The Noticeboard (2)
Any new pages, articles or changes to the existing content will be indicated or shown here.
Content may change at any time.
Any new pages, articles or changes to the existing content will be indicated or shown here.
Content may change at any time.
Photo: Batey
The above photograph was taken on the 4th July 1967 during the last week of the Summer Term.
The change from HGS to HHS had already started.
The change from HGS to HHS had already started.
Christine Murray
Thank you for posting this photo. I am the one in the middle Christine Bradley.
Thank you for posting this photo. I am the one in the middle Christine Bradley.

02.10.2024
Today's Staff Member is Miss Evans.
Miss Evans joined the HGS Staff in School Year 1959-60 as the Music Specialist. Many of us would have heard Miss Evans playing the piano in assemblies (see the Home Page of this website). We also sang along to the rowsing School Song at the end of term. She was also very involved in the Annual Staff Plays)
Today's Staff Member is Miss Evans.
Miss Evans joined the HGS Staff in School Year 1959-60 as the Music Specialist. Many of us would have heard Miss Evans playing the piano in assemblies (see the Home Page of this website). We also sang along to the rowsing School Song at the end of term. She was also very involved in the Annual Staff Plays)
Miss P. Evans HGS 1959-67
The HGS Staff 1959-60
Back Row L-R: Mr. Davies, Mr. Pacy, Mr. Reed, Mr. Losasso, Mr. Williams, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Gray, Mr. Sale, Mr. Crompton
Fourth Row L-R: Mr. Gregory, Mr. Cookson, Mr. Burnell, Mr. Owen, Mr. Knox, Mr. Catley
Third Row L-R: Mr. Jakes, Mr. Reasbeck, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Hodson, Mr. Hassall, Mr. Parkinson, Mr. Tate, Mr. Booth
Second Row L-R: Miss. Kay, Miss. Musgrave, Miss. Child, Miss. Tate, Mrs. Williams, Miss. Evans, Miss. Couperthwaite, Miss. Fish,
Mr. Hodgson, Mr. Wharton
Front Row L-R: Mrs. D. Whittaker, Miss. Ward, Miss. Metcalfe, Miss. Smith, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Collette, Mr. Atack, Mr. Lock, Mr.
Swinbank
Fourth Row L-R: Mr. Gregory, Mr. Cookson, Mr. Burnell, Mr. Owen, Mr. Knox, Mr. Catley
Third Row L-R: Mr. Jakes, Mr. Reasbeck, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Hodson, Mr. Hassall, Mr. Parkinson, Mr. Tate, Mr. Booth
Second Row L-R: Miss. Kay, Miss. Musgrave, Miss. Child, Miss. Tate, Mrs. Williams, Miss. Evans, Miss. Couperthwaite, Miss. Fish,
Mr. Hodgson, Mr. Wharton
Front Row L-R: Mrs. D. Whittaker, Miss. Ward, Miss. Metcalfe, Miss. Smith, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Collette, Mr. Atack, Mr. Lock, Mr.
Swinbank
Form 2B 1959-60
Miss Evans' first school Group in HGS.
Miss Evans' first school Group in HGS.
Back Row L-R: Roger Poole, Alan Briggs, Geoff Thompson, Derek Wood, Percival D., Michael Fairclough, David Shaw
Third Row L-R: Jean Bentley, B. Froggett, Dorothy Head, Ann Bradfield, Jennifer Brewin, Susan Ashmole, Tony Senior, Miss P. Evans. (One name is missing)
Second Row L-R: Sandra Round, Mavis Mathers, Kathleen Perry, V. Evans, Sandra Taylor, June Gaskell, D. Lee, Drew Hearst, Pauline Ogley
Front Row L-R: Philip Quinn, George Fearnley, Keith Tyrrell, David Fearnside, Andrew Coope, David Sunderland, Michael Morrison
The Form prize was awarded to Sandra Taylor.
Third Row L-R: Jean Bentley, B. Froggett, Dorothy Head, Ann Bradfield, Jennifer Brewin, Susan Ashmole, Tony Senior, Miss P. Evans. (One name is missing)
Second Row L-R: Sandra Round, Mavis Mathers, Kathleen Perry, V. Evans, Sandra Taylor, June Gaskell, D. Lee, Drew Hearst, Pauline Ogley
Front Row L-R: Philip Quinn, George Fearnley, Keith Tyrrell, David Fearnside, Andrew Coope, David Sunderland, Michael Morrison
The Form prize was awarded to Sandra Taylor.
