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From:

Una

Date:

6th January 2008

Contact:

None

Hope you will get this with the pictures as I am not up to speed yet with Vista. I have sent you Class 9 Mr Ingrams (if he is still alive you will find him somewhere on a Bee Keeping list as President or some such, I remember seeing a newpaper article about him years after I left JE.) There are a few missing pupils from this photo they were either in hospital with polio or hop picking in Kent. If you want more info on that mail me. I am the girl sitting second from left next to Mr Inkpot - our name for poor old Mr Ingram. I think I was seven I was always the youngest in the class. Second snap is Miss Kendricks aka Miss No knicks. This is class 1 and the top class we were the only ones who passed our eleven plus. I was just eleven then so this was taken in 1957. Last photo is ;The Stolen Prince' the class 1 school play. The curtains would be rigged up on the ground floor. They are the same curtains used for the temporary class. We had Houses and Captains at JE then. A boy and a girl would be picked to captain. I was girl captain of Robert Falcon Scot house. I remember there was a Florence Nightingale and David Livingstone house and I think the other one was Gladys Aylwood house. All names now fading into history. How differant it must have been for you. You are right about the post war baby boom we were very lucky children because even strangers would have time for you then. I suppose after the terrible days of the war we represented a new beginning and with that hope so inspite of rationing and the terrible poverty in Deptfrord we always felt rich. I was born in Czar St (the old houses were pulled down and newer slums built.) I suspect JE was a bit posh I was the only one in my street that went to JE all the rest went up the road to Deptford Park just over the old canal bridge. Most JE pupils were from New Cross and Amersham Vale. Posh or not about half my class got free school meals even in the holidays I know because I was good at maths and was always monitor colecting dinner money, or putting their names into to Free Meals Book They were no famous pupils except maybe Robert French a boy who was caned or had has his name put in a black book every time he turned up for school. My Uncle informed me years ago that the same boy was the one who held up a Bond St jewellers with a sub machine gun. He got 8 years I think so JE didnt do much for him. Will dig out other pics in time and maybe send more info as I dont want to bore on and on. Kind regards Una

From:

Patricia Weller

Date:

2nd October 2008

Contact:

None

I would like to contribute a name to the list of former pupils of the school. My mother, Doris A E Lambert, of Dorking Road, attended the school. She was born in 1909, so presumably went there from about 1913-14 and stayed until leaving age? Her sister, Elsie Louise, may also have gone to the school, and she won a scholarship to a grammar school, but I have no knowledge of which one that was. There were other children in the family but they were older, and at the time of their schooling they lived in Gesterwood St. Is that in the catchment area? At some time I will attempt to look at the school prize won at John Evelyn School by my mother. It may have some information. Good luck with your projects

From:

Irene Hatch

Date:

22nd July 2008

Contact:

None

I was just searching for info on john evelyn school and came across your site. i dont know how old this site is but i noticed you were asking pupils past to write in. well you may not know me as i dont know you but i was a student from about 1973-74 to 76 or 77. around that time. i was a very shy girl still am abit with very curly hair i didnt play with all the others because of my shyness so my memories are not as happy as yours. i spent my playtime being kicked my anther girl. although i do remember one girl called lola she was black but very kind to me and always tryed to help me. but at the time i was so nervous of the school. it was difficult for her to help me in anyway. i dont remember the teachers wich i find odd. as i did find the school scary this may be why. my memorie may of shut things out. i will always remember a few things these have stuck with me. lola the girl i mention before there was anther girl lolas friend i forget her name a white girl. the size it seemed so big to me especialy the windows. i seem to remember sitting on a big rug in a huge clasroom and always painting. oh yes and the big assemberlys always singing (kumebyi) my lord. sorry cant spell that. ans yellow bird wich i loved singing. this song helped me as the crowd again just scared me. we then moved out of the tower block in deptford and went to kent were i did find a school that helped me and got me on track were i had missed out on lots of education due to days off because of bullying and being to scared to pay attention. i,m glad you had a better time you cant beat school days when they go well. i wish i had memorie of you. but at the time i was or did hide away. all the best

From:

Anne

Date:

1st March 2007

Contact:

