Jan Petrus ( )

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2 Jan Petrus ( ) None of us could have expected the tragedy that has befallen us this week here at our school. As Mr. Gray said, We have lost our heart. Honza Petrus created the 1st International School of Ostrava from the ground up, and without his effort, without his dedication to creating something new, progressive, and forward-thinking, without his sheer determination to see this school flourish and survive, we would not have been brought together, and none of this, including this magazine, would exist. In light of what he created and in keeping with his vision, we here at Nothing believe that Mr. Petrus would have wanted to see this magazine continue in its normal vein, that of being informative but also entertaining and light-hearted. Therefore, we have decided to release this special in memorium issue honoring his life and work, and next week we will publish our graduation issue, as originally scheduled. Some people might feel that the photograph we have chosen for the cover is inappropriate, not somber enough. None of us remember Mr. Petrus as being a somber man he always had a smile on his face, he was always laughing. He loved his work; he loved this school and everything connected with it. We decided, therefore, that a photograph of him enjoying himself during a school function was a far more appropriate way to remember him than with a picture of him posing in a photo studio. He was a natural man, so his nature should show. We at this school are his life and work. It is important, now more than ever, that we maintain his vision and continue to grow, together, toward a positive future, one we can all be proud of. -- Nothing staff 2

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4 A biography of Mgr. Jan Petrus Jan Petrus was born in Trenčianské Teplice, in nowaday s Slovakia. As was the tradition in the land, he was named after his father. His mother s name was Milada. His sister, Ivona, was four years older. At that time, Czechoslovakia was part of the Eastern European bloc of communist countries. However, as a young child in the 1960s, he may have sensed some optimism in his household as the Czechoslovakian leadership began experimenting with reforming the totalitarian and communist system a process aimed at creating socialism with a human face. As a six year old boy, Jan may also have sat excitedly on his father s knee, proudly watching Czechoslovakia defeat the mighty USSR (5-4) in an ice-hockey match at the 1968 Grenoble Winter Olympics. Later that same year though, 2000 tanks and roughly 200,000 soldiers of the Eastern Communist Bloc invaded Czechoslovakia, brutally ending the reform movement. Like many others, his father protested against the invasion and was later to suffer because of this. As a young boy, Jan probably felt the sadness, fear, and outrage and heard the curses of injustice in his home. More protests broke out in 1969 the Czechoslovak Hockey Riots after Czechoslovakia again defeated the USSR in ice-hockey, this time to win gold at the World Championships in Stockholm. Jan was seven years old. Despite the upheaval in Czechoslovak society at the time, Jan s boyhood saw him develop his life-long love of the outdoors and summer and winter sports. Like many children of his generation, he was probably inspired by the hugely popular adventure stories in the classic Rychlé Šipy comic books. As a boy, he also was a talented ice hockey and football player. Jan was fifteen years old in 1977 when Vaclav Havel and 241 other dissidents prepared the Charter 77 objecting to the injustices of the authoritarian policies of the Communist Party. Jan s formative teenage years were overshadowed by the normalization policy of the Communist Party that was designed to simply destroy any hope of democratic or liberal reforms in Czechoslovak society. These restrictive conditions must have caused great frustration in Jan as a young man who was craving adventure, experimentation, freedom, debate and answers. Open-minded, and fueled by his curiosity and principles, Jan Petrus thought deeply about the world and his life. As a young man, he no doubt listened attentively to the radio to hear the Voice of America or Radio Free Europe. These American-funded stations broadcast from West Germany to satellite Communist states where the free flow of information is either banned by government authorities or not fully developed. Listening to these radio stations had another important effect; Jan first began to learn the English language. From these alternative sources of information, Jan probably heard disturbing new reports of Czechoslovak 4

