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Obituaries 2002
Roy McIsaac MA Oxon
Headmaster 1966 - 79
"The past is another country : they do things differently there".
I'm sure most of you will be familiar with those opening lines of the novel 'The
Go Between' by L. P. Hartley
Well, Clayesmore was another country, way back in 1966 when Roy McIsaac joined us as Headmaster; things were certainly done differently then.
Many of you here will, of course, remember that it was in those days a very small school of about 200 pupils (all boys - all boarders), and only 16 teaching Staff. The Prep School was 10 miles away in Charlton Marshall (even girls were 4 miles away in Croft House, Shillingstone, and officially at any rate, out of bounds). Many of the buildings such as the classrooms, theatre, gymnasium and laboratories were ancient and decrepit (one is almost tempted to say that about some of the Teaching Staff).
The dormitories were unheated and unused during the day, the classrooms often cold; the boys all wore shorts throughout the year ; they did the washing up themselves, they shovelled coke for the boilers, they marked out the games pitches. The facilities were severely limited, and it was brave of Roy to take us on ! But he was, of course, a man of considerable experience before he chose us. He had already been a Headmaster for 12 years at the Isle of Wight Ryde School, and previously had seen Army service for 6 years during the War, followed by a highly successful career at Oxford. Clearly the Governors had secured an outstanding man to be the next Headmaster of Clayesmore.
In the 1960s this term (the Michaelmas Term we called it then) started in leisurely fashion in late September. In about the 2nd week of term, just when the rest of us were thinking about getting down to some serious work, a notice would go up on the Staff Common Room board saying that the Headmaster would be away for a few days in some lovely part of Britain such as Oxford, York or Edinburgh, to attend what? A Headmasters' Conference ! Now what a thought ! Imagine all those Headmasters gathered together in one place ! I remember trying to think of a collective noun for this (you know, like a flock of geese or a herd of cows). I thought of a 'nodding of heads' or perhaps better still, a 'lack of principals'.
When Roy returned, I reminded him of that old Dorset proverb, which I'm sure you know : "Headmasters be like dung" (I'm afraid I don't do the Dorset dialect very well) "Headmasters are like manure ; not much use in a heap, but they do a power of good if spread out". And it is, of course, true - Headmasters do their real work spread round the country in their schools - kings in their own kingdoms.
Thus it was with Roy. When he took office in 1966, it did not seem that change was in the air. It was a time of retrenchment and consolidation. AND YET. His Headmastership proved to be one of profound change - as great as any that has befallen the School in its history. He, more than anyone, transformed Clayesmore from what was a sleepy country school ( I almost called it a country club ) into the flourishing enterprise it is to-day.
One of his first innovations was to make the name of the School known to a wider circle in the neighbourhood, in the county of Dorset, and the Nation, when he inaugurated the Clayesmore Lecture in 1969, given annually before a large and appreciative audience by National Personalities ever since.
Although finance was severely limited, buildings began to be steadily improved or added : the Physics and Chemistry Laboratories were refurbished ; a Language Laboratory constructed ; the Moore Laboratory for Biology built (later crowned by a second storey to house the Geography Department) ; the first phases of an impressive and imaginative scheme for a Music School were carried out ; a new Sanatorium and a new Arts and Crafts Centre were constructed. These might seem small compared with the later and more opulent facilities which have replaced them as more finance became available, but they were sorely needed at the time and represented a great step forward.
It was in 1973, however, that Roy introduced the innovation which opened up the prospect of a different Clayesmore altogether. For undoubtedly the most far-reaching change of Roy's Headmastership will be seen by posterity to have been the conversion to co-education. After an initial experiment with the teaching of 6th form girls from Croft House in the A level classes, he announced the introduction of full and complete co-education by the admission of girls from the age of 13 onwards. I may say that this was not entirely welcomed by all the Staff, but we were, in fact, the first boarding school in our area to do so.
A boarding house, for which he chose the name of Bower (linking it with the old family who held the Manor of Iwerne) was built in the School grounds, a Housemistress appointed, and the first three pioneers installed in 1974. From the beginning co-education proved a success, and a natural progression for the pioneering school Clayesmore was founded to be by Alex Devine. In a matter of 4 years Bower House was filled, and further increase in numbers was accommodated by the purchase and adaptation of the old Vicarage in the centre of the village, to be re-named Devine after our founder.