Form 5T 1965-66
Back Row L-R: Bennion J., Martin T., Turton A., Jones T., John Bladen
Front Row L-R: Jones R., Derek Ward, S. Smith, Miss Evans, Steele R., Nickerson J., Vincent Rushworth
Front Row L-R: Jones R., Derek Ward, S. Smith, Miss Evans, Steele R., Nickerson J., Vincent Rushworth
Christine Perkins
Now there's a blast from the past, front row, Susan Smith. We were in the same class year, at one time. A few other names I recognise as well. Nice memories.
Now there's a blast from the past, front row, Susan Smith. We were in the same class year, at one time. A few other names I recognise as well. Nice memories.
Melvyn Thomas
Good memories brought to the fore. It is great to be reminded of a wonderful school, although I didn’t fully realise that at the time.
Good memories brought to the fore. It is great to be reminded of a wonderful school, although I didn’t fully realise that at the time.
Miss Evans helps on stock-taking day.
Photo: Batey
The HGS Staff 1966-67
Back Row L-R: Mr. Baker, Mr. Davies, Mr. Harrison, Mr.Bavister, Mr. Waters, Mr. Jones, Mr. Cooling, Mr. Plummer, Mr. McCroakam, Mr. Morley, Mr. Tromans, Mr. Walsh
Middle Row L-R: Mr. Glenn, Mr. Smith, Mr. Greensmith, Mr. Owens, Mr. Murray, Mr. Burnell, Mr. Wilkinson, Miss. Evans, Mr. Howdle, Mr. Minards, Mr. Parkinson, Mr. Ramsden, Mr. Parkin, Mr. Shelton
Front Row L-R: French Assistante Mimi, Miss. Jackson, Mrs. Tromans (Miss. Couperthwaite), Miss Rankin, Miss. Ward, Miss. Metcalfe, Miss. Smith, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Groome, Mr. Atack, Mr. Swinbank, Mr. Owen, Mr. Hodson, Mr. Pacy, Mr. Knox
Middle Row L-R: Mr. Glenn, Mr. Smith, Mr. Greensmith, Mr. Owens, Mr. Murray, Mr. Burnell, Mr. Wilkinson, Miss. Evans, Mr. Howdle, Mr. Minards, Mr. Parkinson, Mr. Ramsden, Mr. Parkin, Mr. Shelton
Front Row L-R: French Assistante Mimi, Miss. Jackson, Mrs. Tromans (Miss. Couperthwaite), Miss Rankin, Miss. Ward, Miss. Metcalfe, Miss. Smith, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Groome, Mr. Atack, Mr. Swinbank, Mr. Owen, Mr. Hodson, Mr. Pacy, Mr. Knox

26.09.2024
Today's Staff Member is Mr Swinbank.
Mr Swinbank joined the HGS Staff in School Year 1948-49 as the Classics Master (Latin and Greek). I was in Mr Swinback's Latin Group when I was in 3A (1957-58). He was an excellent and patient teacher. Mr Swinbank helped to develop Sports teams throughout the School Year - School Rugby and the Ilkley Sevens in Terms 1 and 2 and Athletics in Term 3. He was also successfully involved in preparing Talbot House Teams for Sports Day.
Dave
Today's Staff Member is Mr Swinbank.
Mr Swinbank joined the HGS Staff in School Year 1948-49 as the Classics Master (Latin and Greek). I was in Mr Swinback's Latin Group when I was in 3A (1957-58). He was an excellent and patient teacher. Mr Swinbank helped to develop Sports teams throughout the School Year - School Rugby and the Ilkley Sevens in Terms 1 and 2 and Athletics in Term 3. He was also successfully involved in preparing Talbot House Teams for Sports Day.
Dave
2A 1948-49
Mr Swinbank's first school Group.
Mr Swinbank's first school Group.
Back Row L-R: John Hardy, Brian Horbury, Terry Swift, Peter Fisher, Wall, Colin Ward, Warden J., Dennis Baker, Brian Goodyear.
