Corpus Christi .....02

Monday morning was great fun as we lined up to go into Church and then afterwards we lined up again to cross the road. By the time we were settled down it must have been nearly playtime!!! We had the same routine in reverse on a Friday as we always had Benediction. If it was raining we were not allowed out to play and the majority of the teachers stayed in the classroom with us and kept us amused. I can remember in Mrs Crenin’s class we were allowed to play with the toys and Mrs Kelly always sat us down and, like Mrs Grogan, would read to us or allow us to read books of our own choice. Mrs Sullivan was a different kettle of fish - she gave us comics to read, allsorts of comics, Beano, Dandy, Girl, Eagle; how the names run off the tongue!!! I was never allowed to read comics at home as it was considered not proper reading so I really relished these times. I was allowed to stay in her classroom when I broke my leg and had to stay behind during Mass on Mondays, so once again the box of comics came out for me, pure Heaven!! The very last class in school had a male teacher, Mr Donkersley, whose class was held in the Hall so there was much moving of chairs and classrooms. All PE lessons taken in the hall meant we had to move our desks and chairs to the side and then take all our belongings to the relevant classroom, much fun had by all!! I remember that we had composition on a Tuesday afternoon and, when I broke my leg, that was the time I had to go to the ‘Accie’ (Accident Hospital) for check ups. It was a whole afternoon event as we went by ambulance which, even nowadays, still does a roundabout route collecting patients. Anyhow I didn’t mind missing Composition lesson as I really was no good at writing stories, as you can tell I am no better now, only being able to relate what has happened!! Mr Donkersley had a love hate relationship with us all and could be funny, angry, and sarcastic all in the same lesson. He took a singular amusement from tormenting some of the boys, one in particular I remember. He was a tall gangly lad with blond hair, the centre of which – about an inch or so - stood up just enough for Mr Donkersley to call him Parrot Murphy – nearly all the kids were called Murphy, Connor, Malley and other good Irish names!! Mr Donkersley took PE and also coached the football team, so needless to say my dad and he were good friends as the football team’s home ground was the park. There used to be a school league with other Junior Schools and it was a good afternoon out during the week – no lessons for Mr Donkersley’s class, we had to go and support the team.
When I left Stechford there were several friends that I missed, Antoinette Beech was my best friend or so I thought. She moved on to St Paul’s Grammar School and we lost touch but that is another story! Then there was the Twins – Norman and Terry – Norman was the elder and took his responsibilities seriously while Terry was the younger and enjoyed life. They were non identical twins so weren’t a problem for anyone, seemed like they were brothers who were close in age. I liked Terry and we got on amazingly. Bernard Naylor was another boy in my class and that is about all I can remember – silly isn’t it when you think that you spent six years with 30ish children and that’s it!!

Mr. Walshe continued to guide the destiny of the school, until he retired on 30th September 1959. There is an entry in the school diary for that date, as follows:-

I leave today after 25 years here to go into retirement. I think I may write herein that much good work has been done. I have had a splendid staff, notably Miss N. Keegan (still a Miss and I bet still strict!) who has been here with me for the past 25 years. Mrs. P. O'Sullivan who was here for 19 years and Miss A. Crennan still here after 14 years. I am deeply in debt to these splendid teachers.
A very friendly relationship has always existed, and though I willingly vacate my position as Headmaster, I feel very sad to leave such excellent colleagues. May God bless them and reward them.
Vale 30.9.59
Laurence Francis Walshe.