l first met Pam in my first year of teaching in the autumn of1971.l was headstrong and enthusiastic but needed someone to channel my energies. Looking back I was as green as a lawn of grass and needed just about as much maintenance. Step forward Pamela Smith my fairy godmother, my mentor . she was wonder, making herself available whenever needed. Clare was in my first class but I never felt under any pressure. In fact it was over a term before she even let on to the fact. On reflection, this showed the empathy and understanding of the wonderful lady towards a newly qualified teacher. From that moment I became a regular visitor to the house and very often Clare would come downstairs to find her teacher stretched out on the living room floor in a sleeping bag. Terry and Pam were wonderful hosts.
She was wonderful at making the best of a bad job. Once, in my first year of teaching, I organised a Saturday trip to Coventry on the train for my class. Pam was only too ready to accompany me and the children. I remember having a meeting on the Friday and telling them to meet outside the school at 9am so that we could make our way down to Wembley Central for the train. I was insistent we would wait for no one. It was planned with military precision. Unfortunately on the morning I didn’t wake until 8:50 and what made matters worse …….I lived in Golders Green and didn’t drive! Pam took over , got the children to the station and then watched as an embarrassed, frantic young teacher turned up five minutes before the train left. Tha drama was only just beginning however, as, having collected the children’s money over the weeks, I had spent it all thinking I could pay with a personal cheque. Unfortunately I couldn’t- they didn’t accept cheques! Eventually I persuaded the gentleman in the ticket office that I was going nowhere until he issued the tickets, and then we all rushed down to the platform just in time to see the train disappearing into the distance. I was distraught, Enter Pam stage left; no finger waving, tutting or talk of repercussions. She was positive, saw the funny side of it, lifted spirits and made it into an exciting adventure.
several years later we had the chance to ‘team teach’. It was an enlightening experience. She was a wonderful language teacher finding numerous ways and props to enhance the learning experience of the pupils in her charge. I learnt so much.
When I left Preston Park we kept in touch and together with Clare and Tony she came to my wedding in 2016.
pam was a wonderful mentor and inspirational colleague. She became more than that; she became my friend. Her kindness and generosity of spirit and time was limitness. I will miss her smile, twinkling eyes and lust for life. R.I.P. my lovely lady.
John Woodfield