118. School in the Late Seventies

Sources

Although I have my grandfather’s diary for 1975, until November when he died, it makes almost no mention of my experiences of school nor those of my siblings. However, I do have my mum’s diaries for 1975 to 1979 and these contain some information about our schools. However, perhaps most information comes from my diaries which I have for most of 1976 and 1977. These, of course, have much more information about my schooling than that of my siblings. When I did record my siblings’ school activities, I often gave little detail. For example, in March 1976, I noted “Patricia went to school for something”! I also have various documents and materials relating to my school days, many of which were collected by my mother. These documents and materials include slides, news cuttings, reports, exam certificates, school magazines, prizegiving programmes and lists of exam results.

Some of the materials and documents I have related to my time at Hewett School in the late 1970s

My Siblings Went to Different Schools…

At the start of this period, Tricia, Alan and I were all at secondary school, albeit different schools. Tricia was at Norwich High School for Girls and Alan was at Earlham School. I was in my fourth year at Hewett. Liz would have still been at primary school, I think at The Avenues, see Chapter 103.

… And So Our Holidays Weren’t Always the Same

One practical consequence of being in different schools was that the holidays did not always coincide. This was particularly the case for Tricia, as she was at an independent school, while the other three of us were at state schools. Mind you, there could also be differences within the state system if one school took an “occasional day” while others didn’t. Occasional days are additional holidays set by the school. They can be used for religious festivals other than Easter and Christmas or can be added to the summer holidays. Also, in January 1976, Liz did not start school when Alan and I did because her school had been damaged by the wind. A wall had blown down.

Tricia Was At Norwich High School for Girls

During 1975 and 1976, my elder sister Tricia was in the sixth form at Norwich High School for Girls. In 1976, she took her A levels with the mocks in February and March and the actual exams in June and July. She did extremely well in her exams getting three As in her A levels and a 1 in each of her S levels, in maths and chemistry. She also got an A in her civics A/O level. Mum noted attending the High School prizegivings in November in both 1975 and 1976.

Tricia’s 1975 Prizegiving

In 1975, she noted that it was in St Andrew’s Hall and that the orchestra played “Entrance of the Queen of Sheba” from Handel’s “Solomon”.

News cutting related to the 1975 High School prizegiving. The article was mainly focused on the retirement of headmistress Miss D F Bartholomew, who had been there for nearly 22 years. It also covered the phasing out of the direct grant

Tricia’s 1976 Prizegiving

In November 1976, dad brought Tricia from Cambridge for the prizegiving. I noted that Tricia had won four prizes. Mum noted that “P had longest list of prizes & awards & A levels etc & longest & loudest clapping I was very proud of her”. They had coffee afterwards at Blackfriars Hall and mum met Mr Wilson, Tricia’s chemistry teacher. Blackfriars Hall comprises, along with St Andrew’s Hall, the Halls in Norwich. It is now a secular venue but was originally the chancel of a church, of which St Andrew’s Hall, was the nave. Dad took Tricia back to Cambridge after the prizegiving.

News cutting of my sister Tricia at the High School prizegiving in November 1976. Also pictured is Alison Shrubsole, the principal of Homerton College, Cambridge. The article mainly focused on a speech by the headmistress Rhoda Standeven which focused on providing a broad education and the transition away from grant-aided status

This photo is the original of the one featured in the news article above. It shows my sister Tricia at the 1976 High School prizegiving. It was in one of mum’s albums and, unusually for mum, was not labelled

Alan Was at Earlham School

My younger brother Alan attended Earlham School throughout this period, from 1975 to 1979. At the start of 1975, he was in his second year and, by the end of 1979, he was in the upper sixth.

Alan Decides Which O Levels to Take

At the beginning of 1976, I think Alan was deciding which O levels to study. Mum noted that she spoke to her friend Ken Tickle about this who was a teacher at Earlham. Mum had quite a few such chats with Ken Tickle about both Alan and Liz. I am just relieved that none of my teachers were friends of my mother’s through church! Ken recommended that mum speak to Fred Elson, who I believe was the headmaster. Mum did this towards the end of January and noted that it was “satisfactory I think”.

Alan Got Excellent School Reports in 1975 and 1976

Throughout 1975 and 1976, mum noted attending Alan’s parent teacher evenings and that his reports were excellent throughout. In 1976, dad went with mum to Alan’s parent teacher evening. This annoyed her, see Chapter 114.

Alan Got a Good School Report in 1977 But…

In July 1977, Alan got a good report but mum noted “… but felt Mr Bennett & Mr … made harsh comments – asked to go & see them”. It is not completely clear whether it was Alan who felt the comments were harsh or if mum did. I am not sure what subject Mr Bennett taught. Mum left the other teacher’s nam,e blank. Presumably, she intended to check the name later and would then add it in. However, she did not do that. I am not sure if mum or Alan asked to see the teachers or if this was a request from school. However, knowing my mother, I suspect it might have been her who asked!

Alan Got Brilliant School Report in January 1978 Except For French and English

In January 1978, mum went to Earlham School for the fifth form parents’ evening. Alan got brilliant reports from all teachers except for French and English. Apparently, a letter said he might not pass although I am not sure if this referred to French or English or both. So, mum spoke to Fred Elson and noted that she hoped Alan would not mind! I suspect Alan wouldn’t have minded but I minded a lot when mum did the same to me!

Alan’s O Level Results

Alan finished his O levels in June 1978 and got his results two months later in August. He got As in maths, physics, chemistry and engineering/design, a B in English language and Cs in English, presumably literature, French and history. So, he did pass both French and English despite the concerns raised in the letter earlier that year.

Careers and Sixth Form

In September 1977, mum went to a careers evening at Earlham. She seemed disappointed, noting that it seemed mostly aimed at 16-year old leavers. However, in February 1978, both she and Alan went to a meeting at Earlham School specifically about sixth form.

Alan’s Progress in Sixth Form

Alan stayed on to sixth form and started in September 1978. In November 1978, mum saw Fred Elson at a church event. He told her Alan was doing well at school, particularly at maths.

Alan Won a Chemistry Prize

A month later, in December 1978, mum went to Alan’s prizegiving. He won a chemistry prize. Mum noted that he wore his suit and looked very good.

Alan Got the Usual Reports in 1979

In February 1979, mum went to Alan’s parents’ evening and noted that he got what she considered to be the usual reports. Mr Pountin said he could do A level maths that year but would only get a C. I don’t quite understand if mum or someone else was pushing for Alan to do A level maths a year early. Mr Midgeley, who taught Alan physics, said he should apply to Oxford to do physics.

In October 1979, mum went to Alan’s parent teacher evening. He had good reports except for English. Mr Baxter thought it would let him down in the Cambridge entrance exam. I presume that Mr Baxter was teaching him English. However, I am not sure if or why Alan was still studying English in sixth form.

