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MESSAGE BOARD Most recent replies within threads: Reply 1 in thread 85. Reply 13 in thread 12. Reply 2 in thread 31. Reply 4 in thread 83. Reply 1 in thread 31. Reply 2 in thread 84. |
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| Please note that opinions expressed here about the school as it is now can never reflect the opinions of the website owner, who was at the school a very long time ago and therefore cannot possibly have any opinion of what the school is like now. | ||
| THREAD 85 NAME: Derek White DATE: 05 January 2012 CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1955-62 I've had this badge for years and always thought it was from my blazer or my brother's (Kerry White). He was there 1949 - 1955 then me from 1955 - 1962 not sure if it was his or mine. However it differs considerably from Ian Sadler's badge already in the museum bits and pieces - could it be an OE badge? It is very ornate compared to the 1953 badge - anyone know? Additionally, when I was in 1A our form room was Alfie's (S E Alford) and I think known as Room G or was it? For once I can't remember - can any body help out? VIEW 1 REPLY
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| THREAD 84 NAME: Anon DATE: 29 November 2011 CONNECTION WITH QE: ex-parent My child full of innocence and happiness went to this school. He came out depressed, wrecked and suicidal. Once depression sets in, it remains with you forever, you learn to live with it. Depression is a serious illness and can lead to suicide and self harm. I thought the school was good and normal, when I sent him there. It got great results, but I did not know the price I would have to pay. VIEW 2 REPLIES
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| THREAD 83 NAME: Stuart Quin DATE: 06 August 2011 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1955-1962 I have just come across this Q.E.website by accident. I have found it very interesting and although it is 49 years since I left I still can remember so much. I would not say I had a particularly distinguished record and I was no doubt the loser, not wishing to stay on beyond 4.05pm. In fact Peter Brown and I were probably first down the drive most days. I gained sufficient qualifications to become a solicitor. I worked in Watford from leaving school until I retired in 2009. I have been for many years a Deputy District Judge and I come across Martin Iller from time to time as he is also a DDJ. On reflection I realise that Q.E. was a first class school and if I had my time again I would not waste it. To illustrate the point that I did not really get involved was when Mr Jenkins was retiring in 1961. All lower 6th boys were called into the hall. The purpose was to find out what we intended to do after leaving in 1962 so that the new headmaster Mr Edwards would have some idea. Mr Jenkins went along the line of boys calling them up to the stage by name.When it came to me he did not know who I was and just said "you boy". I went up. I knew exactly what I wanted to do and had already lined up articles of clerkship. That was the first time I had spoken to Mr Jenkins since my interview in 1955. In fact I never went into his study. It could be said I kept a low profile. I think that because I was not particularly sporty and did not realise my academic potential until after I had left, although I have not done so badly after leaving school. I am grateful for the opportunity I had, although I realise I could have made a lot more of my time at one the best schools in the country. Finally in my opinion the best masters by a mile were John Wakelin and Richard Dilley. They actually taught us. VIEW 4 REPLIES
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| THREAD 82 NAME: Anon DATE: 20 July 2011 CONNECTION WITH QE: Current student I've spent the best part of half a decade at QE now, and regrettably, the experience has been thoroughly unpleasant. The institution has a Victorian attitude to education; one afro-carribean boy has been excluded from school indefinitely for having hair of too short a length, and will only be accepted back when it grows back. Senior members of staff act thoroughly unprofessionally in their attitude towards students; insults hurled by senior members of staff towards vulnrable children in the past include 'lowlife scum'. QE might get you the grades- but this is due to the hard work of the teachers at ground level. On a senior level, including members of staff on higher posts (and much higher salaries) there is a culture of sanctimony and arrogance. It is an institution obsessed with money, and was recently criticised by the government for placing undue pressure on parents to contribute. This school needs to shape up and come into the 21st Century. (NO REPLIES YET) RETURN TO TOP | ||
| THREAD 81 NAME: Yessar DATE: 19 February 2011 CONNECTION WITH QE: Prospective parent Having seen the mixed messages about QE, I am not sure if I will be doing the right thing for my son if he gets selected in 10 days. We noted that he was way ahead of his school year and did not send him for entrance tests tutoring. He has reached the final stages of almost all indies he applied to. Unfortunately, we don't think that he would get any funding and that would rule out indies for him. We have now decided to go in with QE (provided he gets it). In case he gets some scholarship from schools like John Lyon, would anyone be able to suggest if JL may be a better option than QE - considering the QE students' issues being discussed in the thread here? VIEW 2 REPLIES
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| THREAD 80 NAME: Vic Coughtrey (webmaster) DATE: 09 February 2011 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1954-59 Sadly, I've received news from Mike Cottrell of the death of one of our contributors, John Hamilton. John attended QE from 1958-64. Your memories of him would be welcome. (NO REPLIES YET) RETURN TO TOP | ||
