Mrs Joan Searle 1928 - 1935

(This memory was written in 1987 as part of the school's 125th celebrations.)

I started school in the spring of 1928. Miss Bunch was our teacher, a much loved lady. She was a very kind but firm person. I remember on her birthday we had a little party with chocolate biscuits and lemonade. One boy Jackie guessed it was her birthday and brought her a pretty pink vase with a fluted top.

On Empire Day Betty Hughes was dressed as Britannia, she sat on a little chair on top of a table. The rest of us were buttercups and daisies dressed in crepe paper costumes and we danced and sang around Betty.
During my time in the infants someone in Australia predicted that the world would end on a certain day. I remember all  that day during playtimes jumping up and down the steps by the churchyard gate keeping an eye on the churchyard. With the mind of a six year old, I expected all the people to rise from the graves all wearing their best clothes and start talking to each other. I was so relieved to wake up the next morning and find that my little world was still  complete. On leaving Miss Bunch to go into the big school  she gave each one of us a book. I still have mine and I treasure it.

Next stop was Miss Kingston's, a rather frail lady but very  nice. I was given a penny for spelling CHRYSANTHEMUM  correctly, and I also won a round box of coloured pencils  for being top of the class.
On to Miss Cullam's, Standard 3-4. Miss Cullam always wore beautiful fair isle jumpers in the winter, and she would sit on the edge of the iron guard that surrounded the old tortoise stove. Very discreetly she would pull her hanky from her knicker leg, very delicately wipe her nose and just as discreetly return it to its hiding place. One day during a sewing lesson she said to one girl "Violet, go and wash  your face it is dirty". "Oh no miss, please that ain't dirt  that's me mostosh". Giggles all round and Miss Cullam when  she was lost for an answer simply banged her ruler on the  desk and said "On with your work girls, on with your work".  How I hated those pieces of coarse white material that we  had to practice seams and buttonholes on using bright red  cotton so that our stitches could be seen.

The next class was standard 5-6-7 and we were taught by Mr. Oldham the headmaster. Both boys and girls had an afternoon gardening. The boys grew vegetables and the girls flowers. This came to an end for the girls while I was in this class, but the boys continued to grow vegetables taking them home at the right time for the pot. The boys also had woodwork lessons on Friday afternoons, and we had cookery once a week.

Drawing was one of my favourite lessons. One day I had misbehaved and I was sent into the middle room which was empty for some reason. I drew a single red poppy and when I went back to Mr. Oldham at the end of the lesson he said "why are you naughty when you do such wonderful work ?' Oh dear, I could have died of shame. Even after all these years whenever I have reason to feel guilty or a little ashamed of anything said or done I can see his face and hear his voice just as if it were yesterday.

Thanks for the memories, St. Michael's.

Henry Churchyard 1929 - 1937

Henry Churchyard - 1936

My name is Henry Churchyard, known in Sandhurst as Sonny Churchyard. In 1929 I came to St. Michael’s School as a 5 year old Infant. Miss Bunch was the Infants teacher; on the first day at school I swore and Miss Bunch took me into the kitchen and washed my mouth out with a mug of soapy water; I never swore again!

After Infants I went to the next class where Miss Kingston was teacher and then on to Miss Culum’s class and then on to the Headmaster’s class. Mr George Oldham, Headmaster, always carried a cane which he used very frequently! If we misbehaved in class we got 4 strokes on the hand and occasionally 6 strokes on the backside.

In the winter we had combustion stoves in the classrooms, which burnt coke. The coalman got the coke from the gasworks. Coke was made from the coal which was heated and the gas extracted leaving coke (not like the coke you buy in cans to drink). We always had a big bowl of water on the stove, boiling away. We brought old newspapers in and tore them into strips, gum Arabic was added and we made papier mache objects.

Our playground was rolled gravel and when we were playing someone would shout “There’s a car coming up the hill!” We all rushed to the fence to see the car because we only saw a car about once a day.

