Today's Photographs 6
Showing some aspects from the life of HGS.
Supporting photographs and comments may be added where possible.
Topics A-Z: Forms, Grounds, Library, Local Area, Main Hall, Staff
Updated 24.10.2023
Showing some aspects from the life of HGS.
Supporting photographs and comments may be added where possible.
Topics A-Z: Forms, Grounds, Library, Local Area, Main Hall, Staff
Updated 24.10.2023
1. 100 years ago
Mr. Crossland’s Sixth Form 1925.
Mr. Crossland’s Sixth Form 1925.
Notes:
1. Our HGS standards and traditions began to take shape in the 1920s. They may have come from Mr Jenkinson's former school in Cornwall. He initiated and developed our HGS school "system" which we, as HGS pupils, all remember.
2. Freda Swain, shown below as a schoolgirl, was associated with the School Governors for a very long time.
3. Marion Finch (below) wrote an article about Hemsworth Secondary School in the 1920s which is published on this website. It can be found on the Main Menu.
1. Our HGS standards and traditions began to take shape in the 1920s. They may have come from Mr Jenkinson's former school in Cornwall. He initiated and developed our HGS school "system" which we, as HGS pupils, all remember.
2. Freda Swain, shown below as a schoolgirl, was associated with the School Governors for a very long time.
3. Marion Finch (below) wrote an article about Hemsworth Secondary School in the 1920s which is published on this website. It can be found on the Main Menu.
Back Row L-R: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Front Row L-R: 1, Marion Finch, 3, Mr. Crossland, Vera Hammill, Freda Swain, Emma Bate
Front Row L-R: 1, Marion Finch, 3, Mr. Crossland, Vera Hammill, Freda Swain, Emma Bate
In 1921, when the school was first opened, the local mining community was not wealthy or prosperous. Quite the opposite. Life was not easy and involved a great deal of manual labour.
Dave
Dave
c.1921
The photograph below illustrates some aspects of dress at that time.
The photograph below illustrates some aspects of dress at that time.
2. The Main Hall
This was Mr Hamilton's view from the Stage of the pupil body in Assemblies.
Ex-pupils could all write a long account of their relationship with this place - from their very first HGS day to possibly their last as a school pupil. This photograph certainly takes me back every time I see it. This was the centre of the school for me. It was a very well used place indeed and the wholes school met in here four times each week with the Prefects standing down the sides. As you look at the photo, the boys were on the left, girls on the right. You had to be very quiet and wait for the Headmaster to arrive and take the Assembly. Mr Hamilton would then arrive with a nervous Prefect who had to read the lesson of the day from the Bible while standing at the Lectern.
Activities in the Hall
Assemblies, P.E. lessons (and Pirates), Drama Productions, Concerts, Examinations, Dances, Wet Lunchtimes retreat.
Activities in the Hall
Assemblies, P.E. lessons (and Pirates), Drama Productions, Concerts, Examinations, Dances, Wet Lunchtimes retreat.
The pupils' view during the various activities
During Morning Religious Assemblies, which also acted as a daily briefing, the Headmaster would stand at the Lectern and the Staff would sit on the chairs behind him. The boy Prefects would stand by the wall-bars on the right of the photograph and the girl Prefects would stand by the wall-bars on the left. Year groups would assemble with the First Form at the front of the Hall and then Year Groups in order of age with the Sixth Form at the back. This would happen on four days of the week with one day being reserved for eight House Assemblies in which boys and girls were separated into designated classrooms. The sub-divisions were: Guest House, Holgate House, Prices House and Talbot House. House Masters and Mistresses would also attend. Hymns were sung in the School Assemblies, with a member of staff or older pupil playing the piano. The Lord's Prayer was said at all assemblies.
3. The impact of individual teachers on a school
The example selected below is that of Mr G. Knox HGS, 1958 onwards
How a pupil views the impact of a new teacher is very personal to that pupil. Another pupil may have a completely differemt opinion.
