To Sir, with Love II

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This is Peter Mackintosh | for the BBC, London.

The weather forecast today...

He's in the staff room. | Where he belongs!

Let's tak e a look at South America.

I am a lady, I am.

He was just about to show us | a new and valuable trick.

I thought I'd find you here. | I was just thinking about you.

Lots of memories? | Every brick and floorboard.

I feel too young to be retiring.

I'm so glad you came.

For a hug like this? | I'd have died for this years ago.

I hear your son's at university. | Yes. You see, we are getting older.

I suppose that means | I'd better go face the music.

Oxford offered him a position. | He'll want time to finish his book.

I heard he'd been invited to Yale.

But I'm not sure he's interested | in America. It's so...

American.

Oh, look, here he comes. | He's here.

# Those schoolgirl days #

# I know they will still live on #

# And on #

# But how do you thank someone #

# Who has taken you | from crayons to perfume? #

# It isn't easy but I'll try #

# If you wanted the sky #

# I would write across the sky | in letters #

# That would soar 1,000 feet high #

# To sir, with love ##

In 30 years, | 20 of them in his classroom,

the last 10 developing | and administering a programme

that has given hope and direction | to education in the inner city,

Mark Thackeray | has served his community.

We are proud of our school.

That pride is the legacy that | Mark Thackeray leaves behind. Mark.

Thank you very much.

The one thing I take exception to | in the remarks here tonight

is who it is who's thanking whom.

You've got it all backwards, people.

I came to this country a stranger. | You gave me a home.

You trusted this stranger | with your children.

There is no greater job in the world | than that.

I found my wife here.

My only regret is that | she didn't live to see this day.

We never had children of our own.

Over 30 years, I have been privileged | to have over 900 of your children.

For that, allow me to say,

from sir, with very much love, | I thank you.

I almost forgot. You are wondering | what I will do with my retirement.

I have taken a teaching position | in Chicago.

The University of Chicago, | a wonderful idea!

Actually, it's an inner-city | high school in Chicago.

Would 3711 Forest Avenue | be out of the way?

A mile or two. | Could we stop there?

Is this the right address? | It's the address you give me.

Is there a police station | or post office?

You come here from England. | You've never been here.

You're looking for a family | that was here 30 years ago.

Name was Douglas. The gentleman | owned a contracting company.

I should file a missing person's | report? He could be dead!

It's possible, | but there were children.

Well, thank you for listening.

All right, here's what I can do. | No promises.

I'll check around the records. | There's records on everything.

Let me go, man! | Wilsie, let's go.

Get off me, man! | Wilsie, will you settle down?

Mister, make sure you get served!

What did he do?

That bum's gang is into enough | major felonies to fill a law book.

Shakedowns. That's extortion | in your country.

They steal. They go after other gangs | like there's no tomorrow.

He'll go to jail? | I wish. He'll be out by breakfast.

Maybe you have a better way to handle | it in England, but we're tapped out.

I'll let you know if I find anything. | Where are you staying?

Excuse me.

Mark, you're a day early. | I changed my flight.

I was eager to get here. | I was going to meet your flight.

Horace, say you're glad to see me. | I'm thrilled.

I'm thrilled. Luggage?

I've already been to the flat. | It's very nice.

You son of a gun, I can't tell you | how glad I am you're here.

Let's get you to work.

I'm afraid we're a couple of decades | behind on maintenance.

For all these years... | How long has it been?

Since you've been in London? | It's only been... 15 years.

It has been that long, hasn't it? | Excuse me.

Let me introduce this son of a gun. | He's a day early. Mark Thackeray.

He'll be joining us, | teaching honours history.

You're gonna teach us a thing or two.

Louisa Rodriguez teaches | social studies. This is her room.

Please grab a roller | if the spirit moves you.

Rob Doerr teaches math. | Welcome to our fair city.

We have a serious problem.

Why don't you introduce yourselves?

I'm Helen Goldfarb. | I teach physical science. Welcome.

Thank you. | Greg Emory. History.

Bill Plummer and Joan Warren. | We're both in the English department.

Don't let me keep you, | unless there's anything I can do.

By all means.

We're all thrilled that you're here.

Horace talks about the two years | he spent with you in England

as a high point | in his education as a teacher.

Those were good years for all of us.

I read your articles in | Modern Education. Very impressive.

When you teach as long as I have, | you learn a few things.

I'm amazed that you're here. | Oh?

As far as education goes, this is | a town where the train doesn't stop.

That's an interesting metaphor.

Have you heard of the blackboard | jungle? This is a swamp.

Trouble brewing. | Jonesy has chickened out on us.

The school runs on | tracks A for the brightest kids

and H for the incorrigible.

Gil Jones taught H last year. | One of many.

Can't remember their names. | One left after a month.

Next one left after | Frankie Davanon broke the guy's arm.

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