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his admiration for and his attempts to outdo the greats who have gone before. Indeed, who can forget his parody of Shakespearean verse when writing the cover work one day for his Sixth Form class? Those who were lucky enough to be part of his stimulating Oxbridge and super-curricular groups gained so much. Michael cares deeply about the quality of education we offer, not only at MTS, but on a wider matter of principle. It comes as no surprise that Michael has a very deep love of literature and wishes to share that joy with the boys. You might catch him in an unguarded moment reading Montaigne in original 16th-century French; “Nobody really likes what I like,” he says demurely. But his Middle School Reading List is a thing of beauty, curated in a such a way as to make his recommendations irresistible. A particular favourite is the category entitled ‘Cultural Touchstones – the books you will need to know for intelligent dinner conversation.’ Echoes of James again. He has sought out every way possible to bring books and boys together, even resorting, like Napolean, to reach boys through their stomachs. The erstwhile Middle School Book Club overnight became ‘Food for Thought’. So much of the above feels incongruous with the fact that Michael undertook his teacher training with us. But this he did with humility and grace, albeit with the odd grimace when fashioning himself through administrative hoops. Our lasting impression of Michael is of a stalwart, a pillar who steadfastly upholds his values and strives for understated excellence every day. He is a man of deep integrity, honesty and compassion. He returns to Oxford after a three-year sojourn away from those dreaming spires in order to work closer to his young family. But he returns a secondary school teacher with the individual wellbeing of young people as much at the forefront of his mind as their academic development. He will be greatly missed by both boys and staff, and he goes with our fondest wishes as he begins a new chapter at Magdalen College School. Mr M. G. Hilton-Dennis and Mr D. G. Robinson

Andrew Duffey Andrew’s arrival in September 2019 was a breath of fresh air for DET, and he quickly went about boosting the Department’s provision and popularity. While his first year in post was curtailed by the Covid pandemic, this did not stop him from making a significant impact: he set about, with the help of staff and students, producing face shields for front-line workers. Initially, 1000 were produced in the school workshops, before a partnership with industry – facilitated by an OMT – allowed him to upscale and ultimately produce 21,000! As part of the initiative, he supplied kits to local schools so they could also produce face shields, and in conjunction with our industrial partners and DATA, he set up 5 hub schools across the UK to be lead centres of production for their local area. Andrew managed the procurement of kits to the hub schools, delivered training and managed QC until they were up and running. A result of all of this hard work was The Worshipful Company of Horners and British Plastics Foundation 2020 Outstanding Achievement Award, as well as a prestigious Design and Technology Association Award

for outstanding contribution during the pandemic. Since then, DET’s numbers for GCSE and A-Level have doubled, the VEX Robotics club has become nationally competitive, and a senior robotics squad has been introduced. Both the junior and senior squads have picked up numerous regional and national awards, including two 2020 Championship wins and two 2023 Excellence Awards, as well as a World Skills title in 2021 and World Virtual Skills win in 2022. Overall, 15 national trophies and 5 world trophies have been scooped by MTS students, all of whom have doubtless been motivated by Andrew’s passion. In fact, 100 students from Upper Thirds to Lower Sixth take part in VEX club every year, such is the excitement that Andrew has inspired for this part of school life. He has been incredibly popular with staff and students alike; he cares deeply about everything he does and has won hearts and minds. He will be deeply missed, and we wish him all the very best in his next venture

at North London Collegiate School. Mr S. J. Reid and Mr G. A. Wilson

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