| THREAD 79 NAME: Mike Cottrell DATE: 10 December 2010 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64 Congratulations are due to Nigel for finding after all these years a copy of The Elizabethan from July 1959 and submitting the fascinating pieces on the retirement of 'Frosty' Winter and 'Dickie' Whittington [see Museum - former staff]. What I find most amazing is how old they both were when they retired. Dickie was born about 1887 and would have been 72ish when he retired whereas Frosty was born about 1906 and therefore only 53ish in 1959. I must admit at the time they seemed extremely old to me but looking back now perhaps they were not. VIEW 7 REPLIES
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| THREAD 78 NAME: Philip Ward DATE: 01 December 2010 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1935-44 The first teacher that a new entrant would meet in the 1930s was Miss Sims. Retained, I understood, to ease the shock of nine-year-olds, who had not yet experienced male teachers, she did nothing of the sort. She was short, mousy, elderly and TOUGH. She ruled 1B teaching English, Maths and elementary Latin. If I remember, "Poker" Pearce had 1A. Also, on that dreaded first morning, the new boy would meet the 'Second Master' (Deputy Head) - "Knobby" Knowles, who took "Hall". "Knobby" was the kindest, gentlest elderly gentleman you could hope to meet. Sometimes accompanied by "Ernie"in Hall, Knobby always took Prayers, reading from the Anglican Prayer Book with a rich, deep voice and a North-Country accent. I can't remember what he taught, but he disappeared quietly and without ceremony some time before the war. Then there was our one exchange teacher. Herr Jung was a German Olympian (1936 I believe). Handsome and charming, he taught athletics and introduced pole-vaulting to the school. He was immensly popular, but during the war we heard a rumour that he had been killed in Crete, serving as a paratrooper. One of my favourites was our geography master, Mr. Briault. He was a gentle, competent, middle-aged teacher with a crippled right hand which we understood was the result of a First World War wound. As far as I was concerned, the best of them all was Mr. Wiltshire (Wilsher ?). A temporary, wartime replacement, he was old, kind and dedicated and taught English Literature. He had previously taught at a private school and brought its idiosyncrasies with him - always addressing us as "Sir" ! ( "Sir, please stand up and read from line ....." ). I may be biased, because he liked my voice and called on me often. He gave me a love of the English Language which has served me well. Then there was another (permanent) English teacher who co-authored A Book of English Verse with "Ernie". A.S.Vaughan-Thomas was the brother of Wynford Vaughan-Thomas, a famous BBC news-reporter/talk-host of the time. A good teacher but a man of uncertain temper. I think he was Housemaster of Stapylton, and his canings were legendary. He drew blood. As for Frosty, Snowball, KLW, Ernie, Poker and Belch - they are already on the site. VIEW 10 REPLES
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| THREAD 77 NAME: Tim Newton DATE: 26 October 2010 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1968-72 VARIOUS MEMORIES 1968-1972: The Lecture Theatre, summer 1971, physics. I sat high up at the back. The top windows were all tilted, open. Through one of these I could see a cricket match in progress, just a years' sports period. But blow me, as I watched I witnessed a demon bowler take about 6 wickets in 3 overs. It was the same demon who opposed my house (Stapylton) in an inter-house cricket match. Luckily for me I was batting at 10 or 11th man - this guy (short and tubby, but a demon none the less) had skittled us out for a win early, so I didn't have to face him - not to mention the fact that I had no 'protection'. Chemistry lab, circa 1971. Mr Gibbons would inspect the closed up sinks set into the benches at the end of each lesson. One day we decided to show him what we could cook up and towards the end of the period discreetly pass by a particular sink and pour in any chemical with thought would do well. On opening this sink at close of lesson, a thick oily brown cloud blossomed forth .. (NO REPLIES YET) RETURN TO TOP | ||
| THREAD 76 NAME: Mr Kalyan DATE: 25 October 2010 CONNECTION WITH QE: Parent of prospective pupil What is your real opinion of the school now? Is it better than the other secondary schools in London? And of course there are issues like any other schools have, such as teachers. IS good enough to send my son to? We were very impressed to learn about the school, but reading the comments on this website makes you somewhat confused as to whether it is worth it or not (in applying for my son). VIEW 2 REPLIES
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| THREAD 75 NAME: Max Dyson DATE: 04 October 2010 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 65-72 There were some teachers with a much more liberal touch than the oft mentioned toughies. Gungy Bannerman and Roger Evans in English, Slasher Lowe with his proto environmental concerns and John Postle who showed me that technical drawing was worth doing. I got even with Tiger by letting my very pretty girlfriend chat up the drunken buffooon one night at the Black Death "Have you met my girlfriend sir?" However something must have sunk in as I used Latin to good effect when working in medical publishing. I now teach and try hard not to ever be the bullying monsters that some of the QE staff could be. Academy status will no doubt enrich the Head but if other experiences are anything to go by then free thinking staff will soon leave. I enjoy our yearly reunion but it is very much about old friends living in the present and not trying to amend the past. (NO REPLIES YET) RETURN TO TOP | ||