I have just been reading your article on John Evelyn school, and similarly I too was horrified to learn that it is no more, especially considering that it survived one of Hitlers bombs!... just to end up being demolished. Although I hasten to add that there wasnt too much damage - my vague recollection says that it tore a hole in the roof, but nobody was seriously injured. I didnt start there until 1947, which would have been two or three years later, I only have this information on hearsay from my older siblings. As you will see I have posted this pic of a group photo taken in 1950... I am in the back row immediately behind the teacher - a Mr Thomas or Thompson. Of the rest of the staff and also the pupils during my time there, I do recall many names, I wont bore you with the pupils names as obviously they wont mean anything to you, but the teachers I remember are - Headmistress Miss Dell, she left in 1952/3 and was replaced by Miss Loring, Mr Chesterton (lovely man) was Deputy Head, and some of the rest of the teachers were - Mr Hymas, Miss Hughes, Miss Fishlock, Miss Davis and Miss Johnson (I dont think the ladies got married in those days)!! Well Teddy, I will leave it there for now. Incidentally where did you live in Deptford, I lived IN the firestation, as my father was a fire officer. Hope to hear from you soon - Regards Anne
Hi Ed, Thanks for your prompt reply...... the photo was taken in the "main" playground, as you went in through the main gate (Rolt Street) it was immediatley to the right hand side of the entrance to the building. If my memory serves me well there were two playgrounds, which when I first went to the school were mixed, but because the boys used to get a bit boisterous the hierachy decided to seperate the guys from the gals! but hasten to add that it lasted all of five minutes,simply because it needed a lot of "policing" The toilets in my day were outside - not much fun in the winter, I dont know about the boys but in the girls loos the cubicles had full length stable type doors, and the pans were just the plain white ones but with a flat wooden board reaching from side to side with a foot diameter hole carved out of it. At one stage I was coffee monitor, making it in the staff room, again if I can recall the staff room was on the top floor at the back of the hall. How uncanny is that Ed, that your mum worked in the firestation, I lived there from 1945 until 1954 in flat number 5. You know it took me an age to discover why I had so many boyfriends, then the penny dropped, yes, all they were interested in were the fire engines!! Well Ed, it would appear that you are a few years younger than me, which brings up another point, firstly were you born in Deptford, and secondly, if so what were your parents called, because I would imagine that they are possibly in my age group, and maybe I might have known them. I will understand Ed if you dont want to divulge that information, as you dont really know me, so thats fine. You have probably done a bit of searching on the sites on here for info about John Evelyn, as I have, but all you seem to get when you open them up is about the man himself, and the history of Deptford, and absolutely nothing about the school, maybe one of the local libraries would have some detail. Another thing you mentioned in your e-mail was that on a school trip you came out to Eynsford and Horton Kirby..... another coincidence as thats where I now live. Well thats it for now Ed Regards Anne

From:

Sayde Walton/Mehmet

Date:

7th October 2006

Contact:

I was at John Evelyn from 1975 to 1981, I also had Mrs Broad as a headmistress also Mrs Rosen, other trips I remember were to a place called Aruthusia near Rochester, teachers I remember are, Mr Otto, Miss Garratt, Mr Nash, Mr Powell and others, Miss Case, Mr Nulen, I was also saddened to hear of the demolition of the school, I particularly remember the newer school and it's layout. If I can help in any other way I would be pleased to. Regards

From:

Sarnia Pooley

Date:

11th April 2009

Contact:

None

I have stumbled upon this site whilst looking for information regarding my family. My great grandfather Samuel Hugh Newman was the school caretaker at Alverton street school from approx 1912 to 1919, he and his family lived at number 26 Alverton street, I have many postcards addressed there. He served in France from 1915-1918 but regularly wrote to his family back home at alverton street. It is highly likely that my great aunt Louisa Winifred Newman attended this school, she was born in 1908.

From:

Jackie Mason

Date:

12th June 2009

Contact:

Hi i was at the School from 1959 to 1963 and i lived in Shere road next to dorking road i lived 2 doors down from lily's corner shop, memories, Happy days, all my family went there from Pauline,jenny,Colin,Roger, me, Lynne. All i remember is happy times.

