All at St Ninian’s High School are in shock at this time after hearing of the tragic loss of Rob Campbell, 31-year-old physical education teacher.
Rob started work in the school in September 2007 and had taught across all age groups in that time. He was a very hard working and conscientious colleague, running clubs, teams and also looking to help develop the department and its teaching methods.
Rob encouraged the use of new technology in PE lessons and was also piloting a new digital tracking tool he had developed for students to self-assess their skills in the subject. He led the initiative to raise funds to re-equip the school fitness training room and develop part of it into an A level and GCSE teaching base. To facilitate this work he had developed links with Strength and Conditioning coaches to enable students to improve their core strength and so be more successful in a myriad of activities. Rob had recently been promoted in school to a temporary post as Key Stage 3 Coordinator in PE. This was a role he relished and he had great plans for the future.
He was a very popular member of staff, always having a glint in his eye as he saw the opportunity for a joke or sharing a smile or a laugh with a colleague. He was natural mimic and could take any personality off quite easily – but in both a funny and sympathetic way. He also had a conciliatory nature and would look to find the path of reason in professional debate. This positive nature and the attempt to find a way forward has been very much appreciated by all who knew him well. He will be very fondly remembered as a really nice person.
Rob was very much a sportsman, having played football for Ramsey AFC over many years. In recent years he had branched out into other sports and had done some fairly serious running, taking part in the Ramsey Bakery Winter Running League, the Race the Sun event and also the Isle of Man Cross Country League. At the present time he was injured but looking forward to returning to competition in his favourite sports in the New Year. He took part in fun staff sporting events and was part of the staff table tennis team. He was always ready to have a go and join in – that was Rob Campbell.
As a teacher, he was very positive with students and had high expectations. He had a growth mindset, which he used in his teaching to great effect. He saw potential in all and did his best to help unleash it. He often saw something in a student that they had not realised themselves, hence his passion for Strength and Conditioning – the pre-requisite for all successful sports people. This year Mr. Campbell, as the students would have known him, ran the Year 7 boys teams. It will be particularly hard for these students to realise the loss of their coach and mentor. The school will do its best to support them as required in the New Year. The school has contact with CRUSE bereavement counsellors and contact can be made before the start of the new term. Details will be placed on the school website in due course.
In conclusion, Rob was one of those individuals you could not fail to like. He will be very sadly missed by all at the school. All one can say at this time is that our thoughts and prayers go out to Amy, Robert’s partner, and Rob’s family and friends.