| THREAD 74 NAME: Adam Lines DATE: 21 September 2010 CONNECTION WITH QE: Inmate 1957-64 Queen Elizabeths Academy - maybe new name, new regime? (NO REPLIES YET) RETURN TO TOP | ||
| THREAD 73 NAME: Rushil Sajip DATE: 20 September 2010 CONNECTION WITH QE: Current pupil I currently go to QE, and I disagree with what you are saying. The teachers have proven to be extremely caring and very capable at teaching. I have never felt abused by any of the teachers here and they are obviously doing their job well, as we are top of the leader board. QE is an excellent school. VIEW 1 REPLY
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| THREAD 72 NAME: Tim Newton ('Noggy') DATE: 19 September 2010 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1968-73 I can recall the usual names and positions of the rugby team I was in 1968 - 1973. Loose head prop, Stern; Hooker, Ward; Tight head prop, yours truly; Second row, Wiggins and Maynard; No.8, Wheelans; Flankers, Forster and Sinclair; Scrum half, Wells; Fly half, Harrower; 1st centre, Steele; 2nd centre, Clark(e); Wingers, Franklin and Jones; Full back Clark(e), no relation to other Clark(e). We were quite successful - I can remember only three defeats in five years. I confess to scoring two tries which were not tries - one Eric Shearly gave, so I wasn't going to argue. There are more rugger stories to regale you with - but later. Mr Morris coached us. Good site. VIEW 2 REPLIES
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| THREAD 71 NAME: Max Dyson DATE: 15 September 2010 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1965-72 I found this site via the name Covington and of course checked out the Jack C connection. Our year 1965-72 was always socially cohesive (I have over 50 current contacts via email and Facebook) and we have managed to have an annual reunion for the last 11 years held on Founder's Day at either the Black Horse or the Nelson. Opinions and memories of the place vary quite widely but are generally acceptant and positive. VIEW 1 REPLY
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| THREAD 70 NAME: Vic Coughtrey (webmaster) DATE: 02 September 2010 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1954 - 1959 A rather srange rumour has reached me that the school is seeking to 'take over' the administration of the OE Association. Apparently it has something to do with the present committee finding the task a little burdensome. Has anyone any further info? (NO REPLIES YET) RETURN TO TOP | ||
| THREAD 69 NAME: A. Docherty DATE: 07 August 2010 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1992-99 Who was that female music teacher in the '90s ... Mrs Rowland or something like that? (NO REPLIES YET) RETURN TO TOP | ||
| THREAD 68 NAME: B.Kaufman DATE: 22 July 2010 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1990s I was there in the mid-late 1990s. QE Boys gave me a hell of an education, and many good grades to boot. Having said that, it seemed pretty authoritarian at times, perhaps unnecessarily so? So for example there was one occasion where a rather over-excited Business Studies teacher lined five of us up outside his office, apparently having heard one of us swear during the lunch break. We were in fact discussing our pet dogs and cats and were having fun in the playground. But no ... He was certain one of us had used the 'F' word and decided to find out who by lining us up, screaming said word in our 12-year old faces, spitting in the process and just because I found this funny and laughed, he of course assumed I was the guilty party. Detention ensued when in fact I wanted to take part in the conker championships. Other than that, fun old times. VIEW 1 REPLY
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| THREAD 67 NAME: Kevin O'Connor DATE: 30 June 2010 CONNECTION WITH QE: None Today, in Kampala, I saw a Ugandan man wearing a QE tracksuit top and took this pic. The explanation lies in the fact that most Ugandans wear second-hand clothes imported from First World countries such as USA and UK. (NO REPLIES YET) RETURN TO TOP | ||
| THREAD 66 NAME: Roger Nolan DATE: 23 May 2010 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1960-67 Does anyone know if the Mrs Swan who taught us mathematics in the 1960’s is the same Mrs Swan who was Headmistress of Tonbridge Girls Grammar School in the 1990’s where my daughter was a pupil? There seemed to be a likeness between the two and I often wondered if they were one and the same. Also in the 1990’s, my son had a games master at his school in Kent called Phil Marriott who had taught at QE. Does anyone remember him or know anything about his career at QE? (NO REPLIES YET) RETURN TO TOP | ||
| THREAD 65 NAME: Barney Neville DATE: 15 April 2010 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1984-91 As a former pupil, I was wondering whether the old swimming pool, with its slimy gunge across the walls, still stands? VIEW 9 REPLIES
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| THREAD 64 NAME: Rivelin Cripps DATE: 15 March 2010 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1990s I wonder if somebody could inform me of the whereabouts of Messrs Jones (English Literature), Byshovetsokov (Russian) and Oulton (History). These were my dearest teachers and I wonder if they have perhaps retired; they would be of a retiring age. VIEW 4 REPLIES
