Alwyn John Newton James (Staff)

The Club regrets to announce the death of Alwyn 'Tank' James in Perth Infirmary on 8th August.

Alwyn joined the teaching staff in 1963 and stayed for five years before leaving for pastures new in 1968 having married Joanna Louie Hewan, the daughter of the then Headmaster, Gethyn Hewan, in the School Chapel on 20th July 1968.

The Club extends its condolences to Alwyn's family.

Below is the Farewell piece that appeared in the September 1968 Edition of the School magazine, a fitting tribute to a fine and admired teacher:

Alwyn James began his teaching career at Allhallows in September 1964 coming from Lampeter College and Exeter College Oxford and for the last four years he has contributed a great deal to the school both in teaching and in organising a whole range of other activities

On the academic side, as the head of Classics, he has shown a fiery enthusiasm and insight in imparting knowledge to all his students, and he has maintained a high standard of results at all levels. In the process he has managed to achieve that happy state of affairs where boys study the subject for its own sake or because they enjoy it; and one hopes that this will continue, and that those studying classics will aspire to the same level of achievement hitherto attained.

His knowledge and interests extended over a wide spectrum and left him well qualified to debate on such subjects as religion, ethics, philosophy and many more. He will be missed by the Debating Society and other discussion groups in which he took an active part.

Then there are his contributions to music in the school. The Chapel choir and Choral Society are losing a staunch member from their ranks, as also are the more avant-garde followers of the Blues, who have heard, and perhaps appreciate, just how accomplished Alwyn James is as a jazz pianist and organist. He has advised and  'sat in' with various school groups and has been a patron of the Rhythm Club since its inauguration.

The Mechanics Club are also indebted to him for organising films, lectures, trips, and for coming to their rescue or offering advice when needed.

His enthusiasm and know-how were seen at their best on the games field where he will be especially remembered for his coaching of rugger and cricket. In the latter he has shared in the running of the First Game and Juniorr Colts, whilst in the former he has, at various times, been in charge of most of the school teams. He coached the Senior Colts rugger last season, and their success and enjoyment of the game must, in part, be attributed to his competent handling and ability to 'get through' is to the boys-a quality so rare these days. He introduced seven a side rugger two years ago, and in this, above all, he was able to communicate his own skill and enthusiasm to others.

Alwyn will be travelling across the border to Scotland to be head of Classics at Trinity College, Glenalmond. We wish both him and Joanna every happiness and success in whatever lies ahead. Allhallows will sorely miss them both and we hope that they will also miss it sufficiently to pay us frequent visits in the future.