Vera Castleman, writer
and teacher, worked with the late Patrick Collyer when he taught at Brettonwood
High School in Durban. This is her tribute to her friend and colleague:
"O Captain, My Captain …" Walt
Whitman's words were immortalised when Robin Williams acted the part of John
Keating in the cult movie Dead Poets
Society (1989).
Brettonwood learners were blessed when
Patrick Collyer joined the school and supplied his own version of John Keating
– years before the film came out.
The Brettonwood social media page has been
buzzing with words of praise and words of sorrow. Most past pupils feel that
his teaching methods provided some of the most enjoyable, memorable and inspirational
moments of their high school career.
He has been described as the greatest and kindest English
teacher who inspired his learners and fueled their love for the study of
English. He was an entertainer both in the classroom and out and in this way he
wove his web of intrigue, spurring his students on as he manipulated their view
of this subject. He changed their mindset. English changed from being a
tolerable subject and became their favourite subject.
An ex-pupil (Sharleen Hudson) remembers that "he didn't
just teach you a poem, he taught you the history behind it. I recall a three-
day lesson on a poem about Helen of Troy – he went into the whole history of
how it came about before he even touched on the poem. He was vibrant, young and
enthusiastic. When he transferred out, it was a really sad loss for
Brettonwood. He made a huge difference in our love for the English language and
I was really grateful to have been lucky enough to have had him as a teacher.”
Brettonwood has joined hands to say a fond goodbye to this
gentleman of note. – Vera Castleman
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