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It is with regret that we
have to report that after a long illness Mr. Frank ["Fran"]
C. Ellis died on 23rd January 2008. We reproduce below the
article published in "The Birkonian", June 1982, when he
retired as Head of the Science Department.
" Frank Ellis, who retires this summer as Head of the
Science Department, joined the staff of Birkenhead School in
September 1949. His methods of teaching physics and unique
sense of humour in the classroom have been remembered by
many pupils over the years and Old Boys are always eager to
renew acquaintance with F.C.E. when they visit the School.
As captain of Oxton Tennis Club for several years his
experience and advice enabled him to watch over many years
of successful school tennis and while housemaster of
Bushell's for nearly 20 years he had wide contacts with boys
covering a range of interests. In his earlier years at
Birkenhead he looked after the Badminton and Chess teams,
ran the Scientific Society, assisted Mr. Weatherhead with
the Photographic Society and for a brief period organised
meetings of a Physical Research Society!
But there were other aspects of Frank Ellis which were
perhaps not so well known. His paintings, including school
landscapes, portraits of staff and self portraits were given
a brief viewing in the sixth form block a few years ago. His
piano playing obviously provides personal pleasure (he has
appeared in Cambridge Footlights Review!)and the fact that
he had his own home made television set nearly thirty years
ago is an indication of his electronics skill.
With such abilities, and the prospect of maintaining the
garden of his new bungalow, retirement in Cambridge should
be a pleasure - we wish him well"
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