Nigel Robert Melen

I just wanted to say thank you for putting together such a touching, wonderful tribute to celebrate Mr Nigel's life. The Head Boy at SIA who led the memorial did such an amazing job and Mr Nigel would have surely been so proud. Well done to every person who spoke because I can only imagine how hard that must have been. I found myself nodding in agreement with at least one thing you all said. Most made me cry, some made me laugh but everyone who spoke made me remember an incredible man who touched and changed so many lives. I first met Mr Nigel in 2005 when I joined Scholars as a teacher. I have so many memories that I will always cherish. I have my own experiences where he showed his true kindness to me and my family. When I left Scholars last Summer, Mr Nigel told me to send him an email to let him know how I was getting on in my new school. I'm so sad to say that life just got in the way of me doing that which really is something I will always regret. I got busy settling into my new school and life and wish I'd just let him know how I was getting on. Let's hope that these crazy times we are living in right now remind us all to slow down and really focus on what is important. I was only 25 when I moved to the UAE and despite previously travelling so much of the World, I was still scared of living and working away from Wales. Everything was different, new job, new friends, new home and Mr Nigel had a way of instantly making you feel at home in a new home. He really did go over and above and I know that many of my colleagues, now friends, who joined with me that year would agree. That year, Mr Nigel invited us to his home, took us on a Dhow cruise and to several restaurants. He always made sure we knew his office was open at any time for us. Mr Nigel always made a big fuss of our families when they came to visit. Once, I told him that my 80 year old Grandma was coming but was scared of lifts - and I lived on the 18th floor of our building! He kindly offered her a room in his home. During my time at SIA, Mr Nigel comforted me when I was going through difficult times and listened to me when I needed him. I thought that this ‘We're a family' feeling was just what you get when you work in an International School. How wrong was I? After moving myself, and talking to so many friends who have worked in different International Schools, I have learnt it's not really the way of International or Private schools, it was the way of Mr Nigel. I have been so lucky to move to another amazing private school in Spain and was greeted at the airport with another brilliant Head teacher who also goes over and beyond what is expected of him. However, despite this, I know there is no one else quite like Mr Nigel. He really would put you before himself. He would share his chocolates, his ice cold drinks in the fridge and so much more. He had such a big heart and I feel honoured to have been able to have met him. When I heard of his passing, I told my family. My parents summed him up with the most perfect word… ‘special'. From only meeting him twice, that's all it took for them to know what a special man he was. How lucky am I to have known him for 4 years and how lucky is anyone else to have known him for longer. That is what we need to remember. He touched our lives, made us be a better version of ourselves and we must be glad that we knew him. I am sorry I never reached out to Mr Nigel again after leaving SIA but I will always have fond memories of him. I will talk about the amazing Principal who shaped so many of us. Who reminded us all to smile 20 times a day. Who made us dance in staff PDs. Who ended staff meetings by telling us to have a smashing day! Let's all try and honour him by doing as much as we can that we can be proud of. Rest in Peace Mr Nigel. You will not be forgotten.