Alan’s Exams

Towards the end of 1979, Alan was sitting exams and these were scheduled to finish towards the end of November. I wonder if these were his mock A levels.

Liz Made the Transition from Primary to Secondary School During This Period

At the start of this period, my younger sister was still in primary school. At this point, I think she was attending The Avenues school. She moved up to high school in 1977. She was still there at the end of 1979.

Liz Got a Glowing Report in 1975…

In July 1975, mum noted going to Liz’s school where she noted that the teacher gave her a glowing report. Apparently, Liz’s reading was improving but she was not able to read words out of context. Mum said she thought it was because of the “look and see” method they were using and she said the teacher agreed with her. As I have noted elsewhere, mum often thought people agreed with her even when they did not. From my own experience, she was a difficult person to disagree with!!

…But Mum Had Concerns About Teaching Methods

I wonder if mum was referring to “look and say”. In this method, children learn to recognise whole words rather than trying to sound them out using phonics. While useful for words where spellings don’t match their sounds, using this method alone could mean that children may be unable to read words they don’t recognise.

… And Her Teacher

Later that year, in October 1975, mum went to Liz’s school at night. She noted that she was not very impressed with Liz’s teacher Miss Garrett. She did not specify why.

Changing Schools

In February 1977, mum again went to Liz’s school in the evening. She noted that it related to changing schools but she thought she had not learned anything.

Applying to the High School

That same month, on the 26^th, Liz sat the High School entrance exam. Mum noted that it was for a free place and that there were over 100 girls taking the exam although I am not sure if they were all applying for a free space. Early in March 1977, mum noted there was a letter from the High School asking Liz to go for an interview. Mum thought this meant she was on a shortlist at least. Mum also noted that Liz was delighted. About a week later, on the 12^th, Liz had her interview.

Liz Went to Earlham

I am not sure what happened next but, in mid-May 1977, Liz heard that she would be going to Earlham. Presumably, this meant that her application to the High School had not been successful but mum did not say this explicitly. In June 1977, mum went to Earlham at night to see teachers about Liz. I think this was before Liz started at Earlham. Mum spoke to Fred Elson, Ken Tickle and Mr Bennett.

Mum’s diary entry for 14 May 1977 in which she notes, at the end, that Liz heard that she would be going to Earlham School

A Final Parents’ Evening at the Avenues

The next month, in July 1977, mum went to Liz’s school, presumably the Avenues Primary School. Mrs Pigney said Liz was brighter than average but needed more care with spelling. She said she was very good in everything and was a born leader. If anything, she was a bit too enthusiastic. I am not exactly sure what this meant! Perhaps it was a euphemism for being bossy!!

Transferring to Earlham

In July 1977, Liz went to Earlham in the afternoon. I wonder if this was some kind of transfer day.

Liz Got Good Reports In March 1978

The following year, in March 1978, mum went to Liz’s parent teacher evening at Earlham and noted that she had good reports.

A Parent Teacher Evening in April 1979

The year after that, in April 1979, mum went to a parent teacher event at Earlham. She saw Mrs Catchpole and Mr Tingley and had a long talk about Liz. Mum did not say what that conversation was about. Mum talked a bit to Liz afterwards.

Cooking at School

Mum did not say much about what Liz did at school but, to be fair, she did not say that much about what any of us did in school. However, Liz must have done some kind of cooking/home economics course at school as, in October 1979, she made chicken pie and pineapple turnover at school. Mum commented that they were nice.

I Was One of the Youngest in My Year

In terms of my schooling, one thing of note is that, because I have a June birthday, I was one of the youngest in my year. Perhaps worthy of note is that my wife is four months younger than me with an October birthday. She was in the academic year below me and was one of the oldest in her year.

I resented this when I was 16 and others were 17 and getting motorbikes and learning to drive. For example, on 12 May 1977, I noted that “today Gary got his new motor-bike and this evening he brought it round to show me. Although I have been hoping for some time to get one I’m even more determined now he’s got one. It’s unfortunate that I’m only 16 it is v frustrating as everyone else seems to be learning to drive and riding motorbikes. If I can borrow the money from grandma or dad I could get one just after my birthday but if not I shall have to wait till I’ve saved up enough. Enough about motorbikes, although they are the uppermost thing in my mind at present, other things have happened...”

I Was Already at Hewett in 1975 and Stayed There Until 1978

At the start of 1975, I was in my fourth year, in 4R as I had been in 1R, 2R and 3R in previous years. Mr Ames was my form teacher and he also taught me social economics. In September 1975, I moved to Upper School where I spent the next three years. In my fifth year, I was in form 5/12 with Mr Poyner as my group tutor. He also taught me physics in sixth form. Once in the sixth form, I was in L6/1 and then U6/1 with Mrs Barker as my group tutor. She was an art teacher who had taught me art for at least part of my third year, see Chapter 103.

Photo from November 2024 showing one of the entrances to what was Middle School close to what was the gym. I was in Middle School from September 1973 to July 1975 in my third and fourth years at Hewett.

This photo is from November 2024 showing what was the Upper School. I moved to Upper School in September 1975 and was there until I left Hewett in 1978. I spent my fifth and sixth form there.

My O Levels Were Staggered Across Three Years

While I did most of my O levels in 1976, at the end of my fifth year, I did two, maths and English language at the end of fourth year in 1975. I did a further two, Latin and biology, at the end of my lower sixth year in 1977. In 1978, I did my A levels. I also did two S levels but initially I could not recall which subjects. In my diary, I noted S level lessons in maths, physics and chemistry but I am certain I only did two. According to the 1978 examination results, I got a merit in both maths and physics which I think is the same as S level.

More Detail About Upper School

I have more detailed information about my time in Hewett’s Upper School than in either Lower or Middle School because of the diaries I kept between 1976 and 1977 which I still have.

Staying on to Sixth Form

I think I always assumed I would stay on at Hewett for sixth form and would then go to university. I found the academic side of school relatively straightforward and did well in academic subjects. Although neither of my parents had been to university, they were both strong proponents of education and were very keen that their children went to university. My sister Tricia, who is two years older than me, was the first one from our family to go down that route. Her experiences attracted me and I was keen to emulate her.

However, in August 1975, apparently I told mum that I might leave school when I was 16. This elicited a strong reaction which may have been why I said it! While it is possible that there was a time when this was my intention, I really do not recall it. Mum thought that I might have wanted to leave school at 16 because of money and she wondered if she should speak to Mr Cheeseman. I am not compeletely sure why she selected Mr Cheeseman. He had taught me French and mum knew him because of school trips I had been on. I am not sure if she did speak to him but I did stay on to sixth form.

Preparing to Enter Sixth Form

Preparations to enter sixth form began while we were still in fifth form even before I had finished all my O level exams. On 24 June 1976, I noted that I “attended a talk which lasted for over an hour by Miss Norman on the duties, responsibilities and privileges of the sixth form and on the aims of the induction course and how it works. It starts a week today. Mr Macro gave a brief talk on the merits of general studies.”

