the human being. He has been a caring and compassionate teacher who has always had the welfare of his students at heart. He also managed to inject a great deal of humour into his teaching. There were times when I would hear him teaching in the adjacent lab and it sounded to all intents and purposes rather like an episode from Fawlty Towers. His students laughed and learned. Les, yours has been a long and distinguished career at Ecolint. Countless colleagues and students remember you with affection and respect. Enjoy a long, happy and well-earned retirement. And don’t forget to invite us round for your next culinary creation! Eric Anthony Jacques Mandallaz Le 31 décembre 2004, après avoir travaillé 21 ans à l’imprimerie, notre cher collègue Jacques nous a quittés pour une retraite bien méritée. Nous lui souhaitons beaucoup de bonheur pour cette nouvelle étape de vie. Nous reviendrons plus complètement sur son passage parmi nous dans la prochaine édition de notre ‘Newsletter’. Alumni News I am aware of many alumni who have exceptional musical talents but I hesitate to attempt a comprehensive list for fear of offending by omission. However two of our former students have caught my attention of late. I chanced to see a TV programme recently in which Ju-Ying Song/87 LGB was performing. She seems to be doing very well indeed in her career. I have read an enthusiastic review of a performance back in 98 at her Alma Mater Stanford, where she included in her recital, a piano duet with a certain Condoleezza Rice! I also read a review in the Gramophone magazine which said “And finally there is the Taiwanese pianist Ju-Ying Song who in this, her first recording, gives evidence of extraordinary talent in the shape of Oriental fingerwork allied with razorsharp intelligence. Maybe, sometime in the next millenium, she will be the one to put on disc my perfect performance...”. We have lost contact with Ju-Ying – so if anyone out there has an e-mail we would appreciate it. In November 2004, CERN for its 50th anniversary celebrations promoted a concert at the Victoria Hall. This featured the celebrated Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and equally celebrated violinist Maxime Vengerov. The conductor was alumnus Tommaso Placidi/82 LGB. Tommaso has conducted some of the great orchestras of the world, including a period as assistant to André Previn with London Symphony Orchestra. Know of others who are making their mark Eric Anthony/97 Très important !! Site web des Anciens Nous vous prions instamment de visiter notre site web: www.ecolint-alumni.ch, de vous inscrire en ligne à l’ANNUAIRE DES ANCIENS et d’adhérez aux TROIS FORUMS Frances Leon Quintana/33 – Albuquerque, NM, USA Jswadesh@aol.com Frances’ son, Joel, writes: ‘The big news for this 2004 was the publication by Alta Mira Press of my mother’s book ‘Ordeal of Change: The Southern Utes and their Neighbors’. It’s a book that is both scholarly and easy reading. If you’d like to learn a bit of Americana, I recommend it. (www.altamirapress.com). Because my mother is no longer able to travel, we were grateful for visits from our family. The decline in my mother’s health has also brought a retinue of home medical help, so we are rarely alone. Life goes on, but at a slower pace.’ Alexa MacKinnon Payan/38 – Morelos, Mexico Alexa has written a book on Flora Tristan (Gauguin’s grandmother) which has just been published by the Grijalbo Group in Mexico. She and her son, Donald/66, would like to see it published in English. Alexa is in contact with Susie Sweetser-Clifford/ 39, Cora Lee Gethman/39 and Loïs Meyhoffer/33. Cora Lee Gethman Gibbs/39 – Newport, Rhode Island, USA Coraleegibbs@aol.com ‘I send my very best wishes and would so like to be there with you at the B.E.E.R. night. I am wondering if there are any members present from my “generation”. I attended the school probably almost as long as anyone, from 1929 to 1939 and I have many wonderful memories of those years. I have stopped by the school several times over the years and my eldest son
Page 1 and 2: 1 ALUMNI NEWSLETTER SPRING 2005 In
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Page 5 and 6: Colorado Reunion 27 - 31 July 2006
Page 7 and 8: New York Ecolint NE Alumni held its
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Page 11 and 12: Photos : Alfonso Fojo Photo : Edmun
Page 13 and 14: world. Despite the worn out, almost
Page 15: Le parcours d’Hélène est exempl
Page 19 and 20: ’Also, I am still in touch with:
Page 21: LGB - Student Council En juin 2004,

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