The Foundation Stone
Our story begins with the laying of the Foundation Stone ceremony on February 14th 1907.
Open for Business
The school opened in September 1908 with WD Raynor as the Head.
He had previously been head of the St Austell Pupil Teachers’ Centre
He had previously been head of the St Austell Pupil Teachers’ Centre
An inauspicious start
The school was not immediately popular with everyone
There was much opposition to “mixed classes”
Furthermore a critical Inspection report was followed by Mr Raynor’s resignation.
He was replaced by Mr A G Jenkinson
There was much opposition to “mixed classes”
Furthermore a critical Inspection report was followed by Mr Raynor’s resignation.
He was replaced by Mr A G Jenkinson
Q
The first Speech Day was held in July 1910.
The Guest of Honour was Sir Arthur Quiller Couch.
He encouraged pupils to raise their aspirations.
“Q” was a friend of the school for the rest of his life and a regular visitor.
Here, at the opening of the Girls’ School, standing at the far right.
The Guest of Honour was Sir Arthur Quiller Couch.
He encouraged pupils to raise their aspirations.
“Q” was a friend of the school for the rest of his life and a regular visitor.
Here, at the opening of the Girls’ School, standing at the far right.
The Great War
Lord Kitchener posters encouraged many former pupils to join up.
In December 1914 Jenkinson himself announced that he intended to volunteer and Mr Lodge would become acting-head
In December 1914 Jenkinson himself announced that he intended to volunteer and Mr Lodge would become acting-head
Casualties
Former pupils were among the casualties in the war.
On 21st October 1921 the memorial window was unveiled.
At the ceremony, A L Rowse representing the current pupils laid a wreath
On 21st October 1921 the memorial window was unveiled.
At the ceremony, A L Rowse representing the current pupils laid a wreath
New Appointments
In December 1921 Mr William V Barritt was appointed Headmaster
Miss Alice Bond became Senior Mistress
The “roaring” twenties
The school prospered under their leadership.
The school roll began to swell year on year and so did the curriculum
As well as basic subjects new ones were added like Chemistry, Physics, Nature Study, Economics, Roman History & Greek
Meanwhile the school’s music tradition was beginning to take root
The school roll began to swell year on year and so did the curriculum
As well as basic subjects new ones were added like Chemistry, Physics, Nature Study, Economics, Roman History & Greek
Meanwhile the school’s music tradition was beginning to take root
A. L. Rowse
The school’s most gifted scholar was a pupil in the post great war era.
In 1922, he gained an Open scholarship to Christ Church, Oxford.
He was awarded other scholarships totalling £200 which enabled him to meet the necessary minimum to keep him at Oxford.
A special committee of Governors was set up to raise funds for him.
He became a fellow of Old Souls in 1926
In 1922, he gained an Open scholarship to Christ Church, Oxford.
He was awarded other scholarships totalling £200 which enabled him to meet the necessary minimum to keep him at Oxford.
A special committee of Governors was set up to raise funds for him.
He became a fellow of Old Souls in 1926
A Sporting Tradition
Soon the school was participating in an array of sports.
Hockey, Netball, Cricket (for boys & girls)
And swimming races were held at Porthpean
Hockey, Netball, Cricket (for boys & girls)
And swimming races were held at Porthpean
School Rules
In 1924 a list of school rules was displayed in every classroom
By 1928 “Stars & Stripes” – rewards and sanctions – was long established
By 1928 “Stars & Stripes” – rewards and sanctions – was long established
Dining Hall
The “Old Kitchen” was too small to serve its purpose by the late 1920’s.
In November 1932 a new dining hall was open for business.
Meanwhile Mr Barritt had to stress to poverty stricken pupils not to bring jam sandwiches for dinner
In November 1932 a new dining hall was open for business.
Meanwhile Mr Barritt had to stress to poverty stricken pupils not to bring jam sandwiches for dinner
Modernisation
School boys achieved great satisfaction by building their own Sports Pavilion
Meanwhile the school library began to take shape, electric lighting was installed & a water supply acquired.
Meanwhile the school library began to take shape, electric lighting was installed & a water supply acquired.
A New School
By 1929 300 pupils were being taught in a school designed for 200.
So in 1931 the Foundation stone for a new (Girls) school was laid.
The school was completed in 1933 and the Prince of Wales's signature is the first in the new Visitors Book
So in 1931 the Foundation stone for a new (Girls) school was laid.
The school was completed in 1933 and the Prince of Wales's signature is the first in the new Visitors Book
Harmony
Under the leadership of Miss Bond the new Girls’ School thrived alongside Mr Barritt’s Boys’ School
A number of activities were combined such as Sports Days. (programme from 1935)
A number of activities were combined such as Sports Days. (programme from 1935)
World War Two
Although school work continued as normal the schools swelled with evacuees, especially the 200 boys (+ 13 staff) from Sutton High School, Plymouth in 1941.
Space was at a premium and 2 classes were housed in the pavilion and 2 more in the area under the balcony in the hall.
After the war as a “thank you” the parents of the evacuees presented the Boys Mile Cup to the school.