Every year on March 8th, Empire Day, we would get the May Pole out and hoist the Union Jack and sing patriotic songs. Every morning at assembly we said prayers and sing 2 verses of a hymn.

The playing field was opposite the school. It was the glebe belonging to the Rectory. We played football, cricket, games etc. Every summer we had a free trip by train to the seaside: Littlehampton or Bognor, and at Christmas a free party and presents for all.

We didn’t have free milk until into the 1930s and no school meals. Most of us went home for lunch, but those that lived further afield brought sandwiches which they ate in the cycle shed. Not many children had cycles.

The girls did cookery on Wednesday afternoons, the boys did carpentry on Friday afternoons. When we were 13 years old the Headmaster said we could have Wednesdays off school if we went to learn Bell-ringing at the church. Mr Moth of Little Sandhurst was the Foreman Bellringer. I used to ring number 4 bell every Sunday before service and then went to get dressed for the choir.

This lovely school was built in 1862, by Squire Walters of Bearwood. He was a big landowner in Crowthorne and Sandhurst. The figurine above the front door of the stork dropping stones into a pitcher was from Squire Walters Coat-of-Arms.

The 1987 Time Capsule - Part 1

The 1987 Time Capsule

Whatever happened to the 1987 time capsule that was filled and buried as part of the school's 125th celebrations?

Inspecting the capsule prior to burial

As we approach our 150th, a few visitors have expressed their interest. One has quite rightly pointed out that a classroom was built over the original burial site.

22nd July 1987- The head and children awaiting the arrival
of the capsule at its original burial site 

The school was well aware of the original capsule site during the  new classroom build.  The capsule was removed and re-buried in a place less likely to be disturbed in the future. At least one member of the existing staff knows the location of the site but is not telling. Why?

When the original capsule was buried the instructions were:

Our Time Capsule was sealed and buried on Wednesday 22nd July, 1987.

We decided to bury the capsule in this the school's 125th year. The intention is that the capsule will be unearthed and opened in 125 years from now - in the year 2112, the School's 250th anniversary.

The capsule itself is made from two lengths of polyetheylene piping (the type that is used for gas mains) and these have been welded together by a special heat process to ensure that the capsule is water and air tight and will last the 125 years without being damaged. 

The capsule was buried to a depth of  a little over 1 metre at a special ceremony in School and instructions have been left for it not to be opened until the year 2112 (or moved to a safe place should he school be demolished and the site redeveloped before that time!) 

The contents of the capsule are listed here. The contents have been chosen by the children, the aim being to give an insight into life at school in 1987 and also life in the community at large.

We hope that those who open it find it interesting. we have all wondered what St Michael's will be like in 2112.

In essence, the capsule is safe, at a location known to an existing member of staff and will not be opened until 2112.

25 years later, an interesting exercise is to discuss the contents of the capsule buried in 1987. If you were there, what do you remember as being included in the capsule? If you weren't there, what sort of items would you have selected for inclusion in the capsule?

As one lucky class is going to explore this very subject over the next 2 weeks, I'll refrain from posting the contents list of the 1987 capsule until after their class activity is complete.

For the rest of you,  the discussion thread is is open below.

Victorian Day - 22 Feb 2012

As part of the school's 150th celebrations, we decided to hold  a Victorian day where not only were the pupils and staff invited to dress in their best Victorian costume for the day but lessons were to be conducted as they would have been 150 years ago.

We even had one classroom decked out as it would have been in 1872 complete with a scarily realistic Victorian school mistress..

Here are some images of the day.

A class lined up waiting for the school bell.

Inspecting hands for cleanliness.

The Malone Family 1963 - 2012

Mrs Erica Malone 1963 - 2012

Mrs Erica Malone

Ever since 1963 St Michaels has been a running theme throughout my life. I started as a pupil, my two boys went to school there, and for the past 17 years I have been a teaching assistant in the reception class.