Another far-reaching change concerned the Preparatory School. Previously outside Blandford, this was moved from its old home in Charlton Marshall into new purpose-built premises put up in the old walled garden in the School grounds and to share Chapel and Dining Hall. To provide for the much larger numbers needing games pitches, a major levelling operation was carried out on the Lake Field. This integration of the two Schools to share the facilities on one site was obviously difficult, and it required all Roy McIsaac's skill and tact to secure the smooth dove-tailing and happy co-existence which exist to-day.
The early 70s were not an easy time Nation-wide for Public Schools. Overall pupil numbers declined here as elsewhere, and Roy was faced with many problems - he even had to cut down on Teaching Staff, and I was aware that as a kind, sensitive and sympathetic man, he found this very distressing, but it had to be done for the sake of the School. To add to his problems, the illness and subsequent death of the then Bursar, Major Duncan, at this crucial time threw additional grievous pressure on Roy, but it was characteristic of the man that he shouldered the burden of bursarial affairs uncomplainingly and willingly, with his customary attention to every detail. We on the Staff were hardly aware of the stress he was under, for he kept his worries to himself. Perhaps only his wife, Audrey, fully realised the strain such an impossible situation placed on a man so dedicated and conscientious as he.
Inevitably his health broke down and the resulting serious illness took him to hospital and away from the School for several months. Nevertheless he was determined to return. And with enormous relief to me (as a reluctant acting Headmaster), as soon as the doctors permitted, with typical courage and devotion to duty, he took up the reins once more, and dedicated himself to the task of creating the new Clayesmore.
Throughout his Headmastership this sense of dedication and high principle determined the way he ran the School, and the qualities he required of all who taught, worked or studied here. He did not spare himself. He set the highest standards, and demanded them of others in the cause of the School. There was no aspect of School life that escaped his acute attention and scrutiny. Who could forget those little notes in his precise handwriting on small slips of paper in our pigeon holes every morning, for us to puzzle over the meaning (sometimes very long notes on very small pieces of paper) ? His administrative skill was based on this care and precision, and on a meticulous eye for detail.
He was, nevertheless, a Headmaster of great understanding, compassion and tolerance, caring above all for individual human feelings. Never one to settle for the easy solution to a problem, he would devote much time to the search for an answer to which all parties could agree. He was careful to keep the Staff fully informed of impending changes, and by consultation sought the opinions of any who might be affected by his decisions. Believing strongly that only the small size of a School such as Clayesmore made it possible for the Headmaster to know personally and give full pastoral care to each individual, he always made it one of his principal concerns to watch over the welfare and progress of each pupil from entry to departure. Many Old Clayesmorians who were admitted to the School during the McIsaac years will, I am sure, testify to the influence he had on their lives. His ultimate success was surely the way in which he was able to combine high principle with tolerance for individual feelings, regard for the old standards with a readiness to accept promising innovation.
As a Headmaster Roy always had great presence, and he commanded respect from pupils, Staff and parents for his integrity, kindness and sense of fairness. But he also had a great sense of fun. It can be a lonely position being a Headmaster, but whenever the cares of School affairs were less pressing, one remembers with great pleasure those occasions when he was able to relax in congenial company.
There are gloomy and cheerless schools ; there are frightening and unhappy schools ; there are pretentious and snooty schools . But Clayesmore is none of these. For all the changes that Roy made during his administration, he managed to retain that same indefinable atmosphere it has always had since I've known it , and which kept me here throughout my working life : that same friendly, happy, relaxed, familiar Clayesmore which most O.Cs remember with an affectionate and tolerant smile. So, perhaps, ultimately the principal legacy that his years at Iwerne gifted to Clayesmore was to retain this atmosphere, while at the same time successfully overseeing the changes necessary to face the future.
It is obvious, looking around, how flourishing Clayesmore is to-day. Roy was,
and will be remembered above all as the INITIATOR of this modern Clayesmore, and
for this we owe him the greatest debt of gratitude.