How a pupil views the impact of a new teacher is very personal to that pupil. Another pupil may have a completely differemt opinion.
The HGS Staff 1958-59
Mr Knox joins the Staff
Mr Knox joins the Staff
Back Row L-R: Mr. Cookson, Mr. Willey, Mr. Owen, Mr. Farrar, Mr. Tate, Mr. Pacy, Mr. Twigg
Fourth Row L-R: Mr. Bulley, Mr. Williams, Mr. Burnell, Mr. Boyd, Mr. Sale, Mr. Hodson, Mr. Catley
Third Row L-R: Mr. Crompton, Mr. Reasbeck, Mr. Davies, Mr. Reed, Mr. Powell, Mr. Gray, Mr. Losasso, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Knox, Mr.
Hassall, Mr. Woodcock
Second Row L-R: Miss. Close, Mr. Swinbank, Miss. McGlade, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Lumb, Mrs. Gibson, Miss. Walker, Mr. Wharton,
Miss. Blake
Front Row L-R: Mrs. D. Whittaker, Miss. Ward, Miss. Metcalfe, Miss. Smith, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Collette, Mr. Leonard, Mr. Atack, Mr.
Lock
Fourth Row L-R: Mr. Bulley, Mr. Williams, Mr. Burnell, Mr. Boyd, Mr. Sale, Mr. Hodson, Mr. Catley
Third Row L-R: Mr. Crompton, Mr. Reasbeck, Mr. Davies, Mr. Reed, Mr. Powell, Mr. Gray, Mr. Losasso, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Knox, Mr.
Hassall, Mr. Woodcock
Second Row L-R: Miss. Close, Mr. Swinbank, Miss. McGlade, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Lumb, Mrs. Gibson, Miss. Walker, Mr. Wharton,
Miss. Blake
Front Row L-R: Mrs. D. Whittaker, Miss. Ward, Miss. Metcalfe, Miss. Smith, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Collette, Mr. Leonard, Mr. Atack, Mr.
Lock
Mr Knox (left), Mr Smith (centre) and the coach of a visiting school team on a Saturday morning.
The extract below comes from "A Personal View 1" on this website.
"In September 1958 a new Science teacher, Mr Knox, arrived at the school, just after the New Science Block had been completed. We got on well and I was to successfully study Biology with him for the next four years at "O" and "A" level of the G.C.E. He joined in immediately with the extra-curricular activities which were supported by the staff of the school. He became a regular participant in the Staff Matches in the sports of Rugby, Hockey and Cricket.
HGS tended to be very conservative in the Sports offered to the pupils in Physical Education. For the boys, Rugby, Cricket and Athletics were predominant almost from the start of the school's life. For the girls, Hockey, Rounders, Netball and Athletics were offered. An extra-curricular innovation is what you see below with the Junior Basketball Team.
To us as pupils this was a new sport. The New Gym (opened in 1957) was the perfect venue for training and matches. We played two matches against Doncaster Grammar School, losing the away fixture (our first ever) but winning the home game by a good score. The experience gained after just one match was very helpful. Albert Parkin was our captain. We knew that his ball skills and game-reading at Rugby were very good. These were transferred to Basketball without any apparent problem. He led the team well and we gave him our full support."
Dave
HGS tended to be very conservative in the Sports offered to the pupils in Physical Education. For the boys, Rugby, Cricket and Athletics were predominant almost from the start of the school's life. For the girls, Hockey, Rounders, Netball and Athletics were offered. An extra-curricular innovation is what you see below with the Junior Basketball Team.
To us as pupils this was a new sport. The New Gym (opened in 1957) was the perfect venue for training and matches. We played two matches against Doncaster Grammar School, losing the away fixture (our first ever) but winning the home game by a good score. The experience gained after just one match was very helpful. Albert Parkin was our captain. We knew that his ball skills and game-reading at Rugby were very good. These were transferred to Basketball without any apparent problem. He led the team well and we gave him our full support."
