In Memoriam: Paul Godsland

In Memoriam: Paul Godsland

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Paul Godsland, a highly esteemed former Deputy Headmaster of Malvern College. Paul passed away suddenly in the early hours of Friday, 4th October, at the age of 65.

Paul dedicated over four decades of his life to the service of Malvern College, leaving a lasting and inspirational legacy. He joined the College in 1982 as a Teacher of French and held numerous influential positions over the years, most notably as Senior Master and Deputy Headmaster until 2017. Following this, he became Secretary of the Malvernian Society, a role he fulfilled with passion and commitment until his retirement in June 2023.

Paul’s passing is a great loss to the entire Malvernian community, including staff, pupils, parents, Old Malvernians, and friends of the College. His remarkable contributions over 41 years have shaped the lives of many, and his memory will be cherished by all who knew him.

A Book of Condolence will be available at the College Reception for those who wish to share their memories and pay their respects. Further details regarding memorial arrangements will be shared in due course.

Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Paul’s family during this difficult time.

Comments

  1. Jennifer Passien-Hudson says:

    I met Paul back in 2001 when are sons were in the same class at Hillstone. From that day on every time I ran into Paul he had the ability to make me laugh. Always so charming and charismatic. He always had time to ask about myself and my boys. Truly interested. He was the face of Malvern’s College for so many years.
    He will be missed by so many parents, children he taught, and just everyone who came into contact with him.
    I certainly will miss his smiling face! Our warmest condolences to his entire family.
    The Hudson’s
    Jennifer , Nick, Will, Harrison and Maddox

  2. Olga Peluso says:

    APPRENDIAMO ADDOLORATI DELLA PRECOCE DIPARTITA DEL DOTTOR GODSLAND.
    È VIVISSIMO IN NOI IL RICORDO DELLA SUA PERSONALITÀ,DELLE DOTI DI SIMPATIA E LEADERSHIP..
    UN GALANTUOMO.
    CI STRINGIAMO ALLA FAMIGLIA ED A TUTTI COLORO CHE LO COMPIANGONO.
    Giuseppe,Olga e Federico Amodeo.

  3. Jamie Rowland says:

    Paul Godsland – what an outstandingly inspirational teacher!! He was my house tutor for a while and taught me French at GCSE, AO, then kindly believed in me enough to let me do French A level in a year (turned out to be my best result, thank you). Outside of French he taught me so much more about humility, humour, courage, kindness, integrity. I and so many others were lucky to have him in our lives as we were growing up – what a positive force for good! My sincerest condolences to his family and all those close to him.

  4. Barney Reynolds says:

    I was truly saddened and shocked when I heard the news this morning. Knowing Paul as a customer at the pub he was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. He had the warmest smile and was always good for a friendly chat. On behalf of all the staff at The Swan our thoughts and deepest condolences go to his family. He will be very much missed and it won’t be the same here with out him popping in. Hospitality is a difficult job dealing with at times difficult customers, Paul was one of those who made the day better and the job easier. Thank you Paul for crossing our path, even if it was for too short a time.

  5. Johnny Cartwright says:

    Such sad news. A wonderful man who I will always remember fondly.
    I will always remember a warm hug from him when I got through my French AS level exam! I wasn’t the easiest pupil!!
    Also a very motivational football coach with a lot of enthusiasm to the U16’s A I believe.
    He will be sorely missed.
    Sending love and condolences to the family at this difficult time.

  6. Sally Godsland says:

    Thank you so much everyone, for these wonderful comments both here and on social media. Despite our devastation and shock at his sudden and unexpected passing, the family has taken such comfort knowing how highly he was thought of and are amazed at how many lives he touched and changed. Paul was such a humble man and would never have believed that he made so much of a difference to so many people’s lives. He would have been so overcome by the outpouring of positivity and respect. ❤️

  7. Joanna Spencer says:

    What a warm and lovely man, and totally inspirational teacher for my son, Daniel. Mr Godsland started at Malvern when I was at MGC, and my close friends from the College always remembered him with absolute affection. Terribly sorry to hear this. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and pupils. Malvern will not be the same without him. We were very lucky to have been here at the time as him.

  8. Benjamin Eddy says:

    Mr Godsland had a major impact my life as my French teacher between 85 -90. He inspired continue french studies. I went to a French business school, and have lived and worked in France for 20 years.
    I have fond memories of ski trips with Paul.

