I was in the first year in 1964. Miss Edwards is the first name that comes to mind. I remember ascending the main staircase at lunchtime on a bona fide errand and seeing her formidable silhouette in navy blue culottes thundering towards me from the staff room end of the corridor. I was scared of her and then one day I did not feel well. I saw another side to her nature -she was so kind to me and I shall never forget it. She was truly a vocational teacher.

She also taught us a subject called 'Physiology' in the first year. One day she asked if there were any questions. A plucky girl called Susan Gasparro put up her hand and asked 'Miss, what's a Tampax?' There was a deathly hush. I cannot remember the answer that was proffered.

We used to have 'Speech and Drama' (Spit and Dribble) in the huts on Thursday afternoon. One day we were told to expect a special treat. An actor of advancing years called Geoffrey Sumner was coming to teach us for a few weeks. We gave him the most horrendous time. Whatever subject he gave us (he used to read out a title and we had to 'make' a play!) we always used to make the focus of the action the latest dance that we had seen on 'Ready Steady Go'. One day I looked across to where he sat and he was fast asleep. Poor man.

There used to be much competition to take Mrs. Frowd's Polecat for a walk. You had to be VERY special to be accorded that privilege. I never made it.

Some of us used to catch the train from Whyteleafe to Purley. Those were the days of separate compartments in the carriages. We used to try and get the same one. We worked a small hole, made by a screwdriver, continually with a knitting needle. After several months we 'broke through' to the next compartment. We were triumphant.

I spent quite a lot of time standing outside the staff room first thing in the morning. This was because I had excuses to make for not having done homework in some subject or other. Usually History.

Miss Crisp made us make 'Liver Savoury' one week. It was disgusting.

There was often a very strong chemical smell on the ground floor from the science laboratory. It was opposite the cookery room. Hard to tell the difference really!

Oh yes - Indoor shoes and outdoor shoes. Running up the stairs from the changing room with a towel draped around one's shoulders instead of taking a shower. You will all remember why!

The lunches were wonderful - 8 of us to a table with a sixth form server. So sad to read on this site that Jaquie Duffell has passed away. She was often our server and was a kind and friendly prefect. She was Deputy Head girl. The head girl or her deputy used to have to stand on the stage in the hall watching us in assembly - frightfully regally - until Miss Beall arrived.

Such happy days in a beautiful setting. We were lucky!

Funny about the Speech and Drama - and I never got a big part in the school play. I do remember 'The Tinder Box'. I was a face in a tree. Well, a tree really. I trained at RADA and became an actress!

I was at Whyteleafe from 1973 until the bitter end in 1978 and have enjoyed reading recent publications especially the Jubilee Book and the latest magazine that my Mum, Patricia Burberry (Uwins) has brought out to Wellington (New Zealand) for me to read.

I am currently a Polytechnic Lecturer (but about to be made redundant), teaching Hospitality Management related subjects that include Hotel Reception, Front Office and Accommodation Management, the areas of the hotel industry that I was involved with prior to teaching. It is very clear that today’s Kiwi school leavers would have benefited greatly from a Whyteleafe style education.

I think back on my Whyteleafe days as some of my happiest memories of growing up (although I probably didn’t appreciate them at the time). I can still remember my first day when I wore my brand new uniform for the first time since my mum had taken me to Grants in Croydon to buy it. The tie took a bit of getting used to but was very soon mastered. A very necessary skill considering the daily games and PE sessions and showering routines that we quickly became accustomed to. The first day however, was not the first time that I had walked through those gates as I had previously attended a few Old Girls afternoons with my mum. It was as daunting as all first days are though. Coming home, my new bag was heavy with books to be covered, which replaced the green lab coat (initials embroidered) and PE clothes (white aertex shirt also initialled) that I had lugged on the crowded train all the way from Redhill at some early hour that morning. And they gave us beef curry for lunch!

