19 hours Ago
A FORMER headteacher who spent decades working at a Hockley school has been remembered for his supportive and friendly nature following his death. John Tombs, 87, died last Tuesday following a short battle with illness, sparking an outpouring of sadness from all those who knew him. The former Greensward Academy headteacher spent decades working at the school and was also well known through his involvement with Hockley Tennis Club and Rochford Hundred Rugby club.
Adventurous -John loved taking pupils on skiing trips (Image: Helen Cullen) Helen Cullen met John at the rugby club when she was 25 and he was in his sixties, quickly becoming close friends. “There’s a 35-year age difference between us but it was just so effortless that it worked,” she said. We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at https://bit.
ly/4eGOxig to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. “We had a genuinely supportive friendship, and he saw all my children grow up around him.” Helen, who also cared for John in his later-years, described her much-loved friend as “a real laugh, a bit flamboyant and very set in his ways.
She joked that he didn’t need much to be happy and loved a beer and an Indian takeaway. Born in Barry, South Wales, John was one of three children and is survived by his sister Jenny, who now lives in Los Angeles. Close - Helen and John were firm friends despite their age gap (Image: Helen Cullen) He studied at Cambridge University, qualifying as a French and PE teacher before taking a job at Greensward Academy - then the Hockley County Secondary School - where he stayed for the rest of his career.
Talented - John (third left) was a talented teacher (Image: Helen Cullen) Starting as a junior teacher, he eventually became the school’s headmaster and has been remembered as a kind man and talented teacher by former pupils posting on social media. A spokesperson for Greensward Academy expressed their sadness at the former head’s passing and offered their condolences to his family. Fun-loving - John is fondly remembered by those who knew him (Image: Helen Cullen) Alan Paterson is head coach at Hockley Tennis Club, where John would play and socialise.
He said: “John is fondly remembered especially by those club members past and present that went to Greensward school at the time he was a teacher. He was a stalwart club member for many years and especially enjoyed Saturday afternoon social tennis. “He always provided many interesting anecdotes for the benefit of younger and older members alike.
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