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| THREAD 63 NAME: Stephen Giles DATE: 15 March 2010 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64 It's funny how something long forgotten since I left QE in 1964 suddenly suddenly became part of every working day. About 3 years ago, a new front door was installed at my workplace, with a keypad for the entry code. By coincidence, this entry code happened to be the same as the number on my kitbag padlock - so very easy to remember! VIEW 4 REPLIES
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| THREAD 62 NAME: Nigel Wood DATE: 28 February 2010 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64 Does anyone else remember the Rev'd John Leonard Kaye? He taught maths at QE in the early and mid 1960s. His level of intelligence was stratospheric, but, seemingly always genial and encouraging, he wore his intellectual gifts lightly. I believe he went on to be principal of a college (in Northants?). Then what? I wonder. VIEW 4 REPLIES
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| THREAD 61 NAME: Solan Mani DATE: 10 February 2010 CONNECTION WITH QE: Current pupil Anyone know how the refectory started and how lunch was bought? I have attended two years of paying lunch using a swipe card. Today QE has started a finger printing scheme to pay for lunch? What do all you OE guys think about it? VIEW 3 REPLIES
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| THREAD 60 NAME: 'Buddy' Oosterhuis DATE: 04 January 2010 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil in 1990s I attended the school for a few years during the 1990s, when my father moved here for business reasons. I remember clearly a rumour that at one time an IRA gunman was arrested in the playground. I wonder if anyone can shed any light on this as it has been bothering me for years!? Also, for people wondering about my name, the form didn't let me give my (embarrassingly) long name: I am Winston Joost 'Buddy' Van Der Neuwenschwander-Oosterhuis. (NO REPLIES YET) RETURN TO TOP | ||
| THREAD 59 NAME: Ian Sadler DATE: 01 January 2010 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1951-58 Sad news re RICHARD SHEWELL (see thread 49). I have just learnt that he died two weeks before Christmas at the age of 87. In my view he was an amazing man and I consider it a privilege to have been taught by him in the past and known him again in recent years. (NO REPLIES YET) RETURN TO TOP | ||
| THREAD 58 NAME: Malcolm Brown DATE: 31 December 2009 CONNECTION WITH QE: Relative of former pupil I'm researching my family history and my Uncle, Kenneth H.V.Palmer attended QE between 1935 and 1939. Is there anyone who has any memories of him, the house he was attached too, or indeed photographs of him? He served as a Halifax pilot in the war, but sadly lost his life in 1947. Any information would be great interest. (NO REPLIES YET) RETURN TO TOP | ||
| THREAD 57 NAME: Jonathan DATE: 18 December 2009 CONNECTION WITH QE: Current pupil (since 2005) Many of the complaints of the OEs who have shown anger towards the school for how they were treated during their time their seem hard to comprehend to me, a current Year 11 at the school. It is clear that the school has changed 'its ways' since then as it not only offers an excellent level of education but really does build character, encouraging boys to take up extra-curricular activities wherever possible. I agree that the school's disciplinary system is flawed, often accusing innocent pupils of wrongdoings in hope that they will confess to a crime they did not commit, but in the wider picture it is more beneficial to have a strict set of rules as it instils discipline within the boys who will carry this into their future careers and everyday life. QE is a machine. In goes a rabble of inexperienced young boys and out comes a group of intellegent, well-rounded young men. (NO REPLIES YET) RETURN TO TOP | ||
| THREAD 56 NAME: John Reimann DATE: 21 September 2009 CONNECTION WITH QE: Inmate 1960 - 1966 QE Boys School, Barnet is not just a school. It is a dreadful remnant of an Era of The British Empire. This 'Culture' is still present in that dreadful institution from what I have read. It tried to get recognition as some sort of Eaton or Harrow in the 'Pompous' days around WW1 and WW2 and the 'boys' were probable cannon fodder, hence the paramilitary nature of the school and it's teaching staff. Today, that place sounds still so awful! I feel sorry for every boy in that place and the British Govnt should change the entire 'culture' of that miserable hole. VIEW 32 REPLIES
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| THREAD 55 NAME: John Hamilton PIC DATE: 22 August 2009 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1958 - 1964 'A' level results: As this forum probably should not be used for political whingeing, it's best if we old fogies only comment on the extraordinary percentage of 'A' grade results in the modern era when we are in a pub with our mates; but whatever the systems now in place, we ought to congratulate QE pupils on being top of the results table again. I've just looked at the official website - goodness me, how do these guys find time to sleep? (NO REPLIES YET) RETURN TO TOP | ||
| THREAD 54 NAME: John Reimann DATE: 24 July 2009 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1960 - 1966 As with many respondents, my years at QE were a living Hell! Every day was designed to be purposefully torture and pompous, classist, ignorant, stupid, sadistic experience for the sole benefit of the very poor teaching staff, most of whom would be on criminal charges of assault by today's standards. VIEW 1 REPLY