From:

Jean White

Date:

4th July 2009

Contact:

None

1934/5, I lived in Abinger Grove, the youngest of a family of nine. The man next door stopped by our house to tell my Mum that they were taking children in to the school 'early'. I begged my Mum to take me there, she did and I was accepted, right away. Every time we went into the hall and had to sit down we were given a piece of grey/brown paper to sit onto keep our knickers clean! This paper was also used for our drawing, it was sort of rough and porous, very good for drawing. It soon became my job to , when requested by the teacher, to go into the hall and check the time, I know I was the only one who could tell the time, all thanks to my Dad who sat for hours teaching us things that were useful. Upon reflection I suppose Teacher never had a watch, who had a wristwatch back then? One of my teachers was a Miss Ganderton who I remember as a tubby emotional lady who cried a lot, she was very sweet, Another very memorable Teacher was Madame Delli, not too sure abot the spelling. She was a much stronger personality , who was such a darling. She had taught my elder sisters but particularly loved my sister Daisy who was also a fine person. Thanks to my connections, I got to be Monitor. I remember dancing around the maypole,school milk being ladled from a big churn.I think I remember obtaining my '11Plus' from thereto go to Haberdashers Askes Hatcham School for Girls, what a glorious name it seemed! but they had evacuated to Teingmouth in Devon.So then I went to Clyde Street for a while to another wonderful Teacher, Miss Strawbridge who for a treat would let us eat sweets in class, can you imagine that! My sisterDaisy used to tell me of a girl who was a student at John Evelyn whilst she was there. She said the whole school lined up on the pavement outside, and as the funeral passed by they all sang, God make my life a little light, within the world to glow, a little flame that burneth bright, wherever I may go. My Daisy taught that to me and still to this day it chokes me. I shall be 78yrs. on August 1st, John Evelyn remains and always will in my heart as one of my fondest momories. I was upset that like you, I thoght it could have been honoured in a more fitting way. A sign of the times. Please forgive all my mistakes, I really am getting tired and I was a good student in my time!! Fondest RegardsJean Lillian White.

From:

Michelle Douglas

Date:

2nd September 2009

Contact:

None

I attented the school along with my siblings,Kim,Linda,Michael and Paul Douglas.I have many happy memories especially of Mrs Broad and Mr Mooney the music teacher.We lived in etta and gosterwood street,my mum now lives in one of the flats which was built on the old school site and i agree why pull down a wonderful building to build something with no meaning.They did keep the bell tower from the school which is on top of the flats where my mum lives.I have looked at some of your photos but dont reconize anyone but i do think we could have been at the school at the same time cos i also attended around the same time as you.I Will continue to look at the site for any more information .Thanks for bringing back some wonderful memories.

From:

Alan King

Date:

16th December 2009

Contact:

Hi Ed - I was there in the mid-late 50's and lived in the prefabs in Gosterwood Street. I see you have one of my photos on here already - this was taken during a "nostalgia trip". At the time I was expecting the little sweet shop which was opposite the Alverton street entrance to still be there. Keep up the good work.

From:

Steve Smith

Date:

28th March 2010

Contact:

None

Hi,Found your site just looking back at my school days. I first attended Grinlin Gibbons infant school in Clyde Street, Deptford, I left there in 1959 to attend John Evelyn School. The Headmistress was a Miss Loring and the deputy head was Mr Smith. Mr Smith had an interest in moths and would bring his collections in, he also ran a handictaft class from the Library. What really interested me then was the glass beehive that was on the top floor. I can only remember one teachers name and that was in the first year, Mrs Kennedy. I attended from 1959 to 1963, having failed my 11 plus! I then went on to Eltham Green comprehensive school. While at John Evelyn I lived in Amersham Vale and the Warwickshire Street. I can remember playing games out in the street, being out all day playing, going to Greenwich park on bikes. Playing down on the bank of the Thames by the Cutty Sark. Fond memories.

From:

Valerie Arnold

Date:

29th June 2010

Contact:

None

Hi I went to John Evelyn from 1953 to 1957 and I am in all 3 pictures submitted by Una I can also remember several names of others in the pictures. Dianne Bullett, Gillian Clarke, Marion Stevenson, Elenor Howard, Maxine Dennis, Susan Bryant and Anthony Wilmott. I was in most of the school plays and was Mary in the Nativity. Susan Bryant was the Angel Gabriel

From:

Jeanne Mundy

Date:

2nd August 2010

Contact:

None

Have just stumbled across this site! I was at the school from 1953 - 1958. I was also in Mr. Ingram's class and can be seen sitting two away from Mr. Ingram on the right in Una's photo which I have also kept. It is lovely to read so many memories. One of my memories is of Miss Loring insisting on calling me Jeanne with the french pronunciation!! I was so shy and I hated being made to feel different!

