Teacher Memory
Remember your teachers here...
By Friends Reunited (née Team) 9th Oct 2008
Edited 9th Feb 2012
All
What a tragic loss to turn the Convent into retirement homes. I look back on my years there with great happiness. Those nuns did their best to give us a good grounding - I mean, what other 4 year old kid gets French homework??
Mrs Diamond slapping our palms with her ruler (painful), Mrs Taylor (mad Irish teacher) who made me sit at her feet in detention for an hour, Mrs Naylor (nutter PE teacher) but loveable with a great smile, the huge brass clanging bell wielded by Sister Marie Claire calling us in from lunch break, Mrs Couthino - the sweetest teacher in the world and second mummy to a few of us littl'uns!, the mysterious back passages and darkened corridors at the top of the infants block, where ghostly figures appeared, Sister Denise's french lesson (you sheeky monkey!) - what a wealth of wonderful memories from a great school. Heard all the sisters went back to France when the Convent was sold for development. Vicki Young.
What a tragic loss to turn the Convent into retirement homes. I look back on my years there with great happiness. Those nuns did their best to give us a good grounding - I mean, what other 4 year old kid gets French homework??
Mrs Diamond slapping our palms with her ruler (painful), Mrs Taylor (mad Irish teacher) who made me sit at her feet in detention for an hour, Mrs Naylor (nutter PE teacher) but loveable with a great smile, the huge brass clanging bell wielded by Sister Marie Claire calling us in from lunch break, Mrs Couthino - the sweetest teacher in the world and second mummy to a few of us littl'uns!, the mysterious back passages and darkened corridors at the top of the infants block, where ghostly figures appeared, Sister Denise's french lesson (you sheeky monkey!) - what a wealth of wonderful memories from a great school. Heard all the sisters went back to France when the Convent was sold for development. Vicki Young.
By Victoria Ramsden (née Young) 30th Jul 2001
Sr Antoinette
Tiny nun but a very scary introduction to the place when you're only four! I remember her vivid stories whose general moral would be that the wrath of God would descend upon anyone who transgressed in any way...well you know how naughty four year olds can be! Despite that, happy memories of the reception class and memories of boring my parents with the French songs that she taught us!
Tiny nun but a very scary introduction to the place when you're only four! I remember her vivid stories whose general moral would be that the wrath of God would descend upon anyone who transgressed in any way...well you know how naughty four year olds can be! Despite that, happy memories of the reception class and memories of boring my parents with the French songs that she taught us!
By Mark Wadman 22nd Aug 2001
Sister Denise
Does anyone remember the lovely lunches? especially on a Friday with the fish cakes and greasy chips, only one spoon of waterey tomatoe sauce all dished up by Sister Denise of course.
Who remembers the boys headmistress,
wow was she scary, or the lovely very old nun who's name I cannot remember.
Does anyone remember the lovely lunches? especially on a Friday with the fish cakes and greasy chips, only one spoon of waterey tomatoe sauce all dished up by Sister Denise of course.
Who remembers the boys headmistress,
wow was she scary, or the lovely very old nun who's name I cannot remember.
By Lorraine Troy (née Paterson) 17th Sep 2002
Mrs Couthino
I have to agree with Vicki Young, Mrs Couthino was wonderful definitely the sweetest teacher in the world. She really took notice of all us little ones even the quiet shy ones! It was because of her that I took up piano lessons.
Also how small was Sister Antoinette, you always knew if you had grown over the Summer holidays by how much taller than her you were....at 7!!!!!
I have to agree with Vicki Young, Mrs Couthino was wonderful definitely the sweetest teacher in the world. She really took notice of all us little ones even the quiet shy ones! It was because of her that I took up piano lessons.
Also how small was Sister Antoinette, you always knew if you had grown over the Summer holidays by how much taller than her you were....at 7!!!!!
By Zoe Bradburn (née Howard) 25th May 2003
Sister Theresa was the scary head of boys and sister
Blanche old and very sweet. Sister Denise was bonkers but introduced me
to a lifelong love of Botany. In fact I have made a professional career
out of my love of plants.
Miss Brown was always the one who had me quaking in my boots though
Miss Brown was always the one who had me quaking in my boots though
By Rosemary Paddington 9th Feb 2012
Sister Theresa was our headmistress. Fond of waving a
cane above our heads and saying "good riddance" as we left and were
compelled to say "good evening Sister Theresa." She was a fantastic
teacher though.
As you say Rosemary, Sister Denise was bonkers but a great teacher. She used to teach Spanish too but desisted in the later years.
No one has mentioned Mrs Gomez, the teacher who specialised in elocution, spoke like the Queen, despite being Spanish.
