They think it’s all over… It’s only just begun!
As Claremont’s partner school Mount Stewart celebrates its 75th anniversary, Headteacher, Mrs Newing, and her students look back on yesteryear
It all started with an e-mail. Peter Farnham and Chris Downing, two former Mount Stewart pupils and lifelong friends, contacted Mrs Newing with a question: Could she find any photographs of the Clegg Shield Football Competition? What followed was something truly special.
E-mails began to bounce back and forth, one memory sparking another. Details that had been forgotten for decades suddenly came rushing back. Before long, what started as a search for a photo became a rich collection of stories about life at Mount Stewart seventy years ago.
Peter, now aged 74, recalls walking over a mile each day to school. It would take him a lot longer now, since he emigrated to Perth in Australia in 1973. He and Chris, now aged 76 and living in Swansea, Wales, would start the day with a quick game of football before lining up for morning assembly followed by lessons. Peter’s sister, Jill Clemson (née Farnham), 79, another former pupil, remembers the classrooms with their rows of wooden desks, which included built-in inkwells. Children would carefully dip their pens and try to avoid blotting their copybooks!
Mount Stewart’s current Head Students have been at the heart of this research project. They’ve loved reading through the e-mails, exploring the school’s archives and piecing together the past. It’s been a brilliant opportunity for them to connect with the history of the school and their local community, and they’ve been amazed by just how much Peter, Chris and Jill can remember.
The trio all recall Mount Stewart’s legendary swimming pool… Outdoors, unheated and absolutely freezing! This was one way of building resilience (and bravery) 1950s’ style. Other highlights included country dancing, school fetes with coconut shies and sports days featuring sack races.
But what of the Clegg Shield Football Competition that sparked the original e-mail? Chris remembers being part of the team that won the competition in the 1960 to ‘61 season, winning the final six-two and even scoring during the tournament. Matches were played on a sloping pitch behind the swimming pool and the event was important enough to be reported in the local newspaper.
What began as a simple request for a photograph has helped Mount Stewart rediscover an important piece of its sporting history, and much more besides. What stands out most is how much the school shaped the people who attended. Chris reflects that Mount Stewart helped him develop the confidence and skills needed for later life, which included a career in social work. Peter also shared a key piece of advice, which still applies today: ‘Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.’
Above all, the former pupils’ stories highlighted to Mrs Newing that Mount Stewart has always been a place where friendships were formed, resilience was built and children grew into confident, caring individuals. While times may have changed, the values of Mount Stewart remain the same: inspire, achieve and learn.
To find out more about Mount Stewart’s 75th anniversary and the school’s history, click here to listen to this specially-created podcast.
And if you’re a former pupil, the school would love to hear from you. Get in touch and share your memories with Mrs Newing and the Head Students: admin@tmss.org.uk