Dave
HGS Junior Basketball 1958-59
Back Row L-R: Tony Hince, Neil Rogers, Mr. G. Knox, David McKenzie, Norman Valentine.
Front Row L-R: Brian May, Colin Bond, Albert Parkin, Leonard Linsey, Robert Taylor.
Front Row L-R: Brian May, Colin Bond, Albert Parkin, Leonard Linsey, Robert Taylor.
HGS Under 14 Rugby XV 1964-65
Photo contributed by David Culshaw. Thank you. Some names have been added by Robert Foster. Thank you.
Back Row L-R: Christopher Sandford, Mr. Knox, Christopher Ball
Middle Row L-R: Alan Hancox, Alwyn Mills, Robert Parker, Clive Allsop, Michael Burrows, David Culshaw, Terence Gatley
Front Row L-R: Corns, John Thorpe, Owen, John Bouskill, David Barraclough, Cooke, David Atkinson
Back Row L-R: Christopher Sandford, Mr. Knox, Christopher Ball
Middle Row L-R: Alan Hancox, Alwyn Mills, Robert Parker, Clive Allsop, Michael Burrows, David Culshaw, Terence Gatley
Front Row L-R: Corns, John Thorpe, Owen, John Bouskill, David Barraclough, Cooke, David Atkinson
"A" Team: Played 15, Won 9, Lost 6.
"B" Team: Played 2, Won 2, Lost 0
The 'A Team again had a successful season under Wainwright's captaincy. The team played excellent rugby all season and should be a formidable side next year when they will have gained weight and height. Nichols played exceptionally well and the rest of the pack were encouraged to follow his example. Jones and Wainwright gave the backs plenty of the ball and by the end of the season all the backs were running and handling well. We were able to organise two matches for a "B" team made up of very keen reserves. Without these boys it keeps the "A" team on their toes, and to give opposition in practices, progress would have been much slower and more difficult to achieve.
"B" Team: Played 2, Won 2, Lost 0
The 'A Team again had a successful season under Wainwright's captaincy. The team played excellent rugby all season and should be a formidable side next year when they will have gained weight and height. Nichols played exceptionally well and the rest of the pack were encouraged to follow his example. Jones and Wainwright gave the backs plenty of the ball and by the end of the season all the backs were running and handling well. We were able to organise two matches for a "B" team made up of very keen reserves. Without these boys it keeps the "A" team on their toes, and to give opposition in practices, progress would have been much slower and more difficult to achieve.
Over the 46 years of the life of the school, many of the HGS Staff were involved in voluntary, extra activites. This enriched the lives of the pupils and created those many, good memories which may have lasted a lifetime.
4. Trees and Flowers
"When I write about HGS, I just cannot remain objective. That school was the single, most important feature in shaping what I became in so many ways. What is more, my regard for it and its place in an educational era have been enhanced by time not diminished. The awful thing is that by the time I became an adult and had my own children, I had a deep rooted conviction that the avante garde educationalists were wrecking a precious system. Nothing has changed that view and I still recall the pain I felt as my kids had to attend a Comprehensive of 1200/1300 pupils in the early 1970's. You see, I know what a desert their years there would be whilst my own secondary education had been spent in a glorious garden. How sad that forty years went by before Governments seem to be trying to resurrect something that sounds like the same kind of system though under a different, less socially provocative set of titles."
Geoff Graham (HGS 1949-55) UK
Geoff Graham (HGS 1949-55) UK
One quiet corner of the grounds, The Girls' Arch
Mr Rhodes was the Groundsman/Gardeners for many years.
Mr Rhodes was the Groundsman/Gardeners for many years.
In February 1929, three candidates for the post of Assistant Gardener at the school were interviewed, and Mr. J.W. Rhodes of Upton, was appointed. He was to remain in employment at the school until his retirement in the 1960's.