After moving from London in 1963 I joined St Michael's. At the time Mr Maskell was the Headmaster and I still remember having fun in the playground and painting in art class. I can also recall vividly the huge classroom heater protected by a fireguard and sitting at my desk which were in rows.

In 1987 St Michael's reappeared in my life when my eldest son, Bradley, started in reception. Three years later my youngest son, Travis, also joined the school. They always had such big smiles on their faces when they returned from class trips to London, Lakeside and Ufton Court. Parents' evening were not so fun!

After being a parent helper for many years, I joined the school as a permanent reception teaching assistant. Over the past 17 years I have seen over 400 children pass through the class and have loved seeing them develop and grow.

Bradley Malone: 1987 - 1993

My first year at St Michael's fell on the 125th anniversary and as part of the event we buried a time capsule in the school garden. I cannot remember what we put in the capsule and the area has now been built on so we may never find out. I can also remember spending a lot of time sitting outside the head teachers office!

Travis & Bradley Malone 1992

Travis Malone: 1990 - 1996

My first memory of St Michael's School was when I was in Reception and didn't want to go in one day. My mum tricked me into going and all my memories since then are positive! I had a lot of fun at primary school including - playing stuck in the mud, identifying water boatmen and other insects in the school pond and singing assembly songs with unforgettable lyrics (e.g. from the tiny ant...to the elephant…).

Mr. Stanley Maskell, Headmaster 1957 - 1983

(This memory was written in 1987 as part of the school's 125th celebrations.)

Mr Stanley Maskell - 1975

St. Michael's School in 1957 was still very much a village school. The same in outward appearance as it must have been when it was built in 1862.

Surrounded by ancient elm trees, oaks and firs - probably part of the Windsor Forest which covered this corner of Berkshire many years ago, they provided a home for a large rookery, crows, starlings, pigeons, squirrels and many other birds and wild creatures.

The huge elm trees on the south and west boundaries were destroyed by the elm tree disease which swept the country and the oaks were felled when the new hall was built.

There are some trees still in the south east corner of the grounds but the skyline is no longer dominated by the huge trees and dense bushes of thirty years ago.

In the red brick building now used as the infant area, was the main school, with its church-like porch, high windows and peaked roof. The bell tower perched on top like a spire, with a wind vane that had rusted solid over the years, pointing eternally south-west no matter from which direction the wind blew.

This building housed the two junior classes, 7-9 years and 9-11 years and the senior group of 11-14 year old boys and girls.

The larger classroom entered by the main porch was used for this older group in charge of the headmaster.

It was also used as assembly hall and music room, and a 'grand piano' rather dominated one end of this space. This piano was probably presented to the school by one, of the several wealthy families living in Sandhurst at this time.

Extracts from the School Log Book 1965 - 1986

May 4th 1965
A new terrapin classroom is in course of erection on east side of school.

May 17th 1966
At a meeting of parents, teachers and friends today a committee was selected and an Association was officially formed.

May 28th 1966
A Whit Sat Fete was held today and a fund has been started to help provide the school with a learner swimming pool. £250 has been raised by this first venture.

May 25th 1967
Due  to very low temperatures for late spring, heating has been extended and fires maintained until this date.

March 14th 1968
A meeting of parents was arranged during the evening  on Modern Maths.  Mr. Trembath in charge.

January 7th 1969
The new hall and kitchen is now complete and will be available for use when small equipment is available.
 
March 15th 1969
Members  of  the School Association have commenced work preparation of the site for the swimming pool.

May 24th 1969
At the School Association Whitsun Fair today Mrs. Kitty Dancy officially opened new hall and kitchen also the newly completed swimming pool.

November 20th 1972
National   Holiday - school closed - Silver Wedding celebration of H.R.H. and Prince Philip.

September 18th 1974
Demolition of School House commenced today.

June 2nd 1977
Silver Jubilee crowns have been presented to each pupil at the school.