Michael Henbest. 2002.
Address given by Keith Symons at the Funeral Service of Roy McIsaac in Salisbury Cathedral
It seems only a short time since many of us were present in All Saints' Church, Broadchalke, at that lovely thanksgiving service for Audrey. The date was 12th December 2001. It is so sad that within seven months the family has suffered a second bereavement and we offer our heartfelt sympathy and love to Anthony, Clare and Ian and to grandchildren Christopher, Lizzie and Andrew at this time.
Roy McIsaac was brought up in the Isle of Wight and was educated at the school which his father founded in 1921. Here at Ryde School Roy had the kind of career which in later years he might have wished for many of his pupils - a fine academic record coupled with considerable gifts as an all-round athlete and, in his final year, a place at Oxford.
In 1938 he went up to St. Edmund Hall but his degree course was interrupted, as it was for so many undergraduates, by the war. In Roy's case the interruption lasted a full six years. Commissioned at the end of 1940, he saw service with 5 Corps in North Africa, then in Sicily and Italy; by the end of the war he was holding a senior staff job in Greece with the rank of Acting Lieut.-Colonel. Then it was time to return to Oxford to complete his final honours degree in English and to gain a Diploma in Education.
Roy's last two years at Oxford brought fresh distinctions. He gained a Hockey Blue in 1947, captained the Oxford hockey side throughout the 1947-48 season and toured with a combined Oxford and Cambridge team to South Africa. In 1948 he was elected President of the Teddy Hall Junior Common Room.
Following a term's teaching practice at Charterhouse, Roy was appointed Head of English at Repton and as if to celebrate his final breakthrough into the teaching profession at the ripe age of 29 he and Audrey decided to marry the following year. It was to be the beginning of a wonderfully happy partnership.
Meanwhile, in the Isle of Wight, Ryde School was passing through troubled times. A dip in the school's fortunes began with the death of Roy's father in 1947. By 1952 a crisis so severe loomed over the school that the Governors felt compelled to appoint a new headmaster, effectively to bring about a rescue. They appealed to Roy to return to his old school and accept the headship. Professionally this was asking a very great deal as Roy was now happily settled in a senior post at Repton with excellent career prospects. But in probably the bravest and most honourable decision of his life Roy agreed to take on the challenge of Ryde School. Underlying this decision was undoubtedly a sense of filial obligation but he must have been well aware of the risks.
In the event Roy's return was the best thing that could have happened for Ryde School. Under his careful management and with the loyal support of Governors and staff, he turned the school's fortunes round and the ensuing years of his headmastership saw growing stability and development, marked by a rise in the number of boarding places, the purchase of two houses, the building of a new science wing and steadily improving academic standards. It was significant that in 1961 Roy was elected into founder membership of the Society of Headmasters of Independent Schools.
When he reached the age of 45 it was time for Roy to take stock. He had been headmaster for 12 years; most of his life had been centred on Ryde and he was beginning to feel that a change would be good both for himself and for the school. Accordingly he applied for the Headship of Clayesmore School in Dorset and was offered the post from September 1966.
It was at this time that my wife and I first met the McIsaac family. They
could not have been kinder or more welcoming to the new arrivals and the
handover of power was conducted with Roy's customary thoroughness and grace. It
was the beginning of a friendship which both our families have treasured ever
since. Roy's mother, Constance, became a dear friend though she kept a watchful
eye on the spendthrift ways of the new headmaster!
Roy was at Clayesmore for 13 years and it was not all plain sailing. The 1960s
were a difficult time for independent schools, especially those with a major
boarding element. The problems and difficulties which Roy faced at Clayesmore
were not new to him and he resolutely embarked on a programme of reform and
innovation. The launching of a development appeal, the introduction of
co-education and the amalgamation of the preparatory and senior schools all
paved the way to bring much needed strength to Clayesmore's finances and to the
school's national reputation.
To carry through these far reaching measures Roy had to draw on all his resources of patience and diplomatic skill. Sadly in 1975 he began to feel unwell and in the summer of that year he suffered a serious heart attack. Thereafter Roy's health was never as robust as it had been but he never complained about this and always showed far more concern for the health and welfare of others.