Middle Row L-R: Simpson, Rodney Wood, Terry Dillon, Scales, Pat Coope, Margaret Seal, D. Bunn, Brenda Parker, Marriot, Tony Holland, Eric Williams, Alan Mozley
Front Row L-R: Renee Longden, Shirley Smith, Jean Herbert, Margaret Roberts, J. Hall, Mr. Swinbank, J. Dickinson, S. Tillotson?, J. Cartwright, B. Wheeldon
Middle Row L-R: Simpson, Rodney Wood, Terry Dillon, Scales, Pat Coope, Margaret Seal, D. Bunn, Brenda Parker, Marriot, Tony Holland, Eric Williams, Alan Mozley
Front Row L-R: Renee Longden, Shirley Smith, Jean Herbert, Margaret Roberts, J. Hall, Mr. Swinbank, J. Dickinson, S. Tillotson?, J. Cartwright, B. Wheeldon
1966-67
Mr Swinbank's final HGS school Group,
Mr Swinbank's final HGS school Group,
Photo and names supplied by John Wright. Thank you, John.
Back Row L-R: Robert Moxon, David Rowley, John Wright, Alan Bridgewater
Middle Row L-R: Margaret Preece, George Upson, Lewis Jackson, Brian Buckingham, John Green, Brian Cooper, Dianne Sell
Front Row L-R: Marilyn Smith, Therese Gardner, Diane Lees, Mr. Swinbank, Ann Hamilton, Judith Bancroft, Ruth Saley
Back Row L-R: Robert Moxon, David Rowley, John Wright, Alan Bridgewater
Middle Row L-R: Margaret Preece, George Upson, Lewis Jackson, Brian Buckingham, John Green, Brian Cooper, Dianne Sell
Front Row L-R: Marilyn Smith, Therese Gardner, Diane Lees, Mr. Swinbank, Ann Hamilton, Judith Bancroft, Ruth Saley
The HGS Ilkley Sevens Team 1952
After the event
Before the Final Round
1952
Back Row L-R: Eric Sale, Roy Frost, Dave Whitehead, Geoff Manning
Middle Row L-R: James Stead, Mr. Swinbank, Keith Bruce
Front Row L-R: Peter Schofield
On the 27th March a 7-a-side team consisting of Whittaker, Stead, Sale, Bruce, Ramsden, Henry and Schofield visited Ilkley to take part in the tournament. In the first game we were successful in heating Ermystead G.S., Skipton by 18-0 but were not so successful in the 2nd round, being beaten 14-11 in a very exciting game with Bradford G.S. The winners of the tournament were Heath G.S.; Halifax and Wakefield were runners-up. The members of the team would like to thank Mr. Swinbank for the amount of work he has put in arranging practices. Perry, last year's captain, was presented with an illuminated scroll, the reward of our success in last season's competition, when we were runners-up.
P. Schofield, L6S.
Back Row L-R: Eric Sale, Roy Frost, Dave Whitehead, Geoff Manning
Middle Row L-R: James Stead, Mr. Swinbank, Keith Bruce
Front Row L-R: Peter Schofield
On the 27th March a 7-a-side team consisting of Whittaker, Stead, Sale, Bruce, Ramsden, Henry and Schofield visited Ilkley to take part in the tournament. In the first game we were successful in heating Ermystead G.S., Skipton by 18-0 but were not so successful in the 2nd round, being beaten 14-11 in a very exciting game with Bradford G.S. The winners of the tournament were Heath G.S.; Halifax and Wakefield were runners-up. The members of the team would like to thank Mr. Swinbank for the amount of work he has put in arranging practices. Perry, last year's captain, was presented with an illuminated scroll, the reward of our success in last season's competition, when we were runners-up.
P. Schofield, L6S.
Talbot House Athletics
Sports Day Winners 1953
Sports Day Winners 1953
Thanks go to Terry McCroakam for the photo.