The lunches did improve however, especially as we progressed through the school and were allowed a choice depending on where exactly my class was in the queue. My favourite lesson had to be games, closely followed by Latin, which taught me more about the English language than any English class did and whetted my appetite for French and German, which I still speak today. I still enjoy the odd bit of cross-stitch work when I get the time (embroidery classes) but have never really continued with dressmaking. I also enjoyed music lessons (violin and viola) in spite of my disastrous ‘O’ Level result!

So what do I remember the most? Well my top ten memories (in no particular order) would be as follows:

‘Social Training’ with Miss Beall

Walking through the staff room on the very last day

Monty’s pudding and starching tea towels. Did anyone ever find out who Monty was?

My 3rd year Lacrosse team being the All England Champions the day we went to Merton

Having two pairs of shoes, one indoor and one outdoor

Not being allowed to use the side door or the middle staircase except for attending violin lessons

The whole school trips to Arundel, Penshurst Place and the Chinese Treasures exhibition in London

The house plays and other inter house competitions. Green has been a favourite colour since!

Being given permission to ride a moped to school when I was 16. Was this a first?

Miss Edwards and Mrs. Savege calling me ‘Pat’

After the 5th year most of us went onto Reigate College and my experiences of British Rail, in particular the daily wait at Purley Station platform 6 (do you remember those cold benches, Pat Baker and Alison Smith?) were over – well for a few years anyway. Although thousands of miles away, I still keep in touch with Sue Farrar (now Lucas – yes she eventually married Ric, the laboratory technician at Reigate College) and Trudi Jones, who is now married with two children and living in San Diego.

To date I’ve had visits from two Old Whyteleafean, my mum and my godmother Pauline Mactavish (Sargent), but would welcome contact from any others who plan to visit New Zealand. I can be contacted at thejays@xtra.co.nz

There are so many things I would like to say, but - firstly - Whyteleafe School certainly shaped my life. I had so many good friends, many of whom still stay in touch and come to visit. I lived in Tithe Pit Shaw Lane, a good mile and a half from school, and used to run like the wind down the "Dobbin" if I were late. Sometimes, the teachers, mostly who drove little Austin A30s, gave me a lift. Miss Edwards, Miss Beall, Miss McLelland amongst them! My family had a farm, and the teachers used to come at Christmas to buy our turkeys!

I developed a great love for music with Whyteleafe. I already played the piano, but went on to learn the violin [Oh dear, our visiting teacher always had droopy directoire knickers!] And loved Miss Bell. I later went on to sing with many choirs, including the Royal Choral, with Sir Malcolm Sargent, have sung in church choirs now for 50 years, been choir mistress, and taught music to children.. I gained a love of art from Miss Gearing; drawing and painting, and still produce greetings cards, etc for sale for the church. Miss McClelland was my favourite teacher - I loved English and have fond memories of her lessons on the classics. Miss Redfern’s Dos and Dont’s have always stayed with me, with the little red book.. I had a love/hate relationship with Miss Edwards. I really liked sport, but was useless at it, except cricket. I NOW know that I had acute Coeliac disease and was therefore very tired and lacked energy, etc. Diagnosed much later. This also gave me frequent migraines, at the time I did not know what they were, or what caused them..

Miss French gave us sewing lessons. I hated them at the time! But - guess what? I was a dressmaker for 20 years whilst my late husband was sick. Loved it! I still do.

Anyway, I went on to become an infant teacher, and had to attend meetings at Whyteleafe with the staff, as I was then teaching in Croydon and ‘my’ children were being sent to ‘my’ school. It was a different relationship then with the teachers. I remember taking my daughter with me to one meeting. She still remembers it.

I now have 3 children [H.M.Services, etc in Iraq etc] , 2 adult step-children, 11 grandchildren, and live on The Lizard in my native Cornwall.

I am press correspondent for village, Vicar’s admin. Assistant, Neighbourhood Watch Co-Ordinator {yes, I was also a police officer}, etc.. Love to hear from old friends................Lots more, too little space.. "Beaney".

The thing I remember best is how horrible we were to some of the teachers. I took German from Miss Bridge and I am sure we made her life a misery. I can't for the life of me remember why we found it so entertaining! So far as I recall I was a geeky kid with round glasses, totally naive in the ways of life. Not like the teenagers nowadays!. I remember what a big deal it was - at least fro me to be the one to ring the bell for break after games. Clanging that big hand bell outside the door!

