Orange Hill Girls Grammar School
A Memory of Burnt Oak.
After passing the 11+ at St Johns School, Milton Road, West Hendon, I attended Orange Hill from 1947. I had quite a journey, having to take the trolleybus along the Edgware Road then a walk down the Watling Avenue which was always bustling with all the barrows lining each side of the road, and through the park. We had no playing fields so had a short walk down to the local park for our sports - this was quite embarrassing for girls of our age as we only wore a blouse and navy blue knickers (with a pocket for a hankie !!). Our swimming lessons took place at Mill Hill (now the garden centre) - I hated going as the water was always so freezing - no luxury of an indoor heated pool then - I managed to escape as many lessons as possible by writing an excuse note and never did learn to swim. We went by coach (but I can't remember where we played) for hockey. I always remember the awful smell of the geraniums on the window sills of the top floor of the school. It was many years before I could bring myself to grow them in my garden. Our music teacher, Miss Chilleystone (Chilly) had tight plaits wound round her ears and always wore the same style of home made dress. In assembly we would have to listen to some classical piece whilst she stood very stiff and unmoving. Miss Hartwell was our English teacher and woe betide you if your homework was incorrect. She would call you up to her desk and deliver a sharp smack on your hand for every word she uttered. My favourite teacher was Miss Bareham who took us for commercial work - unfortunately she had to leave in disgrace as she became pregnant before marrying (not at all acceptable in those days). A few of us bought her glass animals for her wedding present. She was always very smart, perfect make-up and painted nails. We were not allowed to talk to the boys in the adjacent school but enjoyed waiting on the stairs looking out of the window to see our favourites going past at home time then rushing out to walk behind them. We were all so naive and innocent in those days.
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Audrey Tutton nee Timms
Miss Chilleystone. Inspired my love of music I learned a lot from her including the Hallelujah Chorus which has carried me through many performances of The Messiah.
I remember having to walk down to the park in my blouse and knickers to play games which would be unheard of now ! Imagine teenage girls walking about in their knickers, although bikinis are much more revealing.
I remember Miss Chillystone well, she played a classical record every morning in assembly and of course took singing lessons. One morning when 400 odd girls were quietly listening to that day's record she noticed one girl whispering to her neighbour, stepped forward and threw a piece of chalk at her. Needless to say the chalk missed it's target and hit another girl in the face - much to the amusement of us all including some teachers !
They were good days and I especially loved the school trip we went on to Switzerland, that was with a former headteacher - a Miss Hornsby. Apart from Miss Chilleystone I remember Miss Edgar my first form teacher, Miss Hart also, what was that cookery teacher's name - she hated me - I believe she also taught sewing and we made our own school cookery aprons. I can also remember taking home cold stew in a jar with all the congealed fat swimming about - made in cookery lessons during the day, yuk ! The more I think the more memories come floating back.....