Back Row L-R: Miss. Horsfield, Miss. Saville, Miss. Kilner, Mr. Senior, Mr Owen, Mr. Collins, Mr. Atack, Mr. Swinbank
Third Row L-R: Margaret Christian, Terry McCroakam, Alan Ardron, Roy Gaskell, David King, Arthur Swaine, Michael Batten
Second Row L-R: Valerie Higham, Doreen Honeyben, Brenda Ackroyd, Margaret Butterfield, John Butterfield, Trevor Trueman,
Joe Pearson, Michael Poole
Front row L-R: Jennifer Lindley, June Bradley, Florence Gell, Tony Foster, George Thompson, Roland Hawcroft
Back Row L-R: Miss. Horsfield, Miss. Saville, Miss. Kilner, Mr. Senior, Mr Owen, Mr. Collins, Mr. Atack, Mr. Swinbank
Third Row L-R: Margaret Christian, Terry McCroakam, Alan Ardron, Roy Gaskell, David King, Arthur Swaine, Michael Batten
Second Row L-R: Valerie Higham, Doreen Honeyben, Brenda Ackroyd, Margaret Butterfield, John Butterfield, Trevor Trueman,
Joe Pearson, Michael Poole
Front row L-R: Jennifer Lindley, June Bradley, Florence Gell, Tony Foster, George Thompson, Roland Hawcroft

25.09.2024
Today's Staff Member is Mr Owen.
Today's Staff Member is Mr Owen.
Photo: Batey
To me, Mr Owen was the "complete member of Staff". He joined the Staff in 1948 and taught Science until HGS closed in 1967. He participated in extra-curricular activities such as Choirs and Drama. He also produced Staff Plays and took part in the Annual Staff Hockey Match against the School's 1st XI. In addition he helped to construct the School's Timetable.
Dave
Dave

Christine Westwell
Loved Chemistry! The lads in L6S played tricks on us girls. Chris Nicholson, Janet Davies and Christine Gaskell. Mr Owen was a great singer. He and his wife sang in choirs and I babysat for them in their beautiful stone house in Ackworth.
Loved Chemistry! The lads in L6S played tricks on us girls. Chris Nicholson, Janet Davies and Christine Gaskell. Mr Owen was a great singer. He and his wife sang in choirs and I babysat for them in their beautiful stone house in Ackworth.
L6S 1961-62
Back Row L-R: Tom Wild, David Mosley, Ivan Chaplin, Eric Wildman, Neil Whalley, Tony Hince
Middle Row L-R: Tom Lowe, Michael Dixon, Peter Cooper, Terry Donohue, Peter Buttle, Carl Byrom
Front Row L-R: Brian Lees, Norman Tate, Christine Nicholson, Mr. J.P. Glenn, Janet Davies, Neil Pead, Trevor Stones
Middle Row L-R: Tom Lowe, Michael Dixon, Peter Cooper, Terry Donohue, Peter Buttle, Carl Byrom
Front Row L-R: Brian Lees, Norman Tate, Christine Nicholson, Mr. J.P. Glenn, Janet Davies, Neil Pead, Trevor Stones
U6S 1962-63
Back Row L-R: Neil Whalley, Dave Mosley, Ivan Chaplin, Tom Wild
Middle Row L-R: Terry Donaghue, Carl Byrom, Christine Nicholson, Christine Gaskell, Janet Davies, Mike Dixon, Eric Wildman
Front Row L-R: Tom Lowe, Peter Cooper, Eric Redhead, Mr. Owen, Trevor Stones, Brian Lees, Alan Lascelle
Middle Row L-R: Terry Donaghue, Carl Byrom, Christine Nicholson, Christine Gaskell, Janet Davies, Mike Dixon, Eric Wildman
Front Row L-R: Tom Lowe, Peter Cooper, Eric Redhead, Mr. Owen, Trevor Stones, Brian Lees, Alan Lascelle
The HGS Staff 1948-49
Back row L-R: Mr. Allan, Mr. Jones, Mr. Owen, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Farrar, Mr. Stockhill, Mr. Hewson, Mr. Foy
Second row L-R: Miss. Ward, Miss. Metcalfe, Miss. Jackson, Miss. Sykes, Miss. Wimpenny, Miss. Wilson, Miss. Woodward, Miss. Horsfield, Mr. Atack, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Morgan-Davies, Mr. Swinbank
Front row L-R: Mrs. Burn, Miss. Whitworth, Miss. Carter, Miss. Harris, Miss. Smith, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Crossland, Mr. Storer, Mr.
