Tributes to 'gentleman' Hull teacher Stuart Heath, former head at Sutton Park Junior High
TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular former Hull head teacher.
Stuart Heath, of east Hull, died this month after a short illness.
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Respected: Former head teacher Stuart Heath on November 20, 1980.
He taught in Hull schools for more than 40 years, including at Courtney and Chiltern primary schools.
He later moved to Neasden Primary School, where he was a deputy head teacher, and finally to Sutton Park Junior High School, where Mr Heath was a head teacher for a number of years.
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His daughter, Annabelle Heath, 47, said he was not a typical teacher.
She said: "He was not your everyday teacher. He thrived on making children successful and that was brought into our lives.
"He always believed if you are going to do something, then do it to the best of your ability.
"He was very sporty and used to do a lot of that with the children."
Mr Heath retired when he was 63.
When former pupils heard about his death, tributes flooded in to Facebook.
Annabelle said: "That's the kind of person he was.
"I don't live locally anymore but when I would come home everyone would still talk to me about my dad.
"He made you passionate about things, he made you want to remember the good times and the fun times and that these were what memories were made from."
A former pupil, who left a tribute for Mr Heath, said: "Facebook has been flooded with former pupils sharing their sadness at his death, talking about him being a gentleman, an inspiration, the best head teacher they ever had.
"So many people have wonderful stories to share.
"I, for one, have such tremendous regard and respect for him.
"An example of his kindness was some years after I left the school, I was struggling with A-level poetry. I returned to the school and he sat and helped me during lunch break.
"He was always supporting us at sports events, inspiring us to achieve and do well.
"There are also lots of funny and heartwarming stories too.
"He is an inspirational head whose loss is felt by former pupils some 30 years after they left school."
Mr Heath leaves behind wife Valerie, Annabelle, his son Richard, 44, and five grandchildren.
His funeral will be held on Thursday at Eastern Cemetery.
Comments
by JillSandwich
Monday, December 10 2012, 2:12PM
“I can't believe I've just found out about this. He was our headteacher at Sutton Park, everyone knew his famous phrases;
"It's YOUR brothers and sisters!"
"There'll be no cream buns in the [naughty boy/girl]'s family tonight!"
"The ball's in your court!"
(after some mischief) "...and nobody knows ANYTHING about it, anything about it."
Despite our giggling and calling him Big Ted, we all very much respected his authority. He was a fair and great head. Definitely of the old school but I think his style gave us all a good footing to be upstanding human beings. I wish I could have thanked him when he was alive. He'll be missed by all of us.”
by petedal1
Monday, November 19 2012, 10:23AM
“Good to hear so many heartfelt stories regarding Mr Heath.
Many happy memories myself from my time knocking around with Richard - from going to City in the Austin Princess (and getting to the ground before anyone else!) to the Sutton Park school trips to Wembley - but not just Wembley - Mr Heath and team then mananged to herd all us snot nosed kids across London to go and see the Sound of Music - great memories.
Sincere condolences to Mrs Heath, Annabelle and Richard.
Take care,
Peter Dalziel + family”
by piddsta
Wednesday, November 14 2012, 10:00PM
“RIP Big Ted. Good days at Sutton Park, especially recall the Wembley rugby league outings!
From a former "cheeky youth" :-)”
by 750Pat
Wednesday, November 14 2012, 4:23PM
“@robpalmer - the same Rob Palmer who wore his Hull City hat on the school trip to London??”
by robpalmer
Wednesday, November 14 2012, 2:04PM
“A wonderful gentleman who was my teacher, 'uncle (well married to mum's cousin!) and an inspiration. He used to take me to the Hull City games when he was a steward in the South Stand at Boothferry Park. He would leave early with the aim of making it to the James Reckitt clock by 5pm. I think of him every time I hear the BBC Sports Report theme tune.
Also, an influence when I was an aspiring footballer - helped me make the Hull Boys team!
Also, an exacting teacher! I know he will be checking the grammar in this post.
A proper 'old school' teacher and true character.
Sympathies to 'Auntie' Val, Annabel, Richar, Paul and families.
Regards, Rob P.”
by SPBlakeney
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 7:39PM
“What a sad loss, he was a great headmaster at Sutton Park, affectionately called 'Big Ted', famous for chastising the assembly of kids by saying the 'red light is shining on you'!
A lovely guy, great teacher and such a terrible loss.”
by 23041642
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 6:57PM
“cazdaisy
Why spoil a nice tribute by then slating teachers of today by suggesting they have no dedication. More often than not parents don't reinfoce literacy like they did 50 years ago.”
by cazdaisy
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 5:22PM
“Mr Heath was my English teacher 50 years ago at Flinton Grove night school. He was the best teacher I ever had. If the teachers of today had half the dedication he gave we would not have so many illiterate children in the schools today. A true gentleman who will be sadly missed.
Deepest sympathy to his family. RIP Mr Heath.”
by donajude
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 12:53PM
“A real gentleman,not many around these days. he will be sadly missed.”
by 750Pat
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 10:21AM
“A 'proper' teacher of the old schoolwith a bark that could stop any errant child in their tracks. RIP Mr Heath sir.”