By this stage, I think I had decided to stay for sixth form but was undecided on what subjects I was going to study at A level. I noted that “mum is going to write to Dr Roy about my options, it might have some effect.”

My diary entry for 24 June 1976 which covers the talks given by Miss Norman and Mr Macro concerning sixth form

Careers Interview

Towards the end of my fifth year, in March 1976, I had a careers interview with Mr Williment. However, I noted that “he didn’t say very much”. While I did not say so explicitly, it is possible that such interviews were more focused on those who were leaving school after their fifth year. My mum came to a similar conclusion after attending Alan’s careers evening at Earlham in September 1977. In a comment on Facebook, Gerard Watson summed up his experience of a different careers teacher at Hewett, Mr Davidson, “If you were a girl it was ‘have you considered nursing/being a typist at Norwich Union?’ If you were a boy it was ‘have you considered the Army/being a clerk at Norwich Union?’“!

Mr Williment

I do not recall him but it appears he may have been a dedicated careers teacher. He is mentioned in the Upper School section of the 1975 school magazine where he and Mrs Alderton are credited with having “pioneered interesting work experience schemes which have allowed fifth and sixth formers to get to grips with the working world“. In addition, there is a detailed article on Hewett’s careers department in the anniversary brochure covering the period from 1970 to 1982. This explains that Walter Williment was head of careers for many years before being succeeded by D Davidson.

Languages or Sciences?

By this stage, I was pretty clear I was staying to sixth form but was split over what subjects to study. I was good at languages and enjoyed them, particularly German. However, I was also good at sciences and enjoyed them to some extent, particularly chemistry. At this stage, I was pretty sure I did not want to study the same subjects as my sister, namely maths, physics and chemistry!

A few days after my careers interview with Mr Williment, I spoke with Mr Nobbs after school. The topic appears to have been sixth form and the subjects I would study to A level. I noted that I had almost decided to do French as well as German. However, the next day, I spoke to Mr Chaplin about whether I should do chemistry at A level as I still had not decided. The following day, I talked with Mr Cheeseman about careers after school but we were interrupted by Mr Norton so I was going back the next day which was 26 March 1976. That was an important day as it was the deadline for submitting our sixth form applications. However, as I had not decided what A levels to do I did not submit mine.

Mr Nobbs

Jack Nobbs taught economics at Hewett but I think he also had a senior role in Upper School which appears to have been related to promoting further education. It was in this latter capacity that I mainly interacted with him. He edited the school’s anniversary brochure that covered 1970-1982. In that, he is given the title JP, so presumably he was a magistrate. Also, in that brochure, Dr Roy noted that he had been on the staff of the Hewett Technical School and he described him as a distinguished author. I have encountered a few school economics textbooks by Jack Nobbs and wonder if this is the same person. Intriguingly, David Ottaway, in a post on Facebook, thought he might have been the author of a paperback novel about teenage love. Sadly, I have not yet identified that book!

Pressure from Mr Burns to Choose

Things then went quiet on this front for a couple of months. On 21 May 1976, I noted that I was due to speak to Mr Burns, head of Upper School. However, I had to cancel this because it clashed with my O level German oral. I did manage to see Mr Burns on 7 June 1976. I noted this was about my sixth form options. Following this, mum noted that I might now do sciences rather than languages. I just noted that I had to decide which A levels to do.

The next day, I noted that I had to go to school to see Mr Burns as it was not possible for me to to do German and chemistry A level as I wanted. I noted that I would have to see him again. On 8 June 1976, mum spoke to Mr Burns without me knowing. He told her that I could not do languages and sciences. I had to do one or the other.

Mr Burns

Apparently, Mike Burns was a geography teacher as well as being head of Upper School. I don’t think he ever taught me and I only knew him in his capacity as head. I fear I do not recall him clearly.

Dr Roy Intervened

Again, things went quiet for about three weeks but on 28 June 1976, mum went to see Dr Roy about what A levels I am going to do. I noted I had to see him the next day. Dr Roy told mum that he would see me and would arrange my timetable for me himself after the O level results were in. On the 29^th, I could not see Dr Roy at the time scheduled as it clashed with my maths exam. Dr Roy’s secretary was to contact me with a new time.

On 1 July 1976, I had an interview with Dr Roy at 4 o’clock where we discussed what I would do at A level. We agreed that I could wait until I got my O level results. However, mum noted the outcome of this differently. She thought Dr Roy had talked me into doing maths, physics and chemistry at A level.

Dr Roy

Dr Walter Roy was headmaster at Hewett throughout my time at the school. In total, he was headmaster of the Hewett Comprehensive School from its formation in 1970 to 1990. He died in July 2012 in Graz in Austria from where he originated. He returned to Austria in 2007. At the age of 13, fleeing the Nazi regime, he came to England. He worked for British Intelligence during the second world war before training as a teacher. Dr Roy was a well-known educationalist, a strong advocate for comprehensive education. He wrote the book “Teaching Under Attack”

He was the overall head of the school and, to be honest, throughout most of my school life, he was quite a remote figure with whom I had little if any contact. However, I did get to know him a little in the sixth form.

I recall specifically being called to see him at that time when I, and some other pupils, had been distributing Anti-Nazi League materials in school! One teacher, in particular, a Conservative councillor had complained. I recall this being an English teacher called Mrs Wheatley. As far as I recall she never taught me. However, I recall Dr Roy being very supportive. He recalled his own background fleeing Nazi oppression in Austria and appeared to encourage us to express our concerns.

I Finally Decided on the A Levels I Would Do

After I had got my O level results and just before starting sixth form, on 2 September 1976, I noted that I needed to see Dr Roy at 9am the next day. On the 3^rd, I walked to school and got there about 10 to 9. When Dr Roy arrived we discussed my A levels. I noted that I was going to do pure maths, physics and chemistry with biology at O level, possibly A level, with the provisional intention of doing medicine possibly at Oxbridge.

Left – entry from my diary for 3 September 1976. Following a meeting with Dr Roy, I decided on a combination of courses to study which enabled me to go on and study medicine
Right – Dr Walter Roy. The photo is modified from one which appears in a Hewett anniversary brochure covering the period 1970 to 1982

A Difficult Time and a Tricky Decision

I remember this being a difficult time and a tricky decision to make. I was adamant that I did not want to study the same A levels as Tricia and did not respond well to what I saw as pressure from mum especially! In addition, I really liked languages and did not want to give them up. I don’t recall the conversation with Mr Burns but am sure I would not have responded well to being told I couldn’t do both languages and sciences. I suspect my response would have been “why not”?

