Also updated September 2023
Margaret Roberts introduced the GA President for 2009-10 in 2008 at a Governing Body meeting, which was published in 'Geography' and later at the AGM at the Conference in 2009
John has a BEd in Geography from University of Cambridge and an MA in Education from Open University. John has published 2 sole authored books, 9 book chapters, 16 journal articles and 25 conference papers. John uses ICT to develop geographical understanding and pupil’s awareness of the wider world. He has published research that has been used to develop policy at the QCA and has worked with the TTA to prepare teaching materials for the national curriculum.
Here's John in 2009, when he came up to the Scottish Association of Geography Teachers to help out on the stand and give the fraternal greetings that has become part of the SAGT conference before the keynote speaker, when it was held in Edinburgh. This was one of a number of events we worked on together as I was working for the GA at the time.
John has written a number of books on geographical education and primary education, as well as numerous other chapters in books, journal articles and teaching materials which are all very helpful for teachers.
John's Presidential Lecture was called 'Primarily Geography, and, like his career was particularly focussed on this stage of geography education and the support that the GA provides for Primary colleagues - which now includes a free Primary membership offer for those who may be unaware of that.
Image: Wendy North - via Flickr
Another official image, taken by Bryan Ledgard at the same conference can be seen below, as John prepared to give his Presidential lecture.
Margaret Roberts introduced the GA President for 2009-10 in 2008 at a Governing Body meeting, which was published in 'Geography' and later at the AGM at the Conference in 2009
"Mrs Roberts said that she first met Mr Halocha on a cliff near Exeter, at a GTE Conference.
His qualities of enthusiasm, commitment and ability to get really involved would ensure that he would be a good GA President.
His career had included teaching geography at the King’s Grammar School, Peterborough and deputy headships in two schools.
His qualities of enthusiasm, commitment and ability to get really involved would ensure that he would be a good GA President.
His career had included teaching geography at the King’s Grammar School, Peterborough and deputy headships in two schools.
He decided that a move into ITT would give him greater opportunity for influencing geography education. He began his career in teacher education at Westminster College Oxford, before moving to the School of Education at the University of Durham and then to his present post as Reader in Geography Education and Head of Geography at Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln."
From John's Chartered Geographer biography:
John has a BEd in Geography from University of Cambridge and an MA in Education from Open University. John has published 2 sole authored books, 9 book chapters, 16 journal articles and 25 conference papers. John uses ICT to develop geographical understanding and pupil’s awareness of the wider world. He has published research that has been used to develop policy at the QCA and has worked with the TTA to prepare teaching materials for the national curriculum.
Here's John in 2009, when he came up to the Scottish Association of Geography Teachers to help out on the stand and give the fraternal greetings that has become part of the SAGT conference before the keynote speaker, when it was held in Edinburgh. This was one of a number of events we worked on together as I was working for the GA at the time.
John has written a number of books on geographical education and primary education, as well as numerous other chapters in books, journal articles and teaching materials which are all very helpful for teachers.
He was Honorary Secretary to the British Subcommittee of the International Geographical Union Commission on Geographical Education for some time as well.
I also spent an entertaining day with John at an event just north of Lincoln, where we were manning a stand at an event which was all around the green agenda, and talking to delegates about the support for primary geographers. We had an entertaining day, and I've also done sessions at the university as well.
John wrote this guide: the Primary Teacher's Guide to Geography amongst other contributions to helping primary colleagues see the potential of geography.
John wrote this guide: the Primary Teacher's Guide to Geography amongst other contributions to helping primary colleagues see the potential of geography.
He was also a great supporter of the Charney Manor Primary Conference.
John's Presidential Lecture was called 'Primarily Geography, and, like his career was particularly focussed on this stage of geography education and the support that the GA provides for Primary colleagues - which now includes a free Primary membership offer for those who may be unaware of that.
Image: Wendy North - via Flickr
Another official image, taken by Bryan Ledgard at the same conference can be seen below, as John prepared to give his Presidential lecture.
As mentioned earlier, John was latterly Reader in Geography at Bishops Grosseteste University College, which is in Lincoln, and somewhere I used to drive past on my way to various events back in the day. This is somewhere that Nick Gee, who I used to work with when he was PGCE tutor at UEA moved to.
Images copyright: Bryan Ledgard / Geographical Association unless otherwise stated...
Images copyright: Bryan Ledgard / Geographical Association unless otherwise stated...
John was active in many GA committees for many years, and was around a lot during my own time working at Solly Street and involved in many meetings and other activities. He would often pop in to have a chat on his visits, and also pop in to events and other meetings we may have been having at the time.
He was active at Bishops Grosseteste University for many years, before retiring to the north of England with his wife Vanessa, where he reduced his involvement with the GA having done so much.
References
Books
'The Primary Teacher's Guide to Geography' - Scholastic, 2012
"Coordinating geography across the Primary School' - The Falmer Press, 1998
Research on ResearchGate:
Student teachers' perceptions of geographical enquiry: a research paper -
Margaret Roberts' introduction: https://www.geography.org.uk/download/ga_auagmminutes09.pdf
Presentation on the 'Primary Geographer' magazine, and its covers and contents:
Image of SAGT Conference - Alan Parkinson
As always, memories of John Halocha, his time as President and his support of Primary geography are always welcome, as well as any corrections to the information here.
Updated August 2023
Some sad news received in the 2nd week of August.
John passed away at home on the 10th of August.
The EY and Primary geography community are sad to announce the passing of our great friend, and
— Geography Primary / Early Years Committee @The_GA (@EYPPC_GA) August 16, 2023
2010 @The_GA President, John Halocha.
Our thoughts and prayers are with @VHalocha, his family and friends.https://t.co/pVAluZLp9z pic.twitter.com/ULeBCJYxkK
Condolences to John's family, friends and former colleagues. All memories welcome.
We were so sad news to hear the news of John Halocha . He was such a valued member of the @ManorCharney community making vital contributions to geography research over the years and as a kind mentor to many. Thinking of @VHalocha and the family at this time. https://t.co/XiOlMIEOFJ
— Charney Manor Primary Geography Research (@ManorCharney) August 16, 2023
Updated September 2023
From the GA Magazine's Autumn 2023 issue.
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