From:

Lee Kluth

Date:

11th October 2010

Contact:

First of all may I thank Edward for all of his hard work and effort in constructing this site. I attended John Evelyn from 1967-1971. I was the third genreation of my mother's side of the family to attend the school. I lived in Shere Road until it's demolition in 1966. I then lived in Howard House, Evelyn Street until 1980. My classroom teacher in my first year was Mrs Smith. We occupied the corner classroom on the ground floor. It faced out onto the corners of Alverton and Rolt Street. I think that there was a ladies hairdressers on the the corner. My second year classroom teacher was Mrs Richardson. She seemed as though she had come from straight out of a Charles Dickens novel. She always seemed to wear a heavy black coat whether it was winter or summer. I also seem to remember that she wasn't shy of the odd tipple...or three. My third year classroom teacher was Mr Williams.He was very keen on testing us on both maths (sums) and spelling. Every morning the class has to practise our handwriting by tracing poems, the alphabet and bits of literature from cards supplied from the cupboard that also housed one or two stag beetles. I can stiill see Mr Williams walking around the classroom still with one of his bicycle clips holding up one of his trouser legs. The other clip he had taken off. My forth and last classroom teacher was the wonderful Mr Roger Day.He sported a bushy beard, had long-ish hair and wore flowery ties.He married Miss Munro.He read The Hobbit to us for one term. He was also the 'manager' of the school football team. I met up with him a few years ago. He was collecting his daughter from Heathrow and as I now live not far from Heathrow we had a chat and a drink. The time that we had together was far too short to cover 30 years worth of memories. Once again, thank you for bringing this website into existence.

From:

Sandra Barrowcliffe

Date:

5th March 2011

Contact:

I went to Grinling Gibbons, then to JE 1956 till 1962, my cousin was David Pead Head Boy, we remember the bees. My Auntie Nell was Head cook, I remember the cupboard with the Plimsoles and was also in the school Nativity year. I have photos and would very much love to share these happy memories of such a wonderful school. Miss Loring was such a wonderful head mistress, and even today we all still talk about her in our family, my cousin David Pead sadly passed away but Miss Loring was mentioned at his funeral, we all had a brilliant careers and I did go back to the school to look but when I saw it wasn't there a tear came to my eye. I remember Pat Lizmore, Janet Hyam,Lyn Murphy, and the Trophy cupboard whereby Headboys names were enscribed on the cup. I will find those photos and what about the old bike shed and they all seemed to drive Morris minor cars green/grey, Miss Lorings office was along a corridor, and the girls played in their own area away from boys, and my cousin David was on duty with I think Mr.Smith between the playgrounds happy days. I would love to hear from anybody who remembers us I have such a bad memory, my aunts were also dinner ladies and my cousin Pauline Pead was Head girl also(1954)and we had another cousin there, she was Barbara Stubbs that would have been 1968. Thankyou JE and now I know about this wonderful site I will visit regularly.

From:

Jen Richards

Date:

20th May 2011

Contact:

None

I was there from 1957 until July 1961 and for the last two years had Mr Ingram as my class teacher. He only ever wore suits with waistcoats - one suit navy pin-stripe and the other brown. I remember getting into trouble for running down the stairs - straight into Miss Loring. Separate playgrounds for boys and girls, trying to negotiate the boys playground carrying a cup of coffee for Mr Ingram. The cloakroooms - dark dingy places. Malt tablets handed out in winter. Dodging the bees when they swarmed. The old iron desks in some rooms. Trying to pull down the blackout blinds on the windows so that films could be shown in the dining room. (They were only ever educational films.) Practising for sports day at Deptford Park. Mr Chesterton trying to organise a school choir and not finding enough children that could "sing". The assemblies and the classical music played at them. I now live in Australia and work in a school surrounded by its own grassed oval and play areas. How these children would be shocked at the bitumen playgounds we had and the lack of equipment compared to todays kids.

