Connor McDermott was one of those very rare people whom it was impossible not to like and not to admire. His death in February this year, less than three weeks before his 75th birthday, brought forth a remarkable number of tributes from a broad cross-section of the pupils he had inspired and influenced as a chemistry teacher, rugby and cricket coach, housemaster of Rodney, and a person of great integrity and decency.

Rugby 1966 1st 7s

Rugby 1966 1st 7s, Connor is front row, first on the right

His cheerful enthusiasm and positive commitment to every activity he undertook, coupled with the wisdom, kindness and empathy he showed to those in his care, ensured that he left a life-long impression on so many.

As an outstanding teacher he combined his demand for high standards with a warmth and humanity that enabled innumerable pupils to attain levels of self-confidence and achievement far beyond their own expectations. They in turn accorded him enormous affection and respect.

Connor had a distinguished career as a pupil at Emanuel from 1960 to 1967 before leaving to read chemistry at Royal Holloway College.  He also managed to do three years’ work for a PhD. The fact that this was never written up is hardly surprising given his intense involvement in so many aspects of what I shall simply call “life”. Equally unsurprising are the many exploits, some wisely unpublished, in which any full-blooded student was likely to be engaged.

As a prefect at Emanuel School in 1966, Connor is second row, fifth from the left

Royal Holloway was followed by teacher training at Chelsea College for Science Education where he met his future wife, Catherine.  He then returned to Emanuel in 1974 to embark on the career which evoked so many of the grateful memories referred to above. Apart from achieving excellent academic results for his pupils, his sports teams had huge success, most notably the star-studded U14 and U15 rugby teams of 1975-76-77.

Staff photo 1976

Emanuel School staff photograph, 1976

Beyond the school he held significant positions in the South London Chemistry Teachers’ Centre (ultimately as vice-chairman), Surrey County Rugby squads from U15 to U19 and, memorably, OE rugby and cricket sides, often as an astute and very engaging captain.

Rugby Staff Testimonial

Rugby Staff Testimonial, Connor is front row, third from the left

From Emanuel he went in 1985 to become Deputy Head at Taunton Manor School, Old Coulsdon, and in January 1992 to the Headship at Castledown School in Andover, Wiltshire. Here he coped remarkably well with a range of very challenging situations before taking early retirement in 2001.

He continued teaching chemistry and physics at Leehurst Swan School, Salisbury, ultimately as Head of Science but initially under the direction of the Deputy Head, his wife Catherine.

Connor’s diagnosis of intestinal cancer came in early 2020 but was already widespread.  As one would expect, he fought the illness with enormous determination and good humour. Support from Catherine and the children, Clare and Christopher, now parents themselves, was immeasurable throughout, but in the end the odds were just too great. Those whose lives he had touched so profoundly attended the funeral in such numbers that a supplementary venue was needed for the farewell commemorations. His legacy remained beyond doubt.

Catherine McDermott, Connor’s wife, and Michael Stewart, friend and colleague