Niko and Charlie say goodbye to Mr Charlton and Mr Hawley in Final Assembly...

Goodbye Mr Charlton by Charlie - U6^th Form Blackford House

In 1997, after a rich career in the Army, finishing as a Staff Sgt, including postings in Germany, the Falklands, Ireland and an intense helicopter crash that most wouldn’t have walked away from, came Mr Charlton. Sir, in your 26 years at King's you have coached Rugby, Netball, Basketball and Trampolining to an excellent standard. You have taken on the roles of Teacher, Sport Coach, SSI and Contingent Commander of the CCF. Within those roles you’ve brought a really unique sense of high standards and enthusiasm. I quote “everything that Mr Charlton has done at King's, he has done with unfailing military precision”.

You have also supported the DofE expeditions and taken just short of 100 Ten Tors teams across the finish line. From experience, I can say those events have always been a great opportunity and experience for us, thanks to your hard work. I would also like to add here that Mr Charlton has generously offered his time going forward for the Ten Tors and CCF operations, and for a glass of port at the annual dinner.

Of course, Sir, you won’t be escaping without a note from Mr Barrow: "While on camp Mr Charlton and I were fast asleep in our tent when I heard a noise coming from the door. I poked my head out and it was a fox with its head stuck in my food. I shouted this to Mr Charlton for help who replied in between snores “well he ain’t got my food has he”. I was left to chase it away with a stick all night. I’m still upset about that."

If there is just one thing that I want to get across today, it is that Mr Charlton is one of  the most hard working, modest and genuine people I have had the privilege to be taught by and learn from. When you ask him for help he won’t rest until it’s done, he’ll never be complacent in doing so and he’ll certainly not ask for any praise. Well sorry Sir but you’re getting it. From all of us, thank you for everything you’ve done for us, thank you for being one of the biggest forces for good in this school, and thank you for doing all that you have for just over a quarter century. You will be sorely missed but we wish you all the best in the next chapter. Thank you Sir.

Goodbye Mr Hawley by Niko - U6^th Form New House

Having looked back on how I came to be here, I realise now that it all started with Mr Hawley, when he made a proposal to the School Board that King's should offer a rugby scholarship to a boy from Fiji, which I am a fortunate and immensely grateful to be the recipient of. I must say that when my parents first mentioned Mr. Hawley - "the rugby coach", I couldn't help picturing a large, bearded pot-bellied middle-aged man, the usual physical stature of rugby coaches back home, however, after getting a first glimpse of Mr Hawley on our one and only video call with my parents, I remember thinking to myself "geez he must play for England".

You know that he loves his rugby just by looking at him. Hand on heart, I can honestly say that meeting Mr Hawley for the first time at Heathrow made me feel instantly at home, this after crossing 2 oceans and a continent, alone on my first ever trip outside Fiji, braving nervousness, and I reluctantly admit, a bit of fear along the way. In planting the seeds of this scholarship, Mr Hawley has been a blessing for me and my parents through King's offering me this cherished once in a lifetime academic and rugby opportunity.

Mr Hawley, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such an awesome coach, concerned confidante and an amazing friend. I never thought that I'd see you leave King's before me, however, we are all happy for you as you pursue your passion in rugby excellence. I arrived at King’s in a much smaller stature, 25 kg to be specific, with a solid knowledge of rugby, in which Mr Hawley has substantially developed, with Mr Lane having a part, in the rugby and weight gain. What I am today, is a testament to his great mentoring, guidance and coaching for which I am forever grateful.

I would also like to add that Mr Marshfield and the boys in New House are very grateful for his presence as a resident tutor and consistent support in House. I know for a fact that the boys in House will be missing our favourite resident tutor (sorry Mr Lane), as he is always there during House Nights with his fourth donut currently in his mouth saying “I shouldn’t should I”.

God bless you Sir, and we wish you nothing but the very best.

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