I now live in Regina Canada with my husband. I have 2 grown sons and an 8 year old granddaughter. I worked as a paralegal ( underpaid) lawyer until recently when I decided I had had enough. So now I stay at home and plan what to do with my garden. I would be happy to hear from former school friends

contact email liz.williams@sasktel.net

Floating! - the terrifying ordeal of being separated from friends at lunch to fill in the spaces on other tables with..... older girls!.

Staff trolley duty- so often we forgot to do it - I can't imagine nowadays health and safety regulations would allow children to carry a trolley laden with hot food down those steps by the middle door.

Not being allowed to go through the wicket gate at the level crossing until the sixth form - or to cross at the top of St Luke's Road.

Miss Scott's immortal words in the summer when girls were trying to get a little sun... 'This isn't Brighton Beach you know'.

Miss Edwards' Scottish dancing lessons... "Second couple, MOVE 2, 3 4 !"

Games lessons of 35 minutes to include getting undressed for games, playing the game, 'showering', getting dressed again and being at the next lesson on time. We certainly never had sufficient time to actually get wet in the shower!

Having to measure our tacking stitches - and, talking of needlework, the cookery apron we had to make in the first year! Mine reached the floor, had a tiny bib edged in yellow , embroidered gingham complemented by matching headband.

I have many memories of the school. The travelling from the far side of Redhill had to be the worst though.

Having to get up at 6.20 ish to get the 6.50 bus to South Earlswood railway station, then British rail to Purley or East Croydon and then the Caterham line to Whyteleafe, and this I did for five years. In the 5th my sister Alison Smith came along for the ride as well.

The 'go slows' are well remembered, we often didn't get home until 8. But the homework still had to be done!!!

And breaking Rosemary's (Lamport I think) nose in lacrosse.

But she did get in the way of the shot on goal. And she in earlier years had knocked Jackie Atkin's front tooth out going to catch the same ball in rounders.

Do you remember having to make the awful sandwich spread first lesson in 'domestic science with Miss Crisp?

I am now living in Mijas Pueblo on the Costa del Sol. A delightful truly Spanish village, and the Andalucian people are fabulous and still have so many family values-terrific.

Married for the second time, first one approximately 13 years and this one now 11. Definitley second time around fantastic. A terrific daughter named Holly who has just attained her A' levels and debating what to do now.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and best wishes to you all.

Now a new nickname-long story, but it's Sid.

sid @miraflores.com

Hello, I attended Whyteleafe from 1972 -1977, when we were dispatched off to Reigate College as the school was closing the next year. My maiden name was Lovell. Many years down the line now, I remember my time at the school with great affection. I have been married to Michael for nearly 20 years and we have 2 daughters. Laura is 18, and is travelling Indonesia and Australia in her gap year before going to university in Falmouth to study journalism. Emily is 16 and working for her A levels at Penwith College. I took an Open University degree in psychology before training as a nurse at Plymouth University and the Royal Cornwall Hospital, qualifying in 1995. Having worked in rehabilitation, general and respiratory medicine, ITU, acute medical admissions and High Dependency at the Royal Cornwall in Truro, I now work on the High Dependency Unit at West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance and do 1 day per week at St Julia's Hospice in Hayle. Study never goes away, I am working towards an MSc in Pain Management as a distance learner with the University of Wales College of Medicine and a diploma in Reflexology. For my sins, I also chair the Royal College of Nursing's Pain Forum and have presented my work on various aspects of pain management locally, nationally and internationally. In my spare time (what's that???) , I am a Rainbow Guider, enjoy walking the wonderful Cornish coast paths, cycling, Pilates and meditation. I'm sure it's a Whyteleafe legacy always doing things and am so grateful for the grounding the school gave me. Those who knew me won't be surprised to know that although probably more studious now than I was at school, I am still as mad as ever & refuse to "grow up", and love rock & blues music still. Some things never change, I'd love to hear from anyone who remembers me, and if you are ever down west give me a call and maybe we can meet up for lunch or a drink, that does include teachers - who must have despaired of me at school but I have made up for it now!!!!! I was invited to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace last year and was impeccably well behaved - you see I did learn something all those years ago.