Dr Roy Was Pivotal in Navigating this Issue

Clearly, Dr Roy was pivotal in navigating time and space for this decision. I suspect he told me and my mother slightly different things. Also, I suspect she needed reassurance that I would study a combination of subjects which gave me the best opportunity career-wise and that that probably involved sciences rather than languages. I think he also saw that I needed time to come to a decision and that pushing me too quickly was likely to be counterproductive. Waiting for my O level results made sense in case I did not perform as well as expected across the board.

A Focus on Medicine as a Career

I suspect Dr Roy also focused on what I wanted to do as a career and what I needed to achieve that rather than what I could or could not do under the then education system. Hence the discussion of medicine and the addition of biology O level at least in sixth form. Although not mentioned here, I also recall that my chemistry teacher Mr Simpson influenced me a lot as he encouraged me strongly to either study medicine or some form of engineering and not pure chemistry! I did have an interest in medicine myself although this was undoubtedly largely a rather naieve notion of “helping people” fuelled by films and TV series, such as “Doctor in the House”! Whatever the reasons for studying medicine, it turned out to be a good choice!

Idealised, dramatic representations of life as a doctor influenced me more than I might care to admit in my choice of medicine as a career! I recall various films and TV series based on “*Doctor in the House*”. This photo is a still from “*Life in Emergency Ward 10*”. The image is licensed for re-use from Alamy

Still Resentful

I am still somewhat resentful that I was forced to drop languages at this stage as I feel I could have continued with them in some form in addition to a main focus on sciences. Having an additional language, particularly French or Spanish, would have helped me a lot in my ultimate career in international health, although I was not studying Spanish so continuing that would not have been an option!

One thing I note is that colleagues from other countries were almost always better equipped in this area of languages than I was. This may reflect the dominance of English in the international health sphere but undoubtedly, in many countries, it is the norm rather than the exception for scientists to speak multiple languages.

I guess I should not be too resentful as I was fortunate to have opportunities that were not available to my parents or any of their ancestors. The system has changed since I was at school. When my children did their A levels, they were positively encouraged to start a fourth A level in a topic that was very different from their main focus. I think such a system would have benefited me but perhaps I would have benefited even more from some kind of language for scientists course rather than a typical A level.

Most of My Friends Stayed for Sixth Form

At the end of May 1976, I noted that many people had left school but that most of those I knew stayed on to sixth form.

Sixth Form Induction Course

On 1 July 1976, the sixth form induction course started. I noted that we were given a long talk by Dr Roy then I attended lessons in both French and pure maths. Our Latin lesson was cancelled as Mr Norris had a meeting with Dr Roy. At my school, Latin was a three-year course meaning we took the exam in the lower sixth. On 6 July 1976, I noted that our Latin lesson was again cancelled as Mr Norris had a meeting but he had not told us.

The following day, on the 7^th, we had some general studies which I found fairly interesting. However, on the 8^th, I noted that everyone had had enough of the induction course! It wound up the next day although we had to come in the following week to start sixth form timetable which I felt was a waste of time. Interestingly, on the 13^th, I noted that my timetable was pure maths, chemistry, pure maths, physics. I don’t know if this meant I had decided my options by then. From the material presented above, it seems a final decision had not been made although clearly I was heading in that direction.

On the 16^th, I went to school in the morning but found it “boring” so came home! That same day, I noted that school had now broken up for holidays.

Starting Sixth Form

I started in the Hewett sixth form on 7 September 1976. The day before, I went into school to sort out some problems I had with my timetable, see below. I noted that the 7^th was the first day of “proper” school. We spent all morning doing administration but had “proper” lessons in the afternoon. On the 13^th, we had a talk from Mr Nobbs. I am not sure what it was about but I considered it “pretty useless”.

Problems with My Timetable

When I started sixth form in September 1976, I had some problems with my timetable caused by my study of Latin over three years, meaning I took my O level in that subject at the end of lower sixth. In addition, I was also studying for O level biology seeking to cover that course in one year also in the lower sixth.

The day before school started, on 6 September 1976, mum noted that I went into school in the afternoon to do my timetable. I referred to this as sorting out any problems about my timetable. I noted that biology O level still clashed but I was going to sort that out the next morning.

Also, I think I was sorting out what I would do in general studies as, on the 8^th, I noted that I decided to do PE rather than Esperanto if I could change it. I don’t remember doing either! However, from my diary it seems I did do PE in the sixth form. On the 10^th, I met Mr Watkins to discuss doing O level Biology.

This is a still from the excellent video “*A Hewett Day*” filmed in the early 80s (19.39). It shows how complicated it was to develop a timetable for a school the size of Hewett. I suspect this was not helped by people like me! But, I am grateful to the school and the particular teachers who made it work for me

Eight Periods Per Day?

From memory, we had eight periods of 35 minutes each day. Most of our lessons were doubles which were one hour 10 minutes long. In lower sixth, I had a full timetable on Thursdays with two double maths lessons, double physics and double chemistry. I also had a lunch-time maths lesson that day. At various points in my diaries in 1976 and 1977, I noted that Thursday was my hardest day!

Lessons at Lunch-time and After School

One way of getting round the timetabling problems I faced was to have lessons at lunch-time or after school. I often had these in sixth form. These were not only for O level Latin and biology but also for S level study. I had S level lessons in all my A level subjects although I only took two S levels. I cannot recall which two subjects it was. However, based on the 1978 examination results booklet, I think it was maths and physics as I got a merit in each of these. In particular, I had Latin lessons after school to catch up with work which I missed because of a timetabling clash with my A level maths.

I Did Not Always Go to Lunch-time Lessons

However, I did not always go to lunch-time lessons if I thought they were unlikely to be useful. For example,in October 1976, I had been due to go to a maths lesson at lunch time but James Jarvis could not go so I did not think it worth going. On 11 November 1976, I almost missed my maths lunch-time lesson but Mr Rathbone found me to remind me. I did miss a lunch-time maths lesson on 3 February 1977 as the teacher was covering the same material as the previous week.

James Jarvis

James Jarvis was extremely bright and often came ahead of me in different exams. In 1976, he won subject prizes in biology and additional mathematics. Then, in 1977, he won the subject prize in physics and also the Harmer Memorial Prize for Mechanics. In 1978, he won the subject prize for pure maths. He and I did S level lessons together. However, from memory, he got an inexplicably low grade in one of his A levels. According to the 1978 examination results booklet, he gained five A levels in applied maths, pure maths, pure and applied maths, physics and chemistry. He gained a distinction in physics and a merit in pure maths. According to that year’s prizegiving leaflet, he went on to study physics at university in London.

Lunch-time Lessons Were Sometimes Cancelled

Sometimes, lunch-time lessons were cancelled, for example when a teacher did not turn up. Our biology lesson was cancelled on 17 January 1977 when Mr Watkins did not come. On this occasion, I went to the library and read the paper. In addition on 12 May 1977, our lunch-time maths lesson was cancelled because Mr Rathbone did not turn up. Apparently, this pleased the majority! However, I did not always note a reason for cancellation.

