Tributes have been paid to former Hele’s teacher Roger Aldersley who has passed away at the age of 82.
Mr Aldersley joined the school’s teaching staff in 1982 when it was still Plympton Grammar having previously been a careers master and economics teacher at Sutton High School for Boys for 10 years.
He remained at Plympton Grammar including its transition into Hele’s before eventually retiring from teaching in 1996.
Mr Aldersley was also a baptist minister and for a number of years was a volunteer chaplain at Derriford Hospital.
In retirement he and his wife Jean set up SAHODAR UK, a charity to improve the lives of people in Nepal where they were instrumental in getting a hospital built.
People from Nepal were among those who tuned in to an online stream of a service to celebrate Mr Aldersley’s life which took place at Mutley Baptist Church in July and which was also attended in person by some of his past pupils.
One of his former Hele’s pupils commented:
“Mr Aldersley was one of the teachers responsible for my love of History and also instilled in me a passion for careers guidance for young people which has been part of my job now for 20 years.”
Paula Stone added:
“He was one of my favourite and most memorable teachers at Hele’s school. He was often unconventional but really cared about his students.”
James Garside said Mr Aldersley was ‘one of the only teachers who ever inspired me. A real gentleman who gave his time and energy to many good causes outside of his teaching.’
Another past pupil remarked:
“One of the best teachers I ever had – an instrumental part of me achieving what I have – and also a lot of fun!”
Nicola McConville said:
“An amazing teacher and one of the biggest inspirations to me to go above and beyond, to push the boundaries and to embrace a work ethic that has genuinely turned me into the person I am today. I am forever grateful.”
Chris Johnson recalled:
“I was at Plympton Grammar when Roger arrived and was in his first Economics set . Although I was hardly a model pupil I always considered him one of the good guys and his lessons were always interesting. It’s funny how I ended up in the investment arena and how many times through the years I have found myself recalling pearls of his wisdom.”
Sean Carwithen remembers Mr Aldersley from his days at Sutton High School and said:
“He was the first person who told me it was okay to be a male chef and to go to hotel school.”
An amazing man who has left such a positive lifelong impression on so many.
(Story courtesy of Plympton Podcast)
