Photographs and Information of Previous Sexey's Grammar School Reunions.

2022 Biennial 'Boarders of the 60's' Reunion

On Sunday, September 4th a slightly depleted number (5 boarders along with 2 other halves) of ex boarders met up at the Sexey's Arms in Blackford to commemorate 125 years of the school's beginnings at Stoughton in1897.
Before our meal ended I handed out to each of the the boarders a postcard that I'd had made up, the picture side being Edward Smith's (1st headmaster)  pen and ink drawing of the barn part of the school which was one of his contributions to one of the early school magazines.
















The barn itself was used as a classroom for the boys (the girls were educated in the main farm house over the road) and has a Victorian post box embedded in the wall - my idea was that we would post these cards back to our home addresses just as the earliest boarders would have posted their letters and cards 125 years ago - at the time of writing (Sept 7th) I can report mine has turned up this morning - not bad for 2nd class!! I wonder what delivery times were like back in the Victorian era?
Once we had reached the old school we carried out a 'mass posting' before walking back to the Sexey's.















Despite the small numbers the day was a really enjoyable one and we look forward to celebrating the 125 year anniversary of the main school at our next reunion in 2024. Martyn

2022 Class of '65 Mini Reunion

Organised by Wendy Callear (Upham) this reunion was held at  the Dunstan House, Burnham on Sea. Wendy was joined by six of her classmates and is one of the first 'post pandemic' Sexey's reunions - well done Class of '65!! 

L-R  (Surnames as 1965) - Mary Tanner, Patsy Thorne, Clare Marwood, Wendy Upham, Geoff Hunt, Peter Bloodworth, Ed Parker and Tim Ham,          



 

We had successfully traced or accounted for all 31 members of the class and received an overwhelmingly positive response to our Questionnaire. We were delighted that so many wanted to attend, albeit age, health and family commitments did prevent several from attending and three of the class had passed on. Many still lived locally or somewhere in Somerset, but others travelled from the West Midlands, Shropshire, Essex, Surrey, Wiltshire and South Wales. We met at 12 noon in a large bar set aside for us at 'The Sexeys Arms' at Blackford, which had been beautifully decorated in black and amber balloons, bunting and flowers by Ann and Grace Harvey (nee Vincent) and where the landlord had laid on a splendid lunchtime buffet - an impressive sight.

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Fair wear and tear and the ravages of time had altered the appearance of some of us, but eyes and voices change very little and the black and amber name badges we all wore were not really needed. Banter and unfinished conversations from the mid-50s were soon in full flow and we exchanged news about what we had all been doing whilst a lot of water had passed under a lot of bridges.

We were privileged to be joined by Martyn James (www.oldsexonians.com)who was kept busy copying the old photographs and memorabilia which many had kindly brought with them. We were also fortunate that he was there to take a group photograph of everyone who had attended (see above). (Thank you very much for the invitation, John. I was very happy to be there - MJ)

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After lunch we strolled over to the now Hugh Sexey Middle School, where we were welcomed by the Deputy Head. Mrs Gould, the Office manager, then gave us a guided tour of the school and grounds which I thought had changed out of all recognition, except for the familiar attractive grey stone walls of the original school that we all remember so fondly. The school is now a large well appointed and well equipped Middle School with over 650 pupils, nearly 40 teaching staff and over 50 support staff. We thanked Mrs Gould for finding time to show us around. One of us is still awaiting news of his request for the return of an item that was confiscated in 1953!

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We returned to 'The Sexeys Arms' for a welcome cup of tea and my, perhaps not so welcome, address - which is summarised hereunder.

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JOHN GRANT'S ADDRESS AND TOAST

"Have you given any thought as to why so many of us are here today?

We all left Sexey's in the mid-50s to pursue further education, to start work, to shape a career or to get married and start a family; and most of us have had little or nothing to do with the school since. For over 50 years I'd had no contact at all with either Sexey's or any of my former classmates until two year ago when I was contacted out of the blue by Martyn, who told me about the Old Sexonians website and requested me to contribute my personal memories of life at Sexey's, which I was pleased to do. Having been prompted to look back I've since thought about it a great deal. Now, having spoken to all of you, I have no doubt at all that we are all here today because we wanted to be. Despite the austerity of the post war period, I was very happy at Sexey's and suspect that most of you were too. Having now been involved in research for the website for two years, I've traced and spoken to many Old Sexonians (over a hundred), most of whom are older than us, and it came across loud and clear from the vast majority of them that they too had been happy at Sexey's.

"So why was Sexey's such a happy school?

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Was it the school's beautiful rural setting?

I certainly never thought that at the time. Was it the buildings and grounds? - Very doubtful, I would think.Was it because Sexey's was the smallest Grammar School in Somerset at that time? - Possibly. If you believe that small is beautiful then there were obvious advantages. Was it because Sexey's was a mixed school? - That definitely helped.Was it because the school had a very large catchment area? - Maybe. Some of us were local, others travelled long distances on the school brakes, and most of the boarders came from further afield, so perhaps we all brought more to the school than just 11+ or 13+ certificates - not least a variety of different family backgrounds, experiences and talents. Or could it have been due to the teaching staff at Sexey's during our senior school days? - I've thought about that a lot and am quite sure they were an important factor. I've realised that they collectively gave Sexey's one huge advantage over other schools - continuity. With just one exception (Mr Potter, our unforgettable French Master), all of the staff who were at Sexey's when we started in 1949 were still there when we all left. Moreover, you may not be aware that, without exception (I think), this dedicated group of teachers all continued at Sexey's until they reached retirement age. I was even more surprised to find that Mr Tomlinson was Headmaster at Sexey's for an incredible 25 years.

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"So why should staff continuity matter to you and I?

