Edward, who grew up in Gospel Oak and is now a broadcaster, credits Mr Lawrence for changing the “face” and “perception” of his school, while on a personal level, inspiring his own career in the media industry.
He recalled how, after watching an episode of Neighbours, he sheepishly knocked on his principal’s door to ask if he could set up a radio a station at the school.
“I thought he would say no, it’s not going to happen,” Edward said. “But he wasn’t dismissive and he allowed me to run the station from his office with a team.