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| THREAD 53 NAME: Vic Coughtrey (webmaster) DATE: 15 July 2009 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1954 - 1959 This is the first time I've posted a new thread, preferring to take a back seat as webmaster and let you all get on with it. However, on this occasion I want to thank you for your surprisingly rapid response to the mass email I sent to all named contributors, on the subject of password protection. Within hours of sending the message, about three quarters of you had responded - enough to announce already that the majority of you don't want to bother with password protection for the notice board. In fact, there haven't been any 'ayes' yet. I would especially like to thank you for the messages of appreciation and support that many of you included in your replies. What an amiable bunch we are! I'm not going to be able to thank everyone individually, I'm afraid. But now the apology. I always get hot under the collar when friends send mass emails but put the addresses in the 'to' field instead of the 'bcc' field, thus exposing all recipients' email addresses to all recipients. I often lecture them on it, but in a (perfectly characteristic) fit of absent-mindedness, that's exactly the crime I myself committed on this occasion. The problem has been compounded, so I'm told, by some of you hitting 'reply to all' instead of just 'reply' when sending a message back to me. That has meant that everyone else on the list has also received your message to me! Firstly, apologies for the confusion and inconvenience caused. Secondly, if you haven't replied yet but intend to, please don't hit 'reply to all'! (NO REPLIES YET) RETURN TO TOP | ||
| THREAD 52 NAME: Bon Banjo DATE: 22 June 2009 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1993 - 2000 I attended QE between 1993 and 2000. The issue a lot of you simply don't understand is that, like it or lump it, QE prepares you for life. If there is one thing QE taught me, its this: as long as you are perceived to be doing what you are told, outside of that you can do pretty much what the heck you like. This can be applied once you leave QE. The school definitely had issues, but if you came with a 'yes sir, no sir, two bags of whatever you want sir' you were able to get away with a helluva lot more than the stroppy kids who were a full time nuisance. I ended up in investment banking after QE and it is a tough, competitive, unforgiving environment. QE prepares you for that. It all depends on what you want out of life, I guess, but I shall certainly be sending my kids there, but not before they've been briefed in the do's and dont's. VIEW 12 REPLIES
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| THREAD 51 NAME: Mike Carter DATE: 08 June 2009 CONNECTION WITH QE: Old Boy 1957-1963 Does anyone out there recall learning how to sail on a trip to the Norfolk Broads in 1963? We stayed under canvas on a site owned by Norfolk Schools at Barton Turf, sailing on Barton Broad. Once again I think our mentors were Messrs. Fry and Dilley & possibly Alford (did they go on every school trip?). I recall that we started craft that would hold several pupils and a member of staff moving up to a Wayferer as we apparently got the hang of things. I must have learnt something as I left QE at the end of my first term in the 6th form when my parents moved to Norfolk and I had to join another school. That was a shock after being able to walk to QE I now had a 3 mile cycle ride, 10 mile train journey and then a 15 minute walk to reach the school. At least we didn't have to go in on Saturdays. I ended up crewing for a friend at this school and together we represented Norfolk in the East of England Schools sailing championships at Brancaster and Burnham on Crouch. VIEW 3 REPLIES
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| THREAD 50 NAME: Mike Carter DATE: 08 June 2009 CONNECTION WITH QE: Old Boy 1957-1963 Mention has been made of the trip to Lake Como in I think 1958. This sent me looking at various slides I took on that holiday (those that came out) and I have one of Messrs Alford, Dilley and Fry. Regretfully I haven't been able to find any other slides showing participants on the trip although I do have one of the hotel staff. I remember that we were asked to provide any photos taken for a parents evening which took place some time afterwards. The trip included a visit to Milan where we had a tour of the Cathedral and that we returned to the UK via Lucerne on Lake Geneva. VIEW 2 REPLIES
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| THREAD 49 NAME: Ian Sadler DATE: 02 June 2009 CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1951-1958 We have recently heard of the deaths of 4 teachers who were at the school in the 1950s. On a positive note I would like to report that another teacher of that era is very much alive. Richard Shewell was principal physics teacher and later head of science from 1949 to 1956. He was a contemporary and great friend of Eric Crofts. He also accompanied Eric and Ollie Alford on the first winter skiing trips. He was a brilliant teacher and always made the lessons interesting. He was also a skilled wood worker, glass blower and artist. His main hobby was music and with Eric he formed QE's first orchestra. He was a first class violinist who also played the viola, cello, clarinet and french horn (all well). Some of you may remember his Wednesday "lunchtime proms" - 15 mins of all sorts of music. His jazz clarinet playing earned him the name of "Hot lips Shewell" although his normal nick-name was "Humph" (after Humphry Davy). He gave me (and several others) our first lessons on the violin and started one or two others on his other instruments. I managed to track him down 4 years ago. Recently, on a trip South (from Edinburgh!), I paid him a second visit. Now 87, he stays in a care home near Skipton and has a degenerative spine problem which means he can no longer stand up straight. Not that he lets that stop him doing things - we walked to the local pub for lunch. 3 years ago he gave up playing the violin - as he could no longer make the sound he wanted, so he taught himself to play the flute! He had some wonderful stories about the school and does a superb take-off of EHJ! He never wore a gown (in spite of EHJ's insistence): he said it was unsafe in a laboratory! I came away having had a great 5-hour break in my journey. A really positive amazing man. If any one wishes to get in touch with him, please contact me. (NO REPLIES YET) RETURN TO TOP | ||
