Pinelands School, Bournemouth.

A Memory of Bournemouth.

This was my first school, back in 1965. I think we had maroon blazers. I did well to start with, my older brothers had taught me to read & write - but I was the last person in the class to be able to tie my own shoelaces! I remember winning a couple of 'Biggles' books for being top in the class in my first year. A teacher had found me reading one during a lunch break in the school library. Later on, I didn't do so well - think because I'd have a head start it made me lazy. I was always having items confiscated that I was playing with during class. A watch & one of those microscope/telescope pens, I recall. They were never returned. Or being told off for looking out of the window at the world. Really can't remember any of the teachers, apart from a elderly German lady who took us for RE & music - sure her loudly & cruelly shouting at me in class 'YOU CANNOT HOLD A NOTE-USELESS BOY!' is why I've never been able to sing, despite coming from a very musical family. I only met the Headmaster once. We were all terrified of him, & one day I'd missed the bus to go to a school outing. Another boy & myself were taken in his car (a big black Wolseley or Rover, I think), & he was really nice to us.
Vaguely remember my late mother had the school photos & a programme for the school nativity play - think I was the 3rd shepherd. Also that one day of the week we only did a half day, was a bit of a shock when I moved to another school.