Groundsmen:
Mr. A. Hall
Mr. Rhodes, Feb. 1929 (Groundsman). Left in the 1960’s
Mr. Wycherley, Feb. 28 1925 (Head Gardener)
Groundsmen:
Mr. A. Hall
Mr. Rhodes, Feb. 1929 (Groundsman). Left in the 1960’s
Mr. Wycherley, Feb. 28 1925 (Head Gardener)
On the Forecourt
Photo from Marie Johnson and Gordon Clarke. Thank you.
Marie Johnson, Mr. Hamilton, Marjorie Oxley
Marie Johnson, Mr. Hamilton, Marjorie Oxley
Photo from Elaine Picken. Thank you.
Outside the New Block, Room 24.
Elaine Picken and Kathleen Corcoran
Outside the New Block, Room 24.
Elaine Picken and Kathleen Corcoran
5. A view to Holly Bank
Photo: Batey
A rarely seen view and "gooin darn t'vill".
Actually the "t'" was usually silent or replaced with a slight upward movement of the tongue - Upton dialect?
Just a thought:
HGS was located near to the centre of a small town or township. Pupils at HGS called going into Hemsworth "going down the vill(e)". Was this short for "village" or "ville" - from the French language which we all had to do? The photo shows how close we actually were to the Holly Bank area in the northern part of Hemsworth. In some areas of the school fields it felt like we were out in the countryside. In the Summer, it was a very pleasant area to be in. and at lunchtime it could be quite busy.
Actually the "t'" was usually silent or replaced with a slight upward movement of the tongue - Upton dialect?
Just a thought:
HGS was located near to the centre of a small town or township. Pupils at HGS called going into Hemsworth "going down the vill(e)". Was this short for "village" or "ville" - from the French language which we all had to do? The photo shows how close we actually were to the Holly Bank area in the northern part of Hemsworth. In some areas of the school fields it felt like we were out in the countryside. In the Summer, it was a very pleasant area to be in. and at lunchtime it could be quite busy.
Comment
John Byrom
This area was more famous for the North Walk as many assignations took place there, and some ended in life-long relationships.
This area was more famous for the North Walk as many assignations took place there, and some ended in life-long relationships.
Terry McCroakam
At the other side of the school grounds, the 1st Fifteen rugby pitch was near a farm field and kicks at the posts after a try, frequently went there.
At the other side of the school grounds, the 1st Fifteen rugby pitch was near a farm field and kicks at the posts after a try, frequently went there.
Jean Colley
The school hall to the right of the houses held a Saturday night dance. Doughty's, so called after the couple who ran it. Not quite Strictly but close.
The school hall to the right of the houses held a Saturday night dance. Doughty's, so called after the couple who ran it. Not quite Strictly but close.
6. The Library Stock take 1966
To be developed
To be developed
Miss Evans (Music) takes charge of the annual Stock Take
HGS did not have a full-time Librarian, but members of Staff did help as is shown below. There were also Library Prefects who would help with the general procedures of the Library such as issuing and receiving books, tidying shelves, and maintaining the Card Index for Fiction and Non Fiction. The "shush" requests were generally done by a members of Staff who would normally be sitting at the front desk. The requests were not always completely successful. Staff would sometimes come in and get on with lesson preparation and/or marking. The degree of silence generally depended on who the member of Staff in the Libray was. If the Headmaster or Miss Smith came in, heads looked at the books and nobody made a sound! Staff meetings were also held in the Library when the number of teaching Staff grew. Mr Hamilton would usually take charge (1937 to 1967) as did Mr. Jenkinson (1921 to 1937). I only went into one Staff Meeting as a pupil and the atmosphere seemed quite relaxed at that time. Was that the norm? I do not know.
DSM
DSM
Comment
Dave,
You are correct in thinking Staff meetings were held in the Library. There was always a small wager on who would be first to fall asleep, Alf Swinbank, Ernie Atack, or Arnie Davies. Doing Library duty was good for staff, it was like a non-teaching period but you could get on with some marking without having to cover an absent colleague.
Terry McCroakam
You are correct in thinking Staff meetings were held in the Library. There was always a small wager on who would be first to fall asleep, Alf Swinbank, Ernie Atack, or Arnie Davies. Doing Library duty was good for staff, it was like a non-teaching period but you could get on with some marking without having to cover an absent colleague.
