David Laugharne, who was a teacher at Maimonides Secondary School, King David High School’s predecessor, passed away in 1994. Thirty years later, his memory and his impact on the school continue to be honoured, including an award in his name given to a KDHS student each year. This year, the David Laugharne Science Award went to Hannah Karasenty Saltoun.
Laugharne is credited for boosting the science department at the high school. In the words of Rabbi Mordechai Feuerstein, a co-founder of Maimonides, who wrote to Laugharne in May 1994, “Your serious and sustained efforts really got the science department off the ground and recognized not only within the community, but throughout BC and, of course, in the Canada-Wide Science Fair, as well.
“It will be a long time, if ever, before another science teacher at Maimonides takes our school to the heights which you reached.”
Feuerstein added that Laugharne would be remembered at the school for, among other things, introducing it to the computer age, the artwork he contributed to many school events and his willingness to lend a helping hand whenever needed.
The rabbi also praised Laugharne for being a teacher that cared for students from both a professional standpoint and as a friend prepared to take a personal interest.
“You have always been a sensitive, caring person, David. I have always known the Almighty blessed you with ability – the ability to encourage and inspire, and the talent and sensitivity needed to work with young people,” wrote Feuerstein.
At the conclusion of his letter, Feuerstein shared that the board of governors at the school had decided to present a David Laugharne Science Award each year.
“This award will be given to the student who most exemplifies all the qualities you so caringly tried to instill in students, who you gave of yourself at Maimonides.
“It is a small token of the deep gratitude felt by all of us at Maimonides from the board level, through the administration, down to the students for whom you opened a world of learning. You have touched the lives of us all.”
Naomi Frankenburg, who was the president of Maimonides Secondary School in 1994, remembered Laugharne as an easy person to know and like and the first person on the staff with whom she developed a true friendship.
In a letter to Laugharne’s mother, Elizabeth, Frankenburg cited the work David had done as an important reason for her taking on the position to lead the school.
“My first visit to the school, before I had any formal connection to it, was a visit to the science fair and, like everybody else, I was most impressed. So much so that when I was urged to accept the presidency, the high standard of general studies and, especially, science, was a major factor in encouraging me to accept.”
Keith Thibodeau, a school administrator who worked with Laugharne at Collingwood School in West Vancouver at the time of its inception in 1984, remembered his colleague as someone who gave very generously of his time and talents to make the school ready for its opening day.
“He showed insight, organizational skills and leadership. He worked well with others and his sense of humour frequently eased times of tension and stress,” Thibodeau wrote.
Of Laugharne’s time at Maimonides, Thibodeau said, “His ability to teach competently in a number of subject areas, his willingness to be flexible, his astute skills in timetabling, general organization and finally his constant enthusiasm and devotion were crucial factors in the successful development of the school.”
On June 17, 1994, during the final assembly of the year at Maimonides, Gallit Amram spoke about Laugharne, saying that he was “an incredible teacher.”
“One never realizes what a great thing one has until it is gone, and that is very like the situation we have here,” she said. “Now that Mr. Laugharne is no longer with us, we can appreciate what a great person he was. It’s unfortunate that only when someone passes away do we realize how important he is to us.”
Laugharne’s success in bringing out the best in his students was also featured in a Feb. 27, 1992, article in the Jewish Western Bulletin (the predecessor of the Jewish Independent). Aside from science, Laugharne also taught drama and the story notes his goals of encouraging students to be creative and innovative.
The Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair also presents a David Laugharne Award each year to a project that “incorporates new technology into the design, implementation or presentation of the work.” In 2024, the award was given to Jora SN for DeviceAble, a novel, hands-free computing app for people with disabilities.
Sam Margolis has written for the Globe and Mail, the National Post, UPI and MSNBC.