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A GREAT DILWORTH DEPUTY PASSES ON … JOHN COLLEDGE BURNETT R.I.P.News just to hand is the sad announcement of the death last week of John Burnett, Dilworth Deputy Headmaster for 13 years. He was in his 90th year. Affectionately known as “JB” or “Snow”, he began his Dilworth journey at the beginning of 1975. Initially he was simply appointed as a reliever, then was selected from a strong pool of 30 applicants to the second-in-command position. Small wonder when his outstanding CV is examined. Born in Wellington and educated at Wellington College, John Burnett was a language specialist with an M.A. in French and German from Victoria University. He was an accomplished sportsman who had played rugby and cricket at Senior A club level, captained the Wellington Colts rugby team, played Brabin Cup cricket and represented Wellington in rugby for one season. After graduating he took a year off and went to sea, returning to complete teacher training at Auckland Teachers’ College. He taught at his old school from 1954 to 1957, but in 1958 he went overseas to teach at Suva Boys’ Grammar School in Fiji.John returned to New Zealand in 1960 and taught at Otaki College for the next 7 years. During his time there he was elected an Otaki Borough Councillor. In 1962 he established English language courses for Chinese immigrants in the Levin, Otaki and Waikanae areas. During 1967 he was seconded to the Department of External Affairs to teach English in Bangkok. In 1970 he returned to Fiji as Head of the Preliminary English Department of the University of the South Pacific in Suva. When he returned to New Zealand in 1974 he became the chief examiner for the South Pacific School Certificate English examination. Dilworth desperately needed another Donald Gray to establish sound leadership and control as well as to encourage cricket in the School. During 1975 John Burnett quickly settled into the rhythm of boarding school life and soon established a reputation as a strong leader and a man who would not tolerate disruptive, anti-social behaviour or bad manners. It was a very sound appointment at a time when a firm and resolute management style was called for. At a much later time, he recalled that he found Dilworth a serious challenge. He described the School at that time as ‘a wild place’ and the inhabitants as ‘rough and ready’. 514353175000JB in his office Boys accepted the new Deputy with a mixture of fear, respect and tolerance (as shown by several posts on this page), and in short order he became a popular figure even for those who were on the opposite side of the law from him. John Burnett and his family occupied the house at 36 Mount St John Avenue (no longer there of course), next to Prep House (also now disappeared). Parked in the driveway was John’s beloved pale blue Jaguar XJ6. For those who remembered one of John’s predecessors, Don Gray, this beautiful auto conjured up memories of Don’s various “big cars”, including the pre-war Plymouth V8 that he powered with producer gas during the petrol shortages and rationing of WW2.Not John’s Jag. His was a lighter powder blue colour When Peter Parr resigned as Headmaster in May 1979 there was a one-term gap until the new appointee arrived. John Burnett filled the position with distinction, ably assisted by Bruce Owen as Acting Deputy Head. Burnett made good use of his time in the hot seat. He managed to persuade the Trustees to make some improvements to plant and furnishings; he also took a hard line in dealing with the many dissident and plainly unhappy boys at the senior end of the School who continued to make life difficult for everyone who had to deal with them.JB is remembered by Old Boys and staff for many reasons. The second-hand smoking of various teachers, led by members of the “Fiji Mafia” as they were known, created tensions in the staff commonroom. John’s installation of an Xpelair fan did little to solve the issue. Eventually the non-smokers won this skirmish when smoking was forbidden in buildings and subsequently on the campus. Everyone also remembers, with a mixture of feelings, the Daily Notices, setting out the programme for each day. John’s cryptic DV & WP, attached to various instructions, had to be explained to the uninitiated as “Deo Volente” (God Willing) and “Weather Permitting”. The blue Jag, the shorts and socks for summer wear and the enthusiastic encouragement of cricket, were also hallmarks of the Burnett style. As were his long Friday morning assemblies. Burnett, in effect, was the quintessential Deputy, resolute in maintaining control, relentless in the pursuit of campus crime and unflinching in upholding the Dilworth traditions of courtesy, diligence and good behaviour. But he was also always fair in passing judgment on the condemned. During the 1986 kitchen staff strike JB, along with other management staff, happily rolled up his sleeves and helped to keep the boys fed. He made it his business to know what was going on in every corner of the campus and was known to employ “moles” who would covertly report to him on the underground activities of some of their confrères. When it came to tracking down the misdeeds of sundry members of the student body, he had the temperament of a terrier and would not loosen his grip until the matter was solved. The Headmaster and others of his colleagues had good reason to defer to his knowledge when it came to seeking justice and finding culprits.Strikebreaker JB, in “pinnie”, helps at the slide with BBO When JB retired in 1987 the Headmaster said in his farewell address that ‘boys would miss his academic and sporting skills.... although not his lengthy assemblies; staff colleagues would miss his witty turn of phrase in the Daily Notices, his wise and considered comments at staff meetings, his mastery of detection .... but not his cigarette smoke’. Accorded the rare honour of speaking at his final Prizegiving, JB urged the boys to make the most of the opportunities provided by Dilworth. Quoting from “Hamlet”, he further counselled them: ‘And this above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man. Farewell; my blessing season this in thee!JB speaking at his staff farewell “roast”Retirement from teaching did not mean, for John Burnett, a complete withdrawal from the work world. With his wife Jean and other family members, he invested in a motel in New Plymouth. He had a long and productive life and Dilworth was the richer for his time spent there.In a clever poem encapsulating all the Deputy Headmaster’s many attributes, Sixth Former Derek McCarthy wrote:The DeputyThe Deputy, he faced the three,Iron nerves, plain to seeConfession giv’n, punishment dealtJustice served and clearly spelt.Appeals made, not his style,Argument gone, with a smile,A week of work in store for them.The Deputy he strikes again.Shining star, trousers flared,Tasteless tie, hairline bared,Culprits spied, his sixth senseBeyond reproach, middle fence.Checking rooms, you’re not there,Noted absence, danger’s near.A week of work in store for them.The Deputy he strikes again.Rides a Jag, loves it so,Leaves early, travels slow,Caress the dash, purrs with zest,Other interests second best.Two on “French”, heinous deed,Takes their names, warning’s heed,A week of work in store for them.The Deputy he strikes again.Treats the cane, like a wand,Exert the power, very fond.Pity the lad who has to seeUpside down, the man J.B.Lasting scars, for evermoreRunning leap, settles the score,A week of work in store for them.The Deputy he strikes again! ................
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