Thanksgiving Service for Dod Wainwright
A service of Remembrance has been held for former Headmaster, Dod Wainwright, who passed away earlier in the year. Dod was Headmaster of St Andrew’s from 1969 to 1984 and made a positive impact in all areas of the school. In fact, it went through something of a facelift during his tenure with new buildings and refurbishments in all corners of the school. He was also responsible for introducing girls, the merger with Ascham school and it was under his leadership that St Andrew’s gained a reputation for academic excellence. He was a brilliant leader, determined and thoughtful, and is said to have lifted the school out of difficult times.
Dod accepted the position of headmaster when he was just 28, a mere 15 years after he left the school as a pupil, before attending Eastbourne College and later Emmanuel College, Cambridge.
Dod’s wife, Annie, flew from the United States, to attend the service which took place in the school’s chapel. Over 100 colleagues and former pupils gathered and took part in the service, conducted by Reverend Stephen Gray (OA, 1979 and currently the Conduct at Eton College).
It was touching to see the chapel full of many former members of staff and Old Androvians and the service was a fitting tribute to Dod and everything he achieved during his life as teacher, headmaster, family man, cricket lover and sportsman to name but a few of his passions and accomplishments.
A wonderfully warm tribute was given by Paul Spillane, a former member of staff (1970 – 1979) which you can read here.
The carefully selected music contained some of Dod’s favourites including John Bunyan’s He Who would Valiant Be, and Wesley’s Lead Me Lord. The school choir sang a beautiful rendition of With or Without You by Bono and an Eastbourne College pupil, Tianlu Wang, performed John Newton’s Amazing Grace.
A memorial plaque for Dod is now hanging in the chapel and was blessed during the service.
After the service, attendees enjoyed a wonderful lunch before a group photo, tours of the school and a welcome cup of tea and piece of cake in the recently named Wainwright Pavilion.