Mrs Lenahan was only at the school for one year in 1976 but received an award I believe for her teaching.
Another seemingly forgotten is Sister Theresa's replacement. Mrs. Wren, a gifted and patient teacher who was very different in style to Mrs Lyon's preference of hitting children repeatedly.
The girls were very lucky in having Mrs Callan (correct spelling?) who taught the years between Taylor and Mrs Diamond. I had the opportunity to discover she was one of the best possible teachers. She retired suffering from severe arthritis and needing walking sticks
As you say Rosemary, Sister Denise was bonkers but a great teacher. She used to teach Spanish too but desisted in the later years.
No one has mentioned Mrs Gomez, the teacher who specialised in elocution, spoke like the Queen, despite being Spanish.
Mrs Lenahan was only at the school for one year in 1976 but received an award I believe for her teaching.
Another seemingly forgotten is Sister Theresa's replacement. Mrs. Wren, a gifted and patient teacher who was very different in style to Mrs Lyon's preference of hitting children repeatedly.
The girls were very lucky in having Mrs Callan (correct spelling?) who taught the years between Taylor and Mrs Diamond. I had the opportunity to discover she was one of the best possible teachers. She retired suffering from severe arthritis and needing walking sticks
By Stephen Armourae 21st Sep 2013
Sister Theresa was scary, but also a brilliant
teacher. I was in her class from about 1963 to 1965. Then, around 1975
I was working at St Pancras Chambers (the gothic building above St
Pancras Station) and saw Sr. Theresa with a group of boys on the train
platform. I rushed down to say hello, and after 10 years, she still
remembered me! Was I that bad? So, what happened to her?
I was at St. Joseph's from around 1958 to 1965 and started in the Kindergarten under Miss Williams, then on to Miss Colombo, then Sr. Antionette and final Sr. Theresa. Where are they all now?
I was at St. Joseph's from around 1958 to 1965 and started in the Kindergarten under Miss Williams, then on to Miss Colombo, then Sr. Antionette and final Sr. Theresa. Where are they all now?
By Barrie Wright 2nd Oct 2013
My list of lay teachers that I remember from 76-81:
Mrs. Diamond - a fantastic radio acting voice, lovely person. A sort of Joyce Grenfell but more distinctive
Mrs Newman - the writer of War Horse and his sister danced on their grandmother's grave and I share a similar feeling towards this one!
Mrs Taylor, Mrs Lyons, Mrs O'Hanlan, Mrs Lenahan, Mrs Gomez, Mrs Wren, Mrs Callan (or Cannon? Callum? fantastic teacher the girls were very lucky to have). Mrs Naylor.
Mrs Greatrex was the music teacher who was replaced by Mrs O'Hanlan.
I did see some of the teachers after I left as I pulled in a few times by the sister superior when she saw me while she was gardening, "Awww Stephen come in and have a cup of tea...."
I met Mrs O'Hanlan at St Lawrences Church back in 2004, we chatted about Mozart, my time at the Royal Opera House. She was really nice and happy to talk about classical music and remember the 3 years (I think) she was there
Mrs. Diamond - a fantastic radio acting voice, lovely person. A sort of Joyce Grenfell but more distinctive
Mrs Newman - the writer of War Horse and his sister danced on their grandmother's grave and I share a similar feeling towards this one!
Mrs Taylor, Mrs Lyons, Mrs O'Hanlan, Mrs Lenahan, Mrs Gomez, Mrs Wren, Mrs Callan (or Cannon? Callum? fantastic teacher the girls were very lucky to have). Mrs Naylor.
Mrs Greatrex was the music teacher who was replaced by Mrs O'Hanlan.
I did see some of the teachers after I left as I pulled in a few times by the sister superior when she saw me while she was gardening, "Awww Stephen come in and have a cup of tea...."
I met Mrs O'Hanlan at St Lawrences Church back in 2004, we chatted about Mozart, my time at the Royal Opera House. She was really nice and happy to talk about classical music and remember the 3 years (I think) she was there
By Stephen Armourae 2nd Dec 2013
Barrie, I was in that group at St Pancras Station. We
were on a school outing to Sheffield. I remember St Theresa talking to
you, she was chuffed to bits that you said hello. The date was July 6th
(it was my birthday).
By Declan Leary 3rd Jan 2014
Declan, that's amazing! Thanks for the feedback and I
am so delighted that my last contact with Sr. Theresa brought her
happiness. But now a question....why ever would a school from Sidcup go
on a school outing to Sheffield?
Thanks again Declan.
Thanks again Declan.