You could say that they did their job and got paid - but I don't think any of them were in it for the money. Teaching was their vocation in life. Most of them were probably not at the top of their professional ladder - but they were all very committed. They knew us all individually, they helped us all and they influenced most of us for the better - in relation to our behaviour, the way we interacted with others, the way we spoke to others, encouraging us to think and to always try to do the right thing, and the many other important aspects of growing into caring responsible adults. Continuity greatly helped make all of that possible. You might say that their continuity and dedication put the 'X' Factor into Sexey's and contributed greatly into making our school such a happy school. We were the beneficiaries.

So, I would now like to pay my personal tribute to each of those members of staff - in verse. I do hope that all or most of you will echo my thoughts."

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 PERSONAL TRIBUTE TO HEADMASTER AND TEACHING STAFF AT SEXEY'S GRAMMAR SCHOOL 1949 - 1954

Mrs Irons

No matter which part of the globe - Mrs Irons lessons might feature,

she was always awe-inspiring - and a very effective teacher.

She was often fired-up and loud, - but forever I'll be in her debt,

as her everyday passion for Geography - was something I'll never forget.

Miss Merriman

I hardly knew Miss Merriman - as she didn't teach the boys

She and the girls seemed to play all day - with Domestic Science toys.

Plain wholesome cooking was achieved by many - but I was seldom offered a bite,

unless, of course, the dish of the day - had turned out not quite right.

Miss Rendell & Miss Padfield

Miss Rendell taught English and R.I. - and the joys of English Lit.

And I wish I'd paid more attention - and had learned a bit more about it.

Miss Padfield also taught English - and the mysteries of Latin as well.

I didn't do well in either - as you now can probably tell.

But they both spoke exceptionally good English - and some of that rubbed off on me,

And I now cope quite well with my wife's maiden Aunt - and entertaining the Vicar for tea.

Miss Barnes

Whenever Miss Barnes lost control - she usually lost her tether.

Certain boys would wind her up - I ask you, "Would I ever?"

She'd inflate her rosy-red cheeks - and noisily slam down her book,

Then focus hard on the culprit - with a desperate withering look.

History was distorted forever - by the misdeeds of some of our class,

So it's hard to believe, that at the exam, - some of us actually passed!

Peter Lee

Mr Lee moved down here from Yorkshire - on the day that we all began,

A scholar and an athlete - and a fine mathematics man.

He starred as 'The Pirate King' on stage - coached cricket, football and more

and was the Judge in 'Trial by Jury' - and the Captain of 'Pinafore'.

I also learned a valuable lesson, - which wasn't taught as such,

you can always tell a Yorkshireman - but you cannot tell him much!

Les Pavey

Mr Pavey taught us woodwork - according to the 'Gospel of Les',

where you watch everything he shows show you - and listen to what he says.

T'was all very new to me - and I didn't do well for a while,

but I gradually picked up the hang of it - and improved by a country mile.

Les loved wood grain and wood joints - and loved telling his woodworking jewels,

and I know that I'll always be grateful to him - for teaching me how to use tools.

Alroy {'Alan'} Tonkin

Mr Tonkin taught art and music - and joined the boys for the occasional game,

but promoting Gilbert & Sullivan - was Alan's main claim to fame.

I still love 'Pirates' and 'Pinafore', - 'Trial by Jury' just never ends,

so Gilbert & Sullivan, thanks to Alan - will always be treasured friends.

Norman Potter & Ray Packer

Our French Master 'Pansy Potter' - was ever so slightly deranged,

so it wasn't really surprising - when he was ever so slightly changed.

A flying black rubber dagger - with a four inch rubber blade,

would always be slightly disturbing - never mind with what it was made.

He was replaced by Raymondo Packer - a sane and sensible man,

who against all the odds, nevertheless, - got most of us through the exam.

Arthur {'Joe'} Swallow

Double Science in the lab with Joe Swallow - sometimes highlight of the week,

but if things went wrong and t'was YOU not on song - things could get decidedly bleak.

Joe didn't suffer fools gladly - and YOU'd be the first to know,

but for all his sarcasm and bluster - he was still a pretty good Joe.

Every aspect of school was Joe's oyster - for he was also Deputy Head,

so you always took particular notice - of whatever wise words that he said.

Now EVERYONE knows that ONE SWALLOW - doesn't a summer make,

but it's not down to Joe, that it isn't so - I just think he deserves a break.

and so,

in recognition of just one swallow's

unwavering service at Sexey's over many summers,

it gives me great pleasure to announce,

that after much campaigning - it has been agreed nationally -

that when the first swallow is sighted in 2011, that year will be declared

'A ONE SWALLOW SUMMER'.

Henry ('Harry') Tomlinson

Harry the Head was MY hero - a genial and gentle man,

who fought long and tirelessly for Sexey's - over a quarter century span.

Through the war years and into the sixties - Harry weathered stormy seas,

but still found time for his family - his garden and his bees.

He was much more than just a leader - for he cared about the school,

and he cared about the staff - and all the children too.

Enthusiasm and good nature - and, perhaps, just being Mr 'T',

were qualities that I respected - I hope some of it rubbed off on me?

What was Harry's secret? - Did he follow a 'Golden Rule'?

It surely wasn't luck that we all enjoyed - a very happy school?

For me, Sexey's was a privilege - and I was fortunate that I came -

............. and I also had the best of classmates ................ I do hope you feel the same.

Ladies and Gentlemen. We, and many other Old Sexonians, owe our gratitude to this small group of professionals who taught us, influenced us all for the better and greatly assisted in making Sexey's such a happy school. The toast is:

'HARRY TOMLINSON AND HIS TEAM'.

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I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended our class reunion today and for helping to make this such an enjoyable, memorable and happy event.

John K. Grant

30th  June 2010