Implications of After-school Lessons

On occasions, the fact that I had an after-school lesson meant that I had to stay at school when others were sent home early, e.g. on 13 December 1976.

On other occasions, I came back to school specifically for an after-school lesson but I did not always think it had been worthwhile. For example, on 2 November 1977, I came back from the city library for an after-school physics lesson with Mr Heaver. But, he hadn’t looked at my work so I didn’t think there was much point in staying. I commented, “You wouldn’t believe we’ve got an exam in three weeks.”

Part of my diary entry for 2 November 1977. This illustrates the effort I made to come back to school for an after-hours physics lesson only to find that it was not worthwhile at least from my perspective

In January 1977, I noted that, after an after-school physics lesson, I walked home in the snow with James Jarvis.

Sometimes, I had to choose between multiple out-of-school lessons. So, in March 1977, I opted to go to a biology lesson rather than S level physics. On other occasions, I felt that after-school lessons meant I had less time in the evenings. It is not completely clear if I was referring to time for study specifically or time more generally.

Lessons Were Sometimes Cancelled if Teachers Were Absent

Sometimes, timetabled, in-school lessons were cancelled if teachers were away, e.g. because they were ill. On 24 May 1976, most of my lessons were not used as, in both Latin and physics, the teacher was not present. Again, on the 25^th, most of our lessons were “non-existent”.

At the beginning of June 1977, our Latin lesson was cancelled because Mr Winterbotham had sprained his ankle. Sometimes, I took the opportunity to do work myself. For example, on the 25^th, I completed an English essay but this is slightly odd as I don’t think I was studying English at this time! However, on other occasions I did not. work. Apparently, on the 24^th, we spent the lesson time discussing pop music, religion etc! In January 1977, when Mr Watkins did not come to biology, I noted that we were bored. In May 1977, Mr Catt was away so we spent the maths lesson playing cards! Also, in July 1977, Mr Poyner was away so we played cards in physics.

Lessons Were Also Sometimes Affected by Other School Activities

Sometimes, lessons were affected by activities going on at school. For example, on 13 December 1976, I noted that we did very little work as it was the school’s carol service that evening and everybody seemed to be involved. I commented that those who were involved were gloating because they had the afternoon off but what they failed to realise was that the lessons were so disrupted that we did little work. In chemistry, there were only 6 of us so we spent the lesson setting fire to gas taps, see Chapter 102, and, in physics, everybody went home as Mr Poyner was singing. I didn’t though as I had a Latin lesson after school.

Gas tap in Hewett Academy lab in November 2024. These are much more modern-looking than the ones we had. They were a big temptation to light them directly even though we were told not to. I don’t believe we were the only ones to do this

At the end of May 1977, lessons were disrupted when a group went on a biology field study. That same day, our physics lesson was cancelled because A level practices were taking place.

Did A Teacher Need to Be Absent For Our Attention To Wander?

I don’t know for sure if the teacher always had to be absent for our attention to wander from the subject we were studying. For example, in May 1976 apparently, we sunbathed in our physics lesson as we had finished the syllabus! The next day, I noted we did very little economics. We mainly talked among ourselves and some people played cards. In April 1977, I noted that we did not do much biology. Sarah Humphries and I spent the time chatting!

Sarah Humphries

Sara(h) Humphries was in my year at school. As stated here, she did O level biology with me in lower sixth. I am grateful to her for this as I am not sure they would have allowed one of us to do it on our own. Without it, I would not have been able to study medicine as I did. She also did the same A levels as me passing pure maths, physics and chemistry in 1978 as I did. In 1976, she won an endeavour prize and the Arthur South progress prize.

I think she may have stayed a third year in sixth form as she was deputy head girl in 1978/79. As a former student, she contributed a piece to the school’s anniversary brochure covering 1970-82. At that point, she was in her final year of biochemistry and physiology at Southampton University. In that piece, she commented on all the non-academic things she had done at school including travel to France, Austria and Germany, playing in orchestras and windbands and singing in choirs. At least one of her trips to France was the 1976 camping trip that I went on. She also worked at “Le Paradis” in the summer of 1977.

In addition, she was on the sixth form committee when I was and was elected its Treasurer. She worked at Hunter squash club near to where I worked at Sainsburys in Anglia Square, see Chapter 119.

Transition from Lower to Upper Sixth

On a Monday in July 1977, at the end of my lower sixth, I noted that I had six period of lessons which was a lot as sometimes I only have two or four. I am not sure if this was a new timetable, for the upper sixth perhaps. Also that month, on the 20^th, I noted that I really hadn’t needed to have gone as periods 1 and 2 I had had private study. In periods 3 and 4, I had had physics but I hadn’t gone and had played bridge instead. In the afternoon I came home as I only had general studies and school was finishing the next day.

On the 21^st, it was the last day of term so I had assumed we would not do any work but we did in the morning. Upper sixth started on 6 September 1977. However, I noted it was a bit pointless as lessons only started after lunch. We spent the morning with our forms.

Subjects I Studied

My diaries also contain quite a lot of information about the subjects I studied at school. So, I will briefly summarise that here. Given where most of the information comes from, I am focused mostly on fifth and sixth form although, where I have other information, I have included it.

Maths

As with English language, I did my maths O level at the end of form four in 1975. I had Mr Rathbone for maths in my fourth year. In my report for spring 1975, he noted that I was in an express group aiming at taking O level in the summer of 1975 which we did. I scored an A.

This meant I took A/O additional maths at the end of form 5, in 1976. Again, I had Mr Rathbone for this but I am reminded by my reports that we may have been expected to study for this largely by ourselves perhaps in a class focused either on O level or A level. In his report for spring 1976, Mr Rathbone commented that I was good at asking for help when I needed it. However, in the summer, he commented that I did not have as much confidence in my abilities as he thought they merited. He thought this may have been because of a largely self-taught year which he knew had presented difficulties for me. Nevertheless, I scored a B in the exam.

My maths report for summer 1976 which was the end of my fifth year, I had done maths O level the previous year

Mr Rathbone

I believe Mr Rathbone’s first name was Richard, and possibly his middle name was Simon, but everyone referred to him as Basil after the actor. Sadly, Mr Rathbone died in Octpber 2022, aged 92. A short death notice was published in the EDP. I particularly remember his beard but he was also well-remembered for his bike.

Pure Maths

In sixth form, I studied pure maths. The teaching for this was split between Mr Rathbone and Mr Catt. I am not sure why. One of my reports seems to suggest that Mr Rathbone taught us calculus and Mr Catt taught us everything else.

My recollection is that, unlike many of my contemporaries, I was unable to do applied maths as well, mainly because of my commitment to complete Latin O level in the lower sixth. I did, however, also study to take an S level in maths. Mr Rathbone noted this in my report for summer 1977. He also noted that I seemed more confident.

