Former Pupils - Where Are You Now?

Steve Ogden

Hi ,

My name is Steve Ogden and I went to Orchard School in the sixties, really enjoyed school, rugby, etc. lived in Montreal Ave not far from the school , now living in Sydney Australia, been here for 38 years,

I understand the school is being rebuilt, good luck to you all and please enjoy your school days it can be the best time of your life.

Cheers,Steve

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Simon Coad

Hello Orchard School Bristol,
I was just looking up my old school on Google to see whether there was any information on the net relating to it. Wow, it's a whole new school now!

My O levels were taken there in June 1971. Starting my A levels in September 1971 I left in April 1972 after being told off for having long hair. It would be nice to have the chance of long hair now.

I was between the R and C grades at school. (This is when the school grades went 'M R C B E V A N S'. As you may know the grades were named after, I believe, the first headmaster's name. Always hoping to make it to M at least I didn't sink below C. (That was what I thought then)

I was never that academically great at school and didn't work hard. Most of my school reports used to say 'Would do well if he tried harder.' I used to question "When am I going to use this stuff in the real world?" And, most of the stuff I learnt at school I have never used. Particularly "Nuffield physics", logarithms, matrices and the formulas for the acids (which I can still remember to this day). One would hope the schools teach more appropriate skills these days.

I did manage to score 4 O Levels, though the grades were 1 C and 3 Es.

When I was in Lower school (across the road), that is when the bridge across the A38 was being built. Not many used it though, we preferred running and dodging the traffic.

I did enjoy my time at the school and have some fond memories of it. I recall when I left, Mr. A N Sloper was the Headmaster.

Well that's my story for you. (All of the really interesting bits left out though!)

Best regards

Simon Coad

S R Coad FCCA, MIPA, MNIA

Chartered Certified Accountant (UK)

Registered Liquidator

Business Planner & Consultant

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Lee Thornley

Hi Orchard School

My name is Lee Thornley. I attended Orchard School between 1986 and 1991. For the last three years I had J.Cunningham as my form tutor.

I went on to gain my City&Guilds 383 in Motor Vehicle Technology from South Bristol College.

I currently live in Holland with my girlfriend and children, where I work for an international company that fixes and maintains cars for large fleet companies

Lee Thornley

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Veronica Feltham

Hi, I’m a former student (from I983-1988) and was in the 1st year to do GCSEs. I’m trying to look-up a couple of old school friends, but I can’t remember their last names.I’ve been living in France for the last 17 years and have been working for a software company for the last 13 years.

Veronica Feltham

 

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Maggie Fletcher (nee Monaghan)

Dear Helen Holman
Congratulations to Orchard School on achieving its 50th anniversary.
I was a pupil on the day the school opened its doors in September 1957. We were greeted by the school's first Head, H.S Whalley, who was a tremendous enthusiast and very ambitious for the school and all its pupils. I have very vivid memories of that day and of the seven very happy years that I spent in the school.
I had failed the 11 plus and spent a rather miserable year in a secondary modern school. The headmaster there told us on our first day that we would have four years in this school and then if we were hard-working there would jobs in an office for us, otherwise we would be going to work in factories.
I was in the catchment area for the new comprehensive school opening on the Filton Road but at first I did not want to change - I had become disillusioned about school by then.
However, I did change, and the thrill of entering a brand new exciting purpose built building was enormous. The first staff team were all highly committed ex-grammar school teachers who were appointed to head up the large deprtments that would develop over the first years of the school's life. As a result I was taught by the same people for some 6 years before many of them left together to become headteachers themselves. I remember them all with great fondness and gratitude, especially Keith Cottam and Leonard Culcheth, who were responsible for myself, and others, transferring to an O level stream and staying on for my A levels.
Most of us who came early to the experience of comprehensive schools became passionate advocates of this approach to secondary education. It has saddened me that the debate is still not over and that some grammar schools still remain. I went on to higher education and into teaching in schools, colleges, and adult education. I retired three years ago as head of Lifelong Learning in Tower Hamlets but continue to work as an education consultant.
I was head girl in 62/63 (our year produced a lot of head boys and girls because we were the oldest year for three years!).
My younger brother, Philip, was a year behind me and with Ted Pearson was the first of the school's students to go to Cambridge. Sadly Philip died of an asthma attack during his second year at university.
Good luck to the school for its next half century.

Maggie Fletcher (nee Monaghan)

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Madeleine Burton (nee Webley)

Hi Orchard School Bristol

I was a pupil from 1967-1972 so I am ancient now!
Often wondered what happened to some of my friends from that era, not so good at keeping in touch!
Only managed 5 ‘O’ Levels one of which was a CSE grade 1.
Only a handful of pupils went onto V1 form in those days.
Memories of standing outside Headmistress’s office quite a few times when in trouble!
Best teachers where Mrs Ealey (English), was it Mrs Lowe? (Biology)
Turned out OK in the end I suppose!
Do you have any other contact arrangements for former pupils?
 
Madeleine Burton (nee Webley)

RNMH MA

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Graham Danvers

Dear Dr. Hollman,
It was interesting to read the accounts of students who were at your school around the time I attended; I graduated in 1962 and remember Mr. Whaley the Principle and the other teachers mentioned by a previous writer in your Where Are They Now section. As a failed 11 Plus student I too did not excel academically but remember Mr. Flowers the chemistry teacher, and a young graduate English teacher whose name I have alas forgotten who recommended me to the Bristol Old Vic theatre company to be in a play, Jean Anouilh’s Becket. My life changed dramatically (forgive the pun) after that experience and I went on to win a place at the Bristol School of Dance and achieved some modest success as a dancer and actor. However, after a period of more meal breaks than meal tickets Mr. Flower’s chemistry lessons helped me transition from the world of theatre into further education eventually leading to jobs in the pharmaceutical industry. I have recently retired and now live in the State of Florida, U.S.A.
Please add my name to the list of students who may not have flourished at Monk’s Park School, but found there a safe haven from the disillusionment and violence of the old secondary modern school I was forced to attend until Monk’s Park was completed. I have returned several times to Bristol and have noted the changes to the school and surrounding area of Horfield that housed families like mine whose homes were destroyed during WW11. I wish the students of Orchard School all best wishes for their futures and advise them that teachers are your best friends.
Graham Danvers
BScN RN