Bow School recently held a heritage day at the school in recognition of the 100 years of its existence. It was a celebration of its past and of its future – this year it moves to a state-of-the-art new school building in Twelve Trees Crescent.
Up to two hundred past and present students turned to enjoy the day. You can see pics and quotes from the day in the school magazine.
OurBow and the Geezers were on hand to video some of the ex-students about their memories of the school, and over the next few weeks we will be posting these videos on the site.
We are starting with Alex Stratton who was at the school from 1946-1950 . After school Alex started work as an indentured apprentice, and after further study, finished his working life heading up a 14-strong team of work study officers in a London Borough.
Loved every minute there, shit education but brilliant place to grow up in.
TEACHERS: Stickings of course (RIP), Williams, Mr and Mrs, think she ran off with Mr Stewart, PE teachers Barry Walton (RIP) Joe Young, Miss Rudd, Miss Moran, Mr GIbbs, and the bastards Chambers and Barker.
PUPILS: Tony’s Humphreys, Phillips, Strong, Mahoney, Lee RIce, Steve Woodruff, Jimmy Purdy, Graham Lambert, George Whitfield, Michael Keleris, Camelle HInds, Ian Wrigglesworth, probably remember more later
Hi vic
Yes I remember miss Rudd she was the English teacher and used to wear the shorted mini skirts
Not good for 14 and 15 year old boys ??
Miss Moran was the music teacher
I remember playing records in the music room
T. rex Alice copper and Elton John in 1972
Yes 50 years ago
Where have all those years gone
Hi Keith , I was there the same time as you do you remember Miss Rudd and Miss Moran, I went on some great skiing holidays and canoeing to the south of France with the school , best years of my life.
Hi Kieth,
I was there from 75-80
Hi paul
Sorry to hear you had some not so good times
I was there 68-74 .
when were you there as I was in the school band with gary Baldwin,mark Bryant and Robert Mahoney
That school and the teachers set you up for real life in the real world
Boys were boys girls were girls and all the snowflakes melted in March
I didn’t enjoy all my time at bow boys school in the 70s first day Mr Williams (HT) showed us the cane book and canes. Which he and Stickings would use at a later date on some of us as we went through the school. l am dyslexic and made to read to the class. Punched and hit by some teachers when working at my table or walking through the corridors for no reason not good for a young persons development.
First mr Holland and then Fry was my form teacher. I remember mr Gibbs ,mr Gibson, mr Hendrix woodwork , mr Jones music , mr Pruce my first class teacher.Ms Hollington history and we had a science teacher mr Bob Marley. I loved sports and our sports teachers mr young , mr Walton were so much fun and looked after me and took a group skiing in Italy.
Great memories
I went to Bow Boys from 1980 to 1987.
Some of the best yrs of my life sl far.
I remember Pete Stickings and he helped me a lot and gave me great advise.
Also Mr Williams who was the Head when I started. I particularly remember Mr Frier, he inspired me a lot. Mrs. Hollington, Miss. Parmenter. So many great puplils that had so much character and indeed individuals!
Its was a great time and inspired me!
Ossy Yusuf
Hi all
I was there 68-73
We did not realise at the time these were some of the best days of our lives
Great teachers
Pete stickings was my form master in the 4th and 5th year
Sad they don’t make the likes of him now days
I was there from 1970-75. Great memories. Peter Stickings was a great teacher. Others I remember are Mr Williams, Mrs Williams, Mr Starkey, Mr Headley, Mr Durham, Mr Giles and quite a few others. There were some real characters there among the boys as well.
I went to Bow Boys from 1981 to 1987.
I remember both mr Williams & Me Stickings.
This was the best time of my life and I loved Bow Boys. I always tell my two sons how much I love it. Mr Williams was amazing and so was Mr Stickings.
All the teachers, Mr Becker, Ms Hollington. And one teacher who inspired me so much was Mr Fry. A very tall brilliant maths. I was actually very dyslexic and in the 70s & 80s there was no much known about it. But i tried so hard and i will never forget Mr Fry writing a letter to my parents saying I was the most determined person he ever met. That letter made me achieve what i have today and Bow School and its amazing teachers made me.
I Loved that school.
Hi
I was there 1968-1974
Yes I stayed on to the sixth form
Pete stickings was the best teacher I have ever had the pleasure to have known
He helped me do A leave maths on one year
And mr Williams the big rugby playing Welsh man
Two of the best
I was there 1960-5,I remember the big boys hanging science teacher Mr Smitar ? Out of the window. Not all good memories but met my oldest friend there.Left early even though in A alpha got a job never looked back.
Hello Alex
What years were you at Bow Boys?
Love to hear from you.
Best wishes for Christmas and 2022, may it be Covid free and very happy.
Kind regards,
Judith
Hello David,
Thank you for taking the time to reply.
I was the Public and Community Health Nurse at 68 East India Dock Clinic, and met Norman when he brought a group of boys from Bow Boys School. We were married 12 months latter.
Several lads turned up at the Greenwich Registry Office of their own volition. A wonderful time being had by all !!
I also did the school medicals at Bow which probably accounts for the lads dressing our little
standard 10 van up with a large nurses cap, a very large home made stethoscope going into the bonnet and a bucket on the roof with a long tube plugged into the the exhaust pipe for an enema. A Large map of the world taped on the window screen with very humerus comments about were we might like to go!!
Their English would have passed UE standards!!
I would love to hear about your life David if you have time
May I wish you and yours, every happiness for Christmas and a blessed 2022 sans Covid.
Kindest regards,
Judith.
How lovely to hear from you, thank you Paul.
I hope you have had a very happy and productive life, inspired through good teachers and friends.
May I wish you and yours a wonderful and joyous Christmas and a Covid free 2022.
I look forward to hearing more about you Paul if you wish
Kind regards,
Judith.
Was there in the 70s remember them all but mr stickings rearly was the teacher with a very apt name all good though
I remember the head was a mr Williams when I was there in the 70s his deputy was mr stickings a very apt surname but l
My husband who died recently,
taught at Bow Boys School 1959 to 1965
His name : Norman James Walklin.
Subjects English, math, Geography
Sailing at weekends.
He was inspired by the students to qualify in Mal-adjusted children
Were love was not enough.
His life was dedicated to this role both in England and New Zealand.
Congratulations on your anniversary
Best wishes
Judith William’s Walklin
Brilliant ,school, Loved it ,made me the man i am today , the teachers were hard but fair . David Black 1966 to 1971 .
Hi Andy, A quick correction it was 14 not 40. I will cherish the memory of the day. Alex Stratton