I was lucky enough to teach Chris for 3 years.  I have such fond memories of teaching him in year 9 when he sat towards the back with Harry, Barney and Tom Hagan. Four of the best mathematicians, yet scruffiest in the presentation of their work!   I regularly had to defend these boys from the unwanted (?!) attention of the 4 chatty girls, Reese, Channice, Gabi and Issie; who sat in front of them.  ‘Miss, we just want to do our Maths’ Chris would plead, with his tongue firmly in his cheek!

It was a delight to teach Chris again in my A Level class, along with some of the characters from the same year 9 class, Jason, Tom Lou, and Angelina.  He had grown, got even more proficient at his maths, but unfortunately his presentation had still not improved!  Chris was a godsend to teach during lockdown, one of the few who would turn his camera on and speak to me! Often telling me stories of his dog, especially each time mine made an unplanned appearance on camera!  When we returned to school he continued to be my saviour, regularly saving my dignity by acting as my interpretor when I could not hear/understand what people were saying from behind their masks. 

He had an unlimited amount of patience, never showing any irritation when his peers slowed the lesson with their questions which must have seemed very basic to Chris who had quickly understood and picked up that topic/method. He gave his time readily, always happy to team up with classmates who were struggling.  Chris showed such extraordinary amounts of empathy towards his friends and classmates, often realising that their confusion was caused by our crazy English language – ‘sheep pen’ and ‘chicken dinosaurs’ caused much hilarity amongst his international friends, when he explained that their real meaning was very different from the literal meaning! His quick wit and dry sense of humour brightened up our lessons and I know his peers enjoyed the banter that Chris readily provided.

I will always remember Chris as the brilliant, kind, unassuming gentleman that he was. He had a real talent for putting everyone else at ease. In one of our last conversations before study leave began, he even reassured me that he would look out for another pupil, knowing that I was worried that this person may struggle outside of KC.  I cannot begin to put it into words how sad I am that Chris is no longer with us – the world is a duller place without him.