| THREAD 48 NAME: Robin Dare (Dur) DATE: 20 May 2009 CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1967-71 Where are all you ex convicts from 1967 to 1971? We may not have learned very much but I'm sure those of us from 3c and beyond attained at least basic skills in reading and writing! Frep Forster? Hob Perkins? I have loads of names, a class photo from my first year in 1B and my own photos taken after getting relegated to 3C. Anybody want to free up those repressed memories? "I Have A Dreadful Memory" said The Kid - "What Other Folk Forget, I Remember". VIEW 1 REPLY
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| THREAD 47 NAME: Lisa Harding DATE: 02 March 2009 CONNECTION WITH QE: Ancestral I have found this website to be absolutely fascinating, so thank you! I can lay claim to a family member who attended QE in about 1871. My great grandfather James William Harding went on to become a Master Cooper and is listed in the 1871 census as being at the grammar school in Wood Street, which as we know was Queen Elizabeth's. Do you have any idea how I would be able to find out more about my great grandfather's time at the school. I assume that they keep records of all pupils but so far my enquiries have gotten me no response. Any help you could give would be gratefully received. VIEW 2 REPLIES
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| THREAD 46 NAME: Philip Ward DATE: 01 March 2009 CONNECTION WITH QE: Inmate 1935-1944 Thank you, Vic, for telling the truth about 'Dotheboys Hall' on your personal website. I think I am probably the oldest person to join this Web community so far, but the place obviously had not changed in the decade between my suffering and yours. I always thought that the Head, 'Ernie' Jenkins, must have had remarkable biceps, from all the floggings he dispensed. I was in Leicester House, and was fortunate in that my Housemaster, Mr. Normanton (Chemistry) was one of the few who clearly disliked caning. He did it, but reluctantly, and fairly gently. I loved your description of 'Frosty' Winter's teaching method. That is exactly as I remember it. During the war, we had a lot of elderly 'retread' teachers who replaced the younger ones who were in the forces. One of them was 'Frosty's' wife, known as 'Snowball'. She taught Physics and Maths - in a much more forceful manner than her husband taught History. One of the wartime duties of the senior boys was fire-watching, which entailed staying overnight. The occasional air-raids were no problem, but "Ernie's" taste in music was. The school owned a very powerful PA system, used for making announcements at sporting events. It was stored in the Masters' Common Room at the west end of the upper floor, where 'Ernie' resided when he was fire-watching. He owned a comprehensive collection of Wagner records, which he played incessantly, all night, at full throttle. I vividly remember trying to sleep at the extreme opposite end of that floor and feeling the building structure shuddering to the strains of The Flying Dutchman! We also had an Air Training Corps squadron, which must have been the worst in the country. It was officered by three masters, 'Flight Lieutenant' "Belch" Strugnel, 'Flying Officer' Harrison and 'Flying Officer' "Poker" Pearce, none of whom had the slightest interest in aviation. Our main activity consisted of thinly disguised maths lessons, usually posted as 'navigation'. Meanwhile every other ATC squadron was flying gliders or playing with real aeroplanes. Another memory is of Founder's Day before the war. After the traditional roll-call in the grounds of the old school, we were marched into the school, where its features were pointed out to us and our attention was gleefully drawn to the whipping-post, no doubt to show us how lucky we were. Six months after leaving QEGS I was in the Army (Infantry) and marvelling at the fairness, reasonablness and lack of brutality of military discipline, compared to my experiences at school. I hated every minute spent in the stifling, snobbish, class-ridden atmosphere of QEGS. Reading the comments of contemporary students, I get the impression that a good deal of the old attitudes survive, although they do seem to have given up teaching good English. ADSUM ! VIEW 1 REPLY
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| THREAD 45 NAME: Simon Kalman DATE: 06 February 2009 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1970-74 As many of you will already know, Bernard (Bernie) Pinnock died a couple of weeks ago and his cremation was held on Tuesday (3rd Feb) in Hendon. He was just sort of his 85th birthday and died after sustaining a fall outside his home in Mill Hill. Remembered by countless thousands of boys, it was interesting to hear about his life from the various speakers who remembered him at the ceremony. He attended the famous Christ's Hospital (Bluecoat) School at Horsham, read maths at Reading University (for whom he played cricket in the 1st XII and rugby) and then spent his entire career teaching at QE. There were a number of OE's present, as well as Messrs Kobish & Kelsall. He was a devout Christian and the Service of Thanksgiving was a fitting tribute to someone who was a real character amongst some pretty 'grey' men. Although maths was not my best or favourite subject, he really did try hard to get the best out of me (and many others). He will be greatly missed and we are all the richer for knowing him. VIEW 1 REPLY
