Thought For The Day – Friday 13th December 2024 – Ethos
In memory of Mr. Ian Wickens and David Wickens.
The word Ethos in Greek means custom or character. Ethos was originally used by the philosopher Aristotle to refer to someone’s character.
Today, “Ethos”” means the characteristic spirit of a culture, era, community or organization as manifested in its attitudes, beliefs, aspirations and actions.
Our ethos has travelled to Beaumont Avenue. It will travel with us throughout our lives.
On 14th December, tomorrow, we remember Mr. Ian Wickens, four years after Mr. Wickens’ passing.
Mr. Wickens played an absolutely integral role in the creation of the ethos we enjoy today.
Mr. Wickens was that unique person that was a leader everywhere. To use a sporting analogy, he could play in any position in the team. Brilliantly.
From member of staff and teacher to Head of Year to visits organiser to Examinations Officer to Site Manager to PTFA leader to Director of Finance and Resources to Senior Leader, Mr. Wickens led, and encouraged and nurtured others, in so many areas. He was a Headteacher’s dream. The kind of minister every good Prime Minister needs. And in so many ways Prime Minister himself.
Mr. Ian Wickens also played a key role too in the establishment and development of our church services. His closing words, reminding students, and staff, to be considerate of the public on their way home became legendary and typified TBSHS. Mr. Wickens was standards.
As such, Mr. Wickens cared. Mr. Wickens was a member of staff who looked after students. Mr. Wickens was a member of staff who looked after other staff.
Mr. Wickens served the school for an historic 48 years. All this was done with a dignity, thoughtfulness, humility, standards, meticulous organization, gentleness, resilience and character.
Mr. Wickens was a supporter of West Ham United from the era of Moore (who wiped his hands before shaking Queen Elizabeth II’s hand after the 1966 World Cup victory), of Hurst, of Peters. Respect. The school of science. They won the World Cup.
In his perfect tribute four years ago, Mr. Reeve wrote Mr. Wickens was “absolutely Black and Gold, a warm, generous man who had clearly contributed so much to TBSHS over such a long time; we owe him a huge debt of gratitude”.
In retirement, Mr. Wickens never retired from TBSHS, serving as one of our invigilators.
And all this was done with true humility. He wore his greatness as light as a feather. Mr. Wickens totally lived, and enhanced, the school’s ethos, as did his son who was a truly outstanding student and person, former Head Boy/Senior Student and Cambridge University graduate David Wickens. David passed away a few years ago.
For David Wickens also played a vital role in establishing the school we benefit from to today. Great students set, and raise and enhance, the tone too. Students lead. Students teach. David, and his friends, ran the school also, in the classrooms and in the corridors. In a good way. Academic conversations, a passion for learning, good humour, respect for staff, respect for students and the community. The rising tide David, and his friends generated, lifted all of us that were boats on the gold sea of TBSHS. Eternal memories and legacy.
On 14th December, tomorrow, we think of Mr. Ian Wickens, and his wonderful family. He, and they, helped build the ethos we all benefit from in the school today. May they know the true legends Mr. Ian Wickens and David were, and will always be. To quote Sir Isaac Newton, we “stand on the shoulders of giants”. And you, and we, continue this legacy today. Pay it forward.
The great and the good, those we love, in Heaven are always with us. They always inspire us. We are blessed to have known, and to know, them.
