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ST. AUGUSTINE'S GRAMMAR SCHOOL
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stripes9
1st October 2003
My Dear Friends,
There is some sad news to break:
Earlier this year,on the morning of the 29th of May, 2003, one of the founder members of the staff of this school passed away.
We speak of the Rev Robert James Abbott S.T.L., Ph.L., M.A.(Cantab.), first and founding deputy headmaster of St Augustine's Grammar School.
Father "Bob", as he was familiarly known, was one of the building blocks, indeed a corner stone, on which this great school has grown. He was a popular figure amongst staff members and with the boys. He served as deputy headmaster from the first day of the opening of St Augustine's on Monday, September 6th 1965. This was the face that met and greeted the aspiring first intake of boys. That day, he organised the boys into lines before they proceeded to Assembly, the first and forerunner of many such assemblies in the history of this great school. He remained on the teaching staff until the end of Summer term of the 1968/9 academic year.
He was born in Sale in 1924 and educated at Stonyhurst then King's College, Cambridge. He studied for the priesthood at the English College at Rome. He served in the diocese of Mbarara, Uganda(1958-63). He was assistant priest at St Bede's, Weaverham and St Paul's, Hyde(1963-79). In 1969 he took on his first charge as the first Parish Priest of St Philips, Offerton. He returned to Africa in 1972 serving in Rwanda and Kenya. He was Parish Priest at St George's Whitchurch before his final posting as Parish priest of the church of St Ann, Cheadle Hulme.
His commitment to education continued after leaving the teaching staff of St Augustine's as he took his seat on the board of School Governors. He was closely involved with education to his last days as Chaplain and Governor to St. James' Catholic High School, Cheadle Hulme including appointing at least one ex pupil of this school to teaching posts there!
In 1999, the reunion of the 1969 intake was honoured by his presence, a gesture appreciated by all of those there.
His funeral was con-celebrated by Bishop Brian Nobel, Canon Whelan, and Fr Munro on the 4th June. The panegyricist, none other than the Rev Frank Rice, a name that needs no introduction on Sharston Mount, gave a touching eulogy with a hint of humour true to the 'character' of Father "Bob".
He will be remembered as a learned colleague who dedicated his life to the church and education.
May God grant him peace.
(F.J. McGUINESS)
Headmaster