He first taught me in 1997 when I started in the Divisions. We therefore wouldn't have been his first group to be taken all the way through A Level at the school by him, but we were probably the first group where he'd got his feet properly under the table. I loved the idiosyncrasies, including an absolute refusal to attempt Irish name pronunciation when we were studying Translations by Brian Friel. When I occasionally, as I have done in life since then, meet someone called Maire, never mind how it's supposed to be pronounced, I hear it as Mr Stacey pronounced it. I also liked the way that he wasn't afraid to stretch you. He walked into the room one day and gave us all a copy of Graham Greene's The Power and the Glory. 'go home, read this, and answer this essay question.' Needless to say it wasn't remotely on the syllabus, I think he just fancied seeing what we came up with - like the conformist types we all were, we dutifully went away and did as we were told. I've never really rated that book for what it's worth, but that act did start my lifelong love affair with Graham Greene - so if nothing else I need to thank him for that. Funnily enough I was just thinking that a couple of days before I heard the sad news. Desperately sorry that it's necessary to post this, but RIP to one of KES' common room gentlemen. I will continue to fondly remember your dedication, understated wit, Jesus College blazer, and ability to herd cats - especially in the Divisions where the pressure's off for a year, you can just about get served in pubs, and you think you know it all. Of course you don't. It was an absolute privilege to be taught by him, and I will be forever grateful for the experience. Matt Wheeldon (1999)