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Memories from an old Cassian

3/2/2018

6 Comments

 
Whilst waiting for a delivery to come through the office to me I went on your website – as I am an old girl!  Very old – about to retire!! I came to you when Geoffrey Barrell was headmaster, he seemed to be a big and loud man, but then everyone was bigger than me at that age.  He was very smiley!  I remember Mr Dove who took us on a holiday down Penzance way.  We had rotten weather so came back as pale as we went but he was not to be deterred – 5 mins from arriving back in the station he came round to each of us and pinched our cheeks hard to make us looked windswept and healthy – not something he could get away with now!!  There was a lovely elderly gentleman who was a part time Red Cross teacher – he taught us a lot.  My first teacher in reception was Miss Johns.  Goodness she was terrifying.  She wore brogues, thick stockings (with a hankie tucked in the top of them) and tweed suits.  Her hair was divided into two, plaited and turned into buns around her ears, she looked like an elderly Princess Leia!!  She was built like Ann Widecombe and stomped about when on playground duty – kids scattering to the four corners to get out of her way!!
 
My second teacher was Mrs Jensen, a total opposite, very motherly lady.  At the annual spring concert she taught us to dance round the maypole making many beautiful patterns.  However one year a John Wheatcroft (father in the Met) put itchy powder on the ribbons and in our costumes and we spent rehearsals in contortions!!  I used to love the Founder’s Day service when we all walked to St Boltoph’s church with many admiring glances from the public – Lord of all Hopefulness was always the first hymn.  I also used to love being on the roof playground – probably not allowed now for H&S reasons.
 
One year we were raising funds for a charity and there was a Woolworths just pas St Boltoph’s.  I won a competition to spend 10 mins grabbing things that we could sell at our sale.  Miss Niker accompanied me and we had about 3 store staff members help us back with what I had grabbed.
 
I now feel sorry for Miss Niker as I went on holiday to Italy and saw her on her hotel steps in Venice quietly reading until my dulcet tones were heard from a passing tourist boat “Hello Miss Niker, it’s me, are you having a good holiday?”  I expect she was until she heard that!!
 
Oh memories!! 
6 Comments
Lorna Baker
3/2/2018 11:22:18 am

Hi there I to went to Sir John Cass I started in 1964 what year was you in. Have some very fond memories favourite teacher was Miss Marsteden

Reply
Colin Taylor
19/9/2018 12:19:18 pm

I can better that started in 1952 lived at the Tower of London my father was a warder, gteat memories of the school and friends.Head teacher Mr Hunt.looking for school pictures around 1960,

Reply
Michael Allen
11/7/2019 11:39:00 am

I had an especial friend in the late '50's at SJC, Stuart Housen, whose dad was a Yeoman Warder at the Tower. I remember a great birthday party after hours in the Tower. Running and playing around the grounds etc.

Michael Allen
11/7/2019 11:33:25 am

I went to Sir John Cass 1956-1965 under Geoffrey Barrel. My best remembered teachers were Mr Casey and Mr Spanswick. Casey especially was a great guy if you were willing to put the effort into your learning. He undoubtedly changed my way of thinking and encouraged me immeasurably. I also fondly remember the elderly gentleman mentioned above. I think you mean Mr Owens. He was an ex Indian Army and Gurkha officer, if I remember correctly, very polite and nicely spoken. I also remember Mr Hunt with his flower in his button-hole each day. I don't think many of us really appreciated how lucky we were to be in the school. There were numerous others their names sadly forgotten, but their memories linger on. Thank you SJCFS.

Reply
Andrew Chapman
22/1/2021 09:13:16 pm

I started at Cass in 1957 and finally left in 1970. Geoffrey Barrell was my headmaster for this whole time. I started with Miss Johns in the Infants and progressed into the Juniors with Miss Nika and then Spanswick as my form masters. In Senior School it was Terry Casey.

Class well by me - after university I followed a career in the City but have now long retired. Originally from Wapping, I now live in Mile End.

Andrew Chapman

Reply
Bobby Ahmed
6/2/2021 08:19:35 pm

1984 - 1990

I went to Sir John Cass and lived only a stones throw away Mansell St, the head teacher at the time was Mr Skelton and have fond memories of my time there especially our trip to Wales "Plas Enion"
If anyone from that year stumbles across this comments page section and has photos from that school journey to Wales please share on motorsalesspecialist@icloud.com
Im happy to send you back the group photos I have.

Best Regards

Bobby Ahmed

Reply



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