June 2nd 1980
Milk is no longer provided for the infant pupils.

June 18th 1981
It was  discovered today that the lead roof covering above the infant block has been stripped and stolen during the weekend.

March 9th 1983
A BBC Model B micro-computer has been provided by the County for use in school.

January 10th 1984
The new library opened for use by the children today.

July 23rd 1984
Flash flooding in Sandhurst. Much debris on playground and drains unable to cope - flooding in practical area and hall.

December 8th 1984
School Association held their first Christmas Fayre this morning. A great success - festive atmosphere and profit of over £700 realised.

December 17th 1984
Another  break-in  discovered. Burglar alarm system completed.
 
March 19th 1965
A  group  of  YTS  workers  from  Bracknell  began work on constructing a pond in our Environmental Area.

April 2nd 1985
A team of men from the Royal Engineers began work on the construction of a Wendy House, play platforms, stepping stones and benches in the playground.

July 1985
During the past term Class 7 have been  involved  in the Fulmer and Domesday Projects.

July 23rd 1986
Today was the Royal Wedding - Prince Andrew married Sarah Ferguson. The children watched the highlights on TV and enjoyed a "Wedding Breakfast" on the field.

October 1st 1986
This morning our Member of Parliament visited the School. Mr. Andrew MacKay joined us for Morning Assembly and spent time in each of the classrooms.

St Michael's Staff Photo 1993-94

St Michael's Staff 1993-94

Mrs Priestman 1993 – 2002

A note from Mrs Priestman 1993 – 2002

Mrs Priestman 1997

I first came to St Michael’s as a Reception class teacher in 1993 following on from Mrs Craig.  I remember my first day walking around the playground and finding the names and initials of children carved into the wall that had been there since the school opened. It gave me a great sense of belonging to something that had come from a distant past and was moving forward to a bright future.

All those children! Where to begin- yes Frankie Evans I remember your first day at school and how disappointing it was for you. Now I know why – I was always worried it was me!

I do have wonderful memories of so many children: fetes, trips, plays, sports days, swimming and church services. There was a lot of laughter along the way and the education and welfare of the child was (and still is) always at the heart of it. Christmas was such a special time and I will always remember Christmas Services in the church. One year the Nativity took place there and the night before it snowed – the image of the beautiful little angels picking their way across the churchyard was quite magical. (Mrs Edwards has some photos) However, once inside the church those same little angels got quite possessive over the star and a battle ensued in front of the altar causing several of them to fall off the bench! Just one of many, many memories.

Snow Angels - Nativity 1997

I also have many happy memories of all the staff – we were like a family; sharing our celebrations and helping and supporting those in need. The staff room was always full of fun and laughter- often quite manic! Mr Boulain sometimes used to come and tell us off but joined in just the same, Mrs Chuter and I often got the blame but it was Mr Catton and Mr Cotterill who started it! And who could forget Mr Davies? He was quite inspirational in his way moving the school and the staff forward, I learnt so much from him. I have also never met anyone else whose eyebrows moved quite independently of each other! So many of us still keep in touch and remember those times with fondness.

St Michael’s is a special place and will always hold a little corner of my heart. I feel intensely proud and privileged to have played a small part in its 150 year history. I wish you all well for your celebrations and for the next 150 years.

Helen Brice - nee Saunders 2001 - 2007

I started my teaching career at St. Michael’s School and had some of the happiest years of my life working there. I have made life-long friends amongst the staff and hopefully one or two children may remember ‘Miss Saunders’ in a few years to come!

My 6 years at St. Michael’s were heavily based in the Year 5 classroom, with Mr Cotterill just across the ‘art area’. Mrs Souter and Mrs Thair were my wonderful TAs and without them I would not have survived!

