School reunions
 

Lot of school threads on here, and talk about reunions.

Where do you stand on reunions? either pupils or teachers?

Is it something you would look forward to, or your worst nightmare? to me it would be the latter.
How would you feel about meeting teachers who made certain comments about you in reports, good or bad?

What would you say to them?

To my needlework teacher who said i was useless at it, coz i couldn't thread a spool then....I ended up making money out of doing other peoples alterations.

To my domestic science teacher, who taught me how to present a salad correctly, yeah that's useful...I have saved pounds by being able to cook cheaply and healthily, and it wasn't anything you taught me.

To my maths teacher. I eventually breezed maths Gcse 5 years ago, but for the life of me don't know what good it did, lol

To my English teacher, who thought I was a lost cause after the first year, and saw me as a disappointment. My literacy skills have been noted in several places, and have allowed me to communicate to a standard whereby people take me seriously when I communicate with them, and has stood me in good stead when corresponding with official bodies.

To my art teacher... I really don't care!!!:D i can't draw for toffee, so what!

To the PE teacher, who, even though i was good in gym and games, insisted on showing me up in country dancing because I had 2 left feet...you were a bully...and I bet everyone who went to Accy high school knows who I mean. :)

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never been to one caz, never heard of one fer accy tech, think if they had one i would go, to see old mates hopefully, most of the teachers will have croaked anyway.:D

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A lot of my old teachers have died ... then why have a reunion when your nephews grandmother is one of my old teachers anyway ... I go to a meeting .. and bump into one of my old teachers and he remembered me ... 24 years after i'd left ... must have made a good impression, then most of the kids i went to school with i see when i go shopping etc cos most of them aint left the area ... a few did but most still live round here.

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my mates at school are still my mates today

the rest can sod off i dont care how rich or bald they got

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I have gone to Accy High School reunions for the girls who started there in 1953.
We hold them every 5 years and have had 3 so far.
Teachers are NOT invited - all of them have popped their clogs by now anyway.
They have been enjoyable - despite the numbers dwindling due to deaths.
I hope to make the next one - the 'girl' who organises them looks like she will last another 5 years at least

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That's true, my post was a bit hypothetical. But the bully is still with us lol!

Seeing ex pupils? Being the high school, didn't really mix with em that much, apart from in class. From different areas of town, or out of it. Used to hang about with mates from junior who went to Chrissy's, which was where I wanted to go any way, but didn't get the choice. Would be more interested in seeing people from other social circles.

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I've never been to official ones, as they look much too stuffy, but the other year I was asked to go back to QEGS and give a talk to the students.

Afterwards I was sat in the staffroom chatting to some of my old teachers, one so old that he's also taught my Dad. It just seemed very odd to be in there, being treated on equal terms, when we both knew I should really be waiting outside to be punished.

It was cool kissing my art mistress goodbye though.

That would have scored me top Brownie points back in 1978.

:D

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ya would happen be suprised caz how the bully has changed, i met one around 84, i left early 63, reminded him of his ways, to be honest he crapped himself,:rofl38::rofl38: nowt happened but it sure made my day.:D;)

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A couple of years ago I did meet my best friend from school, after twenty odd years.

Happily I haven't changed much, as apparently he recognised me straight away.

I'd just thought he was a grey haired middle aged man, who was rude for staring at me.

:D

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I confronted my bully too -she went bright red and denied any memory of it:D

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I'm talking about my Pe teacher cashy, not a pupil. :)

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Nowt wrong with giving them a piece of your mind - they can't give you detention for impudence anymore :)

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True Margaret! :D:D

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To this day i still call my nephews grandmother Mrs ...... why because i cant call her by her first name because it was drummed into me to call her Mrs ... by my mum & dad as if i'd been at school and called her .... then i'd have got in bother. When i went to that meeting i called my old teacher Mr ...... and he laughed and said call me ..... (his first name) but to me he's Mr .... not ..... Its a sign of respect.

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Some teachers earned respect - some didn't - it would be satisfying to let some of them know how miserably they failed

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Never been one for keeping in touch. My parents moved quite a bit when I was a child so I had lots of schools.

When I left school I went in the Merchant Navy and so was only with the same colleagues for a few months, then moved on.

