Claydon High School pays tributes to PE teacher Matt Jack

Tributes have been paid to an "outstanding" Suffolk PE teacher, husband, and dad, Matt Jack, who died after his bike collided with a Land Rover in Creeting St Mary on Good Friday, April 19, 2019. 

At the time of this sad loss, members of the school community, staff and students, past and present, donated money to the school in Mr Jack’s name. 

Matthew Jack was a teacher at Claydon High school for nearly 20 years, Jack family (Image: Jack family)

Significant donations were made to two charities supported by the late teacher and his family, The Mix and Hands at Work.  

The remaining money was set aside to create a lasting memorial to Mr Jack on the school site, which was discussed between colleagues, students and members of the local community. 

The pandemic, lockdown and recent pressures on businesses and supply chains have led to some delays in the project, but it has finally been completed. 

Current colleagues were joined by Mr Jack’s wife, Becky, and their two children to dedicate the memorial bench. 

The school has been hosting an annual ‘wear shorts to school’ day for the last four years, in recognition of Mr Jack’s attire as a PE teacher, and used this occasion to dedicate the bench to its former colleague. 

Maéve Taylor, the school’s headteacher, said: "It is fitting that we now have this bench at the heart of our school in memory of a teacher, colleague and friend who exemplified the values we hold dear at Claydon High School.  

Headteacher at Claydon High School, Maeve Taylor, Newsquest (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown)

"There is not a school day when he is not remembered but to be able to come together and remember him with fondness, smiles and cold legs promotes and protects his legacy.  

"It is a testament to him and members of our school community that many colleagues and students, even many who had not met Matt, join in to practise compassion."