Tributes flow for teacher
Parents and former pupils have been sharing their memories and paying tribute to a Wearside teacher who died aged just 33.
Staff and pupils at Oxclose Community Academy are coming to terms with the loss of design technology teacher John Drummond to cancer.
Originally from Appleby, John moved to Sunderland to attend university.
It was there he met wife Amy.Thecouplehadbeentogether for ten years and marriedshortlybeforehisdeath.
Amy said: “He loved Oxclose. He loved his form class, and he particularly loved working with kids who had disabilities. He would come home and say ‘I’m knackered’ but he still used to stay late and organise things for the pupils to do.”
Among those paying their respects on the Echo’s Facebook page were several of John’s former pupils.
Nykia Cossey wrote: “Mr Drummond was, without a doubt, one of Oxclose’s best teachers. He made his pupils WANT to learn, he made a difference in the life of everyone who passed through Oxclose’s door whilst he was there.
“My thoughts are with his wife, his family and friends and all pupils past and present who knew him and all of the teachers.
“What a big loss to all. RIP Mr Drummond.”
Sean Carpenter said: “He was such a great teacher, will be a big miss to Oxclose,” and Jessica Foster wrote: “Mr Drummond was a great teacher and a great man.
Parents with pupils at Oxclose were among those paying tribute. Julie Temple said: “Mr Drummond was my daughter’s favourite teacher. He made learning the way it should be ... fun.”