The last job I was in for 17 years, the company has now closed. I know that most of them keep in touch and they reckon I’m a bit of a bore for not keeping in touch and meeting up …they are just acquaintances in my book.:)

So, no. I don’t do the reunion thing.

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That was the main reason for my initial post I suppose. Didn't realise teachers didn't attend these reunions.

The one teacher I admired at school, even though I wasn't particularly good at it, was my music teacher in the first year, Miss Kay.

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The Old Boys Association of Accrington Grammar School meet for an annual dinner and we have just started to have a Spring social evenuing ( pie, peas & a slide show or talk)In addition to this, various small groups meet socially. We like each other's company and feel a bonding to the school. Teachers are welcomed, though few attend. Membership costs nowt. Very few elect not to be on the register,though many take no part in activities. The majority like to be told about their classmates and teachers. Everyone attending the events goes home having enjoyed the experience. Laughter abounds, as does an acceptance that punishments were necessary and mostly within the boundaries of fairness. I was recently asked ( I am Mem Sec for the Association and have made great efforts to find lads of my year ,'52) "How is it that you are so keen on school matters now, when you spent more time in the headmaster's office and detention than in the classroom?" I cannot fully answer, but it would involve pride and a late-coming realisation that I was given a wonderful opportunity in life by the school and its staff.

As an Association, we are currently discussing with council and education authority officials, ways in which we can do something beneficial for today's lads & lasses. If the plan comes to fruition, these youngsters will receive something educational and the
town will become a brighter place. I will keep you informed. Reunions are worthwhile.

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Although there have been reunions for Holy Family I haven't been able to attend, mainly because of the same reason I am unable to attend A.W. meets. However, around 2 years ago I wrote a letter to the Obs regarding respect and how my generation respected or parents, teachers and the police and I went on to tell of the time I get an old school teacher some 20 years after leaving school, and I still addressed him as Sir, even in the pub we were in at the time. I actually named the teacher and said I respected him for how he had tried to put me on the straight and narrow, it was local historian Cliff Astin. the following wee I was sat watch the TV when the phone rang and it was Cliff himself, we chatted for about 30 minutes

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Oh don't think I would like one.... I hated school, took me all my time to go when I had to, so would not want to go back now: I see the odd person from time to time and its strange seeing how older we all look: but its a no from me on this one:

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I started at Accrington High in 1957, my year did organise a reunion several years ago, but I couldn't go as my daughter was getting married that day.

I can hazard a guess at which teacher you regard as a 'bully'.

I also rememeber being taught how to make a very fancy salad and several different types of cakes and puddings but can't remember making any main courses (unless you count macaroni cheese).

As for needlework at school, I remember making a cookery apron, that took all year to make, and some pyjamas that fell apart the first time I wore them. All the skills I eventually learned in needlework were what my Mum taught me, and my Auntie taught me to knit.
It was your sentence about salad that made me guess it was Accy High you went too, even before I got to the end of your post.

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I have only been back to Holy Family once since I left that was about 18 years ago, and to be quite honest nothing seemed to have changed really, the only difference was that on this visit I had a brew in the Staff Room, can't say I have ever been tempted o go back again

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Surname beginning with "T" ? :)

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I would happily see everyone from school, especially the teachers. They all thought I was a lost cause (maybe I still am!) and I'm doing pretty good for myself now. More than satisfied at the moment anyway.

As for students, I seemed to always be the centre of some stupid joke and mockery but when it has come down to it, I've probably ended up one of the most successful in my year in regards to academia and career prospects. Maybe I'm not married and lugging around toddlers, but I'm fulfilled in much greater ways (in my opinion) so I think it'd be fine.

I don't really care much about the opinions of my past classmates and never did care much, so I'm not entirely sure I'd get much out of an evening with them.

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That is exactly who was thinking about.

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Caz, will you please p.m. me with this name .. doing me head in .. on the tip of my tongue.

Know you are about 10 years behind me so may not remember Miss Salter ... English. Being interested in drama was always pulled out in class to do short scenes with her .. played Cleopatra to her Anthony LOL... she had big boobs so you had to use your imagination.

Miss Kay ... a sweetie.

I would love to go to a re-union to see what everyone has been up to over the last 50years. Had no issues with anyone there; although teachers gave up on me early. :rolleyes: Think I missed my year .. can't understand how MargaretR has been to a few ?

