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I attended St. Matthews Junior School in Havelock Rd. from 1948-52. The first headmaster was Mr. Bramley, a very kindly man, then we had Mr. Griggs, another very nice teacher. Mrs Griggs was also a teacher there at that time. Some of the teachers there were Mr. Lay, Mr. Baines, Mr. Grafton, and Miss Barker. Overall, I loved the neighbourhood, and the families who lived there, and the lovely happy atmosphere. It was a very good school in those days, and I enjoyed those happy times. From there I went to Old Bedford Rd. as I failed my 11+ which was awful to begin with, but got better later but I still went on to get a B.A. degree, and also a Professional Qualification, so I’m not sure what the 11+ proves.
I attended St Matthew’s Junior School in Charles Street from 1967 – 1973. Peter Duncan was the headmaster. Assembly every morning where he would point at pupils, mainly boys, shouting “Sing, boy, sing!” He was quite a disciplinarian but was totally respected by everyone. We would get a coach down to Bath Road on a Thursday, for swimming, play sports at People’s Park, the teachers were great. Especially remembering Mr and Mrs Walsh, always arriving at school daily in their blue late 40s/early 50s convertible Triumph Roadster. Made many friends whilst attending the school: Russel Bird, Shane Scoggins, Trevor O’Brien, Diane Hawkins, Debra Mitchell ,Kim Whitemore to name but a few that come to mind. When you look back they were great times, but as always, you don’t really appreciate it at the time. St Matthew’s Junior School, Charles Street will forever hold a place in my heart, remembering always the happy times that were enjoyed.
Thank you for those comments. The building in Charles Street has long since gone to make way for housing. Swimming is still on a Thursday for our Year 4 pupils, but we no longer go to Bath Road since it was demolished to make way for River Bank Primary School. Now we get on a bus to go to the Inspire Sports Village next to the Vale cemetery. There are still one of two members of staff who remember Mrs Walsh. After she retired, she continued visiting the school, having scoured numerous secondhand shops for books to sell to raise money for the school’s library. We sometimes use People’s Park for Sports Week activities, but we now have the sports hall at High Town Community Centre in Taylor Street. Thank you for visiting our website. Best wishes.
I also attended St Matthew’s Infant School, Havelock Rd from 1967-1969. Prior to attending junior school in Charles Street, my teachers in Year 1 and 2 being Mrs Biggs and Mrs Roberts. Each day at midday we’d all make our way out of the side gate, and head for the church hall for lunch which was at the top of the road. Can always remember the blossom tree that was always hanging over the perimeter wall in the playground a big tree being in the top left hand corner with the metal climbing frames sitting below. I know that the old infant school was demolished and the now existing infant /junior school now resides on the same site but the happy memories will always remain.
Yes I remember all those people and yourself ! What great memories . Mr Seaton , Mr and Mrs Walsh, Mr Duncan really happy days. I’m Gail Crawley and my brother was Peter Crawley .
I went to this school in the 80s, some lovely memories.
What a shame you have visited our website when it is packed with so much Coronavirus-related news. Hopefully, you will agree that we have tried to remain positive in all of our articles. You would not recognise the school now. The once-separate infant and and junior schools amalgamated in 2006 and the buildings were joined together. We also increased in size to four-form entry so new classrooms were built. Our capacity is now 840 pupils (120 per year from Year R to Year 6). Thanks for visiting our website. Be sure to come back again soon. Best wishes. Stay safe.
So. #askmrdymock anyone? Class of 2015?
What a time that was 😛
I attended St Matthews School from 1959/60 until about 1965, when we moved to Dunstable. I daresay it looks completely different now, though!
I expect the school you attended was the Victorian building that was located in Charles Street. The existing building was opened in the 1970s on the current site, surrounded by Havelock Road, Hightown Road, Cobden Street and North Street. A separate infant school was built on the same site during the 1980s. In 2006, the infant and junior schools merged to become St Matthew’s Primary School. We now have a capacity of 840 pupils from Reception to Year 6.
Anyone remember me from 2017 ?
Okay so apparently my comment wasn’t accepted. But what I wanted to say was I hope everyone from class 2014 passes their GCSE’s. I wish the best of luck for you all.
hi to whoever reads this from year 11 aka class of 2014. Hope everyone has enjoyed high school and is preparing for GCSE’s which not gonna lie, is way more scarier than SAT’s. these next 8 months are gonna fly by just like the past 4 and half years and before you know it, we’ll already be applying for colleges. 😐
I just discovered this now so I thought I’d come and say hey and good luck to everyone with the exams. And to whoever is still savouring their childhood. Bye (:
i miss this place. :/
Hi, it’s Salome. Miss u all very. Say hi to Mr Kirkpatrick for me. Thanks.
omg i can’t believe it’s nearly been 2 years since i left st matthew’s 😥 i’m in year 8 now. i actually miss this school so much. Eagle class, 2016 was the best. xx If anyone sees Mr Pontefract say Ashleigh says hi. bye xx
😆
I like Robin Class with Mrs Agha.
i miss those days
Notice me senpai St Matthew’s, hope you haven’t forgotten us, we are dying of loneliness, we miss you! <3
I miss this place sooo much, I left in 2013 and now I’m starting my gcses . Time goes by fast
<3
i love this place. When i left in year 6 i promised myself that i will come back. So many memories someone tell Mr Sowden hi from jessica plz
i miss this place
Hello St. Matthew ‘s. It is really lovely to see how you have grown and prospered. I remember teaching there in 2006. Fresh out of a Canadian University I made my way to England. I loved my experience. Wishing you all the best!
2014 was the year I left St Matthew’s I can’t believe it I am in year 9 now and I just thought that I should check on the guestbook again 🙂 great memories made! orchid class 2014 was the best fact, not an opinion 😀 still haven’t forgotten the positive mental attitude till this very day xx
just found this page i went to St Mathews in the 1960’s
Excellent
Hi who left in 2011??? who was in dolphins in 2007-2008?
Excellent web site.
*sighs*
Just thought about school since i’ve only completed first year of YR 9 so far, Omg!
so much has changed,im struggling not to type in korean right now, my practising language at the moment!! miss everyone, hope for the best towards ST MATTHEWS