A Tribute to Alf Mitchley

March 01, 2022 | Campus | Author: Alistair Stewart, Head of Advancement and Jakes Fredericks, Head of our Boys' Preparatory

Alf Mitchley worked at St Stithians College from 1998 to 2013. Often seen as a founder of Design and Technology in South Africa, his legacy lives on in the numerous textbooks, workbooks and the thousands of teachers who developed a love for, and an understanding of, Design and Technology.

However, Alf was far more than this; a gifted teacher, greatly admired educator, playwright, artist, cartoonist, scientist, environmentalist, philosopher, and a creative genius.

His understanding of the learning process enabled thousands of children to understand how to solve problems through thinking, designing, creating, testing, refining and communicating their solutions.

In a career spanning over 40 years Alf produced over 30 school plays, most of them involving every child in the school and his involvement went from writing, all the way to set design and production.

The founding and success of our Thandulwazi Maths and Science Academy can be attributed to many people and donors, however without Alf Mitchley it wouldn’t have taken off as quickly as it did. Alf had built up an extensive network of teachers through his Design and Technology workshops. In 2005 we sent hundreds of faxes to communicate our new Saturday Teacher Training workshops and very quicky had over 400 teachers arriving for Thandulwazi because of Alf. Alf’s many Thandulwazi workshops were always fully subscribed.

Right up until his death Alf was still writing and illustrating educational textbooks, more recently creating animations for digital videos. Alf’s life was a learning adventure, and his teaching epitomised his love for life which will live on as part of his legacy.

Diagnosed with cancer in 2020 Alf sadly passed away this week. Our condolences go out to Alf’s wife Claire and the Mitchley family on the loss of greatly loved husband, father and grandfather; along with our gratitude for the world of difference he made to St Stithians College and the thousands of teachers and children whose lives were so positively impacted by Mr Mitchley.

A Message from Jakes Fredericks as posted on the Boys' Prep Facebook page (Monday 28 February 2022):

“A giant tree has fallen.”

Good day One and All. It is with immense sadness that I inform you that Alf Mitchley our former Director of Creative Arts and retired Boys Prep teacher lost his battle with cancer. Alf passed away peacefully in his sleep last night surrounded by his wife Claire, children Stu, Sheo and the extended family. Alf’s contribution to education especially in the fields of Design and Technology and the Creative Arts are unparalleled and immeasurable. His conceptualisation and eventual implementation of the Boys’ Prep Values stone totem, the accompanying five prayers and the unique sign language associated with it are some of the incredible legacies this gifted educationalists has blessed us with. He will be remembered for his commitment to providing his students with the best possible holistic education, his sense of fairness, his humour, his wise counsel and most importantly for his incredible friendship to all he has come into contact with. Thank you Alf Mitchley for sharing all your gifts with us in so many special ways.

Hamba Kahle my friend, until we meet again!

PS! Claire, Stu, Sheo and the extended family thank you for allowing Alf to share his gift and passion for education with so many of us. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May Alf’s Soul Rest in Eternal Peace.

MHDSRIP

#PurposeDriven #PassionInspired #StrongerOneAndAll