New Tredegar Good Days

A Memory of Newcastle.

I went to New Tredegar Technical school from 1962-67. It was a good time. I lived in Phillipstown and it was a 10 minute walk to school - fantastic. I remember the winter of 1963 and my satchel was ruined by the sleighing down the hill to school (the excuse I made to my parents was worthy of an Oscar). The Tech had good teachers (Mining Institute effect) and it was a very close community. It was overseen by the head (Mr Stanley Jones), he was strict but fair. I had the cane from Mr S Jones on two occasions; the first was out of bounds near the Rhymney river, the second for a group offence of at least 15, year 4 boys throwing snowballs at the girls in the bus shelter.
The Tech was good for me and the teachers helped me get the exam grades I needed. I went to Cardiff University and became a teacher in London. I owe New Tredegar Technical school a great thank you, and in particular Mr Stanley Jones who helped me and gave me encouragement to aim high. Thank you, Sir.

PS. A prank was done on the staff and SJ. Their rooms were next to each other; opposite was a banister leading up the stairs (an anchor point), some sharp person using the knowledge from physics lessons regarding leavers, tied a rope around each door knob and around the banister. Then banged hard on each door. We watched the comedy unravel - it was like a Norman Wisdom film- as each pulled and pushed. Remember it was after all a Technical School (applied science)