Most people who remember me will probably say I was musical, playing the flute, saxophone and piano at almost any opportunity. Miss Evans and I organised many a KS2 production in the Spring Term (often in a little over 2 weeks) and despite life being busy, they were always great fun. Please Mrs Butler, Colours, something about a Hot Air Balloon (!) were amongst the titles I can remember. In addition to this, I frequently played in the Church carol concerts, which just seemed to get bigger and more elaborate each year.

I also liked to bring dance to the school and alongside the Bracknell Forest productions of Yanamamo and Ocean World, I entered a Dreamcatcher dance, Olympic dance and a Blackbird dance into 3 separate Lift Off Dance Galas at South Hill Park. Performing in a professional theatre provided those children involved with a wonderful opportunity.

St Michael's Lift Off Dance Group - 2007

Other initiatives I was heavily involved in were; the playtime buddy system (remember those bright yellow hats?), the peer mediation system (remember the red tabards?), and the infamous Kick Start! I trained the very first Kick Start leaders to the tunes of ‘Blame it on the Boogie’ and ‘High School Musical’ amongst others. We would have Kick Start days in which I would teach the whole school new routines - class by class. After assembly each morning we would all stand up and have a quick ‘wake up dance’ and it really did work. In the summer term we would also do a quick ‘Kick Start’ routine in the playground before the bell for registration! Now what would the Victorian pupils have thought of that?

In charge of ICT I saw the introduction of the wonderful interactive whiteboards and the creation of our first ICT suite with wireless laptops. Believe me, this was VERY advanced in 2003!

St Michael's first interactive whiteboard - 2003

Another major part of my life at St Michael’s was the 3 day residential visit for Year 5s to Ufton Court near Reading. We went on the trip just after half term in the Summer Term and then the children were able to spend the rest of that half term making magnificent Ufton Court books. The pupils I taught will hopefully still have fairly neat handwriting, but probably don’t draw a 1cm boarder on EVERY page of work. All work was written in draft and copied onto plain paper, using very complicated guidelines, before being decorated. Some of these books were in excess of 100 pages of A4 and very impressive indeed. We had a great time on this trip, having the huge manor House all to ourselves - even if I can admit now that it was a bit creepy at night! Photomapping, orienteering, wide games, tudor banquet, animal studies, team building and bat watching were amongst some of the many activities we carried out on our action-packed 3 days at the centre.

St Michael's at Ufton Court - 2005

Cricket tournaments, netball matches, school trips, visiting theatre groups, school productions, carol concerts, end of year assembly (with THAT song that made everyone cry), art club, choir - life was always fun at St. Michael’s. Of course the children worked hard too - very hard, but most importantly they were always very nice to each other and very nice to me. St. Michael’s is a very special place and a very special school and long may that continue for another 150 years.

Never great with words (I am now a maths teacher!) I have attached a number of photos to hopefully show what St. Michael’s was all about during the start of the 21st Century.

St Michael's Sports Teams - 1970s

A new album, Sports Teams,  has been created. The first few additions in the album are from the 1970s. Our sincerest thanks to everyone who has taken the time to dust off the old grey matter for some fantastic memories and to those who have rootled through the attic for old photos.

St Michael's Netball Team 1974

St Michael's Netball Team 1975 - 76
(Named version)

St Michael's Football Team 1976 - 77
(Named Version)

St Michael's Football Team 1977 - 78

St Michael's Football Team 1980

St Michael's - A Victorian School

During the school's 125th celebration in 1987, the entire school dressed in Victorian costume for a day to help reflect on the school's origins.

1987 - Class 7 in Victorian costume.

