Tributes have been paid to a former Kesgrave headteacher and Ipswich Star columnist, who leaves behind a legacy of offering opportunities for all, and always believing in his staff and students.
George Thomas was headteacher at Kesgrave High School for more than 20 years, from 1986 to 2007. Under his leadership, the student body grew and flourished, and he encouraged his students to push the limits of what they could achieve.
Mr Thomas was originally from Cambridge. He taught English in several schools, before arriving in Kesgrave to take up the role of headteacher in 1986.
This was how he came to meet his wife, Pauline Atkinson, who was deputy head of the school at the time.
"Dad totally transformed the school," said Mr Thomas' son, Mat. "The school was around 600 pupils when he arrived, and by the time he left, it was well over 1,000."
When Mr Thomas arrived at the school, students were placed into streams according to their ability.
"Dad hated that," Mat explained. "His educational philosophy was to have as many mixed-ability groups as possible – it was about not writing people off; he encouraged them to reach their potential.
"He was also very proud of the school's building projects, such as the new sports hall and particularly the sixth form block, which opened in 2001.
"He changed a lot about the way the school was run."
Mat added that his father enjoyed writing throughout his life, for he had a great love of words.
He liked to keep journals, and would sometimes write plays and poetry.
However, many will remember Mr Thomas from his days as a columnist for the Ipswich Star newspaper, then the Evening Star.
Many of Mr Thomas’ former colleagues at the Ipswich Star remember him fondly.
Mat said that his father enjoyed writing his columns, which were thought-provoking and highly popular among readers, for Mr Thomas had a flair for telling a good story.
Indeed, many of his columns would find their way to the newspaper's front page.
Sometimes, Mr Thomas would file his column after the deadline had passed – but then, editors would find that the column was so good, that they would have to move stories about at the last minute, because they so wanted the column to appear in the next day’s newspaper.
Nigel Pickover was the editor at the Evening Star who commissioned Mr Thomas to write a regular column. He said: "George was a great communicator and he always had the interests of his school and students at heart.
"He was held in high regard by thousands of students, their families and teachers over the years - he was a great headteacher."
After his retirement in 2007, Mr Thomas had more time to pursue his love of travelling, a particular favourite of his being the Lake District. He was also a keen sports fan and a passionate supporter of Ipswich Town football club.
Later, he and Pauline moved to St Albans in order to be closer to Matt and his children.
George Thomas died last Friday after period of illness, aged 75. He is survived by his wife, Pauline, his son Mat, his daughter Emily, and his grandchildren.
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