Grosvenor In View Magazine 2025

5

STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mr Magill BSc, PGCE

was because I saw in him someone who took pride in doing his own job exceptionally well. I will miss Mr Magill’s common sense, his honesty and his integrity. All of these roles aside, Mr Magill has always been an enthusiastic and willing participant in extra-curricular activities. School Productions, Carol Service, sporting events – Mr Magill was always there in support of pupils and colleagues. Fitness and good health played a major part in Mr Magill’s involvement – he helped with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, coached rugby, and even dabbled in football every now and again. In the good old days of the 80s and 90s, Mr Magill looked after the Rambling Club for over 10 years, even completing a 5-day course in Mountain Leadership in 1990. That same Mountain Leadership Course apparently used to come in very handy when Mr Magill attended a number of residentials in Whitepark Bay over the years. Mr Magill has always said that the thing he will miss most is his connection to the pupils. Mr Magill has always gone the extra mile during his career, and this included visiting children at home to help them with their Chemistry or look after their pastoral needs when they were unable to get into school themselves. He has never sought recognition or glory for this, instead preferring to be safe in the knowledge that he has done as much as possible to take care of those children who needed most help. There is kindness in Mr Magill’s heart, and a recognition of loyalty to our School. On behalf of all of us, Mr Magill, I want to thank you for your forty-five years of service to education. You have enriched the lives of so many young people within your care. You have been beside us through highs and lows, and we will genuinely miss you. I hope that your retirement enables you to spend time with your family, including your granddaughter, with time left over for walks and maybe a few rounds of golf. All of us wish you continued good health and happiness.

In June 2025 we said a fond farewell to Mr Michael Magill, teacher of Chemistry for 45 years. Mr Magill’s long and distinguished career began with his graduation from Queen’s University in 1979, with a BSc in Chemistry, followed by his PGCE. His first job was in the Boys’ Model for one year, and then Cairnmartin Secondary School for 2 years. Mr Magill then joined Grosvenor High School – as it was known then - way back in 1983. Between then and 2025, Mr Magill has worked alongside 4 Principals - Ken Reid, John Lockett, Robin McLoughlin and myself. Mr Magill has held several posts of responsibility in Grosvenor over the years, one being Head of Year – or Year Teacher as it was known then- since 1989. He has always brought something unique to this role; emails have no place in the Michael Magill Year Team and instead, he has walked hundreds of miles around our School, talking to his team and speaking with his students. He has always known his Year Group inside out; and has always shown that he cares. He loved his data and he loved telling his pupils that they have progressed so many places in the Year Group since their last set of examinations. He has always found the positives in a child and was the first to defend any Form Class if they got labelled as troublesome. The second very important role that Mr Magill held for a number of years is Teacher in Charge of Central Supplies and Events. Mr Magill looked after the mini buses when we used to have them, was in charge of lockers, lost property, organising photographs and the stationery shop. The strangest job description ever, yet all important roles that Mr Magill carried out with great care. I know that Mr Magill will be greatly missed by all of us in his role as NASUWT rep. Over the years, Mr Magill and I have built up a really strong relationship of trust based on the fact that even though our separate roles meant that we have had to look at things from different perspectives at times, our common ground was that we have always tried to do what was in the best interests of our whole-school community. Mr Magill did respect the Principal’s role and has always given me my place, never making it personal. I have always said that the reason I listened to Mr Magill

Dr F Vasey Principal

GROSVENOR IN VIEW > 2024/25