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| THREAD 44 NAME: Adam Lines DATE: 06 February 2009 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64 Reading a recent report in our local paper (teacher suspended for "clipping" a pupil's ear), I recalled the discipline and punishment regime in place at QE during my tenure. Clipping of an ear or a whack on the back of the head were of course commonplace at the time as was the expertly aimed piece of chalk and the occasional flying blackboard rubber as a means of getting a boy's attention during lessons. More formal proceedings were initiated by the issue of reports by both teachers and prefects - a "D" for minor shortcomings up to an "A" for the most serious lapses such as flicking a pellet or being late for gym. I seemed to get, probably with some justification, more A reports than most with the result that my preparations for handing it in to Tiger were well rehearsed knowing that it would result in an invitation to "follow me boy" to the punishment room. "Padding up" with several pairs of woollen swimming trunks reduced the sting of 3 or 6 strokes of the birch to almost bearable levels although over exuberance by the deliverer could result in a low strike to the back of the thigh - best avoided. Thankfully I was spared the Hoskisson method although I did witness it - a cane brought down with full force across the palm of an outstretched hand - resulting in a deep blood blistered wield that would take weeks to heal. I wonder if its too late for the recipient (and I know who it was) to seek retribution? Did corporal punishment work? Of course not - far better to identify the positives in a child's character and improve on them than try and beat the negatives out with a stick. (NO REPLIES YET) RETURN TO TOP | ||
| THREAD 43 NAME: Mike Cottrell DATE: 25 January 2009 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64 I have just received this communication from the OEs: "We are sorry to have to tell you that Bernard (Bernie) Pinnock who was a Master at the school from 1950 until mid-1980s passed away peacefully on Tuesday, 20th January, 2009. He was in hospital, having broken his hip, following a fall at home just before Christmas. Bernie will be remembered with great affection by the many generations of OEs who were privileged to be taught by him. The funeral is arranged to take place at Hendon Crematorium, Holders Hill Road, Mill Hill, NW7 1NB at 12.15 pm on Tuesday, 3rd February followed by light refreshments in a local Church Hall. In order to assist with catering it would be helpful if you would contact either Janet Taylor / 020 8906 0653 or Austen Cromwell 020 8364 2108 if you are able to be there. Family flowers only please but donations to one or other of the many charities Bernard regularly supported might be sent to Leverton & Sons, 624 Finchley Road, London, NW11 7RR. A list of those charities will be shown on the Order of Service. (NO REPLIES YET) RETURN TO TOP | ||
| THREAD 42 NAME: John Paine DATE: 23 December 2008 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1946-53 I have only just found this site, although I have been back to QE on many occasions. I have many memories of the teachers of my period - including Pierce, Winter, Wingfield, Smith, Timson, and obviously, the great man himself, Jenkins - and would be happy to share them with others who were up at Barnet at the time. VIEW 5 REPLIES
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| THREAD 41 NAME: Anon DATE: 23 December 2008 CONNECTION WITH QE: Prospective pupil / parent Well, what do we say? Very interesting facts and opinions from all threads - good to know all round and that QE is not all perfect. We're awaiting 1st round results (for admission 2009) and would like to know more! VIEW 2 REPLIES
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| THREAD 40 NAME: Adam Lines DATE: 16 December 2008 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64 Members who remember Eric will be sad to read the following message, which I received from Neil Kobish: "I have received the sad news that Eric Crofts (Assistant Master from 1949 to the late 1960's) died on 9th December. He was Head of Science and Biology when I joined the School in 1961. He was very prominent in many School extra-curricula activities. He played the double bass in the School Orchestra, was Stage Manager of the School Play, in tandem with Olly Alford led the senior skiing groups to Austria, was instrumental with Huw Purchas in setting up Holly Tree Hostel on his brother's farm at Theberton in Suffolk and with Huw provided the School's first minibus. He left the School to work for the National Trust and was a key player in the setting up of Acorn Camps. The funeral will be at Slough Crematorium on 14th January at 11 a.m. Flowers via the undertaker, donations to Leukemia Research Fund or The National Trust. I can give the addresses." VIEW 1 REPLY
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| THREAD 39 NAME: Richard Wright DATE: 06 November 2008 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1946-51 I was at QE from 1946 to 1951 (when my family moved to Bristol). I have vivid memories of the school, but am impossible with names. My housemaster was also history teacher (Winter, I think). I was a lazy pupil in my first two years. He threatened to cane me if I did not pull myself together. It's fair to say that after that threat I did not look back. There was a geography master (?Cox) who went bananas if you folded a map incorrectly. The classics master Wingfield was, I now suspect, seriously damaged by his experiences in WW2. We learned to swim in a putrid and cold pool. I got the routine bronze medallion from the Royal Life Saving Society. When she was a little girl my daughter found the medallion among my wife's trinkets. She said in an awestruck manner: "Dad, did you save a life?" VIEW 15 REPLIES
