The Association Newsletters by Maurice Reaney

Maurice Reaney works tirelessly to produce a newsletter of events, news and trivia connected with the former pupils and staff of the school and the variety of sections within the Old Boys' Association. The Newsletter is sent out to all members of the association and here we will publish extracts of these Newsletters. We cannot include each newsletter in it's entirety her but for the modest investment of £10 annually you could receive each newsletter and thereby not miss a word!!

Maurice wrote in the February 2005 Newsletter:

"That Very First Day

There is some confusion apparently about the facts concerning the birth of the School, although the correct facts have been noted in this Newsletter on more than one occasion. It was on the 26^th September 1929 that the School opened its doors in Waddon to admit its first pupils, and these totalled 20 boys under the charge of four members of staff, a pupil-teacher ratio that has never been equalled or approached.

Here are the names of those historic 20:-

John Ascott

Louis de la Torre

William Moor

Rowland Shortt

Ronald Bond

Godfrey Jackson

Douglas Reaney

Sidney Spittle

George Brookes

Stephen Langton

Cyril Shortt

Regan Stainfield

John Darragon

Edward Leftwich

Eammon Shortt

Vaughan Turner

Of those illustrious first twenty, two were killed in action in the War, Douglas Reaney in 1940 and Godfrey Jackson in 1944. (There were, in fact, a total of sixteen Old Boys killed in the War). Of the remaining eighteen it is known that four have died and it is more than likely that others have also died but there is no reliable information on this. What we do know is that George Brookes and William Moor are still very active members of the Association, Deo Gratias.

‘Where are they now?’

‘Who?’ I hear you all cry. But let me explain. Hugo Dunn-Meynell has made the suggestion that through the facility of the Newsletter, those who wish can write to enquire on the whereabouts of some long-lost Old Boy, the missing person’s name then would be published in the Newsletter with a request for information, and hopefully news would be forthcoming. We can only give it a try-out, so if there’s anyone you want to track down – perhaps he owes you a couple of quid – write in and the request will be published in the next Newsletter. Failing that email newsletter@jfoba.co.uk and we will ensure that Maurice has the details for the next newsletter.

February 2006

In the last Newsletter Hugo suggested the inclusion of an item which sought to trace Old Boys whose whereabouts have been shrouded in mystery for some years. I’ve summarized the requests so far received for such information indicating dates at school. If you have any (reliable) information, please write in either to me or, to the enquirer, who is indicated in brackets in the list or mail the address above!.

Michael Walters 1968-1974 (Duncan Ponikwer)

Paul Westcott 1933-1939 (George Brookes)

Donald Grazebrook 1935-1943 (Hugo Dunn-Meynell)

Colin Turnbull 1935-1942(Hugo Dunn-Meynell)

Ralph Barnett (Hugo Dunn-Meynell)

Sorry, Hugo, I went through school records twice but could find no entry for this ghost. When Colin Turnball left in 1942 he joined the Royal Navy.

Retirement of the Head Master

Soon after his appointment as Head Master of the School, and having apprised himself of the way things were done at the John Fisher together with its deeply-seated traditions, Robin Gregory exclaimed to himself, ‘What on earth have I let myself in for?’ A lesser man might have decided that after a couple of years or as a quiet resignation would be in order and the taking-up of a post in another school where the challenges were no so forbidding. Fortunately for the School, Robin was not a lesser man and he settled down to immerse himself in the Fisher ways, methods and traditions and the School soon realised that there was an inspiring leader at the helm. Before long he had obtained the respect and affection of the Staff, and the boys appreciated that although Robin built up a friendly relationship with them, he was, nevertheless, someone you would not be advised to mess with. The parents, too, appreciated his friendly and co-operative attitude towards them, and gave him and the School their full support. Robin’s interest in, and support for, the Association was soon apparent and remained so throughout his term of office. Life at the School was not easy, with major building projects interrupting the normal school life, and the pupil roll continuing to expand – there are now approaching 250 boys in the 6^th form. (When I left in 1940 there were 3, but that’s another world.) Yet with all the problems, standards have continued to rise, and the School has received glowing OFSTED reports, which did not fail to refer to the positive influence which the faith had on all its activities.

The high quality of the School’s sporting activities has earned it an impressive reputation that reached far beyond the local area, and has moved the Education Department to grant it Sports college status.

Looking back over the past 11 or 12 years, Robin should feel more than a little content over the task which he has performed with great ability, understanding and devotion, and his successor will require great efforts to maintain the present standards. Thank you, Robin, for a job carried out so magnificently. You’ve earned your rest – if you intend to indulge in one.