Collingwood Girls School

Interesting reading about collingwood girls I was there in1947 after moving here to live with strangers after living I Catford So Mrs Hollis and miss Hollis Mrs grarod miss swift well I was a right dunce but teachers encourage me so eventually at 10 I could read and right I always wanted to be a nurse and yes made the grad to SRN wow thanks Mrs Hollis ,school Meals ugh! Monday stewed meat !!! but games I loved and scripture so my school time there were happy times but home life wasn’t but I cope well because Mrs Hollis

Hi,
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?

Really interested to read your comments. I am Mrs. Hollis's granddaughter and my mother was Mrs. Lovett (nee Miss Hollis). When the school closed in 1972 unfortunately almost all the papers relating to the school were lost, and I have been trying to do some research about the school which was founded in 1924. I too went to the school from 1960 until 1966, and when I was eight we moved to live in the house next door to the school, and a room in our house became a classroom. So effectively I grew up in Collingwood School. I too have a lifelong hatred of butter beans and blancmange, especially white blancmange! I remember the prize givings at the end of the summer term, the old desks and ink wells, nature study and the strict discipline and 11-plus exam.

I attended Collingwood girls school from 1967 until it closed in 1972 - happy memories - Mrs Lovett dishing up lunch - toad in the hole - but I was terrified of Mrs Hollis until the last day when she cried and hugged me !!

I too went to Collingwood Girls from 1957 until 1963. I then went to Wallington Girls Grammar school. I too lived in Queenswood Avenue, until 1973 when I married. Mrs Hollis came to my wedding with her daughter Daphne Lovett. Yes Mrs Hollis was very strict. In fact she stopped assembly one day and asked me to mime in future. My mother went in to complain and ended up with a teaching position there!! Mrs Gray, if anyone remembers her.

I attended Collingwood from 1968 until 1972. Mrs Hollis scared the living daylights out of me. I seemed to be constantly sitting outside her door!
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?

I attended Collingwood School for Girls circa 1962 and I remember it so vividly. The uniform topped with the felt hat in the winter and straw hat in the summer; proper tunics and the plaited blue and gold sash.
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 was at Collingwood from 1961 until 1966 when I moved on to Wellington High School. I have memories of doing drill in the playground and admiring the lovely shrubs and roses there. I remember Mr Hollis teaching geography and geometry. We also walked to the open air pool near to Carew Manor.

I went to Collingwood Girls School in the early 60’s. Those in my class born around 1956 were Julia Still, Jacqueline Overington, Diana Grey, Veronica Mooney, twins Meryl and De bra Hunter, Vicky Hunt, Susan Swaffield, Sandra Hayter, Linda Payne, Karen JOnes, Rosemary ?, Pauline Earl, Barbara Webb, Janice Bundy, Janice Daniels or was it Gillian Joanna Hallia, Sheila Blackwell, Caroline Andrews. I can remember Sheila Blackwell, often upset and unable to do the work. Mrs Johnson was our reception teacher who I loved. Then Mrs Herring who scared the pants off me along with Mrs Hollis. I remember Janey Lovett and her mother Mrs Lovett living in the house next door. Old Mrs Hollis was a fierce lady and too strict for my personality. Mr Hollis was a soft gentle man. In fact my granddaughter was watching Harry Potter this week and that took me back to my Collingwood days. School dinners were horrid, in fact the mash potato had lumps and skin in it. I only started eating potatoes in my 40’s. The custard always had skin on the top, not good.
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.