Remembering Mr Chris Murison

We extend our condolences to the family of Mr Chris Murison who passed away this past week. Mr Murison taught Mathematics at Rustenburg after his retirement as Headmaster of Rondebosch Boys’ High School in 1997.

Mr Murison was asked to help out with teaching Mathematics at the school for six months. He agreed and ended up staying for 15 years. Mr Murison was a teacher at heart who passed on his own love of knowledge and especially of Mathematics to his students.

Ms Bridget Cameron, former Head of Mathematics writes in the 2013 school magazine:

“A favourite portrait of his is of the back of a girl’s head. His teaching ambition was to capture her attention and get her to turn around. He loves problems, crossword puzzles, detective stories and TS Eliot’s poetry. He thrills at seeing a new angle to a piece of Mathematics. Young teachers who visit his classes find his natural approach to the subject somehow opens doors for those he teaches. They have sat mesmerised by his engaging manner. He can always be distracted to discuss Mathematics that is outside the realm of the syllabus, but interesting.”

Mr Murison was also the founder of the 12 Club for Grade 12 girls who took turns to present topics of their own interest to the other members. He also prepared learners who took part in the various Mathematics Olympiads and competitions and was a senior examiner for Matric Mathematics for many years.

For those who knew him at RGHS, Mr Murison will be fondly remembered as the inspiration behind Wednesday staffroom teas, always wearing his Rondebosch Old Boys’ tie with pride on a Friday and his Tweetie or cartoon ties on a Thursday. 

Ms Jackie Weston, who has worked at Rustenburg for many years, added the following:

“Chris was a champion when it came to his interest in sport and his remarkable memory for the details of any cricket or rugby game. He was the champion behind the staffroom crosswords – something in which a number of the staff competed.  Who could forget his talent for making award-winning fudge.  It was legendary and, if you were super lucky then on the occasion of your birthday you might be presented with a jar of it all for yourself. A wonderful man who was a deep thinker, considerate, compassionate and dependable to the last.”