Harold Sofronios Vafeas 1955 - 2014
Your Tributes to Harold Vafeas
“Mr
Harold Vafeas was Headmaster at Borden Grammar School, Sittingbourne
from 2004 to 2013. In that time he saw an astonishing number of boys
through their GCSEs, A-levels and off to University. While each
student will no doubt have their own specific memories of Mr Vafeas,
none can forget his commitment and passion for teaching, nor his
quiet determination to help each student he encountered be the best
that they could be.
His loss to bowel cancer at the age
of 58 when he should have spent his later years in happy retirement
with his family was a tragic loss. It is for this reason that we, a
group of 7 ex-Borden Grammar School boys (Class of 2012), have
decided to get together and take part in the Brighton Marathon on
15th April 2018. With guidance from his family, we have decided to
run in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, which we felt was a fitting way
to honour a man who had dedicated so much of his life to the
education and success of young people".
Written in 2017 by: Adam Cross, Brandon Du'chesne, Japhet Goodburn, Oliver Jeffery, Henry Kitney, Connor Maloney, Alex Pfeiffer-Brown
These seven OBs set out with a target to raise £3500.
They succeeded in raising £5840.
“Harold was my head teacher from year 8. My father had passed away when I was in year 6 and my family fell into poverty, so I had become a very angry, nasty teenager. Harold was firm but patient with me for so many years. I’m certain that I was close to expulsion from school at several points, but Harold continued to put faith in me, disciplining whilst trying to ensure I was educated. I spent days and days in his office (very reluctantly) doing my work.
In sixth form, he was my General Studies teacher. Initially, I didn’t take the class seriously, as most universities didn’t consider General Studies marks. But Harold took me aside one day and stated very clearly: this class isn’t hard, but if you end up in clearing, you may well need the grade.
For the first time in my school career, I listened to him without complaint and worked hard on getting a good mark. Fittingly, I ended up in clearing, with an A* in General Studies. I applied for University of Essex, who accepted General Studies. I got in. I studied law. I became hockey club president. I met my future boss in Essex – a job that ultimately led to my moving across the globe to Sydney, working for an investment bank and meeting my wife. All of this because Harold didn’t give up on me.
There are few defining people in one’s life, but Harold was one of those people for me. And I’d bet he was defining for hundreds of troubled kids just like me.
I wish I could thank him for all this, but perhaps if you can share the message with his family it will bring them comfort.
I just felt the need to share”.
Michael Thorns, Sydney, Australia
"Although my period attending BGS was in the late 1970s, in later life my surveying practice oversaw a number of building projects for the school including several when Harold was headmaster. My recollection of the many meetings I had with Harold concerning these projects was of an extremely kind and courteous man who always made me feel welcome and appreciated. I particularly recall one of the last days I saw him when he insisted on attending a lengthy site meeting despite clearly being in pain. He was a lovely man to have known. I would also like to add a tribute on behalf of my late father Denis Jarrett who was an Old Bordenian and a governor at the school when Harold was headmaster. My father had the highest regard for Harold. He always spoke warmly of Harold's quiet determination to maximise opportunities for the pupils and his obvious dedication to the school. My father thought that Harold was a major asset to the school and that his premature death was a both a personal tragedy and a huge loss to BGS."
David Jarrett
"Mr Vafeas was an inspirational individual who shaped my life in more ways than I could ever thank him for. Joining the school as the headmaster when I was starting year 8 he saw me through my GCSE’s and A-Levels. Mr Vafeas not only ensured I got the A Level grades I needed to get into my first choice university, but was incredibly supportive of extra-curricular activities; particularly signing off and approving the annual Battle of the Bands event I organised to raise much needed funds for the schools music department. Mr Vafeas was the best headmaster I could ever have asked for, and having the new school building named in his honour is a fitting tribute to cement his history at Borden Grammar School. "
Alex Crannis
“Harold once told me he competed in an inter school race in Sussex. The winner by some distance was someone called Steve Ovett!”
Neil Hancock
“Mr Vafeas had patience for me when I didn't deserve it. His caring but firm approach was pivotal in forming the man I am today. Without him, I would have never even thought about becoming a teacher.
Thank you, sir, for being the encouraging voice and guiding hand I needed. Sorry if I didn't fully appreciate it at the time”.
Paul Williams, class of 2008, Hong Kong.
"Thank you for always finding time for pupils to come and speak to you, even if school life was hectic. I will always remember our last conversation before you left school, where you encouraged me to continue with my studies and that the right doors would open eventually when I was ready for them. My favourite school memory of you, is when you caught someone out when you were late to lesson but they had their textbook upside down. You called them to the front to read, only to find it funny they could read the book perfectly fine upside down. "
Christian Collins
"Harold became a star Headteacher the moment I heard him singing Can you feel The Love at The Borden’s got Talent évent . When he asked me to accept a post as teacher of MFL and then to work in the Sixth form , I couldn’t have been prouder or felt more valued. A wonderful teacher, Head , role model for the boys on values and being a gentleman. He was a very special man and The Westby Family will always hold him in our hearts” .
Heather Westby
“Being part of the school choir that was set up by Harold Vafeas is something that will always bring back happy memories for me. He was really enthusiastic about it and when we first heard him sing we couldn't believe what a great voice he had. We performed the songs from the Lion King a few times and I think he was very proud of it because we sounded great and all enjoyed doing it. He was a fantastic headmaster who always seemed calm and his presence was felt around the school. I feel very lucky to have attended the school during the years when Harold Vafeas was headmaster”.
Lee Birchall
“I experienced a few headmasters at Borden, and whilst each had their own merits Mr Vafeas stood head and shoulders.
Not because of favouritism or bias, but because he was fair in the way he interacted with everyone.
I always describe my time at Borden as difficult, but I will always explain that my time under Harold Vafeas made sense, he helped me beyond measure and understood that to judge me in the way that most did was wrong. I’ll be forever grateful to him and his legacy will be echoed in my behaviours.
The upmost respect for him and his family, James”
James Martin-Young
Please add a few words as a Tribute or in an Anecdote in remembrance of Harold
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