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by Ilika Karunaratne

Richard and Paula Hillebrand, were here recently, on a brief 24 hour visit, on their way back from Kerala to England. Richard was one of the first batch of Oxbridge graduates, to come here to The Colombo International School, when Mrs. Elizabeth Moir, who founded it was the head of it. He left Sri Lanka in 1987. "I was determined to return one day as I really loved my time here. The school, the teaching, the students and your beautiful country, of which I saw so much."

My first memories of Richard, are when he taught my son, Kishan at CIS. He left Sri Lanka at the same time as Kishan left for Aberdeen University for his degree. The subjects Richard taught were History and Geography for the O and A levels. He has vivid memories of his time here, including a debate he took part in with two debating teams from CIS, one headed by him. The subject was "Sports and Politics", and the chairman was the late Lalith Athulathmudali, also an ex Oxonian, like Richard, who was visibly impressed with the high standard of the debate. Lalith's participation was much appreciated, as an ex-president of the Oxford Union.

"After leaving here, I went back to the UK, where I taught history at the Whitgift School near London for a while. My adventurous spirit got the better of me after a few years there and I left for Jordan, where I taught History and Geography, at an international school, founded by King Hussein's brother. I met Paula in Jordan, and we went back to England where we got married.

I then decided that I wanted to do further training in teaching, as this seemed to be my mission in life, and I did this at Durham University. My next post was as Head of the History department at Woodford County High School for Girls, which is one of the top state schools on the border of Essex.

At the moment, I am Head of Humanities, which means History, Geography, Politics and Religious Studies at Bishops Hatfield Girls School, but I will be moving back to this region in July, as principal of a new school which is the Trivandrum International School.

I am looking forward to working in this part of the world again. Paula and I were among the first lot of visitors here after the ceaseifre came into force." Did you find the attitude of students in the UK different to those here and in Jordan? "Students in the UK are more self-confident and tend to be more willing to challenge authority, but the similarity is that they are all driven by an urge to pursue excellence."

What inspired you to accept the post in Kerala? "I had always kept in touch with Mrs. Moir, who is consultant at the school. When she offered me the post, I was delighted to accept, as I felt it was a new challenge for me.

I was most impressed with the idea behind the school. I think my 19 years of experience in teaching has given me the knowledge, the experience and the confidence to take this post in a school where they are determined to combine the best in the East and the best in the West. We intend to broaden teaching methods, and to encourage more independence in students. They will do their own research, have the facilities to access internet and make their own choices.

The school will be purpose built to inspire and help students to learn and to never stop learning.

We will have a separate area for junior activities and the day students will also be there till late afternoon, so all aspects of the students are being looked into, to acquire and encapsulate knowledge and also helping to develop qualities of leadership, which will help them in life."

Teaching is, the way I see it, the finest and most important job in the world. Opening up horizons, letting students know how much of the world can be theirs, can be a wonderful achievement and immensely rewarding.

Richard's wife Paula, has had training in dealing with children with special needs. She will look after this aspect and will be the warden of the hostels too. She will be responsible for the emotional and physical needs of the children at the school. Their two little girls will be students at the school too.

I'm glad Richard's first teaching experience, straight from St. Peter's College, Oxford, was in Sri Lanka. One's first job, and how one enjoys it, usually plays a part in a decision of a career for life. So, his experience here, must have inspired him and played a part in his decision to go on with teaching as a career. Richard, like Mrs. Moir, is a quintessential educationist, interested not only in passing on knowledge, but shaping young minds and equipping them for the more difficult journey through life.

My long acquaintance with him as my sons, teacher and his contribution in other fields in the school make me confident that he is of the stuff that Headmasters should be made of. Although Sri Lanka's loss is Kerala's gain, it is close enough for Sri Lankan parents too to place their children in Richard's capable hands and Paula's care.

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