Collette, Mr. Manning, Mr. Leonard
Second row L-R: Miss. Ward, Miss. Metcalfe, Miss. Jackson, Miss. Sykes, Miss. Wimpenny, Miss. Wilson, Miss. Woodward, Miss. Horsfield, Mr. Atack, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Morgan-Davies, Mr. Swinbank
Front row L-R: Mrs. Burn, Miss. Whitworth, Miss. Carter, Miss. Harris, Miss. Smith, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Crossland, Mr. Storer, Mr.
Collette, Mr. Manning, Mr. Leonard
Mr Owen shows good style as Mr Knox looks on.
Photo: Batey
Mr Farrar restrains Mr Owen in the Staff Play of 1952.
"Busman's Honeymoon", a detective comedy by Dorothy L. Sayers and M. St. Clare Byrne. 2nd, 3rd, and 5th April 1952
"Busman's Honeymoon", a detective comedy by Dorothy L. Sayers and M. St. Clare Byrne. 2nd, 3rd, and 5th April 1952

21.09.2024
The HGS Statistics have been updated.
The HGS Statistics have been updated.

27.08.2024
Today's Staff Member is Mr Minards.
Today's Staff Member is Mr Minards.
Mr Minards
Mr Minards (Geography) joined the HGS Staff in School Year 1961-62.
Mr Minards (Geography) joined the HGS Staff in School Year 1961-62.
Back Row L-R: Mr. Hudson, Mr. Coar, Mr. Butler, Mr. Williams, Mr. Glenn
Fifth Row L-R: Mr. Parkinson, Mr. Smith, Mr. Burnell, Mr. R. Palmer, Mr. Twigg, Mr. Gray, Mr. Pacy
Fourth Row L-R: Mr. Tate, Mr. Minards, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Hodgson, Mr. Hodson, Mr. Hassall, Mr. Knox
Third Row L-R: Mr. Davies, Mr. Reed, Mr. Catley, Mr. Gregory, Mr. Shelton, Mr. Crompton, Mr. Jakes, Mr. Wharton
Second Row L-R: Miss Radford, Miss. Couperthwaite, Miss Parkin, Mrs. Bistis, Miss. Evans, Miss. Tate, Miss. Musgrave, Miss. Jennings
Front Row L-R: Mrs. Williams, Miss. Ward, Miss. Metcalfe, Miss. Smith, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Collette, Mr. Atack, Mr. Swinbank, Mr. Owen
Fifth Row L-R: Mr. Parkinson, Mr. Smith, Mr. Burnell, Mr. R. Palmer, Mr. Twigg, Mr. Gray, Mr. Pacy
Fourth Row L-R: Mr. Tate, Mr. Minards, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Hodgson, Mr. Hodson, Mr. Hassall, Mr. Knox
Third Row L-R: Mr. Davies, Mr. Reed, Mr. Catley, Mr. Gregory, Mr. Shelton, Mr. Crompton, Mr. Jakes, Mr. Wharton
Second Row L-R: Miss Radford, Miss. Couperthwaite, Miss Parkin, Mrs. Bistis, Miss. Evans, Miss. Tate, Miss. Musgrave, Miss. Jennings
Front Row L-R: Mrs. Williams, Miss. Ward, Miss. Metcalfe, Miss. Smith, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Collette, Mr. Atack, Mr. Swinbank, Mr. Owen
I met Mr Minards outside Room 13 (Geography Room) on what was possibly his very first day on the Staff after his interview. He was going around the school meeting people and getting to know his way around. We got along very well and had a long chat.
Dave
Dave
Mr Minards on a Geography Field Trip to Malham in 1966
Men in White take a break (1966)
L-R: Mr Minards, Mr McCroakam, Mr Ramsden, Mr Shelton, Mr Parkin. |
Mr Minards relaxes after or before batting in the Staff v School Cricket match in 1966. The photo was taken in the Cricket Pavilion.