1987 - Victorian playground

1987 - Chimney Sweeps

1987 - Victorian playground games

1987 -  Victorian playground

1987 - Class 1 in Victorian costume

Mrs Scott nee Lord 1998 - 2008

Miss Lord 2003

Oh my gosh! Where do I begin? St Michaels holds very special memories for me indeed. My name is Mrs Scott - but I would have been known as 'Miss Lord' for most of my time at St Michaels. I joined the school, after graduating from Reading University in 1998 I think and it was my first teaching post. I loved it so much, I stayed for a very happy 10 years and was so sad to leave. I still look back to St Michaels with fond memories and have made such fantastic long-life friends through my work there and started my teaching career in amazing fashion - nothing has quite matched up to it since!  St Michaels is not just a school, it is a 'home' - everyone is looked after and made to feel so welcome. The children are the centre of its' being and the staff (and I mean everyone from dinner controllers, to classroom assistants, to office staff) are so caring and creative, it makes the learning and pastoral experience so amazing.  If your child is at St Michaels you should feel so privileged - I hope when my twin girls go to school, they have half the care, attention and love that children receive when they are part of St Michaels.

I remember my interview clearly. It was very relaxed and Mr Davies (the Head at the time) made me feel at ease - I actually thought he was part of the Admin staff at first!! I worked that day with Mrs Priestman while I waited for my interview - painting violets with the children in Reception - and little did I know, that she would become my mentor and very good friend!

I remember Mr Boulain, a very serious man (or so he would have us think!!) - who at the time was the Deputy Head. He then became the Head, which we were thrilled about.  Myself and the staff were sad when it was time for him to leave but enjoyed writing a personal report for him, including his ups and downs at St Michaels!

My fondest memories are those where the children had such fantastic opportunities, which we were privileged to be part of, like the amazing performances and productions that took place, often organised and run by Mr Catton and, when he left, Miss Evans and Miss Saunders - all amazing musicians.  Mr Catton even played at my wedding for me!  I always enjoyed the Year 6 end of year assembly in Church (where we would all blub because they sung that song that always made us cry - tradition!!) and Mr Cotterill always made each one very unique and special, just like the children he had taught for the year.  The BBQs were always good too, though I often tried to be involved with the cooking, to get out of the Rounders game!!  The water-fights were always tremendous at the end of the event, and Mr Cotterill seemed to come up with more bizarre costumes to cover up and 'get' the children each time - hilarious!!

2005 - Pre Wedding Hair by Mrs Sinnett

And so, I come to my very special memory indeed - when I got married! Miss Lord, became Mrs Scott. My class at the time and my future class became my 'choir' and sung for me at the front of the church.  The fantastic parents at St Michaels, who had known me since I started in Reception class supported me by donating their time, effort and kindness in more ways than one.  Mrs Evans (mother of Alice and Emily) helped me choose, organised, prepared and delivered my flower bouquets on the day, as well as decorating the church beautifully and with discount - beautiful gerberas (now my favourite flower!), Mrs Sinnett (mother of Rebecca and James, now living in USA!) did my hair for me (or should I say, my fake hair - as I had my hair cut too short for the style I wanted, so we had to find a fake piece to put in and style!!) and of course, the kind donations of money that we were presented with at the end of the day - we spent on honeymoon buying reminders of our time and I still look at and remember the parents of St Michaels. Such a kind-hearted and generous bunch. At the end of my last day before the wedding, the parents and children made me go through an arch while they threw confetti at me - again - I did not stop crying, from the emotion of the moment.  Such a lovely thing to do!

2005 - St Michael's children arrive for Miss Lord's wedding.

2005 - St Michael's children form the choir at Miss Lord's wedding.

And so, 4 years on and I still remember St Michaels with the fondest of memories and wish I could be there with everyone again!! I still regularly see Miss Saunders, Mr Cotterill, Mrs Evans, Miss Evans (occasionally), Mrs Chuter, Mrs Priestman and am in contact with many others, including parents of children I have taught - who scarily are now teenagers (!!).  I love hearing how everyone is getting on and hope it continues for a long time.

Mrs Zoey Scott (nee Lord)

St Michael's Staff Photos

We're using Google Picasa web albums for storing and sharing all our photos for St Michael's 150th celebrations. There are a couple of good reasons for this choice.

