Cold, Sports, The Worst 4 Years Of My Life
A Memory of Shute.
Hi, I never expected to see anything related to Shute School. Yes there was cold porridge and great midnight feasts and if you were one of the lacrosse team, and won, a "lovely" tea. I do remember, because of the cold, having a hot water bottle under my jumper during classes and, hold on there, all the girls lying on Mahdi's floor in her beautiful office with view to the sea, listening to classical music after Sunday lunch (I was usually under the grand piano and couldn't see the ceiling. I also remember, as a "senior", having the privilege of cycling to a church other than the local vicar's; matron tied back my hair under the green hat we were forced to wear ("can't be too pretty") and every morning before breakfast, check by matron for clean ears and nails before "descending" the main staircase. Don't remember the gardener's son, but do remember our latin/religion teacher (a man in his 80's) and the french teacher, in a wheelchair. The best day during the 4 years I stayed at Shute was the arrival of a troup of actors (there was a marvellous theatre in the left wing) and that fantastic-looking Italian lying in the sunshine (right of the picture) while the other members of the troup worked to set up the scene for the evening's entertainment. P.S. I was holed up at Shute for 4 years..... hell on earth!!!
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I have recently discovered this page and am delighted to add my memories. Having been at Pippins it was my destiny to go on to Shute as both both a day girl and a boarder – it would seem that I was not a natural academic and therefore to board should have been the solution! I loved it. Pets were encouraged in all their forms, rabbits guinea pigs, ponies and even dogs. . It was a school for the hardy – ‘wooding’ was the preferred activity instead of games as that enabled us to light the fire in our form room. We had a sawing horse and a double-ended saw – I am still an efficient fire builder. The beautiful Adam architecture has stayed with me to this day. Dividing the butter into nine small squares for the table at breakfast and tea after which it was marg on our bread and jam. Break buns and milk (Wednesdays were Chelsea buns!) The theatre was a joy with possibly four or five rows of tip up seats. I also remember Mrs Clapp with fondness, also Mrs Waterfield (Waterbut) for English, Mrs G, the Secretary. I still have the letter written to me personally from Mardi when I managed to fail ALL of my O Levels ‘never before in the history of Shute’ ! My friends, I wonder where you are now as I have not been good at keeping up with social media? Would I send a daughter of mine there today? I am not sure of the answer as she is more of an intellectual than I ever was, but it did suit me. Kathryn (Kassy) Gillioz-Taylor
Marion, I do remember you and wonder where Rosie Rowe and Jeppy Holbrook are now?
I do remember going out in the winter to collect wood for the form chimney and dividing the butter (my memory was 8 tiny squares). Have no memory of any of the teachers' names, nor any of the girls (sorry!) except an Andrea with whom I had to share a bath and leapt out seeing a large piece of "poop" floating in the bath !!!!
I did go to university, apparently the first from this school. I believe it doesn't exist anymore.
If you wish to contact me, which I would love, you can find me on Facebook (Marion Barton) and FB Messenger - please send me an invite. I'm 74 now and you ? I have been living in France since 1972 and it wasn't our French conversationalist who helped me with my French which was literally zero when I arrived here !!! Hope to hear from you and would love to hear in what context you remember me .... - lol.