|
Photo: Batey
|
Photo: Batey
|

26.08.2026
Today's Staff Member is Mr McCroakam
Today's Staff Member is Mr McCroakam
Terry McCroakam
A former HGS pupil, Head Boy (1956-57) and HGS Staff Member (Mathematics)
A former HGS pupil, Head Boy (1956-57) and HGS Staff Member (Mathematics)
The HGS Staff 1965-66
Back Row L-R: Mr. Jones, Mr. Minards, Mr. S. Harrison, Mr. J. Murray, Mr. A. Davies, Mr. T. McCroakam, Mr. Cooling, Mr. T. Connolly
Third Row L-R: Mr. Warren, Mr. Baker, Mr. L. Plummer, Mr. F. Morley, Mr. G. Pacy, Mr. M. Shelton, Mr. G. Parkinson, Mr. Ramsden, Mr. D. Wilkinson, Mr. D. Howdle, Mr. D. Hudson, Mr. A. Greensmith
Second Row L-R: Mr. P. Glenn, Mr. R. Tromans, Mr. D. Burnell, Mr. Coates, Miss. M. Margolis, Miss. Alliott, Miss Williams, Miss. Rankin, Mr. G. Knox, Mr. J. Smith, Mr. Millican, Mr. D. Bavister
Front Row L-R: Miss. P. Couperthwaite, Miss. P. Evans, Miss. K. Ward, Miss. M. Metcalfe, Miss. Smith, Mr. R. Hamilton, Mr. Groome, Mr. E. Atack, Mr. J.W. Swinbank, Mr. C. Owen, Mr. Hodson
Third Row L-R: Mr. Warren, Mr. Baker, Mr. L. Plummer, Mr. F. Morley, Mr. G. Pacy, Mr. M. Shelton, Mr. G. Parkinson, Mr. Ramsden, Mr. D. Wilkinson, Mr. D. Howdle, Mr. D. Hudson, Mr. A. Greensmith
Second Row L-R: Mr. P. Glenn, Mr. R. Tromans, Mr. D. Burnell, Mr. Coates, Miss. M. Margolis, Miss. Alliott, Miss Williams, Miss. Rankin, Mr. G. Knox, Mr. J. Smith, Mr. Millican, Mr. D. Bavister
Front Row L-R: Miss. P. Couperthwaite, Miss. P. Evans, Miss. K. Ward, Miss. M. Metcalfe, Miss. Smith, Mr. R. Hamilton, Mr. Groome, Mr. E. Atack, Mr. J.W. Swinbank, Mr. C. Owen, Mr. Hodson
The Transition
The change from HGS to HHS ie. from an 11-18 Grammar School to a 13-18 Comprehensive was the brain child of politicians. The reasons were to make all pupils 'equal' and do away with the 11+. This resulted in many of our sports opponents eg Rothwell GS, Kings Pontefract, Thorne GS, Percy Jacksons etc... going the same way.
At Hemsworth, HGS was destroyed both in the structural/material sense and its academic/traditional sense. Anything to do with the grammar school had to go. The House system was dismantled, the cups and shields went (although some mysteriously reappeared years later), honours boards were taken down and many were destroyed. School assemblies went. They were replaced by year assemblies. The uniform went. Sports Day as we/you knew it went. Competition was frowned upon at that time. The school became a place without tradition. The changes to the buildings were tremendous or horrendous as some of you have witnessed. The outside concrete slabs covering the front of the house can be seen elsewhere on this website. This became the new hall, but not big enough to hold the whole school. The woodwork, metalwork and pottery rooms were knocked down to enable a 3 storey concrete slab to be put up. The bulldozers were waiting for the Easter assembly to finish and some of the staff were still on the site when they started. Inside the old part, the hall became a library, the library became the staffroom, male and female staffrooms were converted into study rooms for the 6th form. Room 9 behind the Head's office became an entrance hall from the front. The area around the bike shed and boys' cloakroom entrance became an entrance and staircase up to a 6th form library area. The boy prefects' room became a matron's room. Girl prefects became a cloakroom and so it goes on...
Some of you may well recall that teaching went on during the changes, with workmen in corridors and classrooms. I had an electrician in my maths lessons so often I thought I would have to either do a report or enter him for 'o' level. All in all not a happy time for ex-pupils on the staff and probably more so for Mr. Hamilton.
I believe that if the change was necessary, the good traditions of HGS should have been retained and added to e.g. another house or two added to Holgate, Talbot, Guests and Price but it was not to be. Any of you who were privileged to be present at the FINAL ASSEMBLY when the new head walked out at the impromptu singing of the school song will know what I am trying to convey. Some of us on the staff did try to get things changed or kept but to no avail. I believe we are now seeing the results of 'education not being broken but they tried to mend it and are still doing so today'.