Roy continued at Clayesmore until 1979 when he wisely stepped down, having carried the responsibilities of headship continuously over a period of 26 years.
To have restored the fortunes of two schools - it could be said to have literally saved two schools - was a remarkable achievement. Throughout his headmasterships Roy found himself strapped for financial resources and I know that he would have liked to achieve more in terms of material development. But what he did achieve was more important than bricks and mortar, for in both his schools he created an ethos in which young people could grow into useful and responsible members of society. Some headmasters are notoriously prone to spin! But for Roy the watchword was integrity. It was this integrity, combined with a fundamental sense of fairness and kindness, which earned him the respect and affection of governors, staff, pupils and parents.
Roy's father had chosen for his school's motto 'Ut Prosim' (to be useful) and Roy himself lived out this theme of service in many ways. He was an Island magistrate for 11 years, served on the Probation Committee and was a prison visitor. His experience in education fitted him ideally for the role of school governor and for many years he was a Governor of both Upper Chine School at Shanklin and Godolphin School in Salisbury. After Clayesmore he could devote more time to the affairs of Ryde where his background knowledge and wise counsel proved invaluable. In fact Roy was one of the most assiduous members of the Board and I know there were times when he made a special effort to attend meetings despite travelling difficulties to the Island or when he was not feeling well.
Roy retained lasting affection for Ryde and in 1996, in collaboration with a former Clerk to the Governors, Geoffrey Coombes, he embarked on a History of Ryde School. This was a labour of love, was most carefully researched and is an absorbing chronicle of the ups and downs of a small independent school in the 20th century.
Roy followed his father's practice of keeping in touch with pupils long after they had left school; he was keenly interested their careers and fortunes and would often phone me up with news of a long lost pupil.
There will be a number of friends here today who only came to know Roy and Audrey in their retirement at Sorrel Cottage, Broadchalke. Here they were able to experience the full enjoyment of village life, set against a background of books and music, a lovely garden which they cherished and all things civilised. Although tending to shyness - he once told me that he did not particularly enjoy large parties - Roy was excellent company with a strong and sometimes impish sense of fun. He enjoyed good food and wine and some years ago was teased when we found that many of the entries for Wiltshire in the 'Which' Good Pub Guide were adorned with recommendations by R. McIsaac! During those Broadchalke years there was much to savour, from travels abroad to visits to the theatre and concerts in and around Salisbury - and, above all, happy gatherings of young family and their friends.
But sadly the last two years were clouded by Audrey's ongoing illness, eventually leading the move from Broadchalke to Harcourt Terrace close to the centre of Salisbury. The way Roy and Audrey coped over the following months was an inspiration to all of us. Although Audrey's quality of life was steadily diminished by her illness, it was sustained to a remarkable degree by her own courage and by Roy's tireless care and devotion. Throughout their long and happy married life of more than 50 years Roy and Audrey made a great team; this was at no time more movingly evident than during the last few months of Audrey's life.
More recently, despite his fortitude and optimism, it was not possible to disguise Roy's discomfort and acute frailty. We should be glad that the sufferings of these two dear people are past and that they are together again in peace.
In giving thanks for the long, fruitful and distinguished life of Roy McIsaac, some lines chosen for Audrey's service seem particularly apt:
'This is the comfort of friends, that though they may be said to die, yet
their friendship and society are in the best sense ever present, because
immortal.' (William Penn).
Keith Symons
PS.
Mike Henbest was asked to write the OC Newsletter Obituary of Roy McIsaac. It
was so excellent that the Headmaster checked to see if we were likely to publish
it before the memorial service that he was arranging at Clayesmore. As soon as
he knew the memorial service would come first, he asked Mike if he would read it
as an address in Chapel. Mike honed it and made it even better and has sent the
revised version for publication. He was a little concerned that Roy's lighter
side might not come through as it should, because of the occasion for which he
wrote it. And so, with his permission, I am adding a few more frivolous
memories.
