MR. ALAN PARKER, R.I.P.

In the week before half-term, the whole school community was shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden death of Mr. Parker. Many people connected with the school will be attending the Mass in his memory tonight (Thursday) in the Main Hall, starting at 7 o’clock and others who cannot come along will want to remember him in their prayers.

Depending on the capacity in which we knew him, we all have our own special memories of Mr. Parker. To his pupils, he was a very caring and hard-working teacher who wanted the best for all who were in his charge. He was a person of many talents and he taught a wide range of subjects over the years. Student Councils have been very quick to try to find appropriate ways of marking the 22 years of service he gave to different generations of pupils. After sending a wreath of flowers from the school, they have made further plans to plant a tree in our Garden of Remembrance, to have a Book of Condolences signed and to raise money for a charity Mr. Parker would have wanted to support. A photograph of Mr. Parker at the Y8 Mission Day has been enlarged and has been placed in the Chapel.

Teachers remember Mr. Parker as a sincere, very kind and supportive friend and colleague. He was never one to place himself in the forefront, but he quietly got on with the business of doing all he could to help his fellow teachers and to promote good education for his pupils. Goodness and courtesy were qualities he brought to all he did and unconditionally gave to all those people he met.

As Mr. Armstrong said in an address given in an immediate staff Service of Prayer, Mr. Parker was among the first in the school to become expert in using computer facilities. Thereafter, he was always prepared to give generously of his time to explain things to others, or to provide them with IT software they could use with their classes. Whether he was taking part in a classroom conversation, playing for the staff cricket team or organising one of the games for the P.T.A. Christmas Fayre, he was always the same unassuming person, in whose company it was a pleasure to be.

Since Mr. Parker died, many people have summed it up by saying that he was a gentleman. Indeed he was, and in every sense of the word. That so many past and present members of staff and governors joined pupil representatives at his funeral service during the school holiday, says so much about the respect in which he was held. Everybody knows that he will be a huge loss to St. Michael’s School.

To Mr. Parker’s wife, Christine, and to all his family, we offer our deepest sympathy. However great the loss we are feeling, we know theirs will be harder to bear. They, too, will be in our prayers in the time ahead.

          May He Rest In Peace.

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