1956,57,58,59, St Kentigerns & Parson St Options

[churcht]

Firstly,

Let me agree with previous contributors regarding how we enjoy looking back a few years within St Mungo's. (Mainly St Kentigerns & Parson St)...In my case.

I do agree now --50 years on... that some of the methods employed were strange.... I was young at the time 12,13 14, 15 etc.

I really believed most things I heard were gospel/best practice etc.

My recall was that I attended classes 1A2, 2D2,3C1 and 4B2 (1959). I was never an exceptional pupil but can say I went from bottom of the class in 1A2 on History and Geography (1A2) to top in same subjects in 2D2. I often wonder why this was so.... as I did not like the subjects.

I concluded that it must have been down to the teaching methods of the individual teachers. I do recall the Geography teacher (2D2) who was John O'Neil? He never used the belt at any time, was a union rep for teachers (Good speaker), and had an excellent approach and method with his subject.

Similarly with the history teacher..He controlled the class well (No belt) and for the first (And only time) addressed the pupils in a formal manner asking for responses / input from Mr Jones or Mr Church etc. At the end of the lesson he would say which section / timescale we would be addressing at the next session and that we should be prepared to lead a discussion.

An excellent approach which encouraged / forced input from pupils of a mixed bacground.

I would be interested to hear from anyone of that era.

Some names..?

Not many I'm afraid as my memory has largely deserted me.

However I do have a few: Thomas Houston, Vincent Digby, Thomas Donnelly, Ian Martin. Br Luperque, Br Adrian, Br John, Br Alexis, J O'Neil, (My apologies to all others)

Regards

Thomas Church