Inspirational Path Into Education

Tony’s journey from Bloxham School to a career in education and sport spans continents and decades. His passion for teaching and cricket blossomed during his time at Bloxham, where he developed strong leadership skills as House Captain and Sacristan. He excelled in sports: serving as 1^st XI Cricket Captain (scoring over a thousand runs and taking 165 wickets) and featuring in Wisden’s Cricketers’ Almanac (1962-66).

At 18, Tony embarked on an incredible journey; from volunteering in the Gambia to pursuing academic studies in economics and education. His experience abroad broadened his perspective and fuelled his ambition to help educate young people, which he found immensely fulfilling. Today, Tony is retired and lives near Liverpool with his wife Donna. They enjoy travelling, especially to New Zealand and Australia to see family. Tony is a proud member of The Egerton Society, the School’s legacy association.

 

What are your favourite school memories?

I feel very lucky to have been given the opportunities that Bloxham was able to offer. My friends and I would rush to see the team sheets for Wednesdays’ and Saturdays’ matches. CCF camps were always wonderful fun and taught us many useful life skills from map reading to cooking and gave me a love of the great outdoors. Watching the 1st XI from the science lab windows with Dave Scott (Cr 56-61) wondering if we would ever get the chance to play in all-day matches on that beautiful pitch. Wearing my full colours blazer and, in particular, the sporting achievement of others also shine brightly in my memory.

Above: 1965 1st XI Cricket Team – Tony Tame (Front Row, Centre)

 

Does anywhere hold special memories for you?

The Chapel has always been a special place for me. Whatever one’s religious persuasion, it continues to serve as a vital moral compass, guiding everyone directly or indirectly along ’the path of the just‘. For all that influence, I’m very grateful. I especially loved the singing, hymn practice and the Te Deum after an exeat, or listening to organ voluntaries in that serenely beautiful place.

 

Which teachers stand out from your time at School?

I learnt so much from my teachers at Bloxham. Sam Kahn (Staff 39-83) was a wonderful example of the best possible practice, both as housemaster and classroom teacher. He was calm and seemed to know us better than we knew ourselves. Philip Gibbs (Staff 46-81) was also an inspiration. His way was not to command or demand respect. He taught me that it was okay to make mistakes if they were acknowledged and put right in the right way. Above all though, it was Stanley Thompson (Headmaster 52-65) who I have to thank for just about everything. In my second year at Bloxham, my father was killed in a car crash in Libya. It was an incredibly tough time for my mother and brother too but thanks to Bloxham giving me a bursary to stay and continue my education, as well as the help of other charitable trusts, my fees were paid. He became a father figure to me and for this I will be forever grateful.

 

Tell us about your path after school?

My passion for travel was ignited when an OB, John Scott (Wf 56-61), came back to school to give a talk about his trip around the world. He opened my mind to the possibilities of travel and working overseas.

My teaching career has taken me from Culham College of Education to Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) at Gambia High School, where I taught PE and English, to a degree in Economics and Social History at York University. I then taught Economics at Kings College in Auckland for three years, where I coached cricket and rugby which was wonderful fun.

On returning to the UK, I taught at Weston Favell Upper School, the Royal Latin School and completed an M.Ed. at Leicester University. I then took a change of direction into special education to work with the most disaffected young people with emotional and behavioural problems.

 

Does any adventure stand out?

Life has been one great big adventure but in 1973, I set sail for New Zealand through the Panama Canal with a stopover in Tahiti. My roommate and I decided to leave the boat, sleep rough and try to circumnavigate the island. So, at 10pm, we set off with a sheet each and a bag of nerves. A map led us to a place called Point Venus, where we slept under the stars.

In the morning, we walked to the main road passing swaying palm trees and people with flowers in their hair and everywhere the sweet smell of frangipani and other tropical plants. We started to hitchhike and a mother and her daughter gave us a lift and took us on a joyful adventure around the whole island. We saw incredible views, encountered giant tortoises and met other beautiful people. We tried to repay their kindness, but instead they draped many seashell necklaces around our necks and hugged and kissed us farewell. Their kindness and generosity have left an indelible mark in my heart.

 

What inspired your career in education?

While at school, Philip Gibbs felt I might have an aptitude for teaching and encouraged me to pursue this path. I’m aware of the dangers of oversimplification, but teaching is pretty much about people and relationships. I feel if you don’t like people, teaching is not the job for you! You also need to have an open mind and be prepared to learn from your pupils no matter what their age. Looking back at my teaching career, it was generally hard work, very time-consuming, incredibly rewarding and wonderful fun.

 

How has sport influenced you?

I love most sports. I played rugby for three years in the 1st XV and cricket has always been a constant passion in my life. It has taught me valuable life lessons and provided unforgettable global experiences as well as enabling me to meet people who have become some of my closest friends.

While teaching and coaching in the Gambia, I was selected to play for the national team in a test match against Nigeria. We beat Nigeria, to the great delight of everyone, and I was awarded a match ball and transistor radio for my five wickets and top score of 29.

A lesson I first began to properly appreciate at Bloxham was the importance of teamwork and confidence building. True personal achievement is only possible with the support of your fellow team members and coaches.

 

What does it mean to be a member of the Egerton Society?

I’m proud to be part of the Egerton Society and I cherish the friendships Donna and I have made with fellow OBs before and since leaving Bloxham.

I’ve heard lots of similar stories of how the generosity of the School came to the rescue financially in difficult times and enabled people to stay on. The School’s ability to support pupils is enhanced through the generosity of OBs and the unsung friends of Bloxham. Having personally been the recipient of a bursary, I feel it is important to pass on that kindness to someone else if you are able. You might rightly say there are many organisations that deserve our support. That is true but Bloxham also deserves to go from strength to strength, it is already. The world is a better place with Bloxham in it.

Every time I visit the School it is quite clear that Bloxham is buzzing and in a good place. The Headmaster and his staff are clearly doing a wonderful job. I think I am right in saying that the wonderful resources at the disposal of pupils could not possibly have been provided by fees alone; I knew little of this when I was at school, one takes it rather for granted I’m afraid.

Whether you are an OB or a present pupil, what you are doing at the moment is important, but more important still is to inform and involve the next generation in supporting the School in any way they can. We all need to think and care for each other and our school.

 

What is your parting advice?

Never stop learning and always do your best in and out of class, and in life beyond school. Never be afraid to ask for help or too proud to accept it when offered. Earn the respect of others, command it alone at your peril. Never be afraid to admit defeat gracefully and always be prepared to laugh at yourself. Always laugh with others, never at them. Love your neighbour and pay kindness forward if you can, but retrospectively will do!

Thank you, Bloxham, for everyone and everything.

We are incredibly grateful for Tony’s recollections. To read the full interview, please click here: Tony Tame Alumni Interview 2024 – full version.

Back to all stories