Collingwood Girls School
A Memory of Wallington.
I was born in Queenswood avenue and went to Collingwood girls school in 1953 which was then situated in Stanley Park road. The headmistress was Mrs Hollis and the discipline was very strict at that time but did me no harm at all and left me with happy memories apart from the school dinners which left me with a lifelong hatred of butter beans and blancmange! My dad had a butchers shop on The Chase, I loved to go there and could usually be found making a fuss of a horse called Bonnie who belonged to the United dairies yard at the rear of our shop along with 2 Alsatian guard dogs that patrolled the yard, we became firm friends causing much worry to mum and dad! This triggered a lifelong passion for German shepherds and horses, the latter being cemented when Aunt Lily from down the road let me have a ride at the age of four on a little fat black Shetland pony who gave rides on a Saturday at the rear of Kennards store in Croydon! Another favourite pastime was to go to Beddington Park with our dog( on my own at about 7 years old) and take a rowing boat out on the lake with Terry( the dog) sitting at the end of the boat waiting to leap into the water should any ducks get close. Many happy hours were spent rowing around the little islands in the lake having some extciting imaginary adventures. Beats xboxes and tv any day!
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My mum Marion née Scrivener who was born in '43 went to Collingwood and remembers Mrs and Miss Hollis and Miss Swift. She remembers Maxine Duncan who lived in Queenswood Ave and wondered if it was you?
I didn't like queuing up for almost everything, learning by rote, being on the 'yellow table' (not an accolade), and nasty warm milk. These, together with engraved cutlery and being forced to eat every scrap all stick in my mind.
My happy memories are of sports days, history lessons, Mrs Van and my friends Jeanette Skeet and Kathryn Swetman. Does anyone remember them? Also Joanne Newcombe and Penny Dunning. Oh yes the memories are flooding back.....Amazing to meet a fellow Collingwood Girl today! Hello Judith! Does anyone have pictures?
Yes, Mrs Hollis was strict but I dearly loved it there especially in the summer when we had lessons on the lawn in the garden.
Lunch at our desks....proper desks and we had to wear an apron for eating our lunch.
I also remember when , I think it was Mrs Lovett's husband, came home from the forces and played the piano for us to march out from assembly.
I had a very good friend named Susan Lee-Ridge and I remember being very upset when I had to leave the area because we moved from the area.
Sweet, sweet memories indeed.
I missed many playtimes, games, swimming etc as I was often in detention unable to say my alphabet.
I remember the nature table which I loved and as a result I now create one with my own grandchildren.
I was very frightened and unhappy there and left within two years.
The very strict regime suited many children who thrived but it wasn’t for me.