Studying S level involved lunch-time lessons with Mr Rathbone. At one of these, in September 1976, Mr Rathbone, accidentally poured water over me! I am not sure exactly what happened!

International Maths Olympiad Questions

In November 1976, Mr Rathbone gave James Jarvis and me the two problems for the month that I noted were dreamt up by “some Maths Organisation”. This was the International Maths Olympiad. They had developed six questions for 1976.

I noted that James was attempting one and I was trying another. Mine was “the sum of some integers is 1976 what is the maximum product?” This was question number B1. I noted that I had got an answer from an expression which worked if instead of 1976 you had 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15 or 50 but I hadn’t developed a proof. On the 29^th, Mr Rathbone gave us the answers. It seems I had solved it correctly. I noted it was a shame I had not sent it off. Essentially, the answer was 2*3⁶⁵⁸. The highest product would always be achieved with as many threes as possible and then zero, one or two twos.

The next month, in December 1976, I noted that Micky, probably Michael Marriage, had joined us for our lunch-time pure maths lesson. I referred to us trying to solve another maths association problem. I noted that I failed but I did not know how others had got on. Sadly, I don’t know which question this was!

Mr Catt

Mr Catt had previously taught me maths in my third year, see Chapter 103. However, I do not recall him clearly. He is, however, well-remembered by other pupils. I understand his first name was Dick and that he was involved in the launch of Cinema City in Norwich in 1978, see Chapter 92. I recall doing some volunteer shifts there and these may well have been arranged through him.

School Minibus

The school minibus is mentioned a number of times in my accounts of school life in the late seventies. I came across an article in the 1973 school magazine which noted that Hewett had taken possession of the minibus on 17 January 1973. The keys were presented to Dr Roy by Brian Snoad on behalf of the Hewett School Association.

Michael Marriage

Michael Marriage was in the same class as me throughout school from first year, see Chapter 103. He was one of those students who did five A levels in 1978 in pure maths, applied maths, pure and applied maths, physics and chemistry. In 1976, he won a prize for geometrical drawing-building. In 1978, he won the Harmer Memorial Prize for Mechanics. He went on to study civil engineering in London.

The Computer

Sometimes in our lunch-time maths lesson, we messed around with the computer. The school had one terminal which I believe was connected to a computer at UEA. As this was only the late seventies, we thought it was very advanced at the time! It is well described in the video “A Hewett Day” (6.45).

When I was there, the Hewett School had one computer terminal attached to a computer at the UEA. We got to use it in our S level maths lessons. We thought it was very advanced! The picture shows the terminal in use in the early eighties and is a still from the excellent video “A Hewett Day” (6.47)

Attempting Cambridge Entrance Exam Questions

In September 1977, in our lunch-time S level maths lesson, we attempted one of the Cambridge entrance exam questions.

S Level Maths

Most of the entries in my diary about maths refer specifically to S level. This may have been because I found the S level material and/or style of teaching more interesting than the A level material and teaching. For example, in February 1977, I noted that our lunch-time maths lesson was interesting but “Mr Catt was deadly boring”. In September 1977, I described our lunch-time maths lesson as “moderately interesting”.

Different Teachers

Some of it might have related to the teachers themselves. I certainly remember Mr Rathbone whereas I cannot remember Mr Catt clearly. A problem I identified in November 1977 was that Mr Catt tended to go over our homework in very great detail and he only gave us any new work at the end of the lesson leaving us to do it as homework.

Not The Only One Bored in A Level Maths

I am not sure I was the only one bored as, on one occasion, I noted that the “tedium resulted in almost everyone being silly, when Mr Catt left the room a desk was wedged under the door handle so that he had trouble getting back in.”

But Sometimes Maths Was “Moderately Interesting“

However, the very next day, I noted that maths was moderately interesting “as although he was going over the hwk I hadn’t done all that well 7/10.”

However, My Mind Often Wandered in Maths

Still, I think my mind wandered pretty easily in maths! Again, in November 1977, Chris Gray and Ian Sherrington asked me if I would go to France with them next year. I noted that “this discussion took preference over the maths, although we did play with some pretty graph paper.”

Comments on A Level Maths

I did sometimes comment on my A level maths as opposed to S level only. For example, in January 1977, I spent time working at night transferring my notes from my maths book so that I could find them quicker. That same month, we did about three dimensional geometry and, in October, we looked at curvature.

Physics

O Level

I studied physics throughout my time at Hewett. D J Mills taught me physics in my fourth and fifth years culminating in taking O level where I achieved an A.

A Level

As mentioned above, I then went on to study physics at A level in sixth form. I had two physics teacher in sixth form, Mr Poyner, who was also my group tutor in fifth year, and Mr Heaver who also taught the S level class. I confess that these two are confused in my mind and the one I am mostly remembering was probably Mr Heaver.

S Level

As with maths, many of the comments in my diaries related to S level physics. In October 1976, when I had just started lower sixth, Mr Poyner approached me about doing S level physics in my spare time. In November 1976, James Jarvis and I had our first S level physics lesson. I noted that we did two problems in an hour and a half and that they were hard!

Two weeks later, I noted that we had another S level lesson after school. Early the next month, in December 1976, I stayed after school for a physics lesson. It took us an hour and a half to find out we could not do a particular problem! I commented “I had even more trouble than the others as my eyes kept watering due to my having been swimming”. I am not sure who else was in these lessons beyond me and James Jarvis.

A week later, Mr Heaver went over our physics exam in our S level lesson and I thought I had done OK. In February 1977, I noted that our after-school physics lesson had been quite interesting. Then, in September 1977, I commented that we had had a very short physics lesson. Mr Heaver had set us a problem to do.

D J Mills

I really do not recall Mr/Ms Mills. He/she also taught me physics in part of my second year, see Chapter 103.

Mr Poyner

Mr Poyner may have also taught me physics in my third year, see Chapter 103. He sadly died in March 2023. He went to university in Birmingham and may have previously taught in Newark. Former pupils recalled that he was a good shot with a board rubber and that he had pithy sayings, such as “If it moves, it’s biology. If it smells, it’s chemistry. If it doesn’t work, it’s physics”. This quote is widely available online with some sources attributing it to Magnus Pyke along with the addition “if you don’t understand it, it’s maths”.

Mr Heaver

Based on recollections on Facebook, I think it is probably Sean Heaver that I am remembering. He was relatively young with what might be called a dishevelled appearance. Others recall a purple jacket covered in chalk dust.

Specific Lessons

As with maths, I did sometimes refer to specific A level physics lessons although sometimes, it was not completely clear if I was referring to an A level or S level lesson. In one example, in December 1976, I described one physics lesson as “messing about with oscilloscopes”! In September 1977, I noted reading a book about water waves. The following month, in October 1977, we looked at Newton Rings in physics. In one lesson in November 1977, I commented that “in physics we played with bottles full of water trying to get them to resonate at a particular frequency which was good fun.”