5 citizens being unfairly persecuted and imprisoned by the authorities for exercising their human right to have political opinions. Later, in 1986, Jan will listen to news reports of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant catastrophe in the Ukraine that was being covered up by the official media. From 1977 to 1981, Jan was allowed to attend the Hutni Secondary Technical School for Steel Manufacturing in Frýdek-Mistek. He was probably not allowed to attend a gymnazium for political reasons. The curriculum and teaching methods at this school emphasised only rote-learning and this inhumane style of education had a lasting impact on Jan, contributing to the creation of his life-long calling to reform education. Jan graduated from this school in 1981 at the age of nineteen, very likely deeply disturbed by the seemingly never-ending stagnation (or worse) that lay ahead of him in his life. To balance this frustration, Jan continued developing his abilities in a wide range of sporting and outdoor activities and he was popular among his peers because of his friendly, peaceful and righteous nature. His determination to excel as a sportsman was in no small part driven by the external limits applied on him and his generation. Most likely for political reasons, Jan s wish to attend university after graduating from secondary school was denied by the authorities. Instead, he worked for one, long, hard year as a manual labourer at the blast furnaces in Nova Hut steel works in Ostrava (now Arcelor-Mittal), a job generally seen by the Communist authorities as one of the most character-forming and honorable of jobs, along with coal-mining. In 1982, at the age of twenty, he was finally allowed to enroll at Ostrava University. The Communist Party had probably but incorrectly decided that his year as a steel worker had corrected Jan s attitude enough. Jan chose to study to be a teacher of physical education and social studies. He was inspired to become a social studies teacher because of his love for his country and his understanding that only through education could totalitarianism be finally defeated. As for PE, his love of sports was obvious and by this stage he had become an outstanding alpine skier, road cyclist, canoeist and marathon runner. During his university studies at the Education Faculty, he met his future wife, Ivona, in1985. In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev became General Secretary of the Communist Party in the USSR and began a reform programme of glasnost (transparency) and perestroika (restructuring) across the Soviet Union and its satellite-states. It is very likely that Jan began to feel some hope of improvement in the future. In 1987, at the age of 25, Jan graduated from Ostrava University in with a Masters of Education. Jan Petrus then married Ivona on the 10th of October,

6 The following year, Jan was given the position of PE and English teacher in a primary school near Zlín. That Christmas, their first child, Jan, was born. Two years later, in November 1989, Jan witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall and then the Velvet Revolution that brought the end to 41 years of Communist rule in Czechoslovakia. In 1990, aged 28, he voted for the first time in his life in a free election - the first free election in Czechoslovakia since East and West Germany were unified. In 1991, Jan s sister, Ivona, emigrated to Sweden and in 1992, his father died. In 1992, aged thirty, he was invited by his American friend and English lecturer, Sean, to travel to California, U.S.A. (Palo Alto - San Francisco area). Jan resigned from his post at the primary school in Zlín, kissed Ivona and young Janek goodbye and bravely flew to the USA for what was likely the most intensive six-month period of learning in his life. He stayed in California for half a year. His main motivation for going to America was to learn to speak English fluently. In 1992, aged thirty, he was invited by his American friend and English lecturer, Sean, to travel to California, U.S.A. (Palo Alto - San Francisco area). Jan resigned from his post at the primary school in Zlín, kissed Ivona and young Janek goodbye and bravely flew to the USA for what was likely the most intensive six-month period of learning in his life. He stayed in California for half a year. His main motivation for going to America was to learn to speak English fluently. After returning from the USA, he enrolled again at Ostrava University, this time to study English part-time while working full-time as a PE and English teacher at Heyrovského Chemická Secondary Technical School. Around this time, Jan was hit by a car while cycling and knocked unconscious. The driver thought he had killed Jan and therefore, in shock, began to draw a chalk outline around Jan s body on the road. Jan recovered, and this story was a source of amusement for his friends and family for years. In January 1993, Jan witnessed the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia and his second child, Alžběta, was born - his 31st birthday gift. Jan Petrus was an excellent communicator. In 1994, he was selected to travel to Coventry, United Kingdom, for a one month stay. Over the next few years, Jan did a lot of work translating and interpreting for the Coventry-Ostrava sister cities project aimed at raising standards in English teaching in Ostrava. From 1994 to 1996, Jan worked part-time as a travel guide using his extensive experience and knowledge of the Austrian Alps and Carpathian mountains. On one particular tour of Norway, he clinically died after 6

7 picking and eating a poison mushroom. He was sure the mushroom was the same as the ones he used to eat at home. He was wrong, but he strongly believed there was a reason he didn t die at that time. In 1995, Jan graduated from Ostrava University with a degree in English. That year he also took a group of his students to London. In 1996, aged thirty-four, Jan established the private language school Cloverleaf, originally working out of a small office in Zábřeh. In November 1998, aged thirty-six, his third child, Kateřina, was born. In 2004, aged forty-two, Jan resigned from Cloverleaf. Over eight years, he had grown the school into one of the biggest and most famous language schools in the republic. His role in creating an outpost of Western or Anglo-Saxon culture in this region of Central Europe should not be underestimated and during the 1990s and early 2000s, many Brits, Canadians, Americans and Australians found an opportunity in this region thanks to Jan. He welcomed all comers, naturally looking into the heart and attitudes of a person rather than their title, status or fashion. Later in 2004, Jan had the fortuitous meeting with Brett Gray, where the concept of creating an international school in Ostrava was launched. Jan s enthusiasm for, and appreciation of, the English language was never based on ideas of Americanization or globalization. Jan loved his motherland and mother-tongue, and he respected those of his neighbours. Jan was a good example of a person who could empathise with other cultures. Jan s aim was to break this region s cultural isolation from the world. He was a living example of the democratic movement that envisaged Czechoslovakia as the bridge between Eastern and Western Europe. From the Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, from Britain to the Far East, Jan Petrus was a european and world citizen and he tried to make his region of Europe a better place. In September 2005, aged forty-three, he opened the 1st International School of Ostrava bi-lingual English-Czech Secondary Grammar School (Gymnazium) as Principal together with his business partners Brett Gray and Iva Konevalová. The first-ever class of sixteen students, I-IS-A, included his son, Janek. The current building B was the original building consisting of just two classrooms and an office shared by a small, coregroup of teachers. One year later, the 1st IS-Ostrava expanded to the top floor of the ZŠ Ostrčilova building, increasing the school s size to eight classrooms. In the spring 2007, Jan lead a group of ISO students and teachers to Sweden. In September 2007, The 1st International School of Ostrava expanded to offer an 8-year programme. Jan s daughter, Alžběta, enrolled in Grade 9. In 2008, Jan participated in a school trip to visit schools the United Kingdom. In the fall of 2008, the 1st International School of Ostrava - Primary School was opened. In May 2009, the first ever class from the Secondary School graduated, including Jan s son, Janek. In the 7