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| THREAD 38 NAME: Adam Lines DATE: 05 November 2008 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64 In response to Vic's query about what became of The Isotope magazine, I am pretty certain that it was closed down by the school following a cartoon appearing therein casting serious doubts on the virtue of the Chemistry Master Mr Ambidge's lovely daughter, following the discovery by him of a sixth former in bed with the wench. The cartoon included a depiction of Bidge's pea green Singer outside his house (in East Barnet) with said swain escaping from a first floor window. I hope she was worth it as I am certain that the lad was promptly expelled. I cannot remember who the lucky/unlucky fellow was but if he's out there perhaps he would enlighten us! VIEW 2 REPLIES
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| THREAD 37 NAME: Adam Lines DATE: 18 October 2008 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64 Reminiscing with Alan Jackson (57-64), with whom mutual contact was re-established some years ago, we had a 'whatever happened to' moment, the subject this time being Nigel Wood. A click on the Google mouse brought up your marvellous site and the memories came flooding back! Alan's memory of Nigel was how he would, in Dickensian fashion, charmingly characterize his class mates by name - the subject this time being Bob Merridale, who Nigel felt should be a member of the criminal underclass selling dodgy cars (sorry Bob - unless Nigel's powers were indeed prophetic). My own fond memory of Nigel, apart from him being most of the time on some other planet, was his rendition of There's a V sign on the lavatory door sung to the tune of All the ships came sailing in whilst waiting for Ken Carter to arrive at a lesson. Happy memories if maybe not such happy days. VIEW 7 REPLIES
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| THREAD 36 NAME: Martyn Day PIC DATE: 08 October 2008 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1956-63 I would like to thank Vic for putting up the obituary for Derek Fry on the website. He was a strange man (D.B Fry that is, not Vic!) and I never truly felt comfortable around him although he never said or did anything to cause me grief. I remember clearly how at the time of the School plays he would keep the boys playing 'men' and the boys playing 'girls' separate. The 'girls' dressing room was his domain and all others were told to keep out. In hindsight I suppose he did it to save the 'girls' embarrassment but at the time it did seem odd. I think that for all his music and languages he was a rather sad and lonely man. He was a kind man, too. Certainly I am not the only boy in the school to receive regular Christmas cards from him and this continued for years after I left. VIEW 12 REPLIES
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| THREAD 35 NAME: Michael Featherstone DATE: 22 August 2008 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1963-69 It's been a long time since I left QE. I remember Mr T Edwards headmaster, messrs K and C Carter, Mr smith, French teacher, Mr Shearly, Maths and PE, Sam cox Geography, Mr Pinnock, Mr Wright History, Mr Curry, French, Mr Lowe, Chemistry, Miss Affentranger, Mr Jordan, Mr Purchas, art, Mr Thomas, Mr Farrer, Miss Swan. I saw Eric Shearly a few years ago in Barnet and was sad that he had died. Although he had a loud bark, he was very keen on Sport. Mr Tim Edwards works on Charitable causes, I hear. Any one remember these times? VIEW 6 REPLIES
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| THREAD 34 NAME: Ian Leafe DATE: 14 April 2008 CONNECTION WITH QE: Teacher 1985-88 Physics teacher at QE for three years; 1985-88, enjoyable after a fashion. Wondered if the teachers ever have reunions; to discuss the reprobates they had to to teach or to work for! It might surprise some of the great minds that were educated there, that some of the teachers were more anarchic than the pupils. TTFN Ian (NO REPLIES YET) RETURN TO TOP | ||
| THREAD 33 NAME: Broughton Kid DATE: 22 March 2008 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil since 2007 I am at QE right now and some of the teachers are fat idiots like specific man or should I say Mr D. Dr Maricowitz is bare SAFE and so is Mr Price but it can get a bit annoying with the one way system cutting all of the shortcuts away so we have to go all the way around. It is Secondary State school of the year for 2007 so QE RULES!!!! By the way Broughton stinks at sports! [Webmaster's note: Don't worry, Dr M and Mr P - 'bare safe' is good]. (NO REPLIES YET) RETURN TO TOP | ||
| THREAD 32 NAME: >Chris Mungovan DATE: 29 February 2008 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957 - 64 A Quiz: Who said the following? 1) Two sides? 2) The book's wrong ! 3) Get your gear and go? 4) Balance of power? 5) On old olympus towering tops a french and german ate some hops? Answers soon. Though why I should remember such trivia after all this time is strange, and there's more! VIEW 142 REPLIES
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| THREAD 31 NAME: David Hooper DATE: 16 January 2008 CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1952 - 59 Memories more positive than negative, not many memories of good teaching. Being lined up in the gym to be weighed naked at the beginning of each term, the red swimming slips, the traipse to Galley Lane, school on Saturday mornings all made me the fine upstanding citizen I am today!! However Kelvin Hopkins, John Witton-Dauris, Ferd Fitt, Bev Newman and others still meet up occasionally. VIEW 2 REPLIES
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