Newton or Newton’s rings were one of the phenomena we studied in A level physics. They are created by the reflection of light between two surfaces – image licensed for re-use from Alamy

Concerned about Standard of Physics Tuition

I am not entirely sure why but, in January 1977, I went to see Mr Burns the head of Upper School as I was concerned about the standard of our physics tuition. I am not entirely sure what my concerns were.

Chemistry

As with maths and physics, I studied chemistry throughout my time at Hewett. It is perhaps worthy of note that my A level was in Nuffield Chemistry. The Nuffield approach to teaching science emphasised learning through practical discovery.

O Level

From my reports, I appear to have had two teachers for O level chemistry, at least in my fourth year. One was C A Gilmore. I am not entirely sure who the other was as they signed with their initials which could be BSC. I do recall a Mr Chaplin and it is possible he was the teacher in question. In O level chemistry, I scored an A grade.

C A Gilmore

C A Gilmore taught me O level chemistry. I am not entirely sure who this was. I do not recall him or her.

Mr Chaplin

My other chemistry teacher at O level signed themselves BSC and I wonder if this was Mr Chaplin. Based on a Facebook post, I think Mr Chaplin’s first name might have been Brian.

This photo shows Brian Chaplin, chemistry, and Lenny Watkins, biology, in 1965. Frankly, I would not have recognised them but this was taken more than a decade before they taught me. This photo was posted by Brian Penney on the Hewett Facebook Group and is used with permission

A Level

As noted above I went on to study chemistry at A level where I was taught by Mr Simpson.

Mr Simpson

Mr Simpson had also taught me chemistry in my first year and for at least part of my third year, see Chapter 103. His first name was Bob and he was one of my favourite teachers over the time I was at Hewett. He was quite influential in my choice of medicine as a career. There is an excellent clip of him teaching in the video “A Hewett Day” (5.52). When I attended the school open day in November 2024, I came across a sign for the Bob Simpson Laboratories which were presumably named after him.

Sign for the Bob Simpson Laboratories which was on display at the open day in November 2024

Well-equipped Labs But…

I recall that Hewett had well-equipped labs throughout the school. However, I sometimes noted in my diaries that we did not always have what we needed for particular experiments. For example, on one afternoon in September 1976, we spent all the time in the lesson looking for the apparatus to perform an experiment for which we lacked the necessary equipment!

The following year, in January 1977, I noted that our equipment for chemistry failed. In November 1977, I noted that “it was a bit disappointing when Mr Simpson informed us that if we were doing the DDT [dichlorodiphenyltrichlorethane] synthesis it would infact have to be a 1-step synthesis as we have no benzene to manufacture chlorbenzene [chlorobenzene] with”.

My diary entry relating to chemistry for 1 November 1977

The Kind of Work We Did in Chemistry

I sometimes noted the kind of work we were doing in chemistry. In March 1977, I noted working on my chemistry essay and that it was “coming on”. However, I did not record what the essay was about.

In April 1977, I noted that we did an interesting experiment in chemistry which involved lots of “nasties” like sulphuric acid! Sometimes, accidents happened with such experiments. For example, in May 1977, another boy, Dafydd Hughes, managed to spray my hand with concentrated sulphuric acid which left a mark.

In October 1977, I noted that we were doing work on rates of reaction. In November 1977, I recorded that “we did one experiment between the whole class. The expt was on rates of reaction and involved different quantities. We were using pipettes and sucking up a mixture of acetone, iodine and dil HCL and Everard [Mascarenhas] got a mouthful, fortunately they are not toxic and he didn’t swallow any.”

On occasions, other things went wrong. On Friday 13 May 1977, I noted that Friday 13th is supposed to be unlucky and our chemistry experiment went wrong. Debbie, the lab technician, broke some quickfit apparatus.

Dafydd Hughes

Dafydd Hughes was in my year. In 1976 and 1977, he won prizes in German and music respectively. In 1978, he gained an A level in pure maths. Based on the prizegiving programme for 1978, he gained employment in the banking sector on leaving school.

Everard Mascarenhas

Everard Mascarenhas and I were close friends in sixth form. He lived near me in Park Lane and we also worked together at Sainsburys in Anglia Square, see Chapter 119. In 1976, he won an endeavour prize. In 1978, he passed A level physics. He was part of the school football team.

Other Things Sometimes Made Lessons Interesting

Sometimes, I commented that things other than chemistry had made the lessons interesting. For example, in October 1976, I noted that we had a fire drill in chemistry and that this “livened things up a bit”.

S Level Chemistry

As with maths and physics, I also had S level lessons in chemistry. However, I think these might have started later than the others, in June 1977. S level lessons for chemistry took place at lunch-time although I also worked on S level material in the evening. I believe Mr Chaplin took us for S level chemistry as, in November 1977, I noted that he went over questions that we had done. He told us some things to look up and I noted “I must do that some time”.

I Liked Chemistry

In general, I liked chemistry more than physics or maths although part of this might have been that I particularly liked our A level chemistry teacher, Mr Simpson. My diaries reflect this to some extent although in fairly measured tones. For example, in one entry for November 1977, I noted that chemistry was more tolerable than maths.

Biology

Unlike maths, chemistry and physics, I did not study biology throughout my time at Hewett. When I chose my options for O levels, I think at the end of my third year, they did not include biology. So, I did not do biology O level at the end of my fifth year.

Needed for Medicine

However, as explained above, by the time I went into sixth form, I was thinking of applying to study medicine and knew I would need at least O level biology. To be honest, I have never really understood why entry to medicine required A level chemistry but not A level biology. I did note in my pre-clinical years that we spent quite a lot of time covering things which those who had done A level biology had already done.

O Level in a Year

Anyway, this need led to the request to do O level biology in the lower sixth. I am not sure where the idea came from that I could complete the course in a single year. However, I suspect that Dr Roy had a hand in this. One other person, Sarah Humphries, studied with me. We studied under the guidance of the head of biology, Mr Watkins.

Mr Watkins

I confess I do not remember Mr Watkins very clearly. Apparently, his first name was Len(ny). On Facebook, there is a photo of him from the 50^th celebration of the Hewett School in 2008. There is another of him with Mr Chaplin in 1965. He may have taught in Liverpool prior to starting at the Hewett.

This is the photo of Lenny Watkins with Brian Chaplin in 1965. Frankly, I would not have recognised them but this was taken more than a decade before they taught me. This photo was posted by Brian Penney on the Hewett Facebook Group and is used with permission

Consequences of Doing O Level Biology in a Year in Lower Sixth

However, consequences of doing the course in the lower sixth in a year were that we needed to learn quite a lot of it ourselves from books, we had lessons out of school time and we did not have so much time for practical experiments. Indeed, on one occasion early on, in September 1976, I decided that I did not need a practical biology lesson so had private study instead.

