Description: The film begins with a school assembly led by Headmaster Dr. R.C. Carrington featuring the boys singing hymns, a reading from the bible by one of the pupils and a prayer. The history of the school is told with the assistance of old pictures and models of school buildings. The operation of the St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School Foundation is presented with a recording from one of its meetings, and a light-hearted 'Extravaganza' with music on the Foundation's history acted and accompanied by current pupils. The Quatercentenary anniversary service of the award of the school's charter is celebrated at Southwark Cathedral on the 4th June 1962, attended by parents, governors, pupils of the school both current and former and the Mayor and Mayoress of Southwark. The same day, a commemoration dinner is attended by guests including Sir Wilfred Neden, Lady Neden, Mr H.A. Secretan, the Mayor of Bermondsey, the Provost of Southwark, and the Bishop of Newcastle Toasts are given to the past 400 years of the school and to its future. There is also film from an 'old boys' reunion at the school. a school open day, and a carol concert for the 'solid' folk of Bermondsey. More everyday activity at the school is recorded in a geography lesson, an advanced chemistry class, a biology class (including a rat dissection), craftwork classes (where children can get an understanding of what goes down on 'ground level'), an art class, and a gym lesson. After school activities are also presented, with band and orchestra practice, the printing club and school sports. The film ends with views of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
Comments
This film is an accurate depiction of school life at STOGS in Tooley Street.
He ran around the corner (from kitchens to front) and straight into the rear platform of a coal lorry which was reversing along the front.
[doubtless some media coverage ?]
During an early lesson on entry we all individually had to stand alongside him and audition for school choir or Queen's chapel; he told me immediately that I sounded like, "... a dying cat ...", and (scarred for life) I didn't make the cut !
The school was in three blocks, the main assembly and classrooms, the art block and a few classrooms, then the gym, woodwork and metalwork departments were in a separate block with a spiral staircase to enter it. If we had PE we then had to leave the block with just a towel round our waist and head to a cold shower block in a separate building in full view of passers-by in Tooley Street. In those days they were mainly dockers and canning factor workers, so you can imagine some of the remarks and comments we had as we crossed the quad to get to the showers or to return to the gym block!