Still living in Cumbria, selling botanical books (as Summerfield Books). This has not been a happy place to be this year as we are in the "Penrith Spur". We organised a Natural History and Topography Book Fair in our village, which drew booksellers and customers from all over the country, brought some income to the local shops and hotel, and raised money for Cumbria Wildlife Trust/ Cumbria Recovery Fund.

I sing with a Ladies' choir called the Michaelmas Singers (anyone remember singing at Llangollen with Miss Haldane) - in fact I have always been involved with a singing group of some sort.

My e-mail address is sueatkins@beeb.net and I would be pleased to hear from anyone who remembers me
Sue Atkins
SUMMERFIELD BOOKS
Main St, Brough, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria CA17 4AX UK
Tel +44 (0)17683 41577 Fax +44 (0)17683 41687






Went to the 2000 Reunion, and, having time to spare en route, browsed in the Museum in Caterham. To my amazement, there was an exhibition about Whyteleafe, and, horror of horrors, there were photos which included me! The school uniform on display looked exactly like mine (but they hadn't a hat), and many of the relics looked very familiar. I'm not sure how I feel about being on display in a museum!!

My e-mail address is sueatkins@beeb.net and I would be pleased to hear from anyone who remembers me.

I was the youngest girl in the school, and one of the tallest, when I started at Whyteleafe in 1959. We were one of the post war Baby Boom years, so there were three classes, and I was in I3, Fry House. The big girls were still wearing their skirts as long as possible, modelled after Christian Dior's "New Look" - I'd forgotten Miss Edwards and her ruler till I read the other memories. Later she must have used it to measure for being too short instead - teachers were never happy with our clothes, were they? I remember the new summer dresses, replacing the
green checked gingham - green, blue, yellow or pink,the colours of "Refreshers", in a fabric which always drooped depressingly. During my time they brought in winter hats instead of berets, too, which were deeply unflattering. Navy blazers with "Semperfidelis" and ties - I still had my Whyteleafe tie till a couple of years ago, could never quite bring myself to throw it away.

I remember...that we used to get a half holiday if anyone managed to get into university, and I can only remember that happening once - was it Lynette Parry?
The sheer horror of domestic science with Miss Crisp,the right way to scrub a kitchen table, drawing diagrams of the correct way to fold tablenapkins, that dreadful apron which took me a year to make, being told that I was "sewing backwards". It was the only subject I ever got a "D" in. This often causes a wry smile to cross
my face as I sew clothes for my children or make patchwork quilts for pleasure. For a while I even earned my living washing, ironing and sewing, when I worked as Wardrobe Maintenance Supervisor in the Royal
Lyceum theatre, Edinburgh - Miss Crisp would have been utterly flabbergasted.

I remember ...Miss McClellan talking about her nephew's canoeing exploits, when we prompted her in the hope that she might become so absorbed telling us that she would forget to give out homework - which occasionally worked...

...Miss Bull, who used to take us to the Ernest Read concerts on Saturday at the Festival Hall, and instilled a lifelong love of music for which I am still so grateful. I remember singing "The Lady of Shalott" and Holst's setting of the "Rig Veda" with the choir. Rather ambitious stuff, but she expected us to manage and we did.

.... a school play, " A Boy and his Cart" by Christopher Fry, which was just wonderful.

...Lacrosse on a cold damp foggy winter afternoon, with Miss Edwards shouting and blowing the whistle, me trying to insinuate myself into the hedge in the vain hope that nobody would try to throw the ball to me, which I would inevitably drop, which would mean even more
shouting....how I longed for summer, which meant cricket and tennis instead

A sunny summer afternoon, boys on motorbikes were passing up and down the road by the school, and the teachers became very agitated until they shooed us all back inside - what DID they think might happen?

