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Tribute to one of first teachers at Pindar
A LONG-SERVING teach- er at Pindar School, now George Pindar Commun- ity Sports College, has died aged 77.
Garry Bratby, of West Ayton, was one of the first teachers to teach at the school following its opening in 1956 and served for around 30 years until his retirement.
The father of one began his teaching career in his home city Sheffield before moving to Scarborough to take up the post at Pindar.
His daughter Iona Rodger, 41, said: “He started off as a PE teacher, which is why a lot of people remember him, and then began teaching science.
“He just loved helping kids realise their potential. He believed everybody had something to give and excel at. He looked after the school’s greenhouses and would teach kids how to grow plants and vegetables.
“He gave them such confidence and I think that’s why people remember him – he made them feel important.”
She added: “He was generous to a fault and would go out of his way to help people.
“Well after he retired the number of Christmas cards from ex-pupils just kept coming through the letter box and he was forever bumping into former students.”
A keen sports fan, Mr Bratby played football and cricket for local teams and still enjoyed playing tennis, golf and squash well into his retirement.
Mrs Rodger, a former Raincliffe School pupil, did not follow her father into teaching and left Scarborough in 1985 to study geology at the University of Leicester. She now lives near Helmsley.
She said: “My dad really made Scarborough his home. He was a great walker, who loved the scenery around Scarborough. He used to go walking on the moors and in Forge Valley.”
Mr Bratby, who was divorced, played the trombone and was involved in the school band. “He missed the kids a great deal after he retired but possibly not what teaching had become – with the bureaucracy of it all.
“He was just so full of energy and enthusiasm. You couldn’t help but be drawn in.”
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Weather for Scarborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
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