In Memoriam - Bill Johnston who taught Chemistry at Ecolint for over 40 years

We are sorry to share the news of the death of William (Bill) Johnston on 15 August 2026. Bill worked both at La Grande Boissière and La Châtaigneraie as a Chemistry teacher and finally became Assistant to the Director General. His family shared the text below.

"William (Bill) Johnston, a former Ecolint chemistry teacher for over forty years, passed away in Geneva on 15 August.

Bill first came to Ecolint La Grande Boissère campus to teach chemistry in November 1967 and remained until 1972. He also coached soccer, skied with school groups, and walked with the school alpine club.

After a short stint in England, Bill returned to La Grande Boissière in 1974 to teach chemistry and general science before he transferred to La Châtaigneraie campus in 1989, where he was also Assistant to the Director General. He retired in 2003.

Bill was also in charge of the girls’ boarding house, the Villa Verey, from September 1982 to December 1984.

In the 1980s, Bill was involved with the International Schools Association in the development of a Middle Years Curriculum, which in 1991 was taken over by the International Baccalaureate and became the Middle Years Programme. He worked with the International Baccalaureate on this programme as Chief Examiner for Science until 2005.

Many students have been remembering him for his sense of humour and wit, kindness, patience and Irish brogue. Several have written to say he inspired them to become chemistry teachers themselves.

Bill is survived by his wife Kathleen, his sons Simon (LGB, 1983) and Brian (LGB, 1984), his daughter Nicola (LGB, 1987) and four grandchildren."