Terry
At Hemsworth, HGS was destroyed both in the structural/material sense and its academic/traditional sense. Anything to do with the grammar school had to go. The House system was dismantled, the cups and shields went (although some mysteriously reappeared years later), honours boards were taken down and many were destroyed. School assemblies went. They were replaced by year assemblies. The uniform went. Sports Day as we/you knew it went. Competition was frowned upon at that time. The school became a place without tradition. The changes to the buildings were tremendous or horrendous as some of you have witnessed. The outside concrete slabs covering the front of the house can be seen elsewhere on this website. This became the new hall, but not big enough to hold the whole school. The woodwork, metalwork and pottery rooms were knocked down to enable a 3 storey concrete slab to be put up. The bulldozers were waiting for the Easter assembly to finish and some of the staff were still on the site when they started. Inside the old part, the hall became a library, the library became the staffroom, male and female staffrooms were converted into study rooms for the 6th form. Room 9 behind the Head's office became an entrance hall from the front. The area around the bike shed and boys' cloakroom entrance became an entrance and staircase up to a 6th form library area. The boy prefects' room became a matron's room. Girl prefects became a cloakroom and so it goes on...
Some of you may well recall that teaching went on during the changes, with workmen in corridors and classrooms. I had an electrician in my maths lessons so often I thought I would have to either do a report or enter him for 'o' level. All in all not a happy time for ex-pupils on the staff and probably more so for Mr. Hamilton.
I believe that if the change was necessary, the good traditions of HGS should have been retained and added to e.g. another house or two added to Holgate, Talbot, Guests and Price but it was not to be. Any of you who were privileged to be present at the FINAL ASSEMBLY when the new head walked out at the impromptu singing of the school song will know what I am trying to convey. Some of us on the staff did try to get things changed or kept but to no avail. I believe we are now seeing the results of 'education not being broken but they tried to mend it and are still doing so today'.
Terry

24.08.2024
Today's Staff Member is Mr Hodson
Today's Staff Member is Mr Hodson
Mr Hodson (History) was a member of Staff from 1956-68 (when HGS closed).
The HGS Staff 1956-57
Back Row L-R: Mr. Sale, Mr. Boyd, Mr. Owen, Mr. Wall, Mr. Farrar, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Young
Third Row L-R: Mr. Reed, Mr. Colley, Mr. Bulley, Mr. Tate, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Hassall, Mr. Hodson, Mr. Wharton
Second Row L-R: Mr. Swinbank, Mr Flavell, Mr. Burnett, Mrs. Sharpe, Miss. Hampshire, Miss. Woodward, Miss Fleming, Mr. Kennedy, 9
Front Row L-R: Mrs. Lumb, Mrs. Whittaker, Miss. Ward, Miss. Metcalfe, Miss. Harris, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Collette, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Leonard, Mr. Atack, Mr. Lock
Third Row L-R: Mr. Reed, Mr. Colley, Mr. Bulley, Mr. Tate, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Hassall, Mr. Hodson, Mr. Wharton
Second Row L-R: Mr. Swinbank, Mr Flavell, Mr. Burnett, Mrs. Sharpe, Miss. Hampshire, Miss. Woodward, Miss Fleming, Mr. Kennedy, 9
Front Row L-R: Mrs. Lumb, Mrs. Whittaker, Miss. Ward, Miss. Metcalfe, Miss. Harris, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Collette, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Leonard, Mr. Atack, Mr. Lock
“I wonder how many remember the very last end-of-term Grammar School Assembly in July 1968? Mr. Hamilton had retired at the end of 1967 and the new Head showed scant regard for the Grammar School and its traditions in his preparations for September 1968. History is littered with tales of spontaneous uprisings: there was a mini one on that last afternoon of the Grammar School’s life.
The new Headmaster deliberately cut short the final Assembly…..and walked out, leaving Staff and pupils to follow. No-one moved. The whole school stayed put and sang the School Song with an enthusiasm and intensity I guess had never been experienced before. Mr. Hamilton would have been very proud at the sincerity of that final rendering.”
Mr Hodson
The new Headmaster deliberately cut short the final Assembly…..and walked out, leaving Staff and pupils to follow. No-one moved. The whole school stayed put and sang the School Song with an enthusiasm and intensity I guess had never been experienced before. Mr. Hamilton would have been very proud at the sincerity of that final rendering.”