From:

Debi Gaskin-Palmer

Date:

18th July 2011

Contact:

My name is Debi Gaskin-Palmer (nee Debbie Gaskin). What a pleasure it's been reliving my John Evelyn schooldays through your site! My family moved into Guillemot Court in 1970 and was at John Evelyn until I left for secondary school in 1977. I have vivid and happy memories of my time there and can visualise the faces of many of the teachers, Miss Case (striking mop of wild red hair and a smiling face), Mr Otto, Mr Nash (one of my favourites, with his long hair and even longer beard), Mr Cuthbertson (reminded me of a rock-star, always wore funky jeans and cowboy boots), Miss Kirkham (a very elegant and pretty lady with long dark hair), Miss Fitzsimmons (I remember her from infant school, she wore glasses, had long fair hair and was lovely!). Mr Powell (an older gentleman who was always taking snuff, and who gave me a love for mathematics). My memories of Mrs Broad are of a larger than life woman with the sweetest singing voice I had ever heard. Her office was very homely and inviting and even as children we all felt that she cared a lot about us. I remember my guitar teacher, Mr Pat Mooney, and I still have my old guitar to this day! Unfortunately I don't think that I have any pictures of those days, but if I come across any I will definitely forward them to you. Keep up the good work!

From:

Patricia Maslin

Date:

1st September 2011

Contact:

None

I attended JE from 1965 my brother David from three years earlier. Sad to say I could not remember any of the teachers but just very happy memories of my time there. Playing 'Squash the Beetle' on the long bench in the covered area to the back of the playground, wonderful assemblies and being embarrassed on parents day when Mum came in laden with her shopping on the way back from Evelyn St. We lived in Shere Rd and names I remember who attended JE were Annette Little, Shirley and Keith Maine, Evelyn Blake and my cousins Jackie and Lynne Mason who have already contributed. An amazing site, well done Edward.

From:

Sheila Iron

Date:

20th September 2011

Contact:

None

I was a pupil from about 1967 to 1969 and before that I went to Grinling Gibbons infant school. I'm afraid I don't remember much about those days - only the portrait of John Evelyn in the hall where the eyes used to follow you where ever you went. I remember Mr Day and writing out the words to Hey Jude in his class. I got into trouble for leaving the school premises at lunchtime to go the pie and mash shop instead of having school dinner! I lived at Comet House at the time (also demolished now) and I left JE in1969 when we moved out of the area. Sorry I can't come up with any more names.

From:

Jan Baldwin

Date:

14th November 2011

Contact:

I was born in 1953 and left Grinling Gibbons Infants then went on to John Evelyn primary. Miss Loring was head teacher and I believe Mr SMith was deputy head.
Mr Yates was my favourite of all the teachers and the only other one I can really remember the name of. He was very kind and quiet, but those of us who loved him to bits were devastated when we caught him sneeking around with one of the other married teachers! Can't remember her name.
Wish I could say it was a good time for me there, but it wasn't, though I'm very sad to see the building has disappeared. I was a victim of much bullying there, as were many people, but when you're a victim you feel like you're the only one being singled out. I cannot remember one single person's name other than the teachers I've mentioned, so I must have blotted that out.
We moved house and I went on to Blackheath and Bluecoats and everything changed. I made lots of friends there and I remember every single one.
John Evelyn had a huge open shed in the playground, next to the toilets. It was much like an oversized bike shed, with wooden benches right at the back, a good place for bullies to pin you in without anybody noticing, but in those days the teachers did nothing anyway. You rarely saw anyone patrolling the playground and nobody ever snitched, not even to their parents. You just had to put up and shut up.
There were two playgrounds, one for boys, one for girls, with an entrance to the school in each one as I remember. I always went home via the boys entrance. I lived in Edward Street in Deptford.
Miss Loring was stern and frightening and regularly called naughty children to her office either to have a ruler whacked across their hands or to sit in the outer office writing lines (or both). The good kids who'd achieved something would also be summoned for a praise (if you could call it that with Miss Loring!) and a sticky sweet from the sweet jar, where all the boiled sweets were stuck together because they;d been there so long!
I remember lots of other things but there's too much for this space and whoever is reading this might fall asleep. If you've got this far, thank you :)

From:

Shelley Birch

Date:

3rd February 2012

Contact:

Hi Ed, or should i call you teddy! i was in your class and remember you well from your picture. I went to addey and stanhope school after john evelyn. my mum was a dinner lady in the infants side with Angela, joyce and barbara. she is still alive at 83! she was brought up in deptford and often tells stories of her youth. My 2 sisters also went there. Susan birch and jane birch. Great to find this site teddy!