• It integrates neatly with this blog making uploading images a snap.
• It allows face recognition so that names can be added to group photos.
• It gives a big chunk of space on the web for free.

If you haven't browsed the albums, I'd encourage you to do so as many photos and images will appear there  before a blog post is written about them. You can even leave comments under each photo.

Former St Michael's school secretary, Mrs Jean Edwards, has graciously supplied a box of school photos from her archive for use during our 150th celebrations. From her collection, here are three staff photos from across the decades. As with each of these blog posts, you can click on the image to see a larger version.

Can you name the staff members on each of the 3 photos?

St Michael's Primary School Staff February 1975
(Named version)

St Michael's Primary School Staff 1990 - 1991
(Named version)

St Michael's Primary School Staff 1997
(Named version)

So, is there anyone here that you recognise?

Cammie Evans 1997 - 2003

(I was at St Michael's from Jan 1997-July 2003)

Cammie Evans in 2008

People always wonder how I remember so much of my childhood, and it’s true – I have hundreds of specific memories, little stories that I bring up when I’m reminded of something. I remember the ancient computers in the reception classroom, black screens with green writing, and the chess game Rebecca Thair and I once got told off for misusing, when we failed to understand the rules and instead started whacking the keyboard, aged 6! I remember when all the new playground equipment and the obstacle course arrived, the excitement on the first day we were allowed to play on it, and the broken bones that ensued as countless children tripped over that dangerous tightrope by the infamous ‘ant wall’. I remember sliding down the diagonal beam of the blue climbing frame, and sustaining an injury – a massive splinter in my stomach that still lives with me today! I remember the Year 4 classroom finally getting a whiteboard – in 2000! But it’s not these specific events that make my childhood memories so happy. When I think of St Michael’s I think of the spring mornings singing about new lambs leaping, the sun creeping through the blinds on the hall window. I think of the hot summer afternoons, whiling away happy hours in the blazing sunshine of the playground and lazing in the shade of the willow tree, stilt races, skipping, rained-off sports days watching Lakeside videos in the hall while eating ice-lollies, playing cricket at the field, writing Ufton Court and Lakeside books, and watching Swallows and Amazons. I remember Yanomamo, Colours and the Christmas Nativities; the decorations hanging from the hall ceiling and the big Christmas trees, the box of birthday badges, the PE equipment stuck fast to the hall walls, to be desired but never used until Year 6! The excitement of finally being allowed to sit on the benches in assembly, once you’d reached the top of the school, and of course the magical last days of St Michael’s, swimming and cricket at Wellington College, a barbeque and water-fight against the teachers, and a tearful, never-to-be-forgotten final assembly. I feel so lucky to have lived such an idyllic childhood, and I thank every child and teacher who contributed to that throughout my years at the school.

1996 Reception Class

1996 - 97 Reception Class at a class reunion in 2008
(Named version)

Matthew Stokes 1984-1988

St. Michael’s was, for me, probably the most influential factor of my youth, far more so than comprehensive school. The history of the school really added to the feeling of “family” amongst the pupils and teachers. I remember the 125th anniversary very well, so the 150th has added poignancy. To write about all of my fond memories would be a huge task; the Class 7 Lakeside trip, the summer fetes, learning to swim in the FREEZING pool, the teacher/parents rounder’s game, the excitement of listening to Julian Lloyd Webber (the Southbank Show theme) at assembly, Mr MacLeod’s Tardis, the country dancing, Mr Knot being ridiculously tall, and so many many more. Talking to some of my school “colleagues” via Facebook, it’s amazing that we all have such fond memories over and above any other education we went through.

I still have a great fondness for the school, and have to take a peak whenever I drive past, bring back more memories. Very much looking forward to coming to the 150th celebrations and seeing pupils and staff of the present and the past.

Kind Regards,

Matthew Stokes

Natalie Turner attended 1996-2000

1998 newspaper clipping with classmates, aged 9 and musical instruments. Left to right are Mary Rawlins, Samantha Pollen, Joshua Simpson, Chris Humphreys and Natalie Turner.