8 fall of 2009, the 1st IS-Ostrava expands to Building D - the middle school building, increasing the size of the secondary school to twelve classrooms. In spring 2010, Jan led a school trip to Bellingham, Washington, USA. And in 2010, Jan s mother, Milada, died. In the autumn of 2010, Jan s son was accepted into St John s College, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, to study mathematics & philosophy. His daughter, Kateřína, joins the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme - the first MYP class ever in the Czech Repubic. In December 2010, the construction of their family house is finished. May 2011 the 1st IS-Ostrava was authorised as an IB World School offering the Diploma Programme. In the fall of 2011, Jan oversaw the move of the 1st IS-Ostrava Secondary School to the new building on Gregorova Street, adding a locker room, library, dining hall and art & design room to the school facilities. At this time, Jan also played a leading role in establishing the IBO-Arcelor Mittal project to improve the quality of education in state schools in the Ostrava region. In January 2012, Jan celebrated his 50th birthday. In March 2012, he led a group of students to China, visiting Peking, Xian and Chengdu. In April 2012, the 1st IS-Ostrava was awarded a large grant from the IBO for improving our science lab equipment, a clear signal that the IBO supports our school and the region. At the time of publishing, nobody could verify Jan s personal best time for the marathon race. However, it may have been well under two hours and thirty minutes. Jan also competed in the epic Vasa Run in Sweden, a ninety-kilometre cross-country ski race. 8

9 A Eulogy for Jan Petrus Jan Petrus achieved everything that can be asked of a man, and more, during his life. First and foremost, he never deliberately caused any other person any harm and his soul was merry and gentle, despite the frustration caused by being raised under a totalitarian regime. He drew inspiration from the mountains and forests, which he knew like the back of his hand. He was the perhaps the happiest sipping a good local beer or some home-made valašská slivovice or just the fresh mountain air beside a cottage in the sun with family and friends. He achieved a remarkable amount in his career, not the least of which was creating an International Baccalaureate World School in a region where a little over twenty years ago, such an idea would have been unthinkable. We should keep his memory alive and continue his great work in building a fine school. But without a doubt, his greatest pride and joy was his family. All who knew him knew that he dearly loved his wife and all of his children. Jan left us while he was on top, the way an athlete would want. There was to be no long months or years of distress and agony, perhaps being kept alive by machines. That is not what he would have wanted. Nor did he lose his mind and neither was he killed in a horrific accident. Instead, he died while skiing in the Slovakian highlands on a beautiful sunny spring day; the last day of the official ski season. This ski trip was an annual tradition for him and his friends. Was there a better way for a man like Jan? The gods granted him the dignified end he had earned. His hard work on this Earth is over and he is now being rewarded for living an honorable life. His death was sudden and there was no possibility for last words. But was there a need for last words? He knew and we know. Anyway, last words can always still be spoken and he may well be listening. The meaning of a person s life is the lessons and inspiration that can be drawn from it by those left behind to carry on. Jan would run a marathon to carry a message to save your life. What were some of the messages he was carrying for all of us? - Take time to reflect. Be thankful. Appreciate all the gifts in our lives & remember too the gifts Jan gave us. - Be optimistic and try to make the world a better place. Care about each other and the future generations. - Understanding, through education, is the key to peace and change. - Love your mother-land; love all lands and all peoples of the Earth. - The Czech motto: Pravda vítězí Truth Prevails try to prevent injustice. - Survive, prosper and love the gift of life. Be curious. Adventure. - Keep learning. Be creative, play sports, learn languages, be balanced. - Speak freely, take the risk and stand up for what you believe is right; but base your personal values on a foundation of knowledge. Jan was a pillar of our school community. His connection to all our lives caused so much good to happen. Every friendship, kiss, smile and hug, and every success of this special community over the past seven years, can be traced back to Honza s bravery to start this school, and determination to create a better world. By Phil Corkill 9

10 Appreciate every day, every hour that you are here. Don t wish too hard for tomorrow, it may never come -- Anthony Taylor I am shocked to learn about this sad news. All the time Jan s smiling face comes to my mind. Be it official or personal meeting Jan demonstrated great deal of humour. My wife and Ivona are also very good friends and I join with my wife Sunita & children in praying to almighty to give all strength to the Petrus family at this crucial juncture. Rajendra Phathak Vážená rodino pana Petruse, přijměte naši upřímnou a hlubokou soustrast s Vaší bolestí. Pan Petrus vybudoval unikátní školu, na kterou musí být žáci, rodiče, spolupracovníci, kolegové pedagogové i Ostrava hrdí!!! Při vzpomínce na mnohá protivenství, která byla jeho práci kladena je úspěch, který dosáhl obrovskou satisfakcí, která doufáme, zmírní Vaši bolest. S poděkováním a účastí Staňkovi It was the year 2005 when myself, other 15 students, a few excellent teachers, and Mr Jan Petrus started the often criticized project that held the name 1st International School of Ostrava (ISO). At the very beginning, I do not think we (by we I mean teachers, students, and Mr Jan Petrus) actually knew how ISO will exactly work and what will happen to the ISO in the future. Nevertheless, as the time passed we all became very good friends who supported each other when it was needed the most. We all felt like one big family and had something in common - the courage and determination to start a completely new educational institution. Currently, the school has a significant number of members and it is impressive to see how the school has grown up so fast since Despite the harsh criticism that has been constantly coming from the outside, Mr Petrus did not give up and followed his DREAM to establish a school. He put his heart into this project and can be seen He put his heart into this project and can be seen as an inspiration to many of us. as an inspiration to many of us. Me personally, I will always be grateful to Mr Petrus who came up with his idea, which gave me an opportunity to study the subject I love the most in a country that is full of amazing people. Studying psychology in Wales has given me an enormous experience and I can say with certainty that I have never been happier in my life. When I look back, I would not be so lucky if one day, Mr Petrus and Mr Brett Gray did not sit down and thought to themselves Let s establish a school in English (as Mr Petrus used to say with a blissful smile on his face). Klára Sabolová 10

11 The ship has weather d every rack, the prize we sought is won, Walt Whitman Firstly I am grateful that he had the wonderful vision of the International School as this enabled me to teach so many brilliant students and meet such fantastic people. I am also grateful to Honza for allowing me to teach his beautiful daughter, Katka and for introducing me to his lovely wife Ivona and his older children; Honza and Betty. They make up a loving family. However, above all of this I am extremely grateful to Honza for his friendship, fun times and for being my own (very patient) personal ski instructor. Sandra Smith I remember when I first saw Mr Petrus. It was on the Open House Day, January 23rd, I wasn t really sure whether I wanted to study at such high school, there was only one class at that time! But I was so impressed by his enthusiasm and vision of school that by the time I was leaving the small building, I had known that I wanted to study there. The school was like a special kind of family to me - especially the first two years when there were just a few of us. Mr. Petrus was a great man. He was helpful, supportive and most of the time you could see him smiling his own specific way the Czechs would call it pusa od ucha k uchu....most of the time you could see him smiling his own specific way the Czechs would call it pusa od ucha k uchu. I remember when I went to Summer Camp It was taking place near Žermanice dam. We went all for a bike ride around the dam. There were some very steep hills and it took some of us (especially girls) some time to get up. But Mr. Petrus just kept riding up and down and he pushed us and supported us to go up. Finally, all of us did. And he kept supporting us the whole time that we spent at school. Now, when I look back, I am sure that choosing the 1st International School of Ostrava was the best choice I have made. Thank you for persuading me, Mr. Petrus, it was a big honor to know you. Petra Koblížková, Class of

