Dwarf turned giant

by a close friend of 46 years 29.JUN.07

His small, short and compact stature makes him instantly dismissible as a dwarf. However, for those of us who know Gillis “Git” Francis, he is purely and simply a giant in the field of Mathematics. Like Royalty and Celebrities, he is greeted everywhere by the nickname Git because he belongs to all the people who cherish with gratitude his celebrated teaching skills.{{more}}

Hailing from the crescent shaped valley of Mesopotamia, Gillis attended the Boys’ Grammar School in the 1960’s. From early, he developed a passion for Maths and was taken under the able wing of the then headmaster, U. G. Crick who set the foundation thereby allowing the legendary Hugh Drakes to re-enforce and refine the genuine article.

Maths, however, was not Git’s only talent. In his school days he was a first rate wicket keeper/batsman who made trials for the St. Vincent team. His progress was halted by his university career although he played the game strictly for pleasure thereafter. He loved football with all his heart. Yet despite the clarity and precision of his mathematical mind, his footballing feet lack both kicking power and a sense of direction – a contradiction often attributed to his lilliputian characteristics. To boot, playing for Millar House as a striker in the crucial Inter House final in 1968, although well positioned to convert, he squandered every opportunity leaving his team adrift by 3 goals to 1. His early retirement at 18 years 7 months from the game, his heart loved, was to the benefit of the Marriaqua Football Association which he served for 20 years as president and piloted the emergence of a strong league and the rise to stardom of several National players including Jerry Crick and Alwyn Guy.

Still, Gillis’ position as the best Maths teacher in the country is what he is known for. Whether at Marriaqua Convent, Teachers’ College, Carapan or the Girls’ High School, teaching excellence and a 90% pass rate have become his trademarks. Drawing on his enormous gift he has helped to shape the modern generation of Maths scholars. His vision that Maths will one day be just another simple subject craved for by the student body burns passionately within. As long as his teaching career continues that mission remains attainable. Long may he teach!!

`As a person, teacher or friend Git is always natural, in all his doings, just like the virgin soil of his beloved valley.