More memories of Maidstone Schools

pam

Maidstone I remember it well: hi is there anyone out there who went to south borough girls school back in the 60s when the head mistress was miss petherbridge; who always seem to be larger than life; and scarry but we all respected her, and miss slaughter who took us for geography i was quite frighten of her at first but when you got to know her she was nice.but as a family we had wonderful days paddling and catching tiddlers in loose stream my mum would always sit on the side padddling her feet and knitting.

shirley southon chapman

Maidstone I remember it well: i went to eastborough school first, then on to good old vinters miss brett and mrs hart were PE teachers we had to walk up to vinters park in the winter to play hockey and mrs hart would bring along her white scottie dog, miss brett was so big for a PE teacher, miss dowding was the science teacher, what an old dragon,mrs bragg the art teacher snotty cow, a few of us appeared in the km when they tried to ban us wearing our platform shoes to school, those were the days, we did have some good times there though.

Wendy Gearing - Now Ashbee

Country: Canada Maidstone I remember it well: Wendy Ashbee (Nee Gearing) My first year at the senior school was the year they changed Eastborough to Vinters Girls Seconndary School. I remember Miss Brett, P.E., Miss Dowding, Science, Mrs. Grant, English, and the French teacher (can't remember her name) but she would always say Tujours La Politesse!! I will never forget her. We were taught German for one year. I remember the invasion of Hungary and the refugees that came to Maidstone. I remember Prunella Hairdressers and Barney with the Chinese Restaurant. My best friend at school was Christine Baker - we lived next door to each other in Perryfield Street.

Michael Johnson

Maidstone I remember it well: I attended Maidstone Tech at the age of 13 having previously attended The Wilderness school, Sevenoaks. I mainly did the Agriculture course as well as the usual 3rs I obtained 2 O levels in Woodwork & Metalwork and left in July 1959. I remember that there were older students at the Westree Rd site,( I think they studied art)but for us younger ones there was Agriculture, Building or Engineering. In the early days we walked up to Oakwood House, further up the Tonbridge Rd where we studied Agriculture ( there was a small farm) and Horticulture (quite large gardens attached to the house).Later on we spent more time at Oakwood doing our ordinary lessons as well as the farming & gardening.

john hakeman

Maidstone I remember it well: Hello Pam I went to South boro' juniors from '55 to '59 when we were not allowed to pass messages from the senior school girls to boys or boys to girls. They then built "Stalag 9" fences to prevent messages in split tennis balls. I then attended the senior boys from '59 to around '63. I was told off by a teacher for talking to my sister Maureen I recall. I went out with Doris Burril from the girls but had to cuddle her when we were well out of school for risk of a 100 lines. Our games master Mr. Nash was keen on the games mistress from the girls school--- perhaps it was the gym slip!

David Maltman

Country: Australia Maidstone I remember it well: Attended Vinters Boys Secondary School 1958-62. Have very fond memories of class mates and teachers.We had a great football team (Soccer in Australia)Celebration supper held at the Mitre Hotel Maidstone Monday 20th April 1959 to acknowledge the achievements of Vinters Juniors,winners of the Maidstone Schools Junior Football League.Sportsmaster was Mr A.F.Thomas. The team were also winners in 59/60 and 60/61. A group of students also saved their pocket money and attended the 1960 Rome Olympics.

David Maltman

Country: Australia David Maltman, Melbourne, Australia 06/09/2010 I refer to the posting "We remember 7, Trevor Miles" I was born in Hexham Northumberland in 1946 and as my father was in the Army travelled extensively in my younger years. I lived in Malta for two years before my father was transferred to Maidstone barracks.From memory we lived at 7,Hillary Road, Penenden Heath I have a book of Autographs which i recently came across.The book is stamped Kent Education Committee Maidstone East County Primary School which is where i sat my 11+.I ended up at Vinters Boys, so much for my academic potential. The Autograph book was signed on the 26/07/1957 by my classmates and i will list those that are legible. Malcolm Hughes, Peter Mannering, Roy Mc Arthur, Malcolm Cooper, Robert Moseley, Norman J. Kleiser, Geoffrey D. Masters, Derek Snoad, R.Watson, R Wicken, J.Turrell, S.Mercer, Tony Wratten, Christine de Vick, Trevor Miles, John Thorn, Keith Horton, David Pell, Keith Britton, Paul Smith, M.Ring, G.Ettinger. I was only at the school for a short period but some that went on to Vinters may remember me.

John Seager

Maidstone I remember it well: Was at West borough juniors from 1966 to 1971 . i then moved up to the North Est UK . still have fond memories of the school and the friends i left behind . still remember Paul Honey . Tim Hart . Clive Millgate .. any one remember them ? . would love to hear if any one remembers me email me at johnws1961@yahoo.co.uk

Keith Homden

Country: Spain Maidstone I remember it well: I went to West, and later East Boro Schools. My main memories are from the latter. The Headmaster wa Mr J. A. Mansfield (Jammy) and a first class teacher Mr. Graham. One of the class was Michael Kuelemans whose grandfather was a famous artist. I was with Michael when he carved his initials in the red brick wall in the playground. More tha 40 years later whilst ;iving in london my daughter was selling school holidays and invited me to go along with her. Imagine my trip down memory lane when she parked her car directly opposite the good-as-new initials of Michael Kuelemans. I am now living in Javea on the Costa Blanca but would love to hear from anyone from the school.

Well done Keith we lived in the Hondon Valley a village called Barbaroja

pam Maidstone I remember it well: can any one remember the christmas parties at all saints school sandwiches with curled crusts. and maypole dancing and contry dancing we all seem to take great pride in our dancing and does any one know has all saints school ever have a school reunion would love to go i attended from 1957 to 1961 does any one remember me?

peggy musson Maidstone I remember it well: I remember Miss thomas and Miss price very well Did anyone else have to in the name of Domestic Science have to clean miss thomas.s flat in Sittingbourne road One day I was shaking a bottle of Min cream (thick white polish) when the top came off and went all over her light green carpet which I hastily wiped it off making things even worse To this day I am never quite sure if she will come after me for a ticking off I also remember her catching various buses home in the evenings to catch out the not very well behaved girls luckily she never came on my one

Carol Bryant

Maidstone I remember it well: I went to Brunswick House, East Borough and then Southborough Girls from 1976-1981. I went to the Maidstone School for girls (now Invicta grammar) before going away to University. I came back to Kent to teach and have never left but then I love Maidstone! I taught at Eastborough in the old POW huts before the new Infants was built and at St Francis at the site opposite the Russel Hotel before they moved to the Queens Road site. Lots of lovely memories of people, schools and places and many memories triggered by the comments on here!