TRIBUTE: 'A greatly loved and respected teacher and friend'

Former colleague GRAHAM FINCH pays tribute to English teacher and head of Johnson House Anne Carrick, who worked at Ripon Grammar School from 1975 until her retirement in 1992

ANNE Elizabeth Carrick was born in Ashington, Northumberland on October 14th 1934. Her childhood was spent in what was then described as "the world's largest coal mining village" with its long industrial heritage. It was also home to the famous footballing families: the Milburns and the Charltons. Anne would often speak of "going out" with Jack Charlton, the first boyfriend to meet her "outside the pictures", meaning that he paid for her to go in!

Anne won a place to study history at King's College, Newcastle, which subsequently became the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, graduating in 1956. She was awarded an MA from the University of Newcastle in 1967. She taught at Newbiggin from 1957-65, then went to British Columbia where she spent four happy years until 1969. From 1969 to 1971 she taught at South Shields Grammar School for Girls, then at Westfield Girls' School from 1971-75 as Head of English. Anne arrived at Ripon Grammar School in 1975, taking over from Barbara Holland as Senior Mistress in Johnson House, a post she occupied for five years. In that role and as a member of the English department, Anne ensured that generations of students were educated with a combination of erudition, compassion, humanity and (as many will recall) occasional moments of severity. Anne was certainly a disciplinarian, but managed to combine that with remarkable empathy: a balancing act which all teachers need to master. As one of her students put it: "Notwithstanding that she could quell a riot and turn hulking teenagers into jelly with just a glance, the thing I most remember is her fabulous sense of fun and roaring with laughter."

Her teaching was rooted in her love of literature (especially Shakespeare) and a rigorous respect for scholarship. Her pastoral care was informed by understanding the need to temper mercy with justice. In the boarding house, in the classroom, in the debating chamber and on the stage, Anne's ability to coax, encourage, reassure and (just occasionally) terrify enabled students to grow, develop and mature both academically and socially. In her time, thanks to the input of the English department, led then by Chris Horton, Ripon Grammar School had an enviable reputation for debating success, which culminated in 1987 when Simon Stockill and Katherine Viner won the Observer Mace competition. The department also offered students the opportunity for theatre visits on a regular basis and occasional trips to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Anne's beloved Stratford upon Avon. Even more former students will remember participating in the major school productions which she directed in partnership with Graham Finch, including plays by Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet; As You Like It and A Midsummer Night's Dream), Robert Bolt's A Man for All Seasons and a couple of musicals (La Belle Helene and The Boyfriend). At one rehearsal of Romeo and Juliet, Anne picked up a hammer and a discarded "Robin Hood hat"; these became the emblems of her presence at all subsequent productions: with cap and hammer in hand she cajoled, encouraged (and occasionally reproved) members of the cast, but her dedication, directorial insight and extraordinary attention to detail afforded the student actors experiences to remember for a lifetime. It is no accident that Anne maintained friendships with so many former students until the end of her life; many of those first encountered her in school productions.

Following her retirement in 1992, Anne developed her numerous artistic and craft-based talents: furniture restoration; lace-making; book-binding; and, most significantly, painting. Many friends looked forward to receiving a Christmas card from Anne featuring one of her beautiful, atmospheric watercolours. Her garden was a source of great joy and she spent many hours working in it and enjoying the results of her labours. Her chief accomplishment, however, and the one which she cherished above all others was her service to the Church. Both as churchwarden for many years and as a lay reader, Anne's commitment to the Fountains Parish as a whole and to St Lawrence's Church, Aldfield, in particular was of fundamental importance as it afforded her the opportunity to put her deeply held faith into practice, both liturgically, in officiating and preaching, and in pastoral care.

Many former colleagues and students gathered at her funeral on December 11th to say their farewells to a greatly loved and respected teacher and friend.

At the end of A Man for All Seasons Thomas More tells his executioner not to be afraid because he is sending More to God. When Archbishop Cranmer questions his confidence, More's riposte is swift: "He will not refuse one who is so blithe to go to him". So may it be for Anne.

Graham Finch

RGS English Department 1976-1986

From the Riponian: