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.

Two left after three weeks. | Jones finished the year.

He said he'd be back, | but thought better of it.

What did he teach? | History.

What about Greg? | He won't do it, sir.

I will. | That wouldn't be a good idea.

Of course it is. | We've got an honours course for you.

You didn't come from London | to get stuck in a quagmire.

That's what I do. | Give me a quagmire any day.

How long since you took a class? | Too long.

It's out of the question. | These kids are uneducable.

There's no such thing. | They're impossible to teach.

They're dangerous. Greg, I want you | to take over the H Section.

That's a union matter. | Take that up with them.

I don't have time for that. | I'm here, and I'm willing.

All right. Just till I can find | somebody suitable.

Excuse me. Excuse me.

You go right ahead, sir. | He's got a bomb!

Morning, Mr. Thackeray. | Miss Rodriguez.

How are you? | Very well.

Once more unto the breach, | dear friends.

All right, stop! Now!

Get out of that briefcase! Move it!

Move away from that window!

Erase that board!

Get off. Get off!

Break it up. Break it up.

Take your seats!

Arrange these desks. Get them | in order and take your seats.

This class is in session. | Sit! Move it. Move it!

I just wanted to make sure | that everyone's sitting down.

Let's make sure we're all | in the right place. This is Room 202.

202? No, no, no, | I'm in the wrong place, guys.

Let me see your schedule. | Nice try. Sit back down.

Have a seat, Miss Mariner.

You too. Does anyone else feel that | his or her schedule needs checking?

I think we're ready to start.

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