Farewell to Mr Watling - Head of Music

So long, farewell.....

In April 2010, sadly Mervyn Watling decided to retire from teaching in the Junior School. However, on a happy note, he will still be seen around, as he will continue to teach part time in the Senior School.

It is difficult to know where to start when talking about Mervyn Watling. A man of strong Christian values who brought his love of God into his lessons and life at school. He was always passionate about everything he undertook, whether it be teaching whole classes creative topics or whole casts for plays; ferrying small groups of children to the Thanet Festival; taking mini-busses to the Dickens Festival or leading coach loads of children to the O2 or London Symphony Orchestra.

Mervyn’s ability to teach children how to ‘hear the beat’, play and sing in time and in tune’, play and experiment with a vast range of instruments, learn about and imitate great composers was incredible. On top of this he taught pupils how to recognise classic as well as modern masterpieces and see the beauty in both. He nurtured individual talent, encouraging, supporting and always believing in the abilities of those he taught.

Listening to children performing songs and instrumental pieces he had taught, one always wondered how he managed to get young children to perform such complex pieces, not only with confidence, but with passion and enjoyment.

On top of his classroom teaching, he had also created a healthy orchestra, incorporating Kirby House and a flourishing choir, within which sits the Chapel Choir – all of whom perform to an incredibly high standard.

What will be remembered most by all those he taught over the years? Probably his ability to create within each and every child, teenager and young adult, a love and passion for music.

This brief summation does not really do justice to the man who ran the Junior School music department, which such verve and passion for twenty odd years, but for those of us who were either taught by him or worked with him, he will remain in our memories and in our hearts for many more years to come.

He will be greatly missed by both the children and his colleagues and we wish him every success and many blessings in all that he does in the future.