Having read the excellent “Guided Tour” of the school by John Wells, I would like to take you back a while, (a very long while in fact), to the days when I was a pupil there. I suppose I must be one of the older, old boys as I am now approaching my 88th birthday.
My name is Ronald Ernest Goodyear and at the time I was a pupil my family lived in the Firth Park area, so getting to school was not a problem. My time at the school commenced in 1930. That’s a long time ago and rather a lot has happened since. The first Headmaster was Dr. Lloyd Storr-Best, a wonderful gentleman who was in his last two years of service. He retired, I believe in 1932 and was succeeded by Mr. W. Padfield.
The
first day of the new intake was one I will always remember. After being
appointed to your form, 1A, 1B etc. we were taken to a classroom where sat a
Master by the name of Desmond Macmahon, who turned out to be the Music
Master. Each boy had to then get up in turn and sing, (or attempt to!) in
order that each could be assessed for the school choir. To say this was an
ordeal is putting it mildly, particularly for those of us like myself who
were useless. However, all was not lost. I could play the piano so my four
years taking music, (instead of art), were not wasted. The school at that
time had a marvellous choir, and one lad had a wonderful voice, - his name
was Barry Thorne - where is he now I wonder?
I suppose my forte was in athletics and in the following year, 1931, I became Junior Athlete of the Year, and assisted Haig House to become Champion House, a fact that I don’t think had happened before. A photograph of the medal I was presented with is attached. In those days medals clearly meant something. I still have mine and it was cast in 9ct. gold.
The Masters:- Obviously, there have been many changes over the years, but I have a good recollection of who was at the school during my time. The school was very strong at languages in the 30’s as demonstrated by the following list of Master who taught.
German:- Mr. Draycott & Mr. Dawson
Latin:- Mr Bailey
French:- Dr. J. Eker. He was there initially. There was also Mr. Draycott.
Italian:- Mr. Over. He taught me this one, and very good he was too.
Spanish:- Mr. Wells. (Billy)
Russian:- The original Russian Master’s name eludes me, but Alan Haywood, who you refer to as “Boris” was a pupil the same time as myself, albeit maybe a year or two above me. After service in the armed forces in WW2, during which he spent some time in Russia, he returned to the school and took up the post of Russian Master. I knew him well.
English:- There were several Master who took English including Mr. Wetherill, Dr, J. J. Wood, Mr. Hipkins, Mr. Hartley.
Geography:- The only one I can remember was Mr. Pascoe.
History:- During my time there were only two female teachers, both taking this subject. They were Miss Sanderson, who left to become Head of a girl’s school in the city, and Miss. L. Zeiher who was always known as “Flossy”.
Chemistry:- Mr. Rhodes, (Prods) held sway in the (then) new laboratory. Mr. Hagan, who was no relation to the Sheffield United football star, had the old lab.
Physics:- Mr. Saunderson had the new lab. and a real character, M. Le Manque (“Old Monks”) the old one. (Assistant Master Pitsmoor Secondary School, Sheffield. 1920-22; Firth Park Secondary School, Sheffield. 1922 - )
Music:- As mentioned previously, this was the province of Desmond Macmahon who later became associated with the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra.
Art:- At this time, the art room was right at the top of the building and the Masters name was Mr. Carr.
P.E. :- Jock McKay – A great guy who encouraged me a lot as I was very keen on athletics.
Maths:- The Senior Master at this time was Mr. Gagan who, for obvious reasons was known as “Gags”. I was also taught my Mr. Montgomery who at times has difficulty rolling his “R’s”.
Those then are quite a few of the characters of the school over 70 years ago. If I have missed some, I apologise, but it is so long ago that memories tend to fade a little. I often wonder how many pupils of my era are still alive today and, more to the point, what they have been up to all these years. Maybe a few are still around and it would be good to hear from them.
Here’s hoping!
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