This page contains some historical details, a word from the
editor and a selection of photographs not otherwise
categorised within this web site.
If you have a photograph that could be included, I would be delighted to borrow
it! (IRS).
A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE SCHOOL
St Christopher's School originated as a nursery school at Lilliput, near Sandbanks (Poole), but
later moved to 43, Parkstone Road, Poole, Dorset. In January 1947,
Miss P.M.Lodge took over as proprietor and Head Mistress and the story of St
Christopher's High School began.
The School was born into a period when state education in the town was still suffering from post war austerity. Parents with the financial means, were willing to pay to send their children to one of the several private junior schools, such as St Christopher's, which existed in the area at the time. At that time there were at least 10 private schools situated on the main thoroughfare from Poole to Bournemouth.
The School soon developed an excellent reputation for a traditional approach to education. Several children travelled daily from as far afield as Swanage and Bere Regis, some 20 miles distant - often by bus or train, a long journey for small children by today's standards.
The School occupied one of the several large properties in Parkstone Road, which led from the centre of the town of Poole, to Park Gates and the Municipal buildings. Originally a private home, it enjoyed a commanding position overlooking Poole Park and the harbour beyond. In the early days, part of the playground was still bare earth around what remained of some fruit trees; but as part of a number of improvements to the building, this was later given a hard surface to provide a more practical area on which to play.
Miss Lodge was supported by a loyal team of staff, all women
apart from one man, Mr Whittle. Some of the teachers, including Miss Purton
and Mrs Dobbie had already retired from successful teaching careers elsewhere but,
keen to continue to use their teaching experience, joined Miss Lodge as the School became
established.
Teachers remembered include: Mr Whittle, Mrs Davies (English and music), Mrs Titman, Mrs Mynard, Mrs Smith, Mrs Hartnell, Mrs Winters, Mrs Windram, Miss Julie Newman (a
probationary
teacher straight from college), Mrs Sutherland (Kindergarten), Mrs Randall, Mrs
Beer, Mrs
Rayner (PE), Mrs Mosely (PE), Mrs Wilde and Mrs Bell (elocution).
The School cooks were Mrs Pettit and Mrs Williams, followed later by Miss Ann Meehan
and Mrs Dominey.
The School quickly became established and
was justly proud of the all-round education it provided which included elocution and
music. The School was well known at local Music Festivals and frequently won
trophies in Choral and Recorder classes. Mrs Muriel Bell, who taught
elocution and drama, organised concerts during the
1960s.
The numbers of pupils steadily increased and by the mid 1950s the 'hut', an
outbuilding adjacent to the playground, was pressed into service as a classroom and a new music
room was built as an extension to the main building. This can be seen on the right hand side of the
photograph at the top of this page.
Classes were mixed until pupils were 11 years of age, when most took the entrance examination for the local grammar schools. Many were successful with boys progressing to Poole Grammar School and girls to Parkstone Grammar School.
Remaining boys moved to various schools in the area. This may have been one of the private secondary schools (e.g. Ringwood Grammar or the Collegiate School), or one of the local Secondary Modern Schools (Henry Harbin, Herbert Carter, Kemp Welsh, Lytchett Minster or Bere Regis, for example). Some parents elected for a preparatory school and later one of the larger public schools farther afield.
In the school's hey day girls could remain until they were 16 years old, taking the College of Preceptors examination.
The School was a great success but by the mid 1960s,
a wind of change was becoming evident. Education was broadening its horizon and
new Secondary schools in the state sector were
becoming better equipped to deal with an extended curriculum and the General
Certificate of Education (GCE) examinations.
The numbers of
senior girls staying on diminished and by the mid 1960s, thirteen (and a second
try at Grammar School entrance) had became the maximum age.
Although an increasingly viable nursery section made up for this to some extent,
private schools such as St Christopher's were under pressure as
competition from the state sector became ever greater.
It must have been with great regret therefore that the decision was made to close the School in 1969.
The School building was demolished and a block of high quality apartments now stands on the site. If one looks closely, reminders of the old School can still be found in the form of the gate pillars, the front wall of glazed brick and layout of the rear entrance in Churchfield Road.
Twenty two years is not an especially long time for a school to exist, but the many hundreds of children who enjoyed the School's caring and supportive atmosphere during their formative years, would surely agree that it was an experience that stood them in excellent stead for their life ahead. One that they regard with fond memories.
I hope you enjoy this web site, may be able to contribute photographs or memories to this page and most importantly, check my facts, especially dates and the spelling of names!!
With best wishes, Ian
Contact details:
ianrsmith@aol.com
Dr Ian R Smith
Audley House,
19 The Croft,
Bishopstone,
Salisbury SP5 4DF
Telephone: Broadchalke (01722) 780425
Click on an any image below to see it as a larger size
Then use your browsers 'back' button to return to this page.
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School cook, Miss Ann Meehan
(right)
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The front of the School about
1968
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View of the rear of the
School about 1968
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SUMMER UNIFORM
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Front hallway |
Miss Lodge's study |
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'Home time'
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A certificate from Bournemouth
Music Festival 1954.
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An upstairs
classroom,
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Some of the classrooms |
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Upstairs classroom |
Upstairs classroom |
The music room, with Cinderella's coach from a recent pantomime! |
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Mrs Dobbie's classroom |
The kitchen |
Upstairs art room, window looking out over the playground at the back |
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Upstairs landing |
Miss Purton's and later Mrs Smith's classroom, downstairs |
Kindergarten; window looking out over the playground at the back |
| Some early records | ||
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An award in connection with Girl Guides, probably given during a summer
fete. (Photo by J.W. Wyatt, Parkstone) |
A prize giving probably around 1960 | Melanie Pickering taking part in a summer fete. |
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Aldermen Butler and Rowe their wives and Miss Lodge. Probably VIPs at a summer fete (Photo by Eric H.H. Greaves, Parkstone) |
A summer fete (1) (Photo by J.F. Haesler, Parkstone) |
A summer fete (2) (Photo by J.F. Haesler, Parkstone) |
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A summer fete (3) (Photo by J.F. Haesler, Parkstone) |
A summer fete (4) (Photo by J.F. Haesler, Parkstone) |
A summer fete (5) (Photo by J.W. Wyatt, Parkstone) |
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