Kia  Ora from New Zealand. I can only apologise for finding out that dear Peter had passed away two years too late. My deepest sympathies and condolences go out to Sian and family. I remember Peter fondly, with his duclet tones and forgiveness of arguments as ‘boys expressing their philosophical differences’. When I was on the teaching staff at OSH, amongst the PE staff, Peter was fondly referred to as Shadwell, and due to his prowess at soccer, and because of a Football World Cup, became known as Shadwell-Scillacci! A fine friend and indeed mentor Peter’s gentle nature and spirit will be long remembered. I remember him being so grateful that I came to teach RE so he could focus more on his beloved history. He was always available to bounce ideas off, to seek guidance from, and to have a chat in general. God bless you Peter – you taught me so much. – Nigel…

Dear Sir, We came to the school at the same time. I as a nervous, but excited 4th Year (Year 10 that is now I suppose…) you as a history teacher and a housemaster in Dudley early on. I vividly remember those years for your young family at the time. While I pursued non-rugby pastimes in my time at the school, our paths crossed regularly through CCF RAF and history lessons. I very much remember you as a calm disciplinarian of boisterous young lads whom often had an eye towards mischief. During one history lesson, a “game” broke out with two boys challenging each other to a duel using their geometry compasses. Before too much blood was drawn, you had deftly disarmed one of them and made light of the situation with an appropriate joke… barely an interruption to the lesson’s proceedings. It taught me something about dealing with difficult people and situations. Thank you for your years of guidance, you will be sorely missed. Justin, Dudley House 1988-1992…

Pete, you were always such a delight to be around. You’d walk into the Med centre and say “I’m sorry to bother you ladies”. You never ever were a bother and we loved our catch up every couple of days. I want to tell your family about the last game we did together at OSH. You were reffing a year 7 rugby game and as always were teaching as you went through the game explaining each decision as it came. Well one boy hit the ground just short of the try line and rolled over a couple of times before placing the ball down and celebrating the try. You then tried to explain why in fact it wasn’t a try and as 11 year olds do him and the team had a bit of a paddy. So you stopped the game, called them all over calm and smiling as always, got on the floor and said you can’t roll like this ( and copied the boy) but you can do this (and showed him what is an acceptable roll). It melted my heart. After the game I told you how wonderful it was to watch the way you taught…

Peter was kind and supportive to colleagues, inclusive throughout the day as well as at the dinner table. Our conversations were often about our families. Peter always spoke with great fondness and pride about his wife, his two sons and his beautiful, little granddaughter. Rest in peace, Peter. May the kindness you bestowed upon all shine for you now. It will live on in many hearts! …

When I think of what an exemplar teacher should look like, I would need to look no further than Mr Jenkins. Over the 7 years I spent at OSH he taught me a different subject every year and I can honestly say no teacher at that school had as much of an impact on me as Mr Jenkins. As a teacher he would always provide the most memorable lessons, especially when teaching basketball! As a man I do not believe there is anyone who would garner more respect for just how friendly, supportive, hardworking and positive he was. For me, there can be no OSH without DPJ. I wish his family my sincerest condolences at this time, and hope they can find support from this community that benefitted so much for Mr Jenkins support….

Mr Jenkins was a superb example of a role model in school. He was an amazing teacher but also put himself out so much to try and get the best out of his students. Be this through Cross Country, Cadets or staying behind after lessons to help you in your studies.  My current career in the RAF I personally think has its foundations with the CCF of which Mr Jenkins was in charge of. Therefore I truly believe my career was created through his hard work and care for each and every pupil and I would just like to thank him one last time for his hard work and belief in me. If more people were like Mr Jenkins the world would be a much better place.  RIP, you will be missed. …

Mr Jenkins/Jenko/Jenkins/Yenkins/DPJ It is very sad to hear about the passing of Mr Jenkins. With 7 years at OSH, my friends and I have many memories. His RE lessons were stuff of legend, with giant ticks (the size of the page) for good work and scathing red ballpoint pen for areas to improve. His refereeing of younger years rugby matches, ensuring ‘a fair match’ for both teams. His bus driving to various cross county destinations, of which the team came 1st and 2nd across 2 years, with DPJ proudly confessing – “we always come at least 3rd in the league, we’re one of the few teams who turn up every time!” Funnily, cross country is also the only time in 7 years I ever heard DPJ raise his voice as we were shaking the back of the mini van down at Treherne’s. “Gentleman” and “clunk, click every trip” were also some classic Mr Jenkins catchphrases from our minibus cross country days. Finally, on a personal level I was surprised to bump into DPJ on Aberdovey promenade whilst on holiday with my parents – and finding out that trips back to Wales with his wife were a regular occurrence. DPJ,…

