Mr Cornell, You were my teacher when I was in grade 5 and now I'm in grade 9. I heard about your passing a while ago and I was genuinely upset, I know we had a few 'falling outs' when you were my teacher but I'm glad we worked things out the last time I saw you. Your creativity and passion will be missed as a teacher. Thank you for always brightening up everyday with your never-ending joy and love for teaching. And I never told you this but I always secretly liked your toaster tie ;) I hope you're resting in peace. Love Olivia

i remember him singing with us every week to his guitar which he left with our class when he went to london, i learnt the news of his death on my birthday, i was SO sad. i will miss him.

My family and I we're deeply upset to hear about Simon, his creative energy and gentle soul helped our daughter realise that learning isn't just through the 3 'r's. He recognised her gentle spirit and appreciated her quiet ways in class, he will always be remembered by us and our heartfelt sympathies go out to his family, friends and Sandra.

I only had Mr Cornell for a term when I was in year four,know I am in year 5. I was so sad when my mum told me I just couldn't cry. I thought MR Cornell was a very happy, lively ,friendly kind and caring person. I remember every morning he would sing good morning to us and get us to sing it back. Love Gumnut

Mr. Cornell was only my teacher for a term but a good one for that time and I am very sad to hear that he passed away. I remember in the mornings he would sing to us to say good morning and we would sing back while he played on his guitar all my classmates from last year and I will truly miss him. Rest In Piece Mr.Cornell <3

i remember asking him why his hair was so long. he said when youve got something, hold onto it because eventually you will loose it. he had great morals and stories to tell and he was so great at telling them.

When Mr Cornell told my class, 5S at drummoyne, that he was leaving, it was a shock to everyone! He was one of the best teachers there! We decided to throw him a farewell party and what a good farewell party it was. we had so mch fun and i remember everyone blowing party poppers in his face when he walked into the room. He was a great teacher with a kind, loving personality. I will never forget him and everything he taught me from school to life lessons. Rest In Peace...

i loved it when Mr Cornell sang to us just before the bell at the end of school. he was a fantastic singer. one of my favourite songs we sang, dont worry be happy. i also remember him for your quirky fashion and his toaster tie. one of my best memories with mr cornell was georgio. instead of a hat, we picked names out of georgio, a box. He said it in an italian accent that made me laugh everytime he said it. Mr Cornell, Rest In Pease. You were a great person and a great teacher.

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Simon's passing only yesterday, when I caught up with another friend from primary school - I attended Ivanhoe East PS with Simon from 1979 - 1984. He and I were great mates. We were in the same class for 4 of the 6 years I attended there, and were inseparable. Together, we started a "club" - which was a MUST for any discerning young child to belong to some sort of club ... ours was called COWPAC, which stood for 'corn oats and wheat, peaches and cream'. No idea where we pulled that from, and no idea what it was meant to mean. I remember my mother pointing out that it did sound like "COW PAT" meaning a poo, but we didn't care. Heck, we had a CLUB ! He and I were the co-captains, and took turns running meetings. Yeah, not sure what they were about either. I just remember Simon had a great sense of adventure and an incredible imagination. I will forever remember Simon, as I have a scar on my bottom lip, courtesy of him ! We were playing a game at lunchtime in Grade 5, where one of us would be lying down and the other would pretend to stand on the other's stomach, whilst hopping over them. This worked really well until Simon decided to stand up whilst I was in mid-air, launching me straight into a door. Tears and blood a-plenty from me (along with the realisation that I would never be a model with a scarred face - such drama!), and sympathy galore from Simon. He was so horrified that he had hurt me, but once I calmed down, all was fine. My mother was called to collect me, and Simon insisted on waiting with me in the principal's office... a trip to the doctors for 14 stitches and a week off school later, and I had a great story to tell everyone. Now when anyone asks me about my scar, I will smile fondly and remember the kind, gentle, imaginative, fierce friend I had in Simon. My deepest sympathies to Peter, Yvonne, Sarah and Sandra. Leanne Bromley

I've got lots of wonderful memories of Simon. It's his smile and those big, brown lively eyes of his I will never forget. . And his laugh and funny accents. Plus those ongoing corny jokes. E.G "Simon I hope you won't think less of me when I tell you this." "No Chrisso I couldn't possibly think any less of you." He was so generous, so kind to me. Considerate sounds like a weak word to sum him up. But he was so sensitive as to to always be considerate. He'd suffered, so he was a truly compassionate soul.He was so diligent as a teacher, but he often thought he was not good enough. I hope he knows how much we all loved him.

