Mark Hanley- Tribute to a Bishops legend
Mark Hanley died this week. A geography teacher and previous housemaster of Founders House at Bishops College in Cape Town.
I will remember Mark for his passionate approach to life and the huge impression it made on my sponge-like, adolescant mind.
He expected nothing less than a huge effort, a striving for excellence- whether your cricket coach or Geography teacher. To Founders House at Bishops College- a legendary house master, a man not to be forgotten.
The unglamorous job of policing petulant, adolescant schoolboys was something Mark did exceptionally well. “Spook” possessed the uncanny talent of the silent approach, he acted with ghost-like swiftness and stealth- hence his classic nickname. Misdemeaning boarding house schoolboys stood no chance- smokers, bullies and boozers had nowhere to hide from the eyes and ears of Founders. Bunking out after lights out was one helluva challenge because Mr.Hanley could quite rightly see through even the most astutely planned, well executed escape from the clutches of institution. When caught breaking the rules he was always fair, dealing with the situation in a pragmatic and effective manner, so much so that house gardening (a form of punishment) often involved doing odd jobs in the Hanley private garden.
Mark was a gentle, caring and understanding man. The dedication shown to his family and remarkable passion for teaching left a massively influential mark on countless Bishops pupils. Within a boarding-house, a housemaster plays a vital role in moulding the lives of hugely impressionable schoolboys- the role of mentorship cannot be underestimated. My personal love for golf was largely catlaysed by Mark’s involvement as the teacher in charge of social golf. A stickler for golf etiquette and the game’s finer nuances, he taught me a tremendous amount about life whilst on the course.
I will never forget receiving the disappointing news from Kevin Kruger that I had been kicked off the Cederberg hiking trip in grade 10- for being late for a trip meeting. Mark came to hear of this and, knowing how much it meant to me, promptly put me back on the trip list. This was the kind of man he was, constantly looking out for the interests of the little guy. I had been unfairly treated by a teacher and he had put things right with little fuss. The trip itself was life changing, opening my eyes to the joys of hiking in the breath-taking Cederberg.
Bishops College has lost a valuable asset, may Mark Hanley rest in peace.
- Posted on Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
- 5 comments
Greg Savage September 2nd, 2010 at 11:20 am
I was at school with Mark (a few years behind). At UCT together, and we played in the same soccer team. We drank at “the Pig” and partied like there is no tomorrow. But it seems there really is a “tomorrow”. Only in April he showed my family around Bishops,when we visited CT on a rare trip out from Australia
I am in shock at this news. A kind and and caring guy. A big part of my youth
I am deeply saddened
My thoughts are with his family. RIP Mark
Stuart Hayward September 2nd, 2010 at 3:22 pm
Hi Greg, thanks for the meaningful comment. I am shocked by his passing, thankful to have been influenced by his wonderfully caring disposition. I was fortunate enough to get to know Mark outside of the formalities associated with boarding house life, realising quickly that teachers are just normal people at the end of the day. His gees for life was legendary, always encouraging us to make the most of life. As a termly boarder, I spent more time under his wing as housemaster than most- he got to know my parents very well and once visited my sheep farm in the Karoo.
Wadz September 2nd, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Hectic! Classic classic Spoeg! RIP!
Jerome Mitchell September 6th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
RIP Spook. Thanks for not being too harsh, god knows we deserved it.
William Wilson November 29th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
I was trying to get back in touch with Mark Hanley from England when I read the very sad news of his death. From the really touching comments written about him as an inspiring teacher and a housemaster, I’d say he hadn’t changed a bit since I knew him as a schoolboy in the 1960s, a really decent, well balanced, kind and interesting man. I’m really glad to have met up with him again in 1991 and a couple of years ago. What a loss to his family, but how proud they much be at the way he was appreciated.