By Barrie Wright 11th Jan 2014
Barrie
I have no idea why we were going to Sheffield. We went to the Blue John mines (http://www.bluejohn-cavern.co.uk/) which was fab and interesting, and Chatsworth House, which wasn't. At the time it seemed incredibly ambitious but the day passed off virtually without incident. We got home pretty late in the day, around eleven o'clock at night, which was good going for a primary school outing. I recall talking to a South African boy who's parents had recently moved to the UK, he talked about hunting poisonous snakes on the veldt. It all seemed very exotic and exciting. I also remember Ian Hunt and I messing around together on the train on the way there. He was a "bad influence" according to my mother, not that I needed much.
I think it was 1976, as it was my last year at the school. It was that summer when we had the drought and every day seemed full of sunshine and heat and stretched forever.
I have no idea why we were going to Sheffield. We went to the Blue John mines (http://www.bluejohn-cavern.co.uk/) which was fab and interesting, and Chatsworth House, which wasn't. At the time it seemed incredibly ambitious but the day passed off virtually without incident. We got home pretty late in the day, around eleven o'clock at night, which was good going for a primary school outing. I recall talking to a South African boy who's parents had recently moved to the UK, he talked about hunting poisonous snakes on the veldt. It all seemed very exotic and exciting. I also remember Ian Hunt and I messing around together on the train on the way there. He was a "bad influence" according to my mother, not that I needed much.
I think it was 1976, as it was my last year at the school. It was that summer when we had the drought and every day seemed full of sunshine and heat and stretched forever.
By Nick Waddell 22nd Jan 2014
Good to read your remembrances of that trip, Nick. There's always an 'Ian Hunt' in any school group.
By Barrie Wright 7th Feb 2014
I remember Mrs Lonsdale who taught me circa aged 7 in
1967. Also there was Mrs Delamere who taught PE and helped me with
high jump. I cleared 4ft one day, a feat never to be repeated. We also
had some great games of rounders under her supervision.
By Roy Lale 20th Oct 2014
Sister Denise, Sister Marie Claire, Sister Rennie and
the lovely Mrs Grant and Miss Cullen. They certainly taught the three
'r's'.
By Debby Remington 13th Feb 2015
Checking it's the same teacher. Mrs Cullen retired
around 1980-81. By that time she was suffering with severe arthritis in
her hands and was using a walking stick. She had a classroom next to
Mrs Taylor, she taught the girls from the 2 years above Mrs Taylor, so
the equivalent of Mrs Lyons for the boys. If it's the same teacher I
know that Mrs Cullen was an excellent teacher
By Stephen Armourae 22nd Mar 2015
We had an unusual experience in 1978. One of the 7
year old boys who had already been caned by Sr. Theresa, that's right
they would cane 6 year olds.
He had done something that had so angered the headmistress that she brought him & his friend out into the playground & lined up all the rest of the boys during the lunch time break, I was near the top in front of Jesus on his mound, to witness both 7 year olds being caned.
He had done something that had so angered the headmistress that she brought him & his friend out into the playground & lined up all the rest of the boys during the lunch time break, I was near the top in front of Jesus on his mound, to witness both 7 year olds being caned.
By Stephen Armourae 23rd Mar 2015
Recently this was sent to France after speaking to a nun in Normandy, so more information may soon be coming.
Je étais un élève au couvent Saint-Joseph de Hatherley Road, Sidcup, Kent, qui a été géré par des religieuses de l'ordre Sœurs de l'Éducation Chrétienne, que je crois.
Le Couvent fermé en 1989 et les religieuses retourné en Normandie en France.
Je fais des recherches sur l'Covent, l'Ordre et les questions connexes eccumenical, au nom de 250 autres élèves. Je suis aussi un écrivain et un acteur-réalisateur tellement suis l'espoir de faire un documentaire aussi.
Je serais très reconnaissant pour toute information ou si possible via email des photos etc sur l'Ordre et le couvent et les religieuses qui enseignaient
Je savais que Sœur Marie-Claire qui était la sœur supérieure et l'un des fondateurs du couvent à l'âge de 17 en 1901. Sœur Thérèse qui étais la directrice tous deux décédés en Angleterre et je belive sont enterrés ici, mais je ne sais pas où.
Sœur Renée, Sœur Emannuel (retour en France en 1977), Sœur Antoinette, Sœur Denise et deux cuisiniers qui je ne connais pas leurs noms, mais on est devenu la sœur supérieure.
Chaque année, la mère supérieure du couvent se rendrait. Je suis très intéressé par les détails à son sujet.
Je vous prie de croire,
Je étais un élève au couvent Saint-Joseph de Hatherley Road, Sidcup, Kent, qui a été géré par des religieuses de l'ordre Sœurs de l'Éducation Chrétienne, que je crois.
