St Barnabas School
Infant and Junior
I attended St Barnabas primary School in Tunbridge Wells,
between 1966 and 1973.
Teachers I remember are:
- Infant
- Mrs Warnes
I was 4 and 5.
My very first teacher, she must have been in her 20's, and was tall,
probably not quite 6ft, but tall for a woman, but gigantic for the kids.
- Mrs Creswick, headmistress
I was 6.
Used to collect newspapers for school fund collecting.
Taught reading and human interaction skills.
Probably was mid 50's.
I believe she has died now.
- Mrs Gresham, mathematics
I was 7.
Got me really interested in mathematics.
I was the first in the class to learn all times-tables from 2 to 12.
Probably was 60, about to retire.
I believe she has died now.
- Junior
- Mrs Breeze
I was 8 and 9.
Taught me to swim.
Probably was late 40's at the time.
- Mrs Cook
I was 10.
Gave me leading parts in plays.
Probably was late 40's at the time, came from Italy,
she also taught me and 3 others (those who passed the 11+)
some basic French words and phrases.
- Mr Clear
I was 11.
I'm not sure what his specialty was.
He used to get kids to copy down a church hymn on Friday afternoons, to practice writing skills.
I remember writing thousands of lines of the phrases:
- "Manners maketh man"
- "Time and tide waits for no man"
not as punishment, but to improve pen control.
But it felt like punishment as there was no gain to finish,
he'd just give you more to do.
He was late 50's, and reminded me of Mr.Mannering from Dad's Army.
- Mr Usher, headmaster
Didn't teach me as such,
but I remember him showing us mathematical tricks,
which got me into appreciating mathematics,
and the magic of numbers.
He was about 50.
The school was associated with the church of the same name:
where I was a choirboy (for fun - no pay),
but as other boys left I became the only choirboy,
there were about 10 adults too,
but I'd always do the soprano solos.
Practice was Tuesday and Fridays.
Fridays were the best, since there would be a bag of chips
(as in "steak fries") after practice.
I remember a bag cost 2p, but it was the early-mid 1970's.
Singing in a this style of church, concrete pillars, etc,
soprano is an amazing experience, even with a candle in
front of my mouth you can sing a single note loud, for minutes
with one breath, and make the whole church resonate!
Mass was on Sundays 10am and 11am, and sometimes 6pm.
I stayed with the choir until about 14 or 15.
I always wanted to play the church organ!
But never got the chance.
I left St.Barnabas, passing the 11+,
and went to Skinners' school.
