Bertie Bellis
Bertie BELLIS (Head of Mathematics, housemaster of Heathgate and The Lodge 1956-64)
Bertie Bellis arrived at Highgate as the head of mathematics in August 1955. For Bertie, school mastering was a vocation. After graduating from St John’s College Cambridge, where he had been an exhibitioner in mathematics, he had taught at Rossall before moving to Highgate. Bertie was an outstanding teacher of mathematics and although scholarships and exhibitions to Oxbridge and other leading universities were the natural consequence of his inspiring tuition, he took enormous pleasure from realising the full potential of boys of all abilities. As one of his protégés, David Acheson (OC) observed in his remarks as President of the Mathematical Association, “My first truly inspirational maths teacher, Bertie Bellis, came when I was in the sixth form at Highgate School. He emphasised the aesthetic side to mathematics, and, in particular, how one proof of a result can be more beautiful or ‘elegant’ (as he would say) than another. Bertie went on to become Mathematical Association President for 1971-72, and it has been a great pleasure to follow in his footsteps, almost 40 years later.”
Bertie was instrumental in setting up MEI (Mathematics in Education and Industry) which was the first group to start investigating Computer Education, he was its Founding Director. He also concentrated on his interest in changing the emphasis in the teaching of Mathematics. He believed that the approach was too academic and he worked with BP and IBM to develop a Maths curriculum useful to those going into industry. It was an historic moment when IBM gave Highgate School one of its old computers.
Bertie was appointed housemaster of Heathgate in 1958 and together with his wife Joan they ensured that “their” boys were given a sense of self-worth, identity and belonging the equal of any boarding house esprit de corps. Their flat at 6b Bishopswood Road became a haven and unofficial common room for the Heathgate senior boys. Friendships developed during these times lasted Bertie and Joan’s lifetime.
Following his time at Highgate, Bertie enjoyed a successful career first as Principal of Stewart’s Melville College in Edinburgh and then as Headmaster of The Leys School, Cambridge from which he retired in 1986. Bertie and Joan made a formidable partnership with Joan supporting Bertie throughout his career and retirement. Their marriage of over 70 years was ended on Joan’s death in May 2024.
The memorial service is being held at The Leys School Chapel on Saturday 28 March 2026 at 2pm in the afternoon. If anyone wishes to attend, they are welcome, and should let Bertie’s son, Rob, know via email (rob_bellis13@yahoo.co.uk) or his mobile (+44 7801 370860).
Celebration of Bertie’s 80th Birthday at Rules in London 4 May 2007
Michael Detsiny (HG 1960); Nigel Colne (HG 1959); Bertie Bellis; Joan Bellis; Rodney Brody (HG 1960); Robin Ellis (HG 1960)