Mr. Mortimer Ellis Gormsby
Relieving Teacher, QSM
Loud, indefatigable, ramrod of bearing and silver-haired, Gormsby
has to be on the dark side of 50 but is otherwise of indeterminate
age. Elegantly if conservatively dressed he drives to school in an
immaculate 1950s Wolsley, from whence no one seems to know.
His private life is a complete mystery. To his fellow teachers he
is an enigma. Despite being a creature from another age his bizarre
mannerisms, his authority, intensity and charisma allow him to
connect with young adolescent males. This is a source of great
resentment and frustration to his new-age colleagues who enjoy no
such rapport.
His much cited military background is murky. He seems to have seen
active service on just about every continent and with just every
rebel hill tribe and insurgent on the planet. Now his battles are
with political correctness, disloyalty, dishonesty, hypocrisy and
humbug. He is blessed with the gift of candour and is never afraid
to speak his mind. Consequently many teachers are fearful of him
and some actively loath him. Pupils are wary of him too, but it is
an apprehension mixed with awe, fascination and a tincture of
affection.
