Feedback - your letters to us.....

(All letters here are reproduced with consent of the authors)

Jon Newsome (1973 - 1976) wrote:

I was a student at CHS from 1973 to 1976 (Forms 3 through 6) my family moving into the area at the time. Hindsight is not 20-20 so these impressions are probably flawed, but I remember being a little intimidated by the place in 1973.

The then senior student body had some pretty rough elements although perhaps on reflection that was based on myth and innuendo than actual observable incidents. By 5th & 6th form I loved the place and have a lot of, now vague but returning, great memories.

I was a prefect in 1976 under the 'revolutionary' new system put in place the year before (after the Great Prefect Rebellion of 1974*) of electing the prefects from both 5th and 6th form by their peers. I think the spirit of the new system was to be more of a student council rather than an elite group. I don't remember what we actually did (probably nothing) but you did get a neat badge, which I believe I still have.

I think, selfishly, that the greatest advantage was the associated 'diplomatic immunity'. I recall an incident where some nameless students and prefects where caught towards the end of the school year at the pub (in school uniform!) having convinced the bar tender that we where repeat 6th form students and hence 18 years old. Despite entries to the contrary and the lack of recognition on the foyer plaque there where prefects in '76.

I think the head prefects (although we may not have called them that) where my old long lost mate, Dennis Ujvari and his (then) girlfriend and later wife, Anna Martino. Also on review of the photos, I am pretty sure the sole image you have for 1975 labelled 'Unknown Class' is actually the entire 6th Form for 1976. That's me in the back row, third from the left with my tie askew (image was everything!).

* Jon said that it was named thus, because they were doing Chinese History that year.

A letter from June Reeder (nee Addie) (1947-1948)

Former House Captain of Churchill

I have just spent REAL time on the site.... congratulations.

Wonderful to read the article from Alison Harewood. I have often wondered about her.

We were part of a foursome during 1947/48... Norma Tucker, house captain Roosevelt, Valerie Hillis, who I did meet at one of the reunions......

My years at CHS began my education... until then, I was really sheltered from LIFE moving mainly only within family circles.....

I may send an article...... Life is not always about BEING a success, in fact my achievements have come from my apparent failures. Is this why many people stay away from reunions. I squarely faced this one and attended. Life often throws you a curved ball and we have to find our way through.

Seasons Greetings to you