12 Anyone who takes himself too seriously always runs the risk of looking ridiculous; anyone who can consistently laugh at himself does not. -- Vaclav Havel Dovolte mi, abych Vaším prostřednictvím vyjádřil naši nejhlubší soustrast nejbližším pozůstalým, přátelům, vám kolegům, studentům pana ředitele Petruse... Zpráva o náhlém úmrtí pana ředitele Petruse k nám dorazila za Atlantik, daleko od domova a velmi hluboce nás zasáhla. Vůbec si nechceme představovat tu nesmírnou bolest, kterou zažívají jeho nejbližší, kamarádi, kolegové a v neposlední řadě i studenti. Spravedlnost neexistuje... Když nám Vašek brečel do telefonu, uvědomili jsme si, že to není sen, jen krutá realita...a bohužel i nedílná součást našeho bytí... Neumírat smrtí Životem umřít Za smrt i rak se stydí Hleď všeho užít --František, Halas Moudrost Cítil jsem potřebu posléze napsat Vaškovi zprávu, jisté zamyšlení se nad tím, odkud jsme přišli, kam směřujeme, o našem kratičkém poslání na tomto světě, a že ho v jeho životě podobné události mohou a budou potkávat. Moje poselství jemu není v tuto chvíli důležité, ale možná bych se s váma rád podělil o jeho doslovnou odpověď (byť tak činím bez jeho vědomí), neboť jste se studenty jedna rodina a prožíváte ten hluboký smutek společně. Cituji doslova a bez úprav: Ahoj tati, děkuji za zprávu. To co se stalo, mě zasáhlo strašně hodně, s panem ředitelem jsem mluvil ještě půl hoďky ve čtvrtek a hezky jsme si popovídali o škole, o fotbale a celkově mi dodával kuráž. Dneska jsme si ve škole pobrečeli. Nejhorší je, když si vzpomenu na ty jeho holky mladé. V tuhle chvíli se stanou problémy života maličkostmi a musíme se zamyslet nad tím, co je v životě opravdu důležité...už se na vás těším...pa Jsem přesvědčen, že život na Zemi je jen zlomkem toho, co jsme schopni vůbec obsáhnout a pochopit...a že jako takový nekončí... Věřím, že pan ředitel Petrus je tu stále někde s náma...a bude s náma se všema i nadále konzultovat naše kroky...a pokračovat tak ve své započaté práci... Martin a Martina Chromečkovi Thinking about Honza there were two situations which made me really sad. We got to know each other 10 years ago in a language school where he used to be its director. It was a great time to work for him as he was a wonderful boss because he gave people freedom to show their best and he listened to all opinions very motivating indeed. Few years later he left the language school and I was really sad as I had the feeling we will never sit and talk again. The more excited I was when I had the possibility to join ISO team and work with him again. Speaking to some people gave you the feeling how important they are whereas speaking to Honza gave you the feeling how important you are. Now this is the second time I am really sad, frustrated Renáta Paličková 12

13 And when we closed the sounding door, We thought of him with tears. --William Lisle Bowles I am thankful that I had an opportunity to study at the 1st International School of Ostrava established by Mr Jan Petrus because it gave me a hint what to do in my life next and a courage to study abroad. To me, the ISO will always stand for friendship, support, hard work, tears, happiness, motivation, and, most importantly, DREAMS - dreams that we should never let go! I was terrified to hear this...yes, of course I knew him on the occasion of our visit in Ostrava and if you remember in our evening at the restaurant I stayed near him and we talked a lot of things about our families, about the way your school was set up, about Prague, Czech women, your art and traditions and many, many...he seems to me to be a very sensible man, intelligent, polite, calm, smart, with very good intentions and funny too. Of course. A big loss for you...a great manager, colleague and friend. Please send my condolences to his family and for you all! I understand it is very hard for you! As I use to say when someone good is gone: Life will never be the same without you, dear Jan Petrus! God rest him in peace! Gianina (Romania) Honza Petrus, i jako ředitel byl především lidský, uchoval si v sobě kluka, který má velký sen a jako dospělý ho zhmotnil kdo tohle dokáže říct!? Víme, že se mu podařilo zhmotnit snů více a to je velké, ne všichni to dokážeme. Je v naších očích VÍTĚZ a uměl i umřít na horách, které miloval. Jeho splněný sen v podobě školy 1st International School of Ostrava změnil život spoustě lidem od studentů, rodičů, pedagogů a jeho odkaz je dědičný a exponenciálně roste. Radka a Tom Burianovi Vybavil se mi takový příběh - starý zenový mistr seděl u své chatrče a vařil si na ohništi čaj, když přiběhl nějaký mládenec z nedaleké vesnice a prosil ho, aby hned s nim šel, že je tam velká slavnost a všichni na něj čekají. Mnich ale nespěchal, dopil čaj, umyl konvici i šálek, položil na poličku dnem vzhůru, aby se do něj neprášilo, uhasil ohniště. Mladík byl netrpělivý - Proč to všechno uklízíš? Vždyť je to jen na chvilku, za chvíli se vrátíš. Starý mnich mu řekl: Nikdy nevíš, jestli se vrátíš. Proto dělej vždy všechno tak, jako by to bylo naposledy. Jak jednoduché a zřejmé - a přece skoro nikdo z nás na to nemyslí. Renata Bilanová 13

