About Me | Colin Old

Who I am outside of school

Travel

From the time I visited Paris in the late 1970s, I caught the ‘Travel Bug.’ Even though I have visited this city many times, I never tire of it, especially as there is usually a photo opportunity to be had on every street corner. I’m an avid traveller and enjoy taking photographs in interesting locations. I find Eastern Europe fascinating especially those countries such as Serbia and Moldova which are still relatively off the tourist trail. I have made friends in these places and love sharing cultures and traditions.

The country of Romania and its culture has been a love of mine for the past 12 years, over which time I have encountered a wealth of experiences. Since visiting the country in 2009, I have returned on numerous occasions – each one different and enlightening.

Music

Having learnt the piano from the age of 9 and contributed to various school orchestras and choirs over the years, my love of music is what motivates me in life! Popular Music is of interest to me, especially music of the 60s and 70s, but my overwhelming passion is for Classical Music.

Being able to read music, and having studied the subject for O-level and A-level, this has given me the confidence to write my own pieces. Choral Music is my preferred medium and I have written anthems and carols which have been sung by cathedrals and choral ensembles in Britain and around the world. I sing in a number of local choirs: ‘Portsmouth Choral Union,’ ‘The Chichester Singers’ and ‘Chichester Cathedral Voluntary Choir.’ I also take part in worship in a couple of local churches. Attending orchestral concerts in Britain and abroad is something I particularly enjoy.

Radio

I was recently given the opportunity of hosting a new radio show for a new local radio station, ‘Outreach Radio.’ This is a totally new venture for me but one which I seem to have taken to like a duck to water, as they say. In hosting a show, I need to combine my knowledge of Classical Music with my teaching experience. As a teacher, one needs to be a proficient orator and verbal communicator as well as a subject specialist, so these skills I have been able to utilise effectively.

"Since both of my boys have had Mr Old, their confidence has grown and although reluctant to read, both of them have taken up reading for pleasure. This is unbelievable."

Nicola Jones, Gosport

"Mr Old, I just wanted to text you to say how much Zach enjoys your lessons. He speaks very highly of you and often comes home telling me about his English lessons."

Louise Evans, Fareham

"The Enrichment Literature Group excursion to Dorchester was a great success. Mr Old had planned his Thomas Hardy walk with precision and even we parents learnt something."

Gill and Kevin Thomas, Southampton

"As well as being a great teacher, you supported me when I felt helpless. Even when my own parents didn’t understand me, you were there when I needed a shoulder."

Luke, Southampton

"Thank you, Sir, for 1. Being a great tutor, 2. Being a huge support in English, and 3. Being a good friend when I needed somebody to listen."

Simon Clarke, Southampton

"Thank you for helping me achieve an A in my English Controlled Assessment on T.S. Eliot poetry"

George Pook, A-Level Student, Portsmouth

"Mr Old – you’re the best!"

Cams Hill English Class
Fareham, Hants

"Mr C Old is a remarkable teacher. He knows when to have a laugh but also when to take control and get teaching."

Lauren Powell

"Mr Old, Oldy for short, is someone who cares more about the pupils than himself."

Brandon Harper

"Mr Old is a life saver. He goes out of his way to help not only me but the entire 27 pupils in our English class"

Will Southwell

"OCR Examining Board is writing to you personally to thank you for the valuable contribution you have made to recognising the outcomes and attainment of thousands of young people over a twenty-year period."

OCR Chief Executive

"I have been advised by the external assessor for Threshold Applications, Mr Douglas Wright, that you have demonstrated the quality of teaching for promotion to Upper Pay Spine, Point 3. The Chairman of Governors, is delighted with your success and looks forward to working with you and the English Department in the future."

John Freeman
Head Teacher, Grove Park School

"I was asked by the Board of Governors to write to you and personally thank you for the outstanding results achieved by the boys in your class in last year’s summer GCSE examinations for English Literature. Your diligent approach to teaching is a real asset to the school."

Jennifer Machin
Chair of Governors, Weston Park Boys’ School

"Mr Old, thank you for allowing me to observe your English lesson today. I thought that many of the questions you were asking pupils were both stimulating and challenging. Even more impressive was the high level of response from the students. I was also encouraged by the amount of preparation you put into the lesson and it was delivered with confidence and sincerity."

Deputy Head, Lesson Observation

"The teacher and students have fostered a wonderful learning environment which in turn, enables each student to feel comfortable, to feel confident and to flourish. What was a GCSE revision session with a very able group felt more like an A/S Level study tutorial."

Dr Michael Staples
Deputy Head

"I could see from the start that you were the English Department’s greatest asset."

Pam Wheeler
AQA English Advisor

"I consider myself very fortunate to have met Mr. Old as he helped me so much with my English. Due to him I have improved my vocabulary a lot and he patiently showed me how to spell or pronounce every word I found difficult. Due to my fluent and confident use of English, people were surprised to know that I have been in this country for one year only."

Ionut Boghean