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Teacher, educationalist and author Dr Rhys Griffith died suddenly at his
Newlyn home on Wednesday of last week.
Rhys, aged 52, who was nationally known for his educational expertise
and writing in the field of citizenship, was born in Tonypandy, Wales,
and was the eldest child of Enid and Simon Griffith.
He gained his Teacher's Certificate from North Riding College of Education
and his Bachelor of Education degree from Leeds University.
Upon completion of his training he taught English and physical education
at Torpoint School, where he soon became deputy head of English and from
there took up the position of head of English at Cape Cornwall School,
St Just, in September, 1979.
Respected by pupils and parents alike, his innovative curricular ideas
and creative talents provided pupils with the opportunities to develop
as successful citizens.
Dr Griffith will also be remembered for the many lavish school productions
he co-wrote and presented.
His former pupils will recount the excitement of participating in these
large-scale productions, whether as lead characters, chorus or front of
house.
Dr Griffith was not constrained by the classroom and his interests and
enthusiasm for outdoor activities such as canoeing, football and swimming
enthused so many.
In 1988 he was appointed to the position of advisory teacher of English
for Cornwall Education Authority and in this capacity worked in most of
the county's schools developing new initiatives and promoting good educational
practice.
Ill health forced early retirement, but he continued with the research
he had embarked upon and in 1996 was awarded his Doctorate from Exeter
University.
His years of teaching helped him formulate his ideas on how schools should
prepare pupils to become citizens and how to examine the success of their
aims.
He produced Educational Citizenship and Independent Learning which was
published in 1998, focusing upon the need to devise curriculums essential
to developing the inquiring, active mind of the global citizen in a new
century.
He followed this in the year 2000 with National Curriculum: National
Disaster, which extended his ideas.
Universities have adopted both these publications and Dr Griffith has
been a guest speaker at national conferences.
His love of the outdoors, particularly his sense of oneness with the
sea, fired his enthusiasm for sailing and with a maritime background of
30 years he was a skilled offshore sailor, having qualified as a Royal
Yachting Association yacht master and Instructor.
He was also an instructor and examiner for the British Canoe Union, Amateur
Swimming Association and a Football Association coach and referee.
Dr Griffith was a devoted father to his three children - Josie, Emily
and Harry.
A charming and charismatic man, he had a rare ability to make those whom
he met feel happier, to share in his delight, to make them feel more worthwhile
and depart feeling richer for his company.
The funeral will take place at Paul Church tomorrow at 2pm and will be
followed by interment at Penzance Cemetery. Afterwards, friends are asked
to join the family at the King's Arms in Paul.
There will be family flowers only but donations in memory of Rhys can
be made to the
Fishermen's Mission at Newlyn.
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