14 And when we closed the sounding door, / We thought of him with tears. -- William Lisle Bowles Pro mne a celou naši rodinu je to strašlivá zpráva, které stále nejsme schopni uvěřit. Do poslední chvíle jsme byli s panem ředitelem Petrusem v kontaktu, řešili jsme s ním všechny dobré i špatné zprávy týkající se našich dětí. Mnohokrát nám bez váhání vyšel ochotně vstříc a pomohl. Nemám slov, jak popsat, co doma cítíme. Málokoho jsem si tak vážil. Častokrát jsem jen s údivem sledoval, jak bojuje s větrnými mlýny a snaží se všem navzdory realizovat své sny a představy. Velmi jsem ho obdivoval. Bude mi obrovsky scházet... Jan Tomášek Jan Petrus mi zasáhl do života, protože v podstatě díky němu Adéla studuje na 1st ISO a lepší start do života si neumím představit. Před 4 lety jsme se doma rozhodovali zda má Adél zůstat na "ověřeném" gymnáziu nebo jít do neznámého. Hlavně díky panu řediteli a jeho osobnímu přístupu je dnes Adéla mezi vámi a musím říct, že to bylo nejlepší rozhodnutí, které jsme kdy učinili :-) A jsem ráda, že jsem mu to ještě letos při otevírání nových prostor gymnázia stihla říct. Ivana Sobotková, matka Adély 听 到 pan Jan Petrus 的 恶 讯, 让 我 无 法 相 信 这 是 真 的, 他 是 我 认 识 了 多 年 的 校 长 也 成 为 了 我 的 朋 友, 他 不 仅 是 儿 子 的 校 长 也 是 我 的 朋 友, 通 过 中 国 一 行 的 接 触, 他 不 仅 是 一 名 好 校 长, 也 是 好 父 亲 和 好 丈 夫,pan Jan Petrus 的 去 世, 对 我 是 一 个 沉 痛 的 打 击, 在 此 我 表 示 深 痛 的 悼 念 When I heard this bad news about the loss of Mr. Jan Petrus, I just couldn t believe that it s true, I knew him for many years as a principal of my son, but also as a friend. He wasn t just a principal to me, he was a good friend. He also wasn t just a good husband, good principal but he was a perfect human, with perfect ideas. I am happy that I met someone like Mr. Jan Petrus. It is a big blow for everyone who knew him. Also, accept my deep condolences. Wenxiu Procházková 14

15 The salvation of this human world lies nowhere else than in the human heart, in the human power to reflect, in human meekness and human responsibility. -- Vaclav Havel Milý Honzo, jen velmi těžko se smiřuji s tím, že jsi nás tak náhle opustil a nedostali jsme sebemenší šanci Ti v tom zabránit. Ještě hůře se mi hledají slova, která by vyjádřila mé pocity. Znovu se utvrzuji v tom, že na světě spravedlnost neexistuje. Byl jsi férový, čestný, pracovitý, obětavý chlap a přesto Ti byl přidělen tak neskutečně krátký čas. Asi jsi si všiml, že jsem Ti začal tykat. Znám Tě několik let, ale bohužel všechna naše setkání byla při oficiálních příležitostech. Jistě si vzpomínáš, že při každém našem jednání jsme se domlouvali, že musíme zajít na pivko nebo přijedeš k nám na "jih" do vinného sklípku, a to by byla ta příležitost nejenom k tykání, ale i k bližšímu poznání. Věř mi, že mne hrozně mrzí, že jsme si k tomu v této hektické době nenašli chvilku. Takže tohoto panáka ( a Ty mne vidíš ) piji nejenom na Tvou památku, ale i na naše tykání. Tedy pamatuj, že až se příště "tam nahoře" potkáme, tak pro Tebe nejsem pan Holešínský, ale jen PETR! Není pro mne vůbec snadné vyjádřit několika málo slovy, co pro mne pan ředitel znamenal. Čím začít? Tím, že jsem si ho vážila proto, že měl tu odvahu pustit se společně se svými společníky, Ivou a Brettem, do budování mezinárodní školy? A že to opravdu nebylo jednoduché a naráželi na překážky ze všech stran! A přesto jsem ho viděla vždy optimisticky naladěného. Nebo psát o tom, že měl ke všem svým studentům přátelský vztah a mluvil o nich s láskou a hrdostí? A že se je snažil podporovat a být shovívavý, když se něco zrovna nepodařilo? To bych asi raději měla nechat na vyjádření jeho studentů. Pro mne byl člověkem, který umí naslouchat Vašemu názoru, je vždy připravený pomoci, nic nevzdává, ale vždy bojuje fair play. Je mi moc líto, že mu na to nebylo dáno více času. Ale jsem ráda, že jsem měla příležitost s ním alespoň nějaký čas strávit. Markéta Holešínská Although I only met Jan Petrus a few times, our schools and lives being based at opposite ends of the country, I will never forget working with this kind and visionary man. His support in developing the link between the 1st International School and the English College in Prague was vital, and this connection will remain as part of his legacy. When I attended the Ball in Ostrava he was the perfect host, not letting me leave without a shot or two of slivovice for the road. The last time I saw him was at the ECP Ball and we talked about meeting up again soon to share ideas, some stories, and probably yet another glass or two. One more in the list of life s broken engagements. On behalf of the English College I will pour a measure and raise it in his name. An educator and a leader, respected and loved by students and colleagues alike. His work will live on, and it will grow in strength. His presence will not diminish, but we will miss his company. Tony Emmerson Head of Science English College in Prague 15

