Here is an assortment of memories, with some contributions from some of my contemporaries.

Miss Pichon was the head teacher for my whole time in both infants and junior schools. In assembly, she always wobbled her head when telling us something she was pleased about.

My first teacher at the junior school was Mr. Griffiths, who was keen on sports and also did woodwork. At the time, I was the youngest in his class, having come over the bridge from the infants a year early, and practical/physical stuff wasn't really me (I guess I was a bit of a weed, then), so I wasn't one of 'his boys'. End-of-year position in class: 21 out of 41.

Mr Griffiths also led the 'community singing' with Mr. McCobie at the piano. They communicated with each other using a sort of code (who knew the difference between 'canja-canja' and 'cajer-cajer'?).

Next, I had Mr. McCobie. He was keen on spelling, and the use of the ruler. Did his departure have anything to do with being reported to Miss Pichon (the head) for peeing in the cloakroom hand basins? 

Next was Miss Wasborough, who took the photo of me on the roof. She, too, was fond of the use of the wooden ruler. By then, some of us had learned that slightly turning our hand at the moment of impact would make the ruler break. This would make her lose her temper, and is probably my earliest recollection of winding a teacher up. Also, quite cleverly, I thought, she sat me, a good reader and speller, but useless with numbers, with Michael Johnson, who was quite the reverse. 

For my penultimate year, there was Mr. Jones. Another sports and handicrafts man who salivated a lot whilst speaking. 

Finally, there was Mrs. (Old Ma) Hammond. Built like Peggy Mount, and a voice to match. Had a heart of gold really. Her biggest failing? Had obvious favourites. I think I was one of them, but I never felt comfortable about it. I especially hated always being picked to be in 'the play'. The worst one was Sleeping Beauty when I had to KISS A GIRL! And they made me really do it! Ugh! Looking back, I probably should have jumped at the chance. Who knows? And where is she now?

I have to say, though that, like Miss Wasborough, some of her teaching methods were quite advanced for those days. She would sit fluent readers with those not so fluent, and encourage them to help each other.

Pamela Matthews:

The teachers I remember were Mr Griffiths (who was hot on our learning the 'times tables',which we did), Miss Wasborough (who was the spelling queen), Mrs Hammond (who took us in our last year & prepared us for senior school)and the Headmistress Miss Pichon.

Sylvia Stevenson:

Mr Griffiths: Smashing teacher. Was there for a short time. He'd make us all feel at ease and still managed to teach.

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