Edward: Derek Mackey OW 1985

Without doubt, forming enduring friendships that last to this day, with sport a very close second. I recall school life being so carefree – I didn’t have a worry in the world (which probably contributed significantly to my underwhelming A Level results!).  

I enjoyed the ‘social’ aspects of lessons but was too easily distracted…I suspect teachers viewed me as a bit of a pain! PE was my favourite (excepting the lesson in first year when I had to do ballroom dancing, with girls, in pants! – punishment for forgetting my shorts) and French was my worst, by a long margin – I was hopeless, but proud of my retake C grade after initially achieving a D at O Level. I was the bane of my French teacher’s life, though we eventually became good friends. My indifference to the academic side of school was more than made up for by my love of playing football – it was all I wanted to do and I was fortunate to play for the 1st XI in the Third Form (they were very desperate!).

On leaving school I joined the police, much to my mother’s chagrin, but returned to education four years later to complete a degree in geology and then a PGCE. My teaching career was spent mainly in UK boarding schools (including five years as Head of Geography and Housemaster at KESW!) and British schools in the Middle and Far East. I retired as a Head from the British School Kuala Lumpur in 2017. I’m now living in Devon, still playing football, and regularly meeting up with fellow OWs in the southwest and London. 

I am proud of bringing up three children, now in their late teens/early twenties, who are far more impressive than I was at that age. As a teacher I have been privileged to have the opportunity to impact the lives of young people over so many years. Representing Southern England Public Schools and going on to play for the Corinthian Casuals were undoubtedly my sporting highlights.