Teachers - what do they do now?

We were very pleased to receive a letter from an ex Whitburn Comp teacher who had heard about the reunion and thought we might like to know what other teachers who taught us are doing now.

Dear Whitburn School Reunion,

I read in the Gazette about your website and having recently accessed it I am very impressed by it-mainly your efforts David so I'm told. Not surprising as I do recall you developing expertise in IT in your latter years at school. My word processing skills are still at the one finger stage! I'm sure many pupils will be interested to know about how their ex-teachers have fared since your cohort left school.

I've drawn up and enclosed what I know of them-I'm not aware of omitting anyone. I am in regular contact with a small number of these teachers and bump into many others from time to time. I'll inform them of the reunion and assume your past teachers would be welcome!


Best wishes and please pass on my regards to any pupils that you are in contact with.

Don Clarke  

Whatever Happened to
WHITBURN STAFF OF 1986?


Mr Clarke did miss a few teachers off that were there when we were. Below is his original list of 37 teachers who you will all know. I've then started a new list below this one.

 Mr. Allen retired in late '80's.
Mr Atkinson left c.1990 for career enhancement. Last heard serving as Assistant Head in London area.
Mr. E. Brett retired in 1996. Now an avid golfer.
Mr. A. Brown left late '80's. to become lea's PE Advisor. Now retired.
Mrs M. Carrahar left c.1990 for Drama post at Mortimer Comp. Still there in Senior Management position.
Mr. D. Clarke retired as Head of Mathematics in 2001. Sadly both Chalkie and the Japanese limousine have long since perished!
Mrs. E. Coe still serving at the school as Head of Modern Languages.
Mr. J. Curran took early retirement in 1995. Served as supply teacher for many years. Now retired.
Mrs C. Dearden left in 1985 for career advancement. Retired from Senior Teacher post at Mortimer Comp in 2001.
Mr. J. Flegg took early retirement in early 1990's. Moved to cottage on Northumberland coast where he continues to pursue his love of outdoor pursuits-bushy beard and all!
Mr. R. Guidi retired early 1990's.
Mr. W. Hearn retired recently but continues to work part-time at Whitburn
Mrs. A. Stone (nee Hyslop) moved to Wales on husband's career advancement in late '80's. Sadly lost her husband in road accident shortly afterwards.
Mr. T. Jackson left in 2000 and relocated to his native Northumberland.
Mrs. G. Johnstone is still teaching at the school.
Mr. J. Lawson retired in 1995. Shares time between homes in England and France.
Mr. J. Leask recently retired through ill-health.
Miss D. Mack still teaching cookery at Whitburn Comp!
Mr. B. Mawhinney retired in early '90's through ill-health and relocated to Borders. The founder and editor of the much read "Nut Brown Chimp" sadly passed away not long after retirement.
Mrs. L. Mawhinney retired in mid '90's.
Mr. J. Main took early retirement in early '90's. Continued to put his considerable entrepreneurial skills to good use ever since!
Mr. D. Moses has apparently pursued a number of careers since leaving Whitburn in middle '80's. Will his latest career (as a magician and entertainer) allow him to appear or disappear at the reunion? Visit www.donmoses.co.uk.
Mr. T. Olsen retired in mid '90's but still does supply teaching in a school for handicapped children.
Mrs A. Porthouse retired as Deputy Head in 2000 to pursue career as Educational Consultant.
Mr. D. Peacock still at Whitburn after nearly 30 years. Even the great train robbers didn't get that long a sentence!
Mr. E. Ritchie retired in late '80's.
Mr. W. Rome retired in 2003. Keen golfer, gardener and DIY enthusiast.
Mr. R. Shields retired late '80s. Sadly had only been retired a few months when he collapsed and died when playing squash.
Mrs J. Slater retired late '80's but still believed to do occasional supply teaching in primary schools.
Mr. D. Spencelayh retired in 1994-avid golfer.
Mr. P. Symonds retired mid '80's and sadly died of brain tumour shortly afterwards.
Mrs. M. Symonds retired at same time as her husband and still actively involved in local community.
Mrs W. Tobin recently retired as Head of English at Whitburn.
Mrs. A Walsh (nee Cook) returned to teach at Whitburn after career break to raise family after marrying Mr M. Walsh.
Mr. M. Walsh left Whitburn in late '80's to qualify as an Educational Psychologist in which capacity he is now employed by the LEA.
Mr. M. Wood retired as Head of Music in late '80's. Sadly died suddenly a few years after retirement.
Mr. I. Yarrow retired early '90's but worked part-time at St. Joseph's RC Comp. before recent final retirement.

END OF Mr Clarke's list


Other teachers who we are researching that Mr Clarke missed off:

What we
called them		 First name What they taught /
What they do 		Photo
Mrs Anderson Maureen Maths. Mrs Anderson died around 1984 when we were at the school.
Mrs Armstrong Maureen Lifeskills 
Mrs Bourne* Pat Typing & Office Practice
Mr Burnett* Jim Science. Now at King George.
Mrs Clarke Mary Cookery. Retired
Mrs Craig Dorothy School Secretary. Retired and sadly died of cancer 2yrs ago.
Mr Dean* Ray Still teaching I.T. Music at Whitburn comp!
Mr Duke Gordon Science
Mrs Ellis Dorothy Girls Headmistress
Mr Fitzgerald Mick PE
Miss Foy* Veronica Cookery
Mrs Groom June Gymnastics. Moved to Weardale to a house with some sheep!!
Mr Hoy* Peter English
Mr Hunter Ian Retired on ill health
Mrs Johnson* Gillian Still teaching Religious knowledge at Whitburn comp!
Mr Maidens* Clive Music
Mrs Mellors Ruth Cookery/Needlework
Mr Stoker* Tom Woodwork - Retired
Miss Storey* Carole PE (supply back in 86). Now teaching at Harton.
Mrs Trainor June Maths (supply). Now teaching primary.
Mrs Welsh Enid Cookery
Mrs Whitfield Gill Maths (now supply)
Mr Wilson Bill English. Also involved with Jarrow Athletics club.

*Some teachers have a red asterisk beside them. This means they might have been there after we left but are on the 1986/1987 teacher photo.

 

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