accomplished, and Ted is leaving Saltus in a world-
class condition."
Academics Claire Charlemagne, who was ultimately
selected from three "impressive" candidates last
December (see Cover Story, page 24)--made relin-
quishing the last post of his career a little easier.
"Claire has really transformed the academic picture
in the Secondary Department," he says. "Knowing
there was somebody capable of taking over allowed
me to make the decision not to stay longer."
work already started. "Claire is a stickler for detail
and not afraid of challenging people if they aren't
doing the job," he says. "I really needed someone
like that in place, someone who was not willing to
accept mediocrity. I saw in her the ability to get
people to work harder and better.
headship, the director of studies, and I managed to
orchestrate her appointment as Deputy Head, so
she was on a path that automatically looked as if
it led to Head of School. She garnered the respect
of her colleagues and I never saw any resistance to
her authority."
has to be a chemistry, and I think Claire has
respected me and what I've managed to do in a
short period of time. It makes for a smooth transi-
tion. There have been some pretty hard discussions
in here over the four years--some tough decisions
--but she's bought into them."
School "is a work in progress. It's like being the
coach of an undefeated team--you still find things
that can be improved. But these are things Claire
will continue to address."
owns an 1862 stone farmhouse in Bailieboro, south
of Peterborough. "It's nothing in terms of Bermudian
history," he quips, "but it's a unique property and
requires a lot of work, and I enjoy that type of
thing. They really did get me off a tractor to come
down here! I was planning to retire back in 2009."
The couple now hopes to spend time with their
five grandchildren.
and the friendly beeping of Bermudian car horns, it
is the high calibre of Saltus students, he says, which
has made all the difference to his daily peace of
mind amid the plethora of difficult tasks he tackled.
mannerly kids I have ever come across. That's not in
any way to diminish the other schools I've worked
at--but these kids at Saltus look you in the eye and
are incredibly polite and extremely talented. It's got
to be the Island, the parental support they receive,
and the kinds of activities they are exposed to here
in Bermuda. They are truly delightful.
up, and a student said, `That's Mr. Staunton.' That's
really good to hear. I can't be everywhere, but if you
do your best, they sense it."
should be remembered for making the School a
better place and positioning it for success in the
future," he says. "What more really can you ask?
The challenges we have overcome have been signif-
icant. But as Gil Tucker says, `Saltus has its swagger
back.' That's a nice way of putting it. That's how I'd
like to be remembered."
says,
"Saltus
has its
swagger
back."
That's a
nice way
of putting
it. That's
how I'd
like to be
remem-
bered'
A