Mr Hodson

21.08.2024
The HGS website Viewing Trends over the last 4 weeks
The HGS website Viewing Trends over the last 4 weeks

20.08.2024
Today's Staff Member is Mr Sale.
Today's Staff Member is Mr Sale.
Mr Sale (Biology and General Science) was a member of Staff from 1955-61.
The HGS Staff 1955-56
Back Row L-R: Mr. Owen, Mr. Tate, Mr. Wood, Mr. Sale, Mr. Young
Third Row L-R: Mr. Boyd, Mr. Collins, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Bulley, Mr. Colley
Second Row L-R: Mrs. Podmore (Miss. Collins), Miss. Hampshire, Miss McGlade, Miss. Yates, Mrs. Lumb, Mr. Walker, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Burnett, Mr. Johnston, Mr. Wharton
Front Row L-R: Miss. Parkin/Mrs Blatherwick, Miss. Elliot, Miss. Ward, Miss. Metcalfe, Miss. Harris, Miss. Smith, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Manning, Mr. Leonard, Mr. Atack, Mr. Lock, Mr. Farrar, Mr. Swinbank
Third Row L-R: Mr. Boyd, Mr. Collins, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Bulley, Mr. Colley
Second Row L-R: Mrs. Podmore (Miss. Collins), Miss. Hampshire, Miss McGlade, Miss. Yates, Mrs. Lumb, Mr. Walker, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Burnett, Mr. Johnston, Mr. Wharton
Front Row L-R: Miss. Parkin/Mrs Blatherwick, Miss. Elliot, Miss. Ward, Miss. Metcalfe, Miss. Harris, Miss. Smith, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Manning, Mr. Leonard, Mr. Atack, Mr. Lock, Mr. Farrar, Mr. Swinbank
Staff Basketball and Tennis
I don't know whether you knew we had a Staff Basketball team where we got fit and active, led and coached by Les Tate who audaciously submitted us to torture by arranging a match with a team from Doncaster one evening. 3 periods of 20 minutes to improve our levels of skill and fitness. Les was always fit, quick and strong coming from the Rugby league. The opposing team was bigger, faster, more skilful, and ran us ragged, winning hands down. I do remember scoring a few baskets and Les a lot, but we were submerged by a far superior team.
Mr Tate
I must mention that I played Staff tennis - often annoying the lady Staff players because I poached at the net being just too enthusiastic. I was told off more often than I care to mention because of my selfish ways. That also was an excellent way to calm down from the day's activity. I also remember the Saturdays over the winter. Invariably I was expected to referee in the morning, welcome visitors, provide refreshments which the girls always did brilliantly, and say goodbye to their member of staff. Then it was home for a quick lunch, and with one or two staff, travel to Wakefield to watch Trinity, or if Wigan were in the area, go to watch them because Billy Boston the flyer played on the wing. We travelled to Castleford, Featherstone, Bradford, Leeds and other places just to watch Billy's runs up the wing as they were so often breathtaking. It was not that the Yorkshire clubs were poor, because they were not, but one could guarantee a thrill of excitement as we enjoyed the mastery of Wigan. Sometimes it was playing hockey somewhere in the area when I was available.
Ken Sale, HGS Staff 1955-61
Ken Sale, HGS Staff 1955-61
The HGS Lady Staff Tennis Players
Back Row L-R: Miss Whitworth, Miss Kilner, Miss Saville
Front Row L-R: Miss Wimpenny, Miss Parkin, Miss Elliott/Mrs. Whittake
Front Row L-R: Miss Wimpenny, Miss Parkin, Miss Elliott/Mrs. Whittake
Mr Sale also played for the Staff Cricket team. An example is shown below.
Dave
Dave
Staff Cricket 1956
Back Row L-R: Mr. Dodd, Mr. Colley
Middle Row L-R: Mr. Tate, Mr, Wharton, Mr. Bulley, Mr. Farrar, Mr. Manning
Front Row L-R: Mr. Taylor, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Walker, Mr. Sale
Middle Row L-R: Mr. Tate, Mr, Wharton, Mr. Bulley, Mr. Farrar, Mr. Manning
Front Row L-R: Mr. Taylor, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Walker, Mr. Sale