Dick Norton (retired in 2003)

Dick Norton retires after 37 years at Haberdashers' during which time he has been totally involved in the life of the School in virtually every imaginable area. For many years he was Housemaster of Hendersons, and as well as this demanding task, he became Head of French, for a time holding both positions concurrently. For twenty years he ran the 2nd XI cricket team where his enthusiasm and dedication ensured that many players, striving for a place in Doug Yeabsley's 1st XI, both enjoyed their cricket and took it very seriously.

For all linguists business and pleasure cannot be separated; it becomes a life style. Originally a Spanish specialist, Dick's love of France became unstoppable after an exchange year in Provence, and as Head of French he developed opportunities for boys to travel to France and stay in families at all levels of the school. Particularly successful have been the junior trips to St. Die in Alsace and Chambery in the French Alps, both in terms of quality of experience and huge numbers of participants.

As Head of Modern Languages he has pursued the high and low aspects of French culture with a great sense of gusto, organising and co-ordinating two splendid productions of French plays, which were acted by 'A' level linguists with authenticity and to an astonishing standard. His love of French wine has always added an important bacchanalian element to the running of the department to counteract Apollonian tendencies of those who take life too seriously.

He is a splendid example of a man who has maintained his love of his subject over many years which is both a tribute to his stamina in teaching a demanding subject and testimony to his belief in the importance of modern languages in professional and personal terms.