A long-standing teacher has been remembered fondly by ex-pupils as a “great role model” and “firm-but-fair educator” following his retirement.
Gerard O’Sullivan began his journey at Homewood School in Tenterden as a learning skills teacher in 1998, but has now stepped down after 27 years.
Since starting his career, he has taught both geography and science, with his most recent role being an inclusion officer.
Born in Ramsgate, the 57-year-old, who attended Dane Court Grammar School, studied marine geology for his PHD at Cardiff University before moving into teaching.
Speaking of his time at the huge secondary school – the biggest in Kent – Dr O’Sullivan said: “I have enjoyed it and had a lovely career at Homewood.
“The head teacher when I joined, Derek Adam, told me on my first day he wanted three years out of me, so it’s a nice thought to know I gave back to the school after Homewood invested in me.
“I started as the assistant principal of learning skills, which supported developing pupils and how they learn. I think they call it metacognition skills today.
“From there, I went on to teach geography and enjoyed the physical side of it because I love reading and learning about the landscape.
“I then became an advanced skills teacher in 2003 where I remained in the classroom but helped advise other schools on their practice for seven years.
“I then started to take more of a role in behaviour and inclusion to meet the needs of pupils with SEN.”
During his time at Homewood, Dr O’Sullivan says he has seen the school expand in size, with more than 1,800 pupils now enrolled.
“I was at Homewood at the start of the massive expansion [in 2000],” the dad of three added.
“I started teaching in a classroom in the middle of the old block patio which no longer exists and saw it go up to 360 pupils per year from 200 and something.
“Since then, there’s been massive changes with the way the library, sports hall and other buildings have gone up – it’s almost out of recognition but the facilities are really good.”
Former pupils have praised the teacher, who is also a rock climbing instructor, for making their time at Homewood more enjoyable.
One, Amy Kate Burden, said on Homewood’s Facebook page: “I joined at the same time in 1998.
“I was a part of [his] first form group. He was firm, but fair and a great educator. I believe he was the only tutor to stay with the form group the whole way through.“
Kirstie Holman added: “I wish you every joy retiring brings – you made our time at Homewood bearable and you helped massively shaping my daughters into the strong women they are.
“A thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
A third, Benjamin Ghosh, said: “Sad to see Doc leaving after such a great career.
“He kept me on the straight and narrow in my final years at Homewood and was a great role model.”
Dr O’Sullivan – who now plans to teach first aid, carry out mountaineering classes and continue coaching at Ashford Athletic Club during his free time – has described the reaction to his departure as a “privilege”.
He said: “I remember when teachers left when I was at school there would be an assembly, but of course you don’t do that anymore with all the school coming together.
“But social media has allowed me to see some lovely comments and some are from people I taught almost 30 years ago from when they were 11 to 16, so that’s been a real privilege.”