16 Passing away, saith my Soul, passing away: / With its burden of fear and hope, of labour and play, -- Christina Rossetti Jana Petruse jsem poprvé potkala, když jsem se rozhodla, že má dcera bude studovat gymnázium v anglickém jazyce. Přišla jsem jako matka, která chce pro svou dceru to nejlepší vzdělání, ale zároveň, aby byla vedena jako osobnost, aby ve škole vládl partnerský přístup, a aby se ve škole učila, jak má věci řešit, jak "na to", nikoliv studovat zpaměti hromady učiva. Na osobním setkání mi pan ředitel Jan Petrus přesně tuto moji představu nabídl. A navíc si mě plně získal jako člověk. Ze schůzky jsem odcházela naprosto nadšená, i když mi bylo jasné, že studium nebude pro mou dceru jednoduché. Od té doby vždy, když jsme se s Janem Petrusem He opened his heart to us. - Segeťa, Procházka, Muzenda setkali, chvíli jsme podebatovali, vždy jsem ho ráda viděla. Byl pro mne velká, výjimečná osobnost, jakých v našem regionu opravdu není mnoho. Dával mi víru v to, že se věci dají posunout tam, kam člověk chce, pokud to, co dělá, dělá s láskou, srdcem a nasazením. Měl vždy pozitivní přístup ke svým studentům a ukazoval jim, že se může i něco nepodařit, ale že vždy se dá vše napravit, pokud se to dotyčný rozhodne zvládnout. Jan Petrus byl pro mne velmi výjimečná osobnost a velmi tady chybí. Nikdy člověk slovy nevyjádří to, co cítí v srdci. Jeho myšlenky, slova a činy byly vždy v souladu a byly tedy opravdové. Eva Vysekalová He gave us a chance to have a better future. - Grade 9 You left us as a HERO! - Grade 11 He has given most of us opportunities we never expected we d have, and opened doors we didn t even know existed. - Thomas Healy We are under the shock and find it difficult to put our feelings into words, so we can t really understand how you must feel at this sad time. I d like to send Jan s family, you, your team and your school our deepest sympathy for such unexpected and cruel loss. I m sure the memories of those who had the privilege of enjoying his company and sharing his life will help you through the days ahead. Encina (Spain, Comenius project cordinator) "Your spirit will live forever." "He was a key to our future." - Otto Bartsch - Barbora Svačinová "Málokterý člověk toho v životě tolik dokázal..." - Jankulovská, Karkošková 16

17 This farewell is vast and separation draws close, / but reunion, that also is certain -- Edith Södergran We would like to thank Honza for everything that he had done for us, especially for our son Martin who now studies in the United Kingdom. He had been a good school principal, reliable friend and a great person. We were very sorry to hear that he is now gone and we will always be remembering him only in the positive way. Zabojnikovi Nothing you love is lost. Not really. Things, people they always go away sooner or later. You can t hold the anymore than you can hold moonlight. But if they ve touched you, if they re inside you, then they re still yours. The only things you ever really have are the ones you hold inside your heart. -- Bruce Coville My memory of Mr Petrus, whilst discussing the education of my son, who is now undertaking his maturity finals, is of a School Principal who not only took his duty as Head of the International School with the upmost seriousness, but also with a passion for his work and for his colleagues and students. He had a firm idea of what needed to be achieved, but was also open to suggestion, ideas and accepted differences of opinion with sincere professionalism. The undoubted success of the International School owes a great debt to Honza, and it will indeed be a hard task to fill his shoes. I would recommend that a permanent reminder, of suitable taste, is displayed within the ISO as a lasting tribute to a good man, Mr Jan Petrus. Dr. Graham Coates-Gibson Haj ve Slezsku-Smilkov I live my life in widening circles That reach out across the earth. And though I may not complete this last one, I give myself to it. I circle around God, the primordial tower, I have been circling for thousands of years And still I do not know: am I a falcon, Am I a storm, or am I a great song? -- Rainer Maria Rilke 17

