b'THE ELLESMERIAN The Common Room Departures16Harry Orr - Head of Sociology and Religious StudiesHarry Orr joined the school in 1999. His main role within the school was as the Head of Sociology and Religious Studies. He delivered the A level in Sociology to the Sixth Form, always with commitment, good grace, and patience, and he taught Religious Studies across a range of year groups. When we started the IB Diploma, Harry helped to develop the new course in the Theory of Knowledge, which he taught for a number of years. He was also central to the development of the Extended Project Qualification in the Sixth Form, to where the qualification is now completed by most A level pupils. Harry is a keen participant in sport: he did much to promote and support the development of the pupil golfers, and has done much to encourage the communal life of the Common Room through tennis and Friday night football (supplementing his lifelong devotion to Crystal Palace). The annual pupil-staff tennis tournament, the Reffell Open, which he has organised, is a highlight of the end of the academic year. Harry has been a wonderfully supportive and generous colleague to those around him. His insight and his questioning, inquiring spirit will be much missed.Harrys son and daughter were also Sixth Formers at Ellesmere, and it was a joy to colleagues to share their successes with Harry. He remains in close contact with the school, and we look forward to seeing him here for many more years. Vanessa Hart After nearly eighteen years of loyal service, Vanessa Hart leaves us for a well-deserved retirement.Vanessa loved being at the College, and especially enjoyed working with the younger pupils in Lower School. She played a pivotal role in the support of these pupils, who relaxed easily in her company. Some pupils were fortunate enough to have been taught by Vanessa for several years: she thoroughly understood their needs and helped them to progress in their journey towards independence. As a tutor, Vanessa was caring and attentive. She took time to get to know her tutees and was a reassuring presence for their parents. As well as leading in Learning Support, Vanessa was also a teacher of KS2 History, RS and English, at various points during her time here. Additionally, Vanessa sang with the Colleges Choral Society from the early days; a passion she enjoyed for many years.Vanessas kindness and empathy will be missed above all, but we are sure that she will find time in her retirement to pursue her enjoyment of singing and gardening, as well as spending time with her grandchildren. We wish her the very best. Tina CoxTina started at the College in 2008 as a Girls Games Coach. From the offset, along with her love for sport, she showed a great interest in developing pupils interest and skill level in all of the core sports that Ellesmere offer to pupils. Tina has a great love for Netball and devoted a lot of time to the development of Girls Netball at the College. She coached many of the girls during her time with us and brought her experience of coaching within the Welsh Development System plus playing at club level in Wrexham. She offered many extra opportunities for the girls to experience Netball further, one in which she organised a Senior Netball Tour to Northern Ireland in 2013 and took girls on a few occasions to International Matches. She was fully respected by pupils, staff and staff from other Shropshire Schools for dedication and her Netball Coaching ability. Tina leaves us to take on a new role as Director of Netball at Kings School Chester.'