Tim joined Highcliffe School in 2007, taking up a newly created post, Student Support Worker for Key Stage 3. He had just retired from serving 30 years in the Police, acting as Community Beat Officer for Highcliffe and Walkford for 12 years, followed by 10 years as our Safe Schools and Communities Officer. Tim’s connections with Highcliffe School were more than just professional – his three children all came up through the School and his son, Stuart, currently teaches in the MFL curriculum area.
From 2007 until his retirement in 2014, Tim developed his role as Student Support Worker for years 7, 8 and 9. One of his areas of expertise was in developing the School's travel plan and transport arrangements, safe routes and behaviours of students travelling to and from school. His most proficient skill, however, was in his dealings with people. Parents, students and fellow members of staff always had their days made brighter through their meetings with Mr Barnes. His cheerful nature and relentlessly positive approach showed that even the most difficult situations could have a way through to a positive outcome. His skills in listening, communication and restorative justice were a great asset to the pastoral team in the School and his experience and advice were greatly valued by his colleagues. Tim’s expectations of himself and others were relentlessly high, demonstrating integrity, honesty and compassion. He was never afraid to speak the truth.
Tim was very keen to involve himself in the wider life of the School and the local community. Through his earlier life as a policeman and his involvement in many community groups, such as Highcliffe Scouts, Friends of Highcliffe Junior School and the then St Mark’s Infant School, he knew countless people of all ages. In his role as a parent, he was an avid fundraiser for the School as well as a charity very close to his heart, the ‘Semi-Colons’, a local bowel cancer charity. Tim was part of Highcliffe School’s Three Peak’s Challenge team in the late 1990’s and more recently an enthusiastic member of the Staff Choir, greatly enjoying the after school rehearsals with his friends and performing in school concerts. His involvement in the annual Global Rock Challenge competition also started well before his time here at Highcliffe, and he always took the opportunity to fully support our Expressive Arts students and staff with their entry every year. His commitment to this competition, which encourages young people across the region to find excitement and challenge in a drug and alcohol free environment, was recognised by the organisers when he was presented with his very own ‘Rock Challenge’ Award for his services to young people.
His care and concern for young people was further demonstrated in recent months when he proposed a new School award to recognise the work of young carers in our community, which will be presented every year.
Tim faced numerous battles with illness over the years, he was a survivor of bowel cancer and beat lung cancer a number of times. He never let these setbacks take away his love of life, his enjoyment of the company of others and his special smile. In more recent years, Tim faced his illness with fortitude and courage. Although opportunities for him to meet with his colleagues reduced, whenever we did meet up, the same grace, humour and humanity were clearly evident. Tim Barnes was a family man through and through, he loved his local community, he took every opportunity to fully involve himself in school life and he made a personal impact on everybody who met him. He was a real gentleman and will be greatly missed.
Tim was very keen to help the Royal Bournemouth Hospital Orchard Garden Project. After many years of treatment, help and support at Bournemouth hospital, and watching the new facility taking shape, he wanted to see something positive come out of the situation.
The Orchard Garden Project was set up to raise money to fund landscaped gardens that will benefit patients being treated in the new Jigsaw Building. These include cancer and blood disorder patients as well as those being treated in the Women’s Health Unit and the Renal Unit.
A JustGiving page has been setup for any donations in Tim's memory.
Owned by: MYP | Last Published: 01/07/2015 09:59:49 | Next Update: N/A
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