Caroline Wakely (retired 2002)

Caroline has continued to run the Prep. School Library since she retired from full-time teaching three years ago. 'Her' library is a haven in which to enjoy the wonders of the written word and many hundreds of boys owe their love of books and reading to her enthusiasm and inspiration.

Caroline Wakely (retired 1999)

Caroline had an early taste of Hertfordshire. She was educated at Queenswood School, Hatfield, and then at Trinity College, Dublin, where she obtained her M.A. in English, continuing her studies at Oxford University Department of Education. She taught English at Edgbaston High School, Birmingham, and then English, History and Mathematics in the Preparatory Department of the City of London Freemen's School.

When she left teaching to raise her four children, she filled those spare hours with a wealth of voluntary work. She founded and ran the Radlett Childrens' Book Group for ten years, served on local library committees, taught in the Sunday School at Aldenham Church and was both Guide Instructor and Brownie Examiner in the local Guide Association.

She returned to teaching on a part-time basis, lending her expertise to help many primary schools choose their library stock. She came to Haberdashers' as a supply teacher for two terms, and was asked to stay.

Caroline has taught History, English and French in the Preparatory School since 1988. She has also enormously enlarged and enriched the Prep. Library, continuing the excellent work started there by Jane Gallimore.

Her unflagging energy and enthusiasm have for a long time been an example to all in the Prep. Dept. She exudes a great love for this school and holds very dear its traditions and values. Her loyalty will in no way diminish as she leaves us and future generations of Haberdashers will still be inspired by Caroline's imagination and opinion, albeit from the depths of rural Radlett!

A lady of the highest standards, she has always wished above all to instil such standards in those she taught, believing that the pursuit of excellence, in whatever field, will lead boys to appreciate good order in all things. She remains passionate about reading and the use of the English language and cannot stand silently by if she sees its good practice being eroded.

Caroline's love of literature is apparent even to those whose knowledge of her is slight - she lives and breathes it. The work she has done to enlarge the Prep. Library cannot be measured. Her delight in procuring for the library shelves the best in children's literature and the most attractive and informative of non-fiction is obvious and infectious.

No boy who has passed through P7 or P8 will have forgotten his field trip to Preston Montford. The rigours and rewards of this week are indelible. Caroline has played a major part in this trip for eleven years and much of its success is due to the thoroughness of its organisation.

Caroline has endeared herself to many by her ability to laugh at herself. She describes herself on some days as the Red Queen, always running and running and seeming to stay in the same place. On others she is the White Queen, untidy, safety-pinned and anxious! On all days she is a lady of great charisma, character and culture, and she leaves a hole - suitably ballista sized - in the Prep. school.

Our very good wishes go to her, and to Roger and their children of whom she is so proud.