A Eulogy for Jan Petrus - 1st International School of Ostrava

A Eulogy for Jan Petrus - 1st International School of Ostrava

Jan Petrus (1962 - 2012)
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.
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-- Nothing staff
A biography of Mgr. Jan Petrus
28.1.1962 - 20.4.2012
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
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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, 1987.
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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 1946. 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
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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
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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.
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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?
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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
“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.
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
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
Currently, the school has a significant number of school in English’ (as Mr Petrus used to say with a
members and it is impressive to see how the school blissful smile on his face).
has grown up so fast since 2005. Despite the harsh
Klára Sabolová
”He put his heart
into this project
and can be seen as
an inspiration to
many of us.”
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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, 2006. 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.
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.
“...most of the time you
could see him smiling
his own specific way –
the Czechs would call it
“pusa od ucha k uchu”.
And he kept supporting
The school was like a
us the whole time that
special kind of family to
we spent at school. Now,
me - especially the first
two years when there
when I look back, I am
sure that choosing the 1st
were just a few of us. Mr.
Petrus was a great man. He was helpful, supportive International School of Ostrava was the best choice
and most of the time you could see him smiling his I have made. Thank you for persuading me, Mr.
own specific way – the Czechs would call it “pusa Petrus, it was a big honor to know you.
od ucha k uchu”.
Petra Koblížková, Class of 2010
11
“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 vídali o škole, o fotbale a celkově mi dodával kuráž.
naši nejhlubší soustrast nejbližším pozůstalým, Dneska jsme si ve škole pobrečeli. Nejhorší je, když
přátelům, vám kolegům, studentům
si vzpomenu na ty jeho holky mlapana ředitele Petruse...
dé. V tuhle chvíli se stanou probNeumírat smrtí
lémy života maličkostmi a musíme
Životem
umřít
Zpráva o náhlém úmrtí pana ředitele
se zamyslet nad tím, co je v životě
Za
smrt
i
rak
se
stydí
Petruse k nám dorazila za Atlantik,
opravdu důležité...už se na vás
Hleď všeho užít
daleko od domova a velmi hluboce
těším...pa”
nás zasáhla. Vůbec si nechceme
představovat tu nesmírnou bolest,
Jsem přesvědčen, že život na Zemi
--František, Halas
kterou zažívají jeho nejbližší,
je jen zlomkem toho, co jsme scho“Moudrost”
kamarádi, kolegové a v nepospni vůbec obsáhnout a pochopit...a
lední řadě i studenti. Spravedlnost
že jako takový nekončí... Věřím, že
neexistuje... Když nám Vašek brečel do telefonu, pan ředitel Petrus je tu stále někde s náma...a bude
uvědomili jsme si, že to není sen, jen krutá realita...a s náma se všema i nadále konzultovat naše kroky...a
bohužel i nedílná součást našeho bytí...
pokračovat tak ve své započaté práci...
Martin a Martina Chromečkovi
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 popoThinking 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
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!
ilies, 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
I was terrified to hear this...yes, of course I knew when someone good is gone: “Life will never be the
him on the occasion of our visit in Ostrava and if you same without you, dear Jan Petrus!”
remember in our evening at the restaurant I stayed God rest him in peace!
near him and we talked a lot of things about our famGianina (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
“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
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!
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
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
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
“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.
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
Od té doby vždy, když jsme se s Janem Petrusem v souladu a byly tedy opravdové.
Eva Vysekalová
“He opened his heart to us.”
- Segeťa, Procházka, Muzenda
“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
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
“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 profesionali-
ta. 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
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
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”