dear mr furlong

I once told you that you were my favourite teacher. I wish I had told you that more.

I'm heartbroken by your passing. It was a horrible event. But I don't want to focus on the horrible way you died. I want to focus on the absolutely amazing, wonderfully happy way you lived.

When I started at Holt, history did interest me. I've always liked the subject, but I never realised how much until you covered one of my GCSE history lessons. What had recently been a very boring topic on President Hoover suddenly became dramatic and intricate. Your teaching drew me in and it made me want to learn. I was honestly disappointed when the lesson was over.

I remember a few months later going to the A-level open evening and talking to you about the subject. I wanted to do it but I wasn't entirely sure I would enjoy the work. You told me you would be my teacher and that made me sign up for history. You're the reason I took it for A-level, because I knew I would enjoy the next two years of your teaching.

I was always excited when I saw I had a history lesson with you that day. I already loved the Tudors, but your teaching really brought it to life, even when we were talking about farming and economics! You always had a way to make the lesson fun and engaging, whether it was debates, games or challenges. A double lesson on Tudors may not sound like the most exciting thing in the world, but you made it exciting.

After each lesson, I would always come away thinking "wow". I would always tell my family about this new interesting thing that Mr Furlong taught me today. I don't think they always understood why I found it so interesting, but it was.

Then came my EPQ. I know I eventually dropped it because my workload got too much, but the couple months I spent on it with your help were so eye-opening. I remember my topic was the use of propaganda in historical events. You helped me so much to narrow down my topics so that I focussed on key elections throughout British history, some of which I hadn't even considered. I'm sorry I couldn't complete that project. I know that with your help I would have done really well.

Let's be honest, at first my history coursework was a train-wreck. That first draft was terrible. I know you found it surprising when I chose modern history over medieval because I always excelled more at the latter. Despite your doubts at my topic choice, you really helped me understand what it was I wanted to say. After that first draft, you sat with me for two hours, helping me understand where I had gone wrong with language, structure and evidence. I ended up with an B on that coursework. Thank you for helping me that much when you didn't have to. You always helped.

I hope you still have that Henry VIII model sat on your desk that Charlotte and I gave you. We couldn't have passed our exams without you. You were a key factor in me getting into university and I will always thank you for that.

Mr Furlong, you were amazing. I don't think I told you that enough. I don't think any of us did. But I know that you know we all loved you dearly. I have never met anyone from The Holt who ever had a bad word to say about you. Your death will forever leave a hole in our hearts.

You were especially important to members of the LGBTQ+ community at Holt. A lot of girls looked up to you because you were so open about who you were. I know they are feeling a special pain now you're gone.

We always knew you were there for us and that you enjoyed teaching us. You were constantly a friendly face around school and you said hello to every single student you saw. You didn't have to do that. You didn't have to stop during lunch to have conversations with us. But you did, and we all greatly appreciate that.

I feel sorry for all those future Holt girls who will never have the privilege of having you as their teacher. You have changed the lives of so many students. You helped a lot of us find a wonderful passion for history. You aren't like other teachers, you're something much more special.

I sincerely hope that you have found peace, and I send so much love to your family and friends. I can't even comprehend what they must be feeling without you there. You were a light in so many people's lives and you still had so much more to do, so many young minds to still teach, so much more life to have enjoyed.

You will never be forgotten. You have made such a significant impact to so many of us. Our memories will keep you alive for years to come. I promise.

Love, always,
Niamh