Terry McCroakam
One hundred years ago
The School Library in 1923
The School Library in 1923
During the past year the School Library has steadily grown. New books have been provided by means of the School Funds, and
also many books have been presented by scholars and staff. A Reference Library, separate from the Lending Library, was begun
and contained 38 books, but it was afterwards found advisable to amalgamate the two, with the exception of the encyclopaedias.
The School Library contains at present books in the following classes:
Class Type No. of Books
A: Fiction 250
B: Essays and Prose Selections 8
C: Poetry 32
D: History of Literature 3
E: History 14
F: Biography 10
G: Geography 18
H: Travel 3
I: Nature 6
J: Science 11
K: General Knowledge 27
L: Bound Magazines and Periodicals 5 volumes
In addition, as strictly reference books, are:
Chambers' Cyclopaedia of English Literature, Vols. I., II. and III
Chambers’ Encyclopaedia, Vols. I., II. and III. (to be completed).
Outlines of Science, Vols. I., II. and III.
Dictionary of Words and Phrases
Concise Oxford Dictionary
Dictionary of Phrase and Fable
Concise Etymological Dictionary of the English Language
Reader's Handbook
Cambridge Modern History, Vols. XII. and XIII
Biblical and Theological Dictionary
Whitaker’s Almanac for 1923
Bradshaw's Railway Guide
A Survey Map, and Geographical, Historical and Biblical
Atlases
also many books have been presented by scholars and staff. A Reference Library, separate from the Lending Library, was begun
and contained 38 books, but it was afterwards found advisable to amalgamate the two, with the exception of the encyclopaedias.
The School Library contains at present books in the following classes:
Class Type No. of Books
A: Fiction 250
B: Essays and Prose Selections 8
C: Poetry 32
D: History of Literature 3
E: History 14
F: Biography 10
G: Geography 18
H: Travel 3
I: Nature 6
J: Science 11
K: General Knowledge 27
L: Bound Magazines and Periodicals 5 volumes
In addition, as strictly reference books, are:
Chambers' Cyclopaedia of English Literature, Vols. I., II. and III
Chambers’ Encyclopaedia, Vols. I., II. and III. (to be completed).
Outlines of Science, Vols. I., II. and III.
Dictionary of Words and Phrases
Concise Oxford Dictionary
Dictionary of Phrase and Fable
Concise Etymological Dictionary of the English Language
Reader's Handbook
Cambridge Modern History, Vols. XII. and XIII
Biblical and Theological Dictionary
Whitaker’s Almanac for 1923
Bradshaw's Railway Guide
A Survey Map, and Geographical, Historical and Biblical
Atlases
Three pupil administration examples
The Library Prefects 1952-53 and their report
The Library Prefects 1959-60 and their report
The Library Prefects 1965-66 and their report
Comment
Margaret Alison Croucher
I was a Library Prefect when the whole collection was re-classified using the Dewey Decimal system. I spent many after school hours in there looking books up in the Dewey catalogue and creating a new file card and new bookplate by hand.. We also used to play bridge with Mr. Jones, and I learned not to play for money!
I was a Library Prefect when the whole collection was re-classified using the Dewey Decimal system. I spent many after school hours in there looking books up in the Dewey catalogue and creating a new file card and new bookplate by hand.. We also used to play bridge with Mr. Jones, and I learned not to play for money!
Julia Elliott
After my stint in the RN I became a librarian who worked in a grammar school. The library was staffed full time. Makes me wonder who was in charge of ordering/choosing new stock etc at HGS.
After my stint in the RN I became a librarian who worked in a grammar school. The library was staffed full time. Makes me wonder who was in charge of ordering/choosing new stock etc at HGS.
Linda Jagger
I learned Bridge at Mr. Jones lunchtime Bridge club.
I learned Bridge at Mr. Jones lunchtime Bridge club.
