School Days Revisited

On a warm summer's morning in June 1939, one hundred boys from St. Joseph's Home, Enfield, were transferred to a brand new Primary school in Enfield town. This was the first time in the history of St. Joseph's that the boys were sent outside the Home for their education, this previously being given by the Nuns in the Home. Only fifty boys remained at St. Joseph's to continue their education, and the four classrooms were reduced to one. I was one of the hundred boys who were transferred. The name of the new Enfield school was St. George's, and, with my ninety-nine colleagues, we walked in one long column towards the new school in Gordon Road. Just what did fate have in store for us!

On arrival we were ushered into the Assembly Hall, where the town children were already assembled in their respective classes. When our names were called we were directed to the class that we would be joining. This was the first of many culture shocks that we would experience in the coming weeks and months. In each of our classes around half of the number was made up of girls. This was the first time any of the St. Joseph's boys had been in close contact with girls. Many of us were overcome with shyness and as we had now become the object of the girls attention. Our blushes were not spared.

We very quickly settled into our new school, and although there was the occasional fight between a St. Joseph's boy and one of the town boys, the one bright feature of our new school was that many of the girls owned bicycles and they would allow one or two of us to borrow them for a few minutes. As I was able to ride a bicycle I was permitted to show off my cycling prowess to the other boys. In those far off days, the streets around St. George's were very quiet, and the traffic was sparse. Fifteen months later, along with others of my age group I transferred back to St. Joseph's, to continue my education.

Now sixty seven years later, three former St. Joseph's boys were invited by the Deputy Head Teacher to visit the school and talk to the pupils about what it was like to be a pupil on the day the school opened, and also what it was like to live in an orphanage. The three ex St. Joseph's boys were Michael O'Brien, Eric Nutcher and Norman Taylor. On arrival at St George’s the Deputy Head, Mrs. Pantelli, greeted us warmly. We were then shown around what is now a much-enlarged school, extensions having been added to the original school building. To be able to look through the window of the classroom we occupied all those years ago was for the three of us very nostalgic, and so many memories of those years, and those with whom we shared the classroom with came back to me.

Sixty plus children and their teachers were assembled to listen to our talk, and we noticed that both the children and the teachers listened to our stories of life all those years ago. When the children were invited to ask questions, the number of questions being asked almost overwhelmed us. They truly had been listening attentively, and for us this was very gratifying. At the end of our talk the children gave us very loud applause, not once but three times. This also pleased us immensely.

All to soon it was time for us to say our goodbyes to Mrs. Pantelli and her staff. However before leaving we were permitted to take a look at the Occurrence Book and the first entry was dated 27th June 1939. In this book there are recorded the daily occurrences that took place in the school from 1939 until the end of 1960. St. Joseph's boys are mentioned many times, and I can assure the boys from St. Joseph's whose early education was at St. George's, there are many good things written about us. We enjoyed the company of Audrey Barnet, from the Catholic Children's Society (Westminster). Audrey gave us much help and I would like to thank Audrey for arranging our visit and for the help she gave us during the day.

Below are a few photographs that we took during our visit.

Norman Taylor - 24th May 2006

Norman Taylor, Eric Nutcher and Michael O'Brien, on arrival

Meeting up with Audrey Barnett from The Catholic Children's Society

Typical Blaisdon/ St. Josephs Old Boys staying at the back of the class eh!

Now getting in amongst the children, well Eric Nutcher is. What wide smiles, must be from the photographer's skill. Audrey possibly? Did the boy at the back with raised hand get his question answered?

A smaller group of children with the Three Musketeers.

On tour around the school.

Trying to get everyone in.

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