“PETER PERFECT”, My Greatest Teacher, by J L Romanillos

An analysis of the importance of a good education and inspirational, unforgettable, life-shaping teachers.

I have been blessed with a good education. I have my parents to thank for that, as they made a momentous decision when I was aged just 9 to leave Spain and move to England. My father gave it all up - good job, lovely Madrid apartment, weekend shooting, “Spotty” the dog, family and lifelong friends. All for me and my two brothers. He wanted a better life for us, and with my mother they decided that England was where we would find our future together, under the English educational system. They were not wrong.

 I remember sitting, very nervously, the 11-plus tests in the year of 1969 at Berwick St James Primary School, Wiltshire, and then being told that summer that I had gained a place at the Grammar School in Salisbury called Bishop Wordsworth. I was very excited as I found out that in their English Department there was a teacher by the name of William Golding, the Nobel Prize-winning author of one of my favourite novels, “Lord of the Flies”. I could not believe that I was going to be taught by this great man. And sadly, it was never to be, as my parents then decided they had to move house, to the other side of the county, which meant that I had changed my school catchment area. However, I shall be forever grateful to them for this sudden change in course, as it resulted in me attending Shaftesbury Grammar School instead, where I was taught by a whole group of wonderful schoolmasters. Their names still trip off the tongue...Basil Bates (Latin & Classics), Frank Hopton (History), Mike Webber (Geography), Graham Hough (Maths), and the man who I consider to be the greatest teacher I ever had, my English master, Peter Rolfe. An erudite scholar, a majestic cricketer and an expert fly fisherman, Peter sits at the very top of my list. What made him such an inspirational man to me I shall explain shortly…

 “Education is the key”. That is what my Spanish Godfather, Angel Fernandez,  explained to me as we set sail for Spain all those years ago. He had experienced life during the Spanish Civil War and was still living under the controlling Franco military dictatorship that was Spain. “Whatever happens to you, my godson, they can never take away what you have in your mind. Your knowledge, your thoughts, your passions, your beliefs, your experience, your wisdom. So go off and learn…” A lovely, lovely man.

 And I set about to try and do just that. Learn, learn, learn. But for that, in addition to your own innate desire and work ethos, you have to have the right teachers who can “lead you out of the darkness”. The word “education” has its origins in the Latin words, Ex and Ducare, meaning to lead out of a place of “ignorance”. For me, this is the fundamental part of a good education - having the right persons to motivate, encourage, inspire and lead forward the nation’s schoolchildren and show them the way towards the light. These teachers have the futures of our children and grandchildren in their hands. The future of our nation state. So what attributes should they have? For me, I list the qualities my English master displayed, that inspired me to strive for the best and be a better person. Qualities that meant he is forever etched in my mind and heart as a man who helped give me the tools I needed to navigate life’s uncertain waters…qualities that I am sure many teachers of today share.

Mutual Respect

Peter Rolfe had a genuine respect for all the pupils in his classes, without exception. He treated everyone with the same kind but firm hand. There were no favourites. And we had total respect for him. Period. I do not recall a single discipline issue - not one.

 Humour

A very witty man, he could bring the class to uproarious laughter and hilarity with just a sudden quip or aside. I recall raising my hand one day in class after getting back our yellow exercise books and studying the mark he had given me on my latest “magnum opus”.

“Sir, why have I only got 8.5 out of 10 on the essay? I spent ages on it…” I said, cheekily.

“Romanillos”, he replied, “ only God could get a 10, and only I could get a 9”.

Expertise

Peter knew his subject like the back and front of his hand. Shakespeare, Thomas Hardy, Milton, poetry, drama, modern literature - he was comfortable quoting at length from a whole range of works. And he often did, with great skill and emotion.

Aura

There was an aura to the man that was hard to define and explain. He had a presence; a way of entering a room that created immediate silence and a sense of excited expectation. He would stand there for a while, casting his eye over all of us. One felt in the presence of a personality, a superior, masterful being that would add something new and special to our lives.

Perfection

A stickler for the rules of English grammar, he taught us many tricks which I still use today for spelling, punctuation and general writing. No “i” before “e”, except after c. The importance and correct use of the apostrophe “s”. Simple essay planning and structuring. Bullet points.

 He encouraged us to take care in how we expressed ourselves, both verbally and on paper, insisting that we paid close attention to the detail, as well as the content. He always demanded that we sought “perfection”, and for that reason we nicknamed him “Peter Perfect”, based on the character from the children’s TV cartoon series, “Wacky Races”.

The Extras

In addition to his classroom duties, Peter also coached the U14 school cricket team, leading by example and showing us the many tricks and guiles he had developed during his time as a top-flight local cricketer. A great bowler and very stylish batsman, I had the honour of playing against him on a number of occasions.

He also had a great love of fishing, and would regularly organize fishing trips with groups of pupils. He always gave of his time with a willingness that was admirable.

Dedication & Service

Peter Rolfe was a master at Shaftesbury Grammar for over 30 years, becoming a part of the very fabric of that august institution. When he retired, he left behind an immense legacy of former pupils (and colleagues) eternally grateful for his total dedication.

And so, these are the main reasons why I will never forget my English schoolmaster, Peter Rolfe. Still alive today, I hope to see him again shortly and talk about “those good old days”, and no doubt receive some corrections on this piece. “Still only 8.5, Romanillos, sorry”.

 These aforementioned qualities I believe are common to the majority of teachers, past and present, who dedicate their lives to teaching. And I know that everyone I speak with has a favourite teacher or teachers that they remember fondly. And so we should. These are professional people who dedicate themselves tirelessly to helping others. Loving, caring and self-sacrificing people who pass on to us their passion for life and a love of learning.

 In my humble opinion, they should be recognized for what they truly are, which is a pivotal and indispensable part of our society. In addition to damn good salaries and pensions, all teachers who have made their valuable contributions should all be recognized and honoured by Her Majesty the Queen. An OBE or an MBE, for services to the nation. Or even a medal. And I don’t say that just because my wife is a much-loved and admired teacher herself. She already has a medal, a very big one, for having had to put up with me all her married life.

With kind acknowledgements and thanks to my guest Editor, without whose cooperation, “education” and input this article would not have been possible:

Peter Rolfe, Esquire - formerly English Master at Shaftesbury Grammar School for Boys, Shaftesbury, Dorset

 José Luis Romanillos MA TEP

 Copyright: J L Romanillos Ltd, 2019