The "P.Phillips" Letter

From: Phil Phillips - (1? thru 6? -19??/19??)
Date: October 2016
Subject: Memories of Staff

Hi Webmaster,

Having been directed to the web-site by another ‘Old-Boy’, I flicked through some of the letters especially those which encompassed my few years at the Collegiate.

Memories – first form master and Geography teacher  Brian Greaves.  A delightful man.  Met him on the Methodist Local Preachers Circuit once or twice after leaving (1964)

Tubby Trubridge.  Taught History to me while in Remove.  Used to have to leave the lesson once or twice for a smoke – leaving us to read some passage or other.  For some reason History never grabbed me and I managed to drop it before 5th form.

A teacher whose name escapes me but who taught us chemistry in the outside lab.  Known as Hiram Holiday because of his likeness to the TV character.

Don Ashton – Maths for all the time I was at the Collegiate.  An old-boy himself was inspired by Mr Moncibowitz (Think that’s how his name was spelt).  Mr Moncibowitz used to set us mathematical conundrums at the end of term

Keith Bradbury.  Another smoker and form master.  His aim with the blackboard duster was second to none. Taught Modern languages.

? Smith – used to lead the winter ski trip to Annecy.

Fryer – gym & RE (a peculiar combination).

C.R. Woodward – caned 90% of the form for something that was considered a ‘corporate’ misdemeanour’.  I really was an innocent bystander.

K.A. Croft – kept getting called to his study as I had the misfortune to have the same name as a miscreant a year above me.

In a separate vein -  as will be well known; pupils below 6th form were not allowed to use the central staircase except moving to or from the hall.  At the time I wore ‘fashionable’ yellow socks and on the way to assembly was followed by a prefect who ‘required’ me to show him more conservative socks the following day or punishment my well be delivered.  How power went to some heads!

Other memories flow but this could be for starters.

Phil Phillips

Hi Phil - Always good to hear about our teachers. Your items will also be placed in the Staff section of Memories; where you may well see recollections that might trigger even more snippets of behaviour idiosyncrasies that would "curl your hair."

Incidentally, it is of interest to hear you mention that a teacher had been a pupil here, himself. He was not the only one. Pat Kneen (The Vice-Principal) is an example of a local lad who won a scholarship (as a young lad) to be able to attend the Collegiate.

Cheers - Webmaster