David Haslett spent his entire 37 year-long teaching career at Inst. Educated at Belfast Royal Academy, David studied Geography at The Queen’s University Belfast graduating with a B.A. in 1969. The following year he gained a Diploma in Education at Queen’s and was appointed by S V Peskett to the Staff at Inst in 1970. David would soon be joined in the Geography Dept by Terry Bowles and Ronnie McMurray, later in the 1970’s Allen McKinstry made up a quartet who spent the next 30 years together and formed the core of the W7 Lunch Club.
There is no doubt that generations of Inst boys had their interest in Geography greatly enthused through their time in David’s classroom W8. On one occasion David was asked what boys could expect to experience in W8 to which his reply was education, enjoyment, discipline and from time to time (frequently) a good laugh – and not necessarily in that order! Who could forget one of his favourite punishments for misdemeanours – 25 press-ups, or multiples of! Whilst good discipline was a pre-requisite in his classroom David was renowned for his sense of humour. Generations of boys did do well, and many were inspired to study the subject at a higher level. In 1986 David was appointed the Senior Assistant of the Geography and Economics Department following the Department’s elevation to the Council of Studies. In 2005, following the retirement of Terry Bowles, David was appointed Head of Department.
Outside the classroom David had many responsibilities. However, his other main areas of contribution have been in the Pastoral system and Rugby. He was a Form Tutor in Stevenson, Pirrie and Kelvin Houses before being appointed Senior Housemaster of Stevenson in 1993, a position he held until 2005. Initially the task was to continue the re-building of Stevenson House as during the years of the troubles it had ceased to exist with the decline in School numbers. When David was appointed, there were only three Forms, but it soon reached the full complement and has remained strong ever since. The House prospered under David’s leadership. He inculcated into boys the value of good discipline and the merits of participation in extra-curricular activities for their personal development. Foremost in his mind was the welfare of all boys and a sympathetic ear was always available when required. His advice was invariably sound, and he was highly respected by the boys in his House for his absolute fair-mindedness, support, guidance and dedication.
In the sporting area of School life David’s major interest was Rugby, where his contribution has been incalculable. He coached the 1st XV for several years in the seventies and again in the late eighties. David took the 1st XV to Cup Finals three times and to the semi-final stage on several other occasions. When he stepped down from 1st XV coach in 1991, he was appointed Master-in-Charge of Rugby. Under his guidance the Rugby Club has thrived and has been particularly successful. With the efforts and contribution of many other Rugby Staff there have been several Schools’ Cup Wins, many representative players produced and more boys in School playing rugby than ever before. During David’s time at RBAI, up to nine senior teams turned out and a total of 25 teams had fixtures, illustrating the healthy state of the game in School. David’s administrative and organisational skills would be rarely seen to better effect than with the weekly selection of the senior teams. His colour coded selection of nine teams, bearing in mind injuries, sickness etc., was almost a work of art, although he himself admitted sometimes looked more like a bowl of coloured spaghetti! Despite the sometimes trial and tribulations of finalising an 8th XV or 9th XV David was always happy to set off on a Wednesday afternoon with these teams – for the boys to get to play a match and for him to enjoy watching a match!
David has also made an enormous contribution in rugby outside Inst. He has been a member of the Ulster Schools’ Committee for 34 years, coached Ulster Schools’ and Irish Schools’. As well, he has coached the Academy and Dungannon clubs, Ulster Under 20 and the Ulster Senior team. At national level he coached Ireland Under 21, Ireland ‘A’, travelled to Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa and New Zealand as an assistant coach to Senior Development sides and also assistant coach to the Irish Senior team. From 2000 to 2005 he was manager of the Ireland Under 21, the highlight being the team reaching the World Cup Final in 2004 against New Zealand.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Shirley, Michael, Rachel and the wider family.
C A McK