In a Eulogy delivered to our pupils and students, Mr Holmes used the following words to talk about the late great Mr Weeks.

“Ernie Banks, the Hall of Fame baseball legend, a one team player (very rare in any sport, he was known as ‘Mr Cub’, due to his loyalty to the Chicago Cubs) and amongst the first African Americans to play in the Major League, once said that ‘The measure of a man is in the lives he touched’. This is a maxim that resonates through the ages. It is never more true than in describing the man whose life we are here to celebrate today – Paul Weeks, or ‘Mr Langley’. From his appointment as a teacher in 1973, Deputy Head and then Headmaster in 1994, he would then go on to finish his career at the Senior School as Bursar until 2011. He oversaw the Prep School registering it’s largest numbers, innumerable trips and visits and in his 29 years as a servant of the Prep School, was able to oversee more than 1000 students come and go.”

We have been contacted by so many Icenians who wished to talk about Paul and his time at the Prep. This really shows ‘The measure of a man is in the lives he touched’…

• “My first encounter with Paul was him showing me around the Prep School ahead of Charley joining. One thing I remember, as if it was yesterday, were the smiles on the face of every child when he entered a classroom.  They all ran over to him wanting to show him what they had been doing that lesson.  He looked at every piece of work that was proudly being waved in front of him; he made time for every one of them.  That sold Langley Prep School to me.  That warmth, care, passion came easily to him – it was never forced.’  Paul Weeks was Langley Prep School!  Clare Futter (parent/staff)   
• “Mr Weeks was an incredible headmaster but an even better person. He made my experience at Langley Prep some of the fondest memories I have, and I’ll forever be grateful for that. He had time for everyone, even when operating such a senior role, and that is one of the things I admired about him most. Whilst I was only a young boy when I was at Langley Prep, Mr Weeks was a great example of how to treat people with respect and kindness; something that I have carried with me since. To have such an impact on so many people is a true testament to Mr Weeks as a person and I am very thankful for his guidance throughout my years at Langley Prep.” Charles Ball ('12)  
• “Mr. Weeks was my first headmaster when I moved from Switzerland to the UK and joined Langley Prep. At the time, my brothers and I couldn’t speak a word of English. On our very first day, he came over to my brother Fabio and me, placed a reassuring hand on our shoulders, and from that moment, we knew that Mr. Weeks would look after us and make us feel welcome at the school. Later, Paul and I had the opportunity to work together on the Icenians, and he was one of the most passionate individuals I’ve ever met when it came to supporting both the Icenians and Langley. Paul gave his heart and soul to the school, and it’s individuals like him who make Langley such a special place.” Luca Feser (‘13) Chair of the Icenians  
• “In my role as a paramedic for East of England Ambulance Service I attended Mr Weeks at his home to treat and transport him to hospital for, what would unfortunately become, one of his final journeys.  I recognised him as soon as we walked into the room as, despite the fact it had been more than 40 years since we last met, he had changed very little. I asked if he had been a teacher, he stared at me for a minute then amazingly remembered my name, asked about my brother and parents all in a manner as if we had been in regular contact over the ensuing years.  I checked in with the hospital later in the shift and was heartbroken to hear the prognosis, my only consolation was that I had been able to help someone at the end of their life who had been so formative at the beginning of mine.” Steve Grint (‘79) 
• “A man who I always acknowledged as ‘Sir’ up until the last time I saw him at the Norfolk Show. As did my sister, the mother of the current Head Girl at Langley, who always referred to him as Mr Weeks, despite never going to Langley! He taught me as a 8/9 year old. A kind, funny and brilliant teacher. He was made for Beech Hill and it was fitting he became its Headmaster.  We send our love and wishes to the Weeks family.” Phil Garnham (‘00) 
• “A great man.  His effect on young lives, particularly Alexander's, was significant. I was touched by his annual invitation to be the rocket man at the school fireworks. I remember him saying how very touched he was to be invited to Alexander's 18th birthday party. A truly humble person who had a great gift of teaching.” Father of Sophie (‘11) and Alex Lampert (‘06)
• “I just wanted to pass on my deepest sympathy to Mr Weeks family.  We didn’t know him really well but met him at the Prep School when Hannah was a toddler and went to the Nursery there.  He was a very kind gentleman and I felt very sad to hear of his passing. We have such lovely memories of Langley; Hannah and Fraser were so happy at school there.” Janet Scott-Brennan, parent of Fraser (‘14) and Hannah Scott (‘11) 

My own experience of Paul includes having lived on the Prep School site whilst he was Headmaster; then as he moved to the Senior School site as bursar and, following his retirement from this role, when he became the Treasurer of the Icenian Society, helping guide and develop the links between the school and the former pupils.  

 It is evident that Paul did everything for Langley. Recently having realised that Paul started his teaching career at Langley Prep in the mid 70’s, the first time I believe I met him was during a school fixture when I played on the ‘cricket bowl’ in front of the school against Langley Prep School in the mid 1980s. 

The next time I met Mr Weeks was in the late 90’s when Mr Malcolm, then Senior School Headmaster, asked me if I would like to move to the house at the Prep School as Mr Weeks was keen for there to be a member of staff on site in the evenings and at weekends. One wintery February I have a clear recollection of receiving a phone call from Paul at 6am to find out what the snow was like at the school and if we should close for the day. Looking down the hill to the Yarmouth Road, with no cars out I said that the snow was too deep. Paul promptly closed the school to save any unnecessary journeys for parents and staff. A few hours later, at around 11am I became aware of the sound of a car being driven about the school site. So, I went out to see tyre marks on the hill and field. It turned out that Paul had made the journey into work to check all was well, but due to the snow and ice had skidded when trying to stop at the front of school and gone over the edge and down onto the field. Somehow, he had driven round and then managed to get back up the hill to the front of school. Needless to say, we had a laugh about this over a cup of tea in the staff room and, from then on, I believe his choice of car changed to the Landrover Freelander. 

Returning to Ernie Banks, if I may, he went on to say in his latter years that you “must try to leave a mark that someone will remember”, I think it is fair to say that Paul Weeks, Teacher, Headmaster, Bursar, Icenian,  ‘Mr Langley’, certainly did that – leaving his mark is on every one of those students and staff whose lives he impacted. He will be missed, but his actions, which have shaped and guided so many, live on. 

Thank you, Mr Weeks.

Jon Kempton