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

Dorothy Hill, School Lollipop Lady 1973 - 1984

It seems a long time ago, 1973 in fact. My husband had died at the beginning of the summer holiday that year. Mr Maskell, the headmaster, asked me if I would consider taking the job of School Crossing Patrol. I didn’t think it would be possible as my children all came home for their dinner at lunchtime."No bother” said Mr. Maskell, “I will see the children across the road at lunchtime if you could manage the morning and afternoon duties". So it was. My youngest daughter, two year old Frances, would come with me, rain or shine. In very cold weather, wrapped in a blanket in the pushchair with a hot water bottle. Over the years I got to know all the children by name and Frances was the same. She couldn’t wait to go to school herself.

One particularly bad winter there was a great deal of snow and I armed myself with a shovel and cleared the pathway and some of the road. I believe a number of parents helped me at the time. In my memory I don’t think the school ever closed for bad weather mainly because the teachers lived locally and were able to get to school by foot.

Mrs Dorothy Hill, School Crossing patrol - 1974

In 1977 I had the honour of one of the pupils, Neil Munro, nominating me for ‘Lollipop of the Year’ but unfortunately I didn’t make it to the finals.

Corporal Punishment in 1903

Jim Allen contacted the school recently. He had a dark tale to tell.

His grandfather, William Cornish, when an 11 year old pupil at the school was attacked and beaten by the headmaster. Apparently the headmaster 'went beserk' hitting him with extreme force. Not surprisingly, William's father, Edwin Cornish, did not consider the head a fit person to teach his son and William was sent to the Methodist School at New Scotland Hill.

William Cornish as a baby with this mother,  Mary  Hannah Cornish
1st May 1892

William Cornish

Edwin Cornish

At the time the family lived in the house now known as Tumbledown, on the High Street, Sandhurst

Tumbledown, High Street Sandhurst

Update 5th Feb 2012: Excerpt from school log book from 5th & 7th October 1913:

Excerpt from School Logbook Page 394, 1903

Log book entry reads:
Oct 5th. I punished two boys W Cornish & R Grove this morning for insubordination, the former said his father had told him not to do as he was told. I have sent fro his father who did not come.
Oct 7th. The father has taken out a summons. I have to appear before the magistrates on Oct 13th
The punishment was 6 stripes on lower part of back.


From the newspaper report on the case (13th October 1903):

"At the Wokingham County Bench on Tuesday before Sir Warwick Morehead and other magistrates, George Oldham, of Sandhurst Church School, schoolmaster, was summoned for assaulting William Cornish, son of Edwin Cornish of Sandhurst Street, auxiliary postman."

In those days, caning was a seen as an acceptable method of maintaining discipline within a school. From the news report, it would seem  that Mr Cornish objected not to the fact that William had been caned, but to the manner of the caning.  Caning was normally administered  to the hand. In this case,  William resisted and struggled with the master. As a result,  the caning, in this instance, was applied to the legs and left visible marks.

After hearing both sides and calling several witnesses, the Chairman and the magistrates were unanimously of opinion that the case must be dismissed. 

The school would like to thank Mr Allen for his kind permission to use the images in this blog post.

Extracts from the School Log Book 1911 - 1936

March 29th 1911
Staff Sergt. Chandler, Drill Instructor inspected Drill this afternoon.

May 11th 1911
Mr. Frost,  H.M.I. of Drawing visited the school this afternoon and inspected Drawing.

February 29th 1912
Miss K.H. Whitfield terminates her engagement today.  She is leaving to marry.

June 3rd 1913
King's birthday.  Children saluted the flag.

September 24th 1913
An aeroplane in a field by the school.

February 15th 1915
Sixteen boys commenced manual training in woodwork this afternoon under Mr. Selman.

June 31st 1916
Mr. Yorke, Sanitary Inspector, visited, owing to there being several cases of diptheria in the village.

November 12th 1917
Boys have commenced trenching a piece of ground in the playground for school gardens.

July 2nd 1918
The 'Garden Boys' sprayed their potatoes this afternoon.

December 16th 1918
School closed to be cleaned.  Owing to the election on Saturday 14th the floors were exceedingly dirty.

May 1st 1919
The Infant Department which has been a separate school is, for the present, to be taken with the mixed school to form one department.

November 11th 1919
Anniversary of Armistice, observed in accordance with the King's wish.

November 16th 1922
General Election - school used for polling stations.

March 23rd 1923
Result of Terminal Examination.  The work of the school is generally good. Spelling  in 1,  2 and  3  requires  more attention.  Much improvement shown in arithmetic and writing.

July 6th 1927
J.  Rogers broke his arm while playing in the playground during the dinner hour (in mischief).

December 12th 1928
The School Fence which has been knocked down by a motor lorry has been repaired.

St Michael's Senior Class - 1928

January 17th 1929
A boy, Ernest Honeybell, was killed on his way home from school yesterday afternoon being run over by a motor lorry near the lych gate.

January 20th 1936
Death of H.M. King George V.

January 22nd 1936
Edward VIII proclaimed King. x

January 28th 1936
King's Funeral - Children taken to church at 9.15.

September 30th 1936
Mr.  R.  Randle of Sunninghill appointed as my successor to commence duties in January 1937.

School Panto - 1914

The pantomime was organised to raise money to buy wool so that the pupils and staff could knit scarves and gloves and socks for the soldiers during the First World War.

St Michaels School Pantomime cast - 1914

Daisy Wiseman is on the left as the fairy, Monica Farrant is on the right as the witch and the royal couple in the centre were played by two pupil teachers - Dorothy (Dolly) James and Madge Evans.

The pantomime took place in Dr. Russell's hall in Scotland Hill. The hall was later sold to Over's, the Camberley firm, to house their furniture.

Link to larger image