Memory Lane 21

25th January 2025, Peter Schweiger (1962-1964) writes: 

My first day at St. Nicholas Grammar School.

In September 1962 I was a 15 year old, New Boy and fell foul of Basher Clark in the first few minutes. Leading into assembly through the dining hall I asked the boy next to me, “What happens next?” I was grabbed by Basher who in a deadly, and penetrating whisper, said. “No talking”. That shook me and I carried on into the hall. There we sat in rows, cross legged on the floor. The hall had murals and a big stage on to which came all the staff wearing their academic robes and hats. Very impressive and Dr. Watson, the head, looked a genial sort of person, while the deputy head, nicknamed Basher, looked very serious.

I had been to a small private grammar school in Harrow. It was in two detached Edwardian houses and I had been a prefect. Now I was relegated to the 5th form and had to wear a school cap. My old school did not have a 6th form but my parents wanted me to continue at school. Transitus was the class for those who hadn’t achieve 5 “0” levels and the idea was that we would re-sit in January and then be part of the 6th form.

My brother Martin also transferred from the Kings school in Harrow and joined the second year. On the school photo taken in September 1962, I can find myself and Martin’s friend, Graham Smith, but not Martin. Maybe he was off that day. We lived in Carew Road, Northwood and I used to cycle to the school with Paul Williams who lived in Kewferry Road. I tried to remember who else was in Transitus with me.

Transitus classroom was in the bridge between the main school and the gym over the headmaster’s study. We had a form teacher whose name I can no longer remember and I was also put in a House team. I can't remember which house I was in. Later on we went for lunch and the most memorable thing was the custard jug that could be held upside down without anything happening. The custard was solid.

I'm so glad that I have a school photograph from September 1962 showing all the staff as well as most of the pupils. My grey cells have been busy.

(first published December 2024 in Newsletter 7):