The following appeared in the Woking News and Mail on 25th March 1970

 

 

DISMAY AT WEST BYFLEET SECONDARY SCHOOL

 

 

            Mr. Bernard Roder, who is at present the headmaster of West Byfleet Secondary school, is to leave in September to takeover as headmaster of the Winston Churchill Secondary School, St. John’s from September.

 

 

            His selection – at an appointments board meeting last Thursday – is likely to cause dismay at West Byfleet, where he had been head for 2½ years.  He was earlier named as proposed head of the merged West Byfleet and Fullbrook (New Haw) schools.

 

 

            The merger will be delayed, and may be abandoned, as the result of opposition from Woking Council, whose education committee on Monday decided to declare an official dispute with Surrey County Council.  A public enquiry may be held.

 

 

            Mr. Roder, a 42-years-old Oxford graduate, with two children of secondary school age, was born at Gidea Park, Essex, where he attended the Royal Liberty Grammar School.  After national service in the Royal Artillery, he took an honours’ degree at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford.

 

 

            He then taught English and modern languages for 13 years at two schools in Essex before becoming headmaster of a 550-pupil secondary school at Oakhampton, Devon in 1965.

 

 

            He said on Tuesday: “I’m thrilled at becoming head of a wonderful school like the Winston Churchill, and I look forward to a happy association with the staff and pupils.”

 

 

            He takes over from Mr. T. T. Barnes, who has been headmaster at Winston Churchill since its opening in January 1967, and who delayed his retirement until July this year so that more time could be given to the selection of his successor.

 

            Mr. Roder was unable to get to a meeting of the new school’s parents’ association on Monday, because of a previous engagement.

 

Mr. Barnes said of him: “I’m very pleased that he’s coming here.  I’ve known him every since he came to the district three years ago, and I’m particularly delighted that If’s another Oxford man who is coming to the school.

 

 

            “You’ll find him to be a very fine man indeed, and I hope you’ll give him the support you have given me.”