Francis Rawes: 1916 - 2008

Date: Wednesday 1 October 2008

Francis Rawes (FRR), the Headmaster of St Edmund's School from 1964 to 1978 died last Saturday, September 27th 2008, at the age of 92 in his adopted town of Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds to which he retired from the School after his 14 years at the helm. There are generations of Old Boys, and many past, and current, members of staff who owe so much to the man.

The editorial section of the School magazine, the 'Chronicle' of Michaelmas 1978 paid tribute to a headmaster who had in his time laid down many of the foundations for what St Edmund's is today, thirty years later.

Editor Martin Goodchild wrote of the massive development of the School, underpinned by 'the traditions of the School, and the moral and ethical codes for which it stood'. He wrote of the physical growth of St Edmund's from a school of 309 pupils in 1964 to 437 in 1978, and the facilities which these increased numbers demanded - the 'new wing'; the JS classroom block; the swimming pool; the tennis courts; the School Hall; and, the conversion of 'big school' into the area which now houses Wagner and Warneford.

FRR also ensured that the Christian foundation of the School was never forgotten, and that Chapel life remained at the heart of the daily routine of St Edmund's. He believed in good manners, the need to promote the reputation of the School, the immense importance of academic results - 'teaching is our primary business' - and, in a small school as a 'caring community'. He was a man who epitomised the Christian ethic of consideration, tolerance, and understanding - though miscreants did not always see his tolerant side!

In an era when independent schools must develop links with the wider community, Francis Rawes did just that. It was he who negotiated the transfer of the education of the Cathedral Choristers to St Edmund's in 1972; it was he who negotiated the construction of the Canterbury Squash Club courts on school land for the mutual benefit of both communities.

Francis Rawes was a man to whom the School of 2008 owes an immense debt of gratitude. Without his prescience it is possible that our School would not be here today. A memorial service to him will be held in Chipping Campden on October 22nd; a similar event will also be staged, with the family's consent, in Canterbury in due course.