Shortly after he arrived at Clayesmore, Roy realised that Clayesmorians seldom benefited from much heating. Although money was short, he wanted boys to be as comfortable as possible. The boilers at the time (and there were several) were all coke fired and scattered over the campus. The stoker had a frightful job and had to try to start cranking up the heat at about 4.00 am. so quite often we were without a stoker. By the end of the first November, Roy was aware of grumbles and felt he had to do something when one 'break', Apples presented him with a list of readings he had taken over a whole week from the thermometer he had in Class room 1. As luck would have it, the Bursar was also in the common room and when Roy presented him with the evidence, he was a little non plussed to hear - "Headmaster, you have no idea how impossible it is to find a stoker. No difficulty with Headmasters - one advert and the GPO has to put on extra vans to bring all the sack-fulls of replies. Stokers - NOT ONE reply!"
Mike Henbest enjoyed the memory of the time when Roy was giving his welcoming remarks to the platform party at the beginning of a 'Clayesmore lecture' - a task he seemed to enjoy and one which he did very well. On this occasion there was a slight slip, and after welcoming the Bishop of Salisbury, he added how delighted he was that the Bishop's wife was also present "down below"(with the rest of us in the hall). "Not yet I hope" was clearly heard from the Bishop!
When the Private sector was in deep trouble and many schools were closing all over the country, there must have been times when it was hard for Roy to sound positive at staff meetings but he never showed it. He began a staff meeting with a few general comments and then cheered us all up by announcing that "during the holidays the boys' urinals had been upgraded".
Roy was remarkably kind and patient with those of us on his staff - so much
so that many of us had ridiculous fun at witnessing his patience when these
occasions occurred at meetings. One of my colleagues who frequently put Roy to
the test was Bruce. (Bruce turned to teaching after a remarkably varied life
abroad as a practical engineer). Money was very short and we spent many an hour
at staff meetings discussing various problems as Roy was always prepared to hear
ideas and suggestions from the staff. Bruce always had a solution and almost
every interjection brought Roy to an incredulous halt. Once, when we were
considering the paths outside the classroom block, Roy was obviously surprised
to hear "Watering-cans" come from Bruce.
There was the meeting when we were licking our wounds after a remarkably
unsuccessful games season: it was clear that the co-ed scheme (and, at the time,
we were well ahead of any of our neighbours with this change) and the small size
of the school was making 'boys' games very difficult. Later in the meeting the
games staff were considering designs for new rugby shirts. Out of the blue we
all heard the Bruce solution - "Hoops headmaster".
Mike Henbest, for many years, was unhappy about the hockey pitches. When the
discussion focused on some sort of weed that Roberts had not been able to
eradicate from the turf, Bruce was heard to advise "Lupins,
headmaster".
We often discussed the need for new buildings - one of the more difficult Bruce
solutions to understand was "Tea chests, Headmaster. And remember they are
portable!"
Carl Verrinder coaxed from Roy one of the very few public chuckles at a meeting.
We often discussed the problems students were having with their choice of
subjects. There was a pupil who had opted for A level Chemistry and Physics.
Carl was not enthusiastic - Bruce followed on with a damning comment on how the
poor fellow really had no clue. "But Bruce - your report says he came first
in the term order."
Carl V often needed timekeepers on the Athletics field and Bruce always
volunteered There was a memorable race one Sports day when Roy had come out to
see how things were going. It was the 'senior' 100 yards. Mike Henbest was
timing the winner, Jim Tilden the second, Robert Mash the third, and Bruce the
fourth. Roy's bemused expression was put to the test when it was realised that
the runner who came fourth had broken the Olympic record!
Every Monday morning The Headmaster and the House staff used to meet in the Headmaster's study during the first period. There is a story which was eventually confirmed that soon after Clayesmore had become co-ed, at one of these meetings, the cabinet were considering a 'boy-girl' incident. One of the house staff began to loose patience and observed that sex was a "pain in the neck". To which Roy replied "Oh no - you've got that wrong".
Roy was always sensitive and loyal to his staff. He would never have even
thought of a cheap laugh at anyone's expense but I would have loved to have been
a fly on the wall in the Headmaster's House from time to time as I am sure that
there must have been evenings when he an Audrey laughed themselves silly at what
some of us got up to.
Nicholas Zelle