The accompanying photo roll was taken sometime in 1930, when I was a first year pupil.
At that time, we were 40 in class and we all received a good education; in fact, Don Jarmin (back row 24th from left) went on to become secretary of the Teacher's Union and was featured in a TV news interview during his term of office, which I recall seeing some 30 to 40 years ago.
Year 1, September 1929-1930: Front row - from left: Barton, ?, Wynne, ?, Sladden, Southwood, ?, Cann, ?, Gibson, Halsey, Element, ?, Fayers, ?, Anderson.
Then left to right: Proctor, ?, Simmonds, Neighbour, Rackley, ?, Wills, Pomfrey, ?, ?, Awberry, Winter, ?, Fulton.
Back row - from left: ?, ?, ?, Hayes, ?, ?, Hearn, 23rd Sansbury, D Jarmin, 34th Clarke, Glover, Ausden, ?, Ladd.
Second row - comm. 21 from left: Morgan (Yr 2), Petter, (Yr 1) Hart (Yr 4) Mitchell, A.E. Adkins (head), J Lilliman (Yr 5 and deputy head), G Vinen (science), OEP Newcater (Yr 3).
Pupils - from right: Pinn, Kipling, 15th Jenkins.
Third row - from right: Pupil teachers White and Bryant.
In year one, Mr Thomas Lionel Petter took us for maths and science (magnetism and mechanics). Our school trips were very limited and Mr Petter would take us to the Science Museum, Great Western Railway Works at Swindon and a seaside trip to Thorpe Bay (Southend) on a Saturday during term time.
Mr Morgan was English master in year two and was dubbed "Prute" after the use of that word to urge on the beast in Stevenson's "Travels with a Donkey", which was the book for our literature lessons.
Owen E.P. Newcater was of the new breed of schoolmaster. Himself a former pupil and son of a local headmaster, he was responsible for PE and sports. He was prone to liberal use of the largest gym shoe he could find to whack us on the buttocks for any misdemeanour. After his transfer to Leggatts Way School, the pupils there made up the following: "Newcater is a wily bird and goes to church on Sunday, he prays the Lord will give him strength to whack the boys on Monday."
Mr W (Jock) Hart taught us French. He later became head of Queens' Grammar School when transferred to Aldenham Road, Bushey. To this day, I can still remember the little French song he taught us: "Cut, Cui, Cui, dit un moineau gris", etc.
Mr Mitchell taught us music, short- hand, typewriting and book-keeping, which was the groundwork for me (after the war) to get my qualifications in accountancy, commercial law, maths, etc.
Mr J Lilliman took us for advanced maths and Mr Vinen for science.
Mr Owen Gentle took us for woodwork up to third year then we split for commercial or practical woodwork and metalwork.
On games afternoon, we had to walk from Derby Road, over the railway bridge, along Water Lane to Bushey Hall Road and up to the field in Greatham Road. There were two sheds - no light or heat - used as changing rooms.
We would then make our way back at the end of the afternoon. Some of us would stop off at Foskitt and Parker's shop in Bushey Hall Road for a bottle of pop - tuppence a pint bottle of Western's, the cheaper brand of the current R. White mineral waters. No escorts needed then.
Some rules: school caps must be worn at all times when coming to or going from school. As our colours were red and green - a large blob on the crown and green for the remainder - we were known as "half-ripe tomatoes".
School uniform for boys from Wm. Steabben, 174-178 High Street. Books and necessary stationery from G.T. Dukes. Miss Dukes was most knowledgeable.
Duce's Fish Shop and Camfields Restaurant, Market Street - out of bounds as was Mrs Halsey's Sweet Shop in Queens Road (opposite Radlett Road junction). Also, we must not be seen walking to and from school in company of female pupils.
Click on this picture to enlarge it.
Click on this picture to enlarge it.
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