I made pyjamas too Claytonender 'Baby Doll' ones in blue/white check seersucker .. don't think I ever wore them either .. full of bloodstains from constantly pricking me fingers .. had to hand sew them. ! French seams too.

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PM sent

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English, 1st 2 years, Miss Bullough, can't remember after that

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Katex - Which year did you start at the High School?

Do you remember Miss Scotney? She had the most complicated of making you swop papers after a class test, so you couldn't just give the paper to a friend in the next row to mark it.

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The reunions I have been to have all been organised by one 'girl' in our year who took the trouble to keep track of us over the decades.
The first reunion was in the 90s - after 40 years!!!
She had scrapbooks which included newspaper clippings of our weddings and funerals etc. as well as school photos.
There were about 100 people to keep track of and the ones who now live abroad sent her letters which were read out.
An amazing feat of dedication on her part.
I was in a year ahead of you, even though we are the same age, because I passed the 10+ instead of the 11+ and went a year early


PS the name may be a sportmistress- 'beaky' who wore thick orange Panstick

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Oh thank you, thank you, yes, that was her .. a bit bossy .. will sleep well now.

Oh yes, Miss Scotney .. the History Dragon. Having said that the year I had her threw up my best marks ever. (After years of 20 >> 30%, got 60+ % . strange the things you remember LOL) She used to wrap you on the knuckles if you did not write the letter 'S' as she preferred it .. must have been an ego trip thing ?

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Tell us more about the pajamas:mosher: Maybe you could have made a fortune manufacturing self-destructing PJs ;)

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I remember Miss Scotney's impromptu tests, where she would say 'give the reason why...', and gave you 2 mins to write it.
Then after the swopping of papers (as prev mentioned) for marking, would then spend 10 minutes providing ten reasons so that you only scored 1 out of 10 for each question
Terryfying wasn't it

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thing i noticed, there was dragons n swine in every school back then, but all of you ive met aint suffered too much from it, ya all grown up good folk.;)

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xxxx Bless Cashy.

You getting to be a dirty old man Eric ? :D

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I was born a dirty old man ... when I was young I was a dirty old man in training .... ;)

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I consider your remarks very mild and amusing
There is a member here who offends me often - I do not think that you could ever stoop as low as he does

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Name and shame Margrit?

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surprising thing is , it's the 'dragons and swines' who most of us look back and remember now as being the best teachers, whose stuff we still remember to this day , think they were the ones who had a genuine interest in trying through fair means or foul to knock an education into our skulls ;) :D

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Did Valantine get his leg over?
Ever done the 'Mile high' thing Margaret?

said in the last 8 days-
I could find and list more but choose not to make my evening cringeworthy

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It's me...............Yipee..
Next time you come on with a one liner that you think is funny remember that I might not think it's funny.
By the same token what I think is funny might not appeal to your sense of humour, such is life. :).
I could have come on stonger but I don't want to upset a lady.

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That girl sounds scary.

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i agree with blazey, thats slightly stalker-ish!

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I don't think there is a 'slightly' or 'ish' about it :p

Though today's technology allows you to keep a track on people with so much ease that I guess we are all guilty of it now. I personally think the effort put into cutting out things and keeping them all just seems odd though.

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She did rely on us telling her when we moved address so you could 'disappear' if you really wanted to, but if you had been to one of the reunions she would assume that you had overlooked doing it, and ask others that she knew were in recent touch with you, if they would pass the word that another reunion was pending.
None of us regarded it as stalking - she isn't a weirdo sort - no more weird than stamp collecting :)

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Not all that odd ... just a little old-fashioned .... you are too young to understand ..... I always wanted to be old enough to be able to say that;):D

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Well I keep a scrap book of my own doings, but I can't imagine doing it for someone else, not to that extent anyway.

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I don't think I'd go to a reunion if we had one.

I'm in touch with those I liked and I still like them.

I don't really care where the ones I didn't like are or what they're doing.

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Well, claytonender, as you'll be aware I didn't go to the Girls High School, but I knew Philis Scotney very well, can remember going to her home on Whalley Road many times, usually to get her signature on Nomination Papers:Dshe was a lovely old lady. I can't just remember but have you any idea how old she was when she died, must have been well into her nineties

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I can't remember how old she was but I am pretty sure someone has said how old she was on Friends Reunited - I'll have a look and get back to you.

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Never been to one since I havent been home to Accrington in so long