I am very proud to have been Simon's friend. I admired so much about him. From the way he looked so stylish in his op-shop threads to his awesome cooking skills. Simon had a terrific understanding of children and teaching. Whenever I had any problems at work, he was a great person to talk to. By the end of our conversation I usually felt better and valued the insights he had shared. I think Simon lived a life full of creativity, music and beauty. He challenged himself by performing as an actor. I remember seeing him, one year, in Hamlet at the Bondi Pavillion. Another year, I was going to Ruby Rabbit to see him sing in his funky soul band which was so much fun. He brought energy and passion to all of these endeavours. You couldn't help but feel inspired by him. Another excellent memory I have of Simon were the long, boozy lunches he hosted in St Leonards. He could wow his friends with his impressive culinary skills. These were happy afternoons full of good food, wine and conversation. My life was more interesting and exciting with Simon's friendship. He was a kind and generous hearted soul. I will never forget him. It is an indescribable loss. My heartfelt condolences go out to Sandra and Simon's family.

I knew you too briefly, but your music stayed with me long after we first met. Still the most soulful, committed singer it has ever been my honour to witness. Vale comrade.

every time the 'old school' friends got together for some form of engagement or wedding or whatever else you were there to have a laugh with, thank you for the MC tips, talking music and thank you for being so good to Sandra and meeting her parents... (no small thing!!) :)

Simon you were with us for only a short time , but it was easy to see you were a legend with the children. I will always regret not popping in to see you like I had been thinking of doing... Thanks for making Artarmon sparkle :)

I wish i'd popped in to chat with you last week and check all was ok. I wish Artarmon had more time with you - the kids loved you already You were a natural with children, that was easy to see Rest in Peace All my thoughts to your loved ones

A video tribute to my dear friend, Simon Cornell, who died last Friday, the 28th June, 2010. The audio for this clip is a recording of him, singing Bjork's "Hyperballad" - a track he recorded for the album "Returning Beauty", which was a present to my wife on her 30th birthday. Simon would never believe me that it was the best track on the album... but it was. He recorded it live, in a whole take, just as it is... very little mixing or processing needed. I will miss you Simon.

Nicholas Gledhill

14 years ago

I've corrected the date, to the 25th, on YouTube - but it hasn't shown up here...

A cheap ($0) pilot that Simon Cornel, Amelia Lindley and I put together. It was actually a "proof-of-concept" to see if we could get interest from Warren Brown at TVS to make it properly. We had many more scenes involving other characters such as The Father and The Devil himself... unfortunately the full version is still unmade. Nicholas Gledhill http://nicholas-gledhill.blogspot.com/ http://quietly-insane.blogspot.com/

Simon Cornell was my daughter's beloved teacher, 5A Lindfield PS. From day 1 he found what drove and motivated her. He showed her that learning was more than the words and numbers she found so difficult. Learning was about fun and music and support and care. He was so gentle and had so many gifts that he was so generous to share with all the children. He had so much more to give that it is a tragedy that he is gone. I take comfort that 5A had the opportunity to give him a loving send-off as he left for Artamron PS. Every child gave a tribute to him when he left, and he knew their appreciation for him. I'm scared to imagine how devastating the loss of this wonderful man would be to his most loved ones. My deepest sympathy is with you.

I knew you only such a short time....I know i will miss you for such a long time....

Too many memories to put into words you big spunk - what posers we are! I will miss the dance offs and the Cornell sweat.. James Brown will never be the same Heeeyh!! I will miss the Christmas games and the coonas that resulted... a fast game's a good game... I will never forget the look on your face one the way home from Sandra's first family dinner when we broke into "Shoop"... finallysome one on my side with a love for S & P... What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man. Your Bogan sista will miss you for the rest of her days xx

Without doubt the gentlest soul and kindest, most beutiful man I've ever known. I’m so grateful to have known you in this lifetime. What a deep loss to the world. I will never forget you, the joy and happiness you brought into my life.