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Jamie Wellington (1971-2002)
The Jakarta International School community lost a very special individual when the tragedy at the Sari Club in Kuta, Bali, took the life of Jamie Wellington on October 12, 2002.
Jamie organized playgroups for his daughters: "Biggies" for Sophie and "Liddles" for Annabelle. The endless energy that fatigued others, he lavished on the children. Social invitations took second place to being with his wife Lissie and the girls. As a Biggie, Jamie showed love and devotion for family. As a Liddle, he pursued his passions: a good pint, cards, a little song, silliness and most of all, rugby.
James Peter Wellington, 31, grew up in Te Aroah and Murupara, New Zealand and attended secondary school in Auckland. He continued his education at Massey where he earned his BSc. in maths and chemistry in 1994. In keeping with Kiwi tradition, he went off on OE - overseas experience - with a free spirit that brought him eventually to Jakarta. In 1996 he began substitute teaching at JIS which led to subsequent positions in the Middle School and then the High School math department. It was through JIS that he met Analisa who became his wife twice in 1999: first in St. Croix with Lissie's family and then in Auckland with his family.
It quickly became clear that Jamie would make a contribution to the JIS community far beyond the classroom, and it was on the rugby field that his passion truly shone. He coached and sponsored a touch rugby club and instilled keen devotion in his players. Shaun Malligan, 17, (JIS class of 2004) comments: "We played with heart that made us proud, made him proud. Every tackle we made in the pouring rain got cheers and praise. Mr. Wellington was in the game as much as we were."
And then came his girls, and Jamie started to live for his family as passionately as he had once lived for rugby. Lissie and Jamie's two daughters are Josephine, now two and known as Sophie, and Annabelle, nine months. Although JIS offered Jamie the opportunity to teach full-time, he declined and maintained his part-time status; he worked to live, but he lived for his family. He enjoyed walks, play groups, family dinner, cooking breakfast, and even very early mornings.
Jamie's spirited singing and dancing contributed annually to Hey Dum Diddley theatrical productions for children. His father Rob, a musician and teacher now in Hong Kong, gave him his first role, three days before opening night. Rob said, "He knew his lines better than me." Jamie proudly promoted older brother Keri's band and concerts despite a 15-hour flight to Auckland. In addition to Rob and Keri, Jamie's surviving Kiwi family include mother Judy and brother, Ben, 17, of Whangamata.
With all that, he maintained his enthusiasm for rugby. He followed
the All Blacks, traveling to the Hong Kong Sevens to watch them
with his father. Jamie even tried explaining rugby to American friends.
And he loved to play - with his students, the touch club, and as
a Komodo representing the International Sports Club of Indonesia.
With six Komodo teammates Jamie entered the Sari Club on Bali,
October 12, to celebrate having made the finals of the Bali 10's,
an international rugby tournament. All decided Jamie would score
a try, something he had not accomplished in tournament play. He
always passed the ball to a mate for the score.
Before leaving for Bali, Jamie fulfilled a math department tradition
of providing a birthday cake for a coworker. At 4:30 a.m., with
Sophie helping and Annabelle watching, Jamie baked a carrot cake
from scratch. Colleague Ben LaChance made the observation, "It
tasted good: big, strong hands that could rocket a rugby ball were
sensitive enough to bake a cake."
Jamie's touch is missed.
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Jakarta International School P.O. Box 1078/JKS, Jakarta 12010 Jl. Terogong Raya # 33, Jakarta 12430 Jl. Duta Indah III Pondok Indah, Jakarta 12310 Jl. Pattimura Blok 1 # 2 Keboyoran Baru, Jakarta 12110 |