Unfortunately of what RAF photos i am able to find, none of these seem to include Mr Jenkins so one of me probably taken by me inside the cockpit of a retired Harrier will have to do. For one member of staff out of the dozens i came across in my 7 years at OSH, its staggering how many of memories revolve around him, and i think that is emblamatic of the mans devotion to the school community, not just academically but in sporting and a military sense too. His infectious sense of humour is something which never left and i can hear his voice now as i write this, bringing back further memories of visits to RAF Cosford, subtle digs i’d recieve Albions woeful form (not always so subtle), and his influence in allowing me to be selected for a 8 hour trainging ex in a E-3 Sentry aircraft, of which i shall be eternally grateful. His exclamation of “Russell!” as i’d walk into our A Level History classes would always put me on alert as the weekends previous fixutre rarely ended well.  ‘Jenko’ was not only a huge pillar of Old Swinford Hospital, but was a significant…

Whether it was through history lessons, RAF cadets or sport, it was a pleasure to have been taught by Mr Jenkins throughout my entire time at OSH (’95-’02). With so many strings to his bow – he was Maybury housemaster too at the time – he must have routinely been putting in exhausting 7-day working weeks. And yet he remained unfailingly genial, patient and generous. He even found the time to give me some one-on-one coaching to get me in shape for a course I wanted to do. I am very sad to hear of his untimely passing, and I extend my condolences to his family and friends….

Gore Vidal said of George Santayana, that he was a man in every way admirable.  The same can be said of Mr. Jenkins, whom my generation of Old Foleyans knew, affectionately, as “Jenko” and “Jenkins”.  As one friend said to me, Mr. Jenkins was “an institution”.  There was something about him, an animus, a gravitas, that filled a room, and not a bad word was spoken of him.  Perhaps it was his pedagogical style, his rhythmic voice, his talent for nicknaming.  (I knew his approach via an elongated call: “Ricardo!”.)  Cross country, religious education, and history are all marked by his presence in my memory.  Perhaps he had something of the mystical about him, the omnipresent, for Mr. Jenkins would appear at the most opportune moments of our post-school lives.  Walking the canal, despondent after university and the death of a friend, we happened upon him fishing.  Good cheer and a happy anecdote for friends were the reward for such an encounter with this jinn.  So generous with his time, so caring.  My friends and I will forever be grateful for the time he gave to one of our more troubled companions, and if that alone were his good…

An extraordinarily warm and kind teacher and friend who made my time at Old Swinford so much happier. Mr Jenkins taught me history and had a passion for the subject that I have never experienced before or since – a superb educator. I won’t forget the delight I felt, years after leaving school, at spotting DPJ refereeing my cousin’s football match and having a good catch up after the game.  Thank you so much for everything….

Mr Jenkins was loved, respected and valued for so many things. My most significant memories of him are all rugby related, and his quality ref work. I know he’s had such an important role in shaping my generation at OSH, and I’m sure that has been the case for all privileged enough to have him grace our presence. One thing I definitely didn’t realise at the time was just how quick he was, and you can see him legging it down the pitch on our rugby videos, always keeping up with the pace of the game. The out-pouring of emotions, condolences and memories throughout social media highlight how important he has been in so many lives. I’m sure it was never at the forefront of his mind, but Mr Jenkins has left a legacy of awesomeness befitting his character. You will absolutely be missed and my thoughts are with all those who knew you. Thank you for all you did for me during my stay at OSH. Rich Twiner 1991-1998…

Mr Jenkins (or Jossy as I know he was nicknamed, after a TV programme around the same time) joined OSH when I was in the second year, and was immediately an inspirational history teacher, someone whose lessons you looked forward to, and a teacher who everyone agreed always had time for you, whether or not the subjects he was teaching you, or sports he was coaching you in were really ‘your thing’. I often think back to lessons with him, and he’s definitely at least partly responsible for me going on to study history at university (a Welsh one at that), and for a career that’s followed working in museums and heritage. I suspect he’d have more than a wry smile that, despite absolutely hating running at school, when I did finally take it up more recently, I often think back to him saying if I’d just made a bit more effort I might be half-decent. He’s still right there too. DPJ was simply a lovely man, and leaves a lasting legacy for many of us, as an inspiring teacher, and a thoroughly decent and kind man. I can only imagine the gap he leaves behind, my thoughts are…

I will never forget the kindness Mr. Jenkins showed me as a struggling History student.  He took the time to sit with me and go right back to the absolute basics all the way through the course.  I felt like a right idiot and he must have thought so too but never showed it, and instead turned a challenge into humour.  I somehow scrape through which was all credit to him and he was the first to congratulate me on results day.  Returning to OSH as a member of staff 18 years later he greeted me with such warmth and kindness; with the thousands of students he’s taught since he had no reason to remember me but he did.  Always around school with a huge smile, remembering every student he sees and commenting on their latest training or lessons, in his own unique style and incredible charisma has been wonderful to witness.  He is, and will continue to be, sorely missed by OSH past and present….

In all the years I competed against OSH with school teams we had very few victories, but it was always a pleasure because it meant seeing Peter. Win lose or draw – and it was usually defeat – it was always played in the correct manner on and off the playing surface, with a real Corinthian spirit. This was down to Peter in no small measure. Regardless of fixtures Peter was just the nicest of blokes and someone I am glad to of known as a friend. So long Peter. Martin O’Gorman. Thorns school PE teacher…