Taunton School celebrates teachers 50-year dedication

TAUNTON School is celebrating one of its former teachers for their 50-year dedication to the school.

John Brown joined the school in 1974 as a Modern Languages teacher, served as Assistant Housemaster, and is now the School Archivist.

The school celebrated by recreating a photo of John Brown and former student Tom Oliver during a 1977 performance of Oliver!

Taunton School shared in a post: "On Sunday, we celebrated John Brown’s huge 50-year association with Taunton School, spending a whopping 150 terms here!

"Many members of the school community gathered to honour John and his amazing achievement, with OT Tom Oliver recreating a photo with John from a past production of Oliver! in which they both featured in 1977.

"John has been an invaluable asset to Taunton School throughout the years, first joining us in 1974 as a Modern Languages teacher and spending time as Assistant Housemaster for Loveday, before transferring to School House where he stayed until its closure in 1994.

"John is now the School Archivist and knows everything there is to know about the school - he even wrote and published a book to commemorate our 150-year anniversary in 1997.

"Thank you, John, for your incredible service and all your support over the years."

One student commented: "Congratulations Mr Brown, a brilliant teacher & fantastic character who made school life all the better. Thank you!"

Another added to the Facebook post: "Congratulations, John. You are a treasure - the embodied institutional memory of Taunton School and a brilliant assistant chaplain.

"You make our community infinitely richer and so much better in countless big and small ways. Thank you for your service and commitment."

One local commented: "A legend within the school and part of the DNA. Many congratulations John on 50 years, a hugely special achievement that I have no doubt will never be repeated. Congratulations!"

Another wrote: "He taught me AND my Mum! What a legacy."