Last night I received a notification from the Old Runnymedian Facebook page to say that Mrs Julia Powell had died. My first feeling was sadness followed by regret - regret that I had never managed to return to the School Reunion to say thank you, and to say how special she was to so many of us back in the days when the School was in its early stages of development - the Arga Days. This post is my own personal tribute to Mrs Powell.
I started at Runnymede in September 1970 in Arga 13. Of the many wonderful aspects of Runnymede at the time for 12 year old "me", were the horse riding lessons offered as an optional activity on Saturday mornings. I had ridden ponies in Germany, but only bareback so I had to start from the beginning - at a riding stables called El Trebol (not the best horses there apparently, but I didn't mind). Mrs Powell took us in the bus to the stables; stayed with us; patiently watched us struggle to stay on the horses without falling off; and encouraged us when we learnt to trot in a "co-ordinated" fashion. The incentive to do well was to "graduate" to Somosaguas. Mrs Powell got to know me during that time, (and I did work very hard in my riding lesson) - and I came to love and respect her. For me, she was always approachable at School, perhaps because I was one of her "riding students"; perhaps because she sensed how much I came to love Runnymede, but most importantly, she was approachable because she cared!
I'm not sure if Mrs Powell had an office in Number 13, but she was always nearby if we were upset or sick ....or doing something we weren't supposed to be doing. She would often speak to us in Spanish so that we would learn the language; but she also switched easily into perfect English when she knew we had no way of understanding what she was trying to tell us.
Starting at a new school in a new country where you know no one is never easy. New students would often find themselves alone in the playground, just as I had, during the first few weeks of starting at the school. Maybe we were slow to develop friendships as a consequence of moving homes frequently, it's hard to explain, but once friendships were made at Runnymede, the bond between many of us has lasted despite time and distance. Towards the end of Term 2 (Spring 1971), I was much more comfortable with my classmates, and had forged a number of friendships. Mrs Powell on at least two occasions I can remember, took me aside and asked me if I could talk to, and look after new students who were feeling unhappy and lonely. Her care for the students' happiness and wellbeing was of great importance to her. My own family experienced her care and support when my grandmother fell seriously ill back in Australia and my mother had to fly back leaving my Dad and me in Madrid for several weeks. Mrs Powell was so incredibly kind to all of us.
What does Runnymede mean to me, 49 years later? Runnymede was the Powells, and the Powells were Runnymede. Mr Powell was the headmaster, the leader, the catalyst, the visionary, and Mrs Powell was the backbone; the support, the carer, the lifeblood of the school in those days ... my time, our Runnymede, our Arga 13.
Thank you, dear Mrs Julia Powell,
for your kindness, your care, your patience, your gentle discipline,
for helping to make my time at Runnymede the happiest of school days.
You will be missed, and always remembered.
1971 - Saturday morning horse riding at Somosaguas.
Mrs Powell standing on the far left.