John was a teacher at the school from 1978 -2017 and even when he was battling cancer was coming in to cover classes up to five weeks before his passing in June.

“Simbo” as he was affectionally known by the boys in boarding and at the Hort plot, got fully involved in the life at the school. He mentored boys in boarding as a Housemaster and Head of Moyes house from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. He had a caring and understanding nature, and the ability to make boys self-reflect when they had let themselves down, so they wouldn’t do it again. He made the Horticulture plots on Hobson Street his domain and his direction and wisdom put many boys in the direction of Horticulture and Agriculture.

He was an exceptional sportsman and he passed his talents on to the boys at the school as a coach of tennis, football, skiing, squash and surfing.

The tributes that flowed on the school's Facebook page after his passing are an indication of what an impact he had on the lives of so many students.

RIP Simbo