  9. William Gilroy says:

    Best teacher I ever had. He was as tough as he was smart as he was left field. He picked this reprobate off the floor, told him to shave and got him into Oxford, insisting I add something interesting on my CV. I said I lived in a haunted house. “That’ll have ’em” he joked in his North East twang. I know I’m not alone in owing Paul a massive debt of gratitude. Thoughts are with Paul’s family. He was an absolute legend.

  10. Will Jones says:

    Paul was a very cordial and generous member of staff and made me feel very welcome when I joined the School. He’ll be sorely missed.

  11. Marianne Mallard says:

    Paul Godsland was a great “personnage” inside Malvern College, and a great man! Intelligent, strict but just, helping the pupils. We especially thanks him for his encouraging and kind words he had for Jeremy, at the Leaver’s ball 2013. His figure should light up Malvern sky!

  12. Sallly says:

    Such a lovely, and passionate man. An inspirational teacher who called a spade a spade. Spirited and determined. Loved his work. .

    My condolences to Alex, Sofia, Sally and the Walkers.

  13. Sarah Merriman says:

    Paul was such an inspirational teacher and despite despairing of me, with his encouragement I managed to pass my French A level. I think we were his first co-Ed group after the Ellerslie merger which must have been a shocker! He wasn’t that much older than us! I kept in touch with him over the years through EOG reunions and bumped into him a few times at the Plough and Harrow. He was always so kind, with a terrific sense of humour. I am deeply shocked to hear that Paul has died. His family are in my thoughts . Please pass on my sincere condolences.

  14. Phil Vicars says:

    I remember very soon after he became secretary of the Malvernian society, one of the first OM clubs he visited was the OM rifle club annual shoot for the Gryphon cup held at Bisley, he appeared on the range by 0900 on the Sunday morning which, to me, as chairman of the OMRC , as a terrific thumbs up to probably one of the ‘smaller’ OM clubs, and he seemed to attend each of those September meets. A great loss at such a young age. My condolences to all of his family and friends. RIP Paul.

  15. David Makey says:

    I lived with Paul in 3 The Lees in 1982-83 when I was training as the Rackets Professional under Ron Hughes, until my return to Tonbridge School where I am still the Rackets Pro. Paul was the perfect flatmate! I was also from the North East of England so we spoke to each other in our Geordie tones!
    Paul was as nice a person as I have had the pleasure of meeting. Kind, caring and with a big personality. He will be missed by so many people, not just myself. Such sad news today and I send my thoughts and prayers to all of Paul’s family and friends. He was a great great man.

  16. Simon Penter says:

    Truly sad news. I remember talking to Paul last summer as he was looking forward to what should have been many years of retirement. Whilst I was never going to excel in modern languages and therefore, was not taught by Paul, I have known him since 1982. Along the way he was a colleague to my father, step mother and wife – our thoughts are with Paul’s family. RIP The Penters

  17. Graham Stokes says:

    Such sad news .i have known Paul since 1982 when he joined the college staff and filled in for om football teams ! He was a great man and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends

  18. Torie Collinge says:

    I owe my French A level pass to Mr Godsland. Amazing teacher and wonderful man. I enjoyed catching up with him at Ascot a few years ago. Such sad news. Thinking of him and his family.

  19. Duncan Murphy says:

    I am so very sorry to learn this news. Paul was a dynamic member of the staff team and a great ambassador in his role for the College post teaching. He was also extremely kind and supportive when my own father, a former member of the College staff, passed away in 2017 and helped arrange a memorial service for him in the College chapel for which my family were extremely grateful.

  20. Henny Bullock says:

    Incredibly sad to hear this news. Paul’s kindness, humour and guidance touched so many of us. My thoughts are with all the family and Sally at this time.

  21. Wendy Stock says:

    I am very shocked to hear the very sad news of the passing of Paul Gotland. What a kind and lovely man he was and an inspiration to all who knew him! I am sure he will be very sadly missed by everyone at Malvern College

  22. Mandy James says:

    So sad to hear this news. A truly lovely man. Our thought are with his family and friends

  23. Alastair David says:

    Whether it was on the football field or in the class room Mr Godsland inspired me to produce my best. I have little doubt that if it was not for him, i would not have passed my french A-Levels. He will be a massive loss.

  24. Andy Symonds says:

    What terribly shocking and sad news, as Secretary of the OM rifle club I liaised with Paul over several years, and have known him over 40 years. He joined the staff a year before I left Malvern in 1983. My heart felt condolences to his family and loved ones

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