A significant parting of the ways takes place at John Kyrle High School this week with the retirement of Gareth and Christine Hughes after 32 years and 24 years respectively of service to schools in Ross. Gareth, a graduate from the University College of Wales in Aberystwyth, joined Ross Grammar school in September 1976, having previously taught in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham and at King Henry VIII School in Coventry. Occupying the post as Head of Geography at the Grammar School and, from 1979 at the newly-created John Kyrle High School, Gareth was later appointed as Director of VI Form and also served as several years as an Assistant Head at the High School. Many former students will remember him as the sort of Geography teacher who believes that Geography is best learned through the soles of one's walking boots; others will recall that, as Director of VI Form, Gareth nurtured them through A level and other qualifications and ensured that the vast majority went to on to secure places at universities all over the country. More recently, Gareth has become associated with a vibrant and still-expanding international link with Uganda. Initially, this was a student-led exchange with Kisiki College, Namatumba, but steadily, the link has grown to encompass other schools and organisations across Herefordshire and in Uganda. Gareth has led several student and adult parties to Uganda and has been tireless in fund raising for resources for Uganda as diverse as mosquito nets and computers. His imminent retirement will undoubtedly lead to further visits to equatorial Africa in the future. Gareth's wife, Chris, joined him at John Kyrle in 1984. Initially employed as a part-time teacher of French, Chris has more recently been promoted as Head of Modern Languages, and in that role has been instrumental in the school gaining Languages College status. In 1994, Chris initiated a link between John Kyrle and the Lycée Charles Tellier in Condé-sur-Noireau. As a result, many students have made the Easter pilgrimage to Normandy, combining work experience in Condé with improvement to their French, prior to summer examinations. Those former students and colleagues who know Chris well, will be aware, however, that she is also an accomplished musician, having graduated from Aberystwyth with a degree in music. Chris's contribution to the music department at John Kyrle has been enormous, not least as an animated piano accompanist and as a contralto in the school choir. Gareth and Chris will spend their retirement in Ross but intend to travel widely throughout Europe and Africa where they have many friends, and further afield. All students and staff, past and present are unanimous in thanking them for their significant contribution to John Kyrle High School and wishing them well for the future.