Andrew taught at Lliswerry High School from 1987 to 2024, dedicating 37 years to the school. He was known for his kindness, dedication, and the lasting impact on the school community.
We invite you to share your memories and messages below.
“An absolute legend, loved him to bits. I remember once he gave us a £10 note and he said if we can find the Indian on the note we could keep it. None of us found it, he promised it was on there but well hidden. Afterwards he told us the Indian is written down and it’s “chief cashier” lol. He was a great guy, thank you sir.”
“Mr Coughlin taught me an absolute tonne, not just to be a better athlete but also a better person. I remember him teaching me PE and working on my knowledge of the body, sport and the benefits of sport. I remember him teaching the rugby and talking about tackling—he used to say to us cheek to cheek and steel bar (things I took into with me throughout my time playing and coaching rugby). A truly fantastic gentleman who will be sadly missed.”
“Fond memories of high school especially in the PE department. Along with Andrew we were lucky to have the best PE teachers RIP along with your special colleagues June Watts, Sue Griffiths and Silvia Howells xx”
“I’ll never forget that year 8 cup run with him as the coach.
Playing in Monmouth in minus conditions and snow and him shouting “it’s the Caribbean” “ you’re playing in 40 degree heat” to try to get us to feel warmer.
As funny as it was then and now. That shows who he was. Always trying to help people no matter.
RIP Mr Lliswerry”
“Thoughts are with Andrew's family. Amazing dedication to Lliswerry High School and the community, thank you.”
“As a shy and anxious year 7, I couldn't have asked for a better form tutor. You were firm but fair with an amazing sense of humor and even when you left us due to promotion the following year, you always took the time to pop in and see how we were all doing. Rest easy sir.”
“Had many memories with Mr coughin as I was heavily into sport. Seen him few years back at a fancy dress party and it was nice to catch up and talk about my days at lliswerry.
Condolences to all his family at this very sad time.
RIEP Mr Coughin”
“To Andy’s children,
I first met your dad in 1988 when I joined Lliswerry High School, which I think was around the time he started teaching. He taught me how to play rugby and was one of the first people who really inspired, coached and supported me to become a confident and healthy young person. His encouragement probably played a big part in me carrying on with rugby until I was 41, which kept me fit and gave me so many good memories.
When I was 19, I was lucky enough to play alongside Andy at NHSOB for two seasons. It felt special to have been coached by him at school and then later stand next to him on the pitch as a teammate. He was the same person in both settings — supportive, aggressive and someone you always wanted to do well for.
There’s one memory I’ve never forgotten. At school, I was asked to play Joseph in a school play, but I was too nervous to do it. Andy stepped in without hesitation and took the lead role, and the whole thing went down brilliantly. That was the kind of person he was — always ready to help, always ready to make things easier for someone else.
Years later, my own children were lucky enough to be taught by him too. Every parents’ evening, we’d shake hands and chat about old times. He never changed — still warm, still encouraging, still genuinely interested in how people were getting on.
Your dad helped shape who I am today and will have shaped so many other people too. He gave me confidence, direction and belief at a time in life when it really mattered. I will always be grateful for that.
He was a lovely man who touched so many lives, far more than you may ever realise. I would be honoured to share more stories with you one day. You should feel incredibly proud of the impact he had on so many people.”
“Not just a great teacher, a great guy too. Always seemed to connect with his students, even when on the end of one of those looks ! A lot of fond memories, and grateful for his advice at a time when I needed it . RIP fella you certainly made your mark !”
“Such a great loss, he was an exceptional teacher who wanted the very best for his pupils. My thoughts go out to his family at this sad time.”
“Along with Mr Brown, Mr Coughlin was an absolute legend, you only truly appreciate old teachers as an adult. I was part of the class of 2000 with Morris Conner Whitty Scratchy etc Mrs Brown's class- Mr Browns wife and we all got on with him like a house on fire, truly one of a kind teacher at the time and I remember that summer yo yos were every where, every kid had them and as one of the very last lesson before summer holidays, I was messing around with my Yo Yo and he said give it here and took it and said right! You ain't having it back, hopefully they will be in fashion in September! At the time I was gutted but kept me waiting till the end of the school day and said have it back and said they won't be in fashion September and laughed! Guess what they weren't in fashion in Sept so lucky he gave it back! Thinking of the family at this sad time”
“Thank you for pushing us to do our best and never give up. Your lessons went far beyond PE.”
“One of the very few teachers to make an impact on the pupils lives. Not just a teacher, but a guardian, counsellor and friend all in one. Nothing was ever too much for him. We don't get teachers like him anymore. RIP sir🤍”
“he was so nice”
“A great bloke and an ‘intelligent’ and very good rugby and team player. I had the pleasure of being Andy’s captain at NHSOB and deeply saddened to hear this terrible news. Condolences to all his family. RIP Andrew x”
“As a youngster who hated school apart from P.E and was severely lacking in any self believe and confidence the one escape I had was sports, although I believed that I was useless Mr Coughlin always took the time to help me through this tough period and encouraged me by letting me know what I was good at and helping me improve on what I was not so good at which not only built up my confidence but has helped shape me into the confident man I'am today who has continued my fitness journey at the age of 43 by going to the gym 3-4 times a week along with other exercises. Thank you Sir I would never have been able to do any of this without your help and encouragement. Rest in eternal peace until we meet again one day.”