Furthermore sporting competitions between the 2 school continued into the 1960’s
Space was at a premium and 2 classes were housed in the pavilion and 2 more in the area under the balcony in the hall.
After the war as a “thank you” the parents of the evacuees presented the Boys Mile Cup to the school.
Furthermore sporting competitions between the 2 school continued into the 1960’s
20 Old Boys were killed in World War Two.
Mr Barritt addressed the service which saw the commemorative boards installed.
The Oak Panels were made in the School Workshop by Mr W. S. May. The lettering and illuminating by Mr Cyril Smith
Mr Barritt addressed the service which saw the commemorative boards installed.
The Oak Panels were made in the School Workshop by Mr W. S. May. The lettering and illuminating by Mr Cyril Smith
Changing of the Guard
Mr Barritt (left) retired in1944
So did Mr Lodge (right), who had been senior master since 1908.
So did Mr Lodge (right), who had been senior master since 1908.
After 28 years of devoted service Miss Bond retired in 1950.
She died in 1959. Her funeral service at Holy Trinity Church was packed with mourners.
She died in 1959. Her funeral service at Holy Trinity Church was packed with mourners.
In 1944 Mr G. H. Brinkworth and in 1950 Miss F L. E. Camous were appointed heads of the boys’ and girls’ schools respectively.
The two school were as good as segregated.
The two school were as good as segregated.
New Uniform
Miss Camous soon insisted upon a new uniform for the girls.
By 1958 the boys were wearing black rather than purple blazers.
Girls wore berets and the boys wore caps.
By 1958 the boys were wearing black rather than purple blazers.
Girls wore berets and the boys wore caps.
Beyond Academia
Many at the school achieved academic success but the Schools offered much more.
Ken Hunter, from 1952, developed boys’ sports, especially athletics whilst the girls were successful at Hockey and tennis.
Meanwhile the musical tradition in both schools flourished.
Ken Hunter, from 1952, developed boys’ sports, especially athletics whilst the girls were successful at Hockey and tennis.
Meanwhile the musical tradition in both schools flourished.
The Scout Group & the Girl Guides Company
Merging Schools
In 1962 County Hall took the decision to merge the two schools.
Miss Camous announced her retirement
Mr Brinkworth became Head of the new school
Miss Camous announced her retirement
Mr Brinkworth became Head of the new school
Expanding schools
Keeping up to date
The new combined school needed new facilities and a building programme was soon under way.
Cloakrooms, staff toilets, boys toilets, a language lab, 2 Art Rooms and an all-weather pitch were all added in the 1960’s.
Cloakrooms, staff toilets, boys toilets, a language lab, 2 Art Rooms and an all-weather pitch were all added in the 1960’s.
More Sporting Success
Athletics, Tennis, Badminton, Rugby, Hockey were all notably successful in the late sixties but it was in Football that the School was most successful.
Teams from all age groups were fielded and year after year teams competed admirably in the Luke Cup, County Youth League, English Schools trophy under the watchful eye of Ken Hunter.
Teams from all age groups were fielded and year after year teams competed admirably in the Luke Cup, County Youth League, English Schools trophy under the watchful eye of Ken Hunter.
The Musical Tradition
Barritt & Bond would have been proud of the musical activities throughout the 1960’s and 70’s.
Under John Holland & Alan Hutt choirs and orchestras were popular contributors to various community events and festivals in and around St Austell.
Under John Holland & Alan Hutt choirs and orchestras were popular contributors to various community events and festivals in and around St Austell.
Drama
Drama too flourished under the skilful Mr Farnham-Flower (acclaimed actor, John Nettle’s best teacher).
Year after year he produced a school play to great public acclaim.
Plays included “The Lark”, “Pygmalion”, “A Midsummer’s Night Dream”, “An Italian Straw Hat” and “The Bald Prima Donna”.
Year after year he produced a school play to great public acclaim.
Plays included “The Lark”, “Pygmalion”, “A Midsummer’s Night Dream”, “An Italian Straw Hat” and “The Bald Prima Donna”.
School trips
As well as trips to cultural events at home some pupils ventured further abroad e.g.
Switzerland; Germany; France; Italy; Greece.
Switzerland; Germany; France; Italy; Greece.
A Growing Sixth Form
Mr Brinkworth retired in 1967 (and sadly died the following year).
Mr Rex Thomas became the new Headmaster.
Meanwhile potential sixth formers from Fowey, Penrice and West Hill Schools all came to St Austell.
By 1971 there were 200 in the Sixth Form. In fact heralding a new Sixth Form College
Mr Rex Thomas became the new Headmaster.
Meanwhile potential sixth formers from Fowey, Penrice and West Hill Schools all came to St Austell.
By 1971 there were 200 in the Sixth Form. In fact heralding a new Sixth Form College
Twilight and Dawn
In 1971 the Grammar school started a new year without a 1st Form.
In 1972, the buildings were shared with West Hill Secondary School (now known as Poltair Comprehensive).
By June 1975 the last Grammar School pupil had left and the premises totally housed Poltair.
In 1972, the buildings were shared with West Hill Secondary School (now known as Poltair Comprehensive).
By June 1975 the last Grammar School pupil had left and the premises totally housed Poltair.