Knitting squares for blankets for refugees - Sandra Hussell finally grabbing my miserable effort and finishing it off in about three minutes flat, perfectly. She wanted to be a nurse at St Thomas's - I wonder if
she did?

The ghastliness of the days when it was liver and bacon for lunch, the liver grey and as tough as those stick-on patches they sell for shoes, me trying desperately to cut it into strips which could be hidden under my knife
and fork so patrolling staff wouldn't make me eat it

My father was in the RAF and we moved during the O Level year, I think it was 1962; we went to Scotland, where I was sent to an Academy - the equivalent of a Grammar School - but it was Mixed! A total culture shock. So was discovering that it was confidently
expected that 100% of the Sixth Form would go to University - so I got a degree from Edinburgh University, which probably wouldn't have happened if I'd stayed at Whyteleafe.

There is so much more to life than passing exams. Although on academic league tables Whyteleafe wasn't ever going to be at the top, by not placing so much emphasis on exams,the teachers had the freedom to be
themselves and to teach us what interested them about their subject, which made it interesting for us. When I see my childrens' teachers, they seem to be controlled by the curriculum at the expense of enthusiasm. It is rather sad.
jenniesmail@uk2.net

I enjoyed my time at Whyteleafe and remember my first year with the Monday morning ritual of Do's & Don'ts with Miss Redfern. That little blue book in which we had to write all the rules for etiquette, which I might say have stood me in good stead through life. I intend to pass on much of what I remember on to my three grandchildren, as I did to my own three offspring. I did not, however, enjoy sport or sports day during which I spent most of the time in a similarly minded group, looking for a four leaf clover or talking to the pigs on the other side of the fence! I especially hated cricket, never could find a pair of pads, always two of the same leg but alas, when I married my husband Robin, he became Vice Captain of one of the Richmond Town Cricket Club elevens. I had to learn how to enjoy the game and eventually kept score for them. It is amazing what one can do when one puts one's mind to it! After living in Purley for eight years, Robin's company moved to Thetford in Norfolk so we plus two small children, moved to East Anglia. We bought a pig farm in South Lopham, (near Bressingham Gardens), we didn't farm but spent the next 20 years renovating the old house and turning much of the land into a garden. We went through the self sufficient stage whilst the children (we now had three) were growing up, making own bread, butter, cakes and jam etc. (Miss Crisp would have been proud) and grew all fruit and veg. We have since moved to Whepstead, a village near Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk where I still enjoy gardening but only grow flowers and tomatoes. I took up Scottish Dancing thirteen years ago which I had enjoyed on rainy days at Whyteleafe with Miss Edwards and became a member of Holiday Fellowships, going on their dancing holidays from which I have made many friends across the British Isles. We had both Miss Meredew and Miss Edwards for gym and sport. Don't think Miss Edwards liked the very young ones or was it our imagination? I know our year was particularly noisy and a little naughty, though I understand we were not the only ones. We were particularly unkind to poor Miss Drury who left the class in floods of tears and we for our sins had to stay in each night for a week with Miss Edwards dictating poetry. In particular, she read "The Road to the Isles" and threatening "if you make any mistakes, you will do it all again"! Pamela KNIGHT (Mrs. Leeves) reminded me that she got out of it as she lived at Oxted and had a train to catch. I was not so fortunate. On looking through the 2001 O.W Mag. do recognise names of girls from other forms but none from my own. What happened to Lavinia Crighton (Mrs. Mitchell), Ann Blundell, Stella Aish, Jennifer Grahame, Claire Mann, Ruth Tuck, Margaret Barnard, Jennifer Addison, Jill Moreton, Pat Blanchard, Pam & Monica Ryder or the Rider twins Beryl and Christine or Mary Gobell. Would love to hear from anyone who was in that class. I remember having to do my stint as waitress for Miss Redfern, knew it must have been for a purpose - I became a part-time waitress for the National Trust at Ickworth, ending up as assistant manageress in the catering section. So my time at Whyteleafe wasn't a total waste of time. Have been retired now for three years and 'do time' with the grandchildren.