“My memory with Mr Coughlin is that he always believed in me and always pushed me to be the best at Pe. He was an amazing and sweet soul and he will be forever missed by everyone.”
“Mr Coughlin, Andrew, Andy, Sir - so many things I could say, so many memories to share; but…. The most memorable for all staff who were there at the time, you being on the front page of the Argus! Oh my, I’ll never forget JRs reaction when he saw it! Still makes me laugh now. Get him in the office NOW!! lol… you were speaking out about the costs and lack of facilities and schools having to pay for them. Always having the school and the pupils at heart, just as you always did, right till the end!
Andy, you are one amazing teacher. You have made such an impact on so many young people, memories they will never forget.
I am so very sad to hear of your passing, but I take solace in knowing you are now at peace and back with Jayne (JAC). I know the 2 of you will be having a ball watching down on everyone, that’s for sure! Another good one taken from the Lliswerry Family - Rest in peace”
“I remember a PE lesson we run from the school around leeway industrial estate whilst he drove in his car slowly to keep pace haha”
“An absolute fantastic supportive teacher. Treated everyone as a person, strict but commanded respect which he received. Always seeing the positives in whatever anyone did.”
“Absolutely brilliant PE teacher. My sport was basketball and still is but for the first 2 years it wasn’t part of the schedule. Once he learned I knew a lot about the sport as I played for a team outside of school he would put more sessions on. Then when it was part of the PE curriculum he would always ask me about some of the finer details of how to coach basketball. As a young teenager this meant a lot to me and made me feel somewhat special.
He allowed me to coach the younger players in his sessions and also liked me to play up for the older teams when they had games vs other schools. I’ll never forget the students vs teachers basketball game we had, so much fun and banter.
Thank you for the memories sir, RIP x”
“I remember he’d just joined and we girls were crushing on him ha ha. He was a very calm, active teacher. He let me teach 1st years to do the basic trampolining. Great teacher”
“My form tutor in year 7 when I first joined the high school along with everyone else from 7AC he made us new kids feel welcome, he used to read the morning register and make fun of our names when calling them out in a way which made us all laugh, for example he used to call me Robert Old instead of Robert Young. And a great P.E teacher made that my favourite lesson along with every other boy in the school always made it fun aswell as being a great teacher. Thoughts go out to all of Mr Coughlins family and close friends. Rest in Peace Sir”
“Such a great loss. An amazing teacher and all round gentleman.
Wish I could post a picture on here as have one of him playing a part in one of the many shows he took part in.
He encouraged so many students to overcome their nerves and brought laughter to the backstage preparations.
Sending my love and thoughts to his family at this difficult time x”
“Sir, you made school fun and amazing place to go and learn, your the reason why I love football so much and still devastated to this day we didn’t win the cup final for you with all your dedication you shown to the school and myself! I am where I am today because of you thank you for everything”
“I have many memories with Mr Coughlin. In year 7 we all went on a London trip which was a trip that Is never forgotten. And also the ski trip to Italy! Mr Coughlin was one of them teachers you could speak to about anything and he’d support you with anything. He was also the best pe teacher!
Rest in peace sir, you’ll never be forgotten🤍”
“Really sad to hear this. What a great teacher Sir helped me a lot through school and even though k was hard work for him most of the time he definitely taught me a few life lessons which I am great full for. RIP Sir x”
“Very sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Coughlin.
He and Mr. Tucker were a great team, and were responsible for helping a great many students become better people.
Teaching is a profession that needs people who care about the pupil’s development first and their grades second. Mr. Coughlin was one of those teachers, a great character with the ability to get the best out of people. My condolences to his family, he’ll be sorely missed.”
“Mr Coughlin was the first teacher I met when I transferred to Lliswerry High School in year 8, as I unfortunately didn’t have a great time in year 7 in my previous school.
Not knowing what to expect, I was extremely nervous and a lot of thoughts were going through my head, but I remember the sense of relief I felt as soon as Mr Coughlin introduced himself.
He was such a kind friendly person with a great sense of humour, and he helped me settle in really well. I also really enjoyed his P.E lessons, with Danish Longball being my all-time favourite.
He wasn’t just a good teacher, he was a good person, and my thoughts are with his family and friends.”
“Mr. C was an amazing teacher and touched the hearts of many pupils. He will be sadly missed. Sending condolences to his family and friends. RIP Mr C 💔”
“as a yr9 who doesn’t really know anyone around the school, i pay my respects to this man, i have never met him but he is resting peacefully now and im sure that he is watching this school thinking of how proud he is of the teachers, pupils, and how happy he would be with all these messages that these thoughtful people put on here”