Natalie Turner and classmates, 1998

Frankie Evans, attended 1994 - 2001

Not all of our memories of St Michael's are rosy. Some are tragic and remind us of shattered expectations. Personally, I had high hopes for primary school. See Figure 1 for proof.

Frankie Evans, 1994

However, upon arrival, my imaginings and dreams about how Reception would be were roundly dashed before the strike of ten. I saw desks, toys, other little children in the place of what I had always thought would tower majestically over me as I stepped through the blue porch door: the Reception Class Bouncy Castle. Gone were the lofty dreams and carefree daydreams of a bouncing reception year, of paradise lost, and mine were jolting disillusion and deepest despair - at least, until I met my future primary school partner in crime, Hayley Thair, half an hour later, at which point all was saved.

Frankie Evans, 1994-2001

Extracts from the School Log Book 1936 - 1965

December 23rd 1936
Retirement  of Headmaster Geo. C. Oldham dating from  31st December.

May 12th 1937
School closed for King's Coronation. Carnival: sports and tea-party held in Sandhurst, this school participating. Each child received a souvenir mug and those 7 and under were given a medal before leaving school.

September 12th 1939
Altogether 10 children  privately  evacuated  have been admitted.

November 1st 1939
Mr. Shaw called to discuss the selection of a suitable room to be used in case of air raids. The middle room was selected and it was decided to board up the skylight and cover the windows with half inch wire netting.

1940 School register excerpt,
showing evacuee children attending the school

February 3rd 1941
Electric light has been installed in the Senior room, with a power point, and is in use for the first time today.

February 11th 1941
A  film  projector has been purchased for  the  school,  all funds being accumulated by the efforts of the  Staff and Pupils.

August 14th 1942
School opened for supervision of children whose mothers are engaged in war work.  Four present.

September 26th 1943
Provision of school dinners commenced today.

May 8th & 9th 1945
School closed for Victory in Europe holiday, after hoistings of flag and decorations and a short service of thanksgiving and singing of National songs.

November 11th 1947
I today purchased a wireless set for the school at a cost of £27, the money being taken from the Sports Fund.

April 26th 1948
Half holiday this afternoon for Royal Silver Wedding.

October 13th 1948
45 children taken to see the Olympiad Film this morning.

January 19th 1950
I received from the Education Office today a film strip projector.

February 6th 1950
Electric light extended to middle room and entrance lobby.

September 7th 1950
A kitchen has been added to the dining room.

September 22nd 1950
The first meal was cooked on the premises today.

January 15th 1952
The King's Funeral. The children all watched television in school today and observed two minutes silence.

May 29th 1953
This afternoon the school celebrated the forthcoming coronation of the Queen by holding a short concert, including patriotic items.  Souvenir beakers provided by the Education Committee.

March 22nd 1954
All  children except Infants taken to Camberley this morning to see the film "The Conquest of Everest".

January 18th 1906
Warning of Broadmoor escape received about. 10.15 a.m. and prepared scheme put into operation. No notification of end of warning received from Chief C. so local police were contacted at 2.30p.m. to find that escaped prisoner had been recaptured by 11.45a.m.

April 5th 1957
It was brought to my notice that several of the older boys were, or had been, in possession of live ammunition (small calibre).

January 6th 1959
Work has  begun on installation of modern toilets and hot water supply.

March 28th 1962
At a meeting of the School Managers held today it was decided that a Fete be held on 9th June this year in aid of Centenary Funds. A Parents Committee has been formed and preparations for this event are being made.

June 9th 1962
A very successful "Centenary Fete" was held today and raised £120 for Centenary Funds.

January 1965
A television set "has been installed during the holiday. (PCC gift).

Class 7, 1985

Image kindly supplied by former pupil, Jonathan Mesley. No names yet!

Class 7, 1985