18 The purpose of life is to be defeated by greater and greater things. -- Rainer Maria Rilke Když jsme se v neděli tuto smutnou zprávu o odchodu pana Petruse dozvěděly, zůstaly jsme s Míšou v němém úžasu na sebe hledět a po chvilce nám vyhrkly slzy do očí. Tato zpráva určitě nejen nás dvě zasáhla jako blesk z čistého nebe. I když jsem se s panem ředitelem měla možnost osobně setkat jen čtyřikrát, okamžitě se mi vybavil jeho laskavý obličej, ze kterého se vždy dala vyčíst vstřícnost, otevřenost a obrovský pracovní zápal a profesionalita. Když řekne dítě svému rodiči, že jejich pan ředitel se o ně zajímá, že jejich názory bere vážně a že to s nimi myslí dobře, není třeba už dalších zbytečných slov. Pan Petrus nebyl jen obyčejný ředitel, ale Pan Ředitel, kterého si všichni vážili a zůstane navždy v našich srdcích jako poctivý, čestný, upřímný, inteligentní a charismatický člověk. Iveta Černá a Michaela Černá Something special I remember about Mr. Petrus is how obviously devoted he was to his family. Whenever anyone asked about his children, his eyes lit up and he radiated joy. It was great to see how important his children were to his life. Gitana Chunyo Přijměte mou nejhlubší účast nad ztrátou tak vyjímečného člověka, který toho velmi mnoho dokázal a jsem mu vděčná za vzdělání mé dcery a ač jsme se osobně setkali jen párkrát, musím říct, že mi velmi chybí. Věřím ve Vaši školu a přeji Vám ve Vaší skvělé práci už jen pozitivní zprávy. Hlubokou soustrast rodině i škole. Ivana Sobotková Velmi nás v rodině zasáhlo úmrtí pana Petruse. Cítila jsem z něj přesně ty vlastnosti, které jste o něm napsali. Byl to velmi slušný člověk, který měl upřímný zájem vytvořit prestižní školu, na kterou by byli její absolventi hrdi. Jeho jednání bylo citlivé a vstřícné. Je mi líto nejen jeho, ale i celé truchlící rodiny. Jitka Varechová Jan your inspiring, enthusiastic creative director.. suddenly passed away... our condolences of course. What a terrible shock to all, students, staff, parents this must be. Just don't know what to say. We only met one time in Spain and I, as I believe all of us, keep very good memories to this meeting with him and all the chats and laughter's we had. I sure hope that his spirit and the good memories will strengthen you all. Roel, Netherlands Nemohla jsem uvěřit zprávě o náhlém odchodu pana Petruse. Ještě nedávno jsem s ním mluvila, sděloval mi své plány na rozšíření prostor pro školu a také se těšil z navázání kontaktů v zahraničí. Je velká škoda, že své vize nebude moci uskutečnit. Vážila jsme si ho pro jeho slušnost, poctivost a zapálení pro věc. Ing. Hana Dluhošová Vaso and I are really sorry to hear that Jan isn't with us any more! He was a friend to us very pleasant and good. We still don't believe it, we are really shocked. We are sure that your school will succeed its goals and you Dasia and the other teachers will find the strength to face it. Katerina & Vaso 18

19 And the point is, to live everything. -- Rainer Maria Rilke Pana ředitele Petruse jsme si vždy velmi vážili. Byl to velmi pracovitý, upřímný a čestný člověk. Opravdu se nám lehce nepíše ten minulý čas Celý Váš tým pod jeho vedením dokázal vybudovat špičkovou školu, se kterou jsme měli my i naše děti výborné zkušenosti. Vím, že je tato zpráva pro Vás těžká nejen z lidského a přátelského hlediska, ale i profesně. Petra a Miroslav Vehovští Sděluji Vám, že celá naše advokátní kancelář je hluboce zarmoucena odchodem pana ředitele Mgr. Jana Petruse. Přijměte naši hlubokou soustrast.. Za advokátní kancelář, Sylva Vartová YouClick Kolem, v jitřní chlad jara, dýchají stromy tak zcela blízko tomu, pro něhož není jitra. Trávník, nedávno ještě pod sněhem, plazí se, šťastný, tak zcela blízko tomu, pro něhož není barev. U střechy delfíni vzdušného moře hrají si mráčky, Tak zcela blízko tomu, jenž nekývne rukou Ó smrti, svlečená z romantiky, drsná, syrová, surová! Chápeš, Jak sladko je žití. Otakar Theer Sladko je žití 19

20 When all the golden birds fly home across the blue deep water; On shore I sit rapt in its scattering glitter; -- Edith Södergran Now it is fall