Le Couvent fermé en 1989 et les religieuses retourné en Normandie en France.
Je fais des recherches sur l'Covent, l'Ordre et les questions connexes eccumenical, au nom de 250 autres élèves. Je suis aussi un écrivain et un acteur-réalisateur tellement suis l'espoir de faire un documentaire aussi.
Je serais très reconnaissant pour toute information ou si possible via email des photos etc sur l'Ordre et le couvent et les religieuses qui enseignaient
Je savais que Sœur Marie-Claire qui était la sœur supérieure et l'un des fondateurs du couvent à l'âge de 17 en 1901. Sœur Thérèse qui étais la directrice tous deux décédés en Angleterre et je belive sont enterrés ici, mais je ne sais pas où.
Sœur Renée, Sœur Emannuel (retour en France en 1977), Sœur Antoinette, Sœur Denise et deux cuisiniers qui je ne connais pas leurs noms, mais on est devenu la sœur supérieure.
Chaque année, la mère supérieure du couvent se rendrait. Je suis très intéressé par les détails à son sujet.
Je vous prie de croire,
By Stephen Armourae 27th Mar 2015
After more research here are the founders & early nuns:
Sister Superior Marie-Claire was:
Marie Claire Villete born 1884
Some will remember arriving on a foggy Wednesday morning & we were all sent straight to assembly where sister Theresa announced she had died in her sleep at 4 am
Sister Blanche that some here remember. She arrived at a later date but in the early days of the Convent:
Blanche Torveille born 1889
Another co-founder of the Convent:
Rosalie Noel born 1883
&
Anna Benchard born 1882
Some other nuns:
Victorine Piguet, Augustine Forget, Felicite Cronillard
The nuns were also taking care of a young child named Jean Schmid for a time
Sister Superior Marie-Claire was:
Marie Claire Villete born 1884
Some will remember arriving on a foggy Wednesday morning & we were all sent straight to assembly where sister Theresa announced she had died in her sleep at 4 am
Sister Blanche that some here remember. She arrived at a later date but in the early days of the Convent:
Blanche Torveille born 1889
Another co-founder of the Convent:
Rosalie Noel born 1883
&
Anna Benchard born 1882
Some other nuns:
Victorine Piguet, Augustine Forget, Felicite Cronillard
The nuns were also taking care of a young child named Jean Schmid for a time
By Stephen Armourae 7th Apr 2015
The Crusader magazine which came every month. We
bought those from Mrs Taylor during class time. There was also the
Missionary magazine which was purchased from Sister Antoinette
By Stephen Armourae 7th Apr 2015
Augustine Forget was born in the 1860's.
Those of you lucky enough to have known Sister Marie-Claire,& older nuns, get your head around this:
You are one step away from a connection to the 18th century!
Marie-Claire & the older nuns were taught by the founders who were born in the 1790s. So those that knew her were speaking/taught by someone who was raised & taught be people from the 1790s.
Those of you lucky enough to have known Sister Marie-Claire,& older nuns, get your head around this:
You are one step away from a connection to the 18th century!
Marie-Claire & the older nuns were taught by the founders who were born in the 1790s. So those that knew her were speaking/taught by someone who was raised & taught be people from the 1790s.
By Stephen Armourae 7th Apr 2015
I have been talking to a pupil from the end of the '40's. There was a Miss King at the school.
Sister Antoinette taught the reception class and Sr. Theresa taught the following age group. The equivalent of Mrs Lonsdale teaching the 6 & 7 year olds
Sister Antoinette taught the reception class and Sr. Theresa taught the following age group. The equivalent of Mrs Lonsdale teaching the 6 & 7 year olds
By Stephen Armourae 13th Apr 2015
More details on the Convent are on the Archdiocese of Southwark page
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Southwark
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Southwark
By Stephen Armourae 13th Apr 2015
I was a pupil from 1959-69. I remember starting at the school after moving to Kent aged 7 yrs. I remember my first class at St Joseph's , my first teacher being Mrs Taylor. I remember Sister Marie and Sister Antionette. I remember buying holy pictures from her for a penny. I do remember a Miss Scott who had the 10 year olds' class upstairs. She was very strict. I remember the chapel which smelt of incense. It was located on an upper floor , down very dark corridors. I remember thinking it was very beautiful. I still have my school badge which I wore on my beret and some old school class photos, as well as first communion pictures, and May Day pictures. We used to parade from the school to the church as 'petal throwers' prepared by the nuns in little baskets. I have very fond memories of the school and being very happy there. Patricia Lloyd
ReplyDeletepatricialloyd@hotmail.co.uk