Another September is nearly finished and it is only now, after the chaos and adrenaline of back-to-school have been balanced with multiple cups of coffee in the teachers’ lounge that we notice that something is truly different at Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School this year – something is missing.
The retirement of Tweedsmuir teacher Dennis Quigley has left quite a hole in the fabric here at the school. For 40 years, he was the stalwart physical educator and coach at Cloverdale Junior and Lord Tweedsmuir schools. But he has now stepped into retirement and has left us with big shoes to fill.
And so we are now busily trying to patch the hole – the hole in Tweedsmuir’s soul – that Mr. Quigley has left us.
This is a big job to be sure but one that I know my colleagues at the school are inspired to do.
To send Mr. Quigley off in style last June, members of the staff at Lord Tweedsmuir took part in a “Great Gatsby”-themed retirement event known as “The Great Heist”. Tweedsmuir staffers were sent out in teams to Cloverdale businesses to “strongarm” businesses such as Michauds, The Henry and Tricia’s Gems into paying these “goons” special Quigsby dollars.
The mock heists and cash were, of course, all part of the fun and from what we hear, the local business had quite a good time watching our staff in action. I can say that our staff certainly enjoyed having a bit of fun out in the community they serve.
So this brings me back to the beginning.
Here we are in September and another school year is well under way. Many people have asked, “Where is Mr. Quigley? What is he up to these days?”
To which I reply, “Spending all his Quigsby bucks somewhere in a happy retirement…all thanks to the good business owners of Cloverdale!”
Hopefully though, he won’t try and spend those Quigsby dollars in your shops!
Thanks again Mr. Quigley for all you have given to Lord Tweedsmuir and to the local businesses of Cloverdale for helping us send him off in style!
– Jamie Overgaard is a teacher at Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School.