Some Practical Work

Nevertheless, we did do some practical work. For example, early in December 1976, we “chopped” up a fish to examine its gills. Apparently, we did it wrong so Mr Watkins showed us how to do it properly! Interestingly, in March 1977, I noted that the biology lab smelled of dogfish as the A level biology class had been “chopping” them up.

A Surprising Result

Nevertheless, at the end of the year of study, I managed to get an A, somewhat to my surprise! However, I don’t think I surprised Mr Watkins so much. I have only found one biology report for summer 1977 but this gave me a grade A for my term work.

English

I studied English in my first five years at Hewett but not in sixth form.

O Level English Language in Fourth Year

As with maths, I studied English language in an accelerated way taking my O level at the end of my fourth year in 1975. I confess I am not really sure why we did this. Maths, I can understand as I was good at it and taking it early effectively gave us a head start on A level. With English, I am not so sure, particularly as it was not my strongest subject.

English Literature in Fifth Year

This just left my English literature exam for the end of my fifth year in 1976. In both cases, I got Bs.

I recall some of the books we studied including “Romeo and Juliet”, “Great Expectations” and the lesser known “The Lost World of the Kalahari”. We also studied some poetry. I confess I struggled with the way we studied and dissected books and poems. I found it difficult to get an overview of the stories and none of them really inspired me with the exception of Wilfred Owen’s war poems which I found quite arresting.

One of the books I recall studying for English literature O level was Laurens van der Post’s “*The Lost World of the Kalahari*”

Mr Machin

Mr Machin taught me both language and literature. I do quite clearly remember him as do others on Facebook.

I confess I was quite scared of him! His report comments were always “interesting”. In my fourth year spring report, he commented that I responded well but that I was better orally than on paper. In the summer of that year, he commented that my effort had been variable but I had “developed a sufficient sense of urgency towards the end of O level preparation.”

Languages

I enjoyed languages at school, particularly German. As discussed above, I wanted to study them at A level but was torn between them and sciences which, I was advised, offered better career prospects.

I think I studied French from first year although I may have only taken up German in third year.

French

Mr Cheeseman taught me O level French. In my report for spring 1975, when I was in fourth year, he described me as “an extremely gifted linguist of embarassing accuracy in both written and oral work” continuing, “I do hope he considers using languages in his career”.

Surprisingly, my diaries say very little about French lessons but they talk a lot about French trips and helping Mr Cheeseman with school events, both of which are discussed later.

Mr Cheeseman

Mr Cheeseman’s first name was Geoff. He had also taught me French in my third year, see Chapter 103. His wife also taught needlework at the school although they later divorced. A number of ex-students remember them. He is one of the teachers I remember most clearly from school. I was scared of him initially but less so as I got to know him and progressed through the school. He took us on various trips to France. In the sixth form, I and other students helped him run bars for school events. I also remember groups of us visiting his house on one or more occasions.

German

Mr Macro taught me German O level in both my fourth and fifth years. He also coordinated general studies in the sixth form. My diary has some information about my German studies such as that we sometimes watched German films including on one day in March 1976 after school. I noted that I did not get home until after 6.30 even though I described the film as “very boring”! I also noted that the first O level I took in June 1976 was my German oral.

Mr Macro

In addition to teaching German and coordinating sixth form general studies, I believe he was a very good runner and possibly cyclist also. I have vague memories of discussing a possible cycling holiday in Europe with him and of him running the Caister to Happisburgh walk with a small group of students. At the school sports day in June 1976, I noted that Mr Macro was beaten in the steeplechase by my friend John Durrant.

This photo shows those involved in a German exchange with Hildesheim in autumn 1977. It was posted by Rachel Smith née Hayhoe on Facebook and is used with her permission. Mr Macro is shown to the extreme right of the photo behind Miss Norman. The photo was taken on the quadrangle steps with the tower block mosaic in the background

Latin

I started to study O level Latin in my fourth year but, unlike other courses, it was, for some reason, a three-year course meaning that we only took the exam at the end of lower sixth in 1977. One reason for the longer, three-year course was that, unlike other languages, particularly French, we had not studied Latin at earlier levels of school.

Mr Norris

In years four and five, my Latin teacher was Mr Norris. I think he may have written the introduction to the upper school section of the 1972 school magazine. From a post on Facebook, it seems he also taught English literature.

Mr Winterbotham

In the lower sixth, we were taught Latin by Mr Winterbotham. It appears from an October 1976 newsletter posted on Facebook that he only joined the school in late 1976 to teach classics. At that point, he was one of 110 teachers at the school. I recall that he was new and that is why he took over from Mr Norris as he was there specifically to teach classics, such as Latin.

Timetabling Clashes

As noted before, the decision to study Latin, a course that would continue into lower sixth had implications for my sixth form timetable including what I could and could not study for A level. I am not sure if it affected everyone who did Latin or whether it particularly affected me as I was studying maths and sciences. One of the results was that I had to have Latin lessons after school to catch up with work which I missed because of a timetabling clash with my A level maths.

I don’t know if I was the only one who attended or if there were others. I am also not sure how regular the lessons were were. My impression is that they were mostly on a Monday but they did take place on other days.

A Lot of Work

It appears that I thought Latin generated me a lot of work. For example, in November 1976, I noted doing more work in the morning than the whole of the previous day as I had Latin.

Not an Unmitigating Grind

However, not everything about Latin was an unmitigating grind. In May 1977, because of good weather, we had our Latin lesson outside.

I Claudius

While perhaps not part of our formal Latin homework, I recall being encouraged to watch the TV series, “I Claudius” which was on at the time. I did not really refer to other educational television programmes. However, I did note seeing a programme about magnetic mines in January 1977.

I am pretty sure all the Latin class watched “I Claudius” When I saw it on 8 November 1976, I noted that it was very bloody again.

In 1976, Derek Jacobi appeared in the title role of the TV series “*I Claudius*”. I recall watching it as background to my Latin class – image licensed for re-use from Alamy

Social Economics

I took social economics O level in 1976 and managed to get a C. Sometimes, I referred to this in my diaries just as economics. I am not quite sure why I opted for this and not a more conventional subject such as geography or history. I have vague recollections that this might have been due to timetabling issues. From memory, when we selected the subjects we would study at O level, we had to choose one subject from each of a number of groups. It was not possible to choose two subjects from the same group but I think some subjects appeared in more than one group. Others, like English and maths were compulsory.

Initially Planned as a CSE?

I also recall that initially it might have been the plan to do this as a CSE but was later changed to be an O level.

Mr Ames

Mr Ames taught me social economics throughout years 4 and 5. From my reports, it seems he thought I would have got a higher grade but he was concerned that I had “some difficulty in writing a detailed essay”.

Form Tutor in Year 4

I remember Mr Ames fairly well. He was my form tutor in fourth year. In his reports in that capacity, he noted that I was part of the basketball team, a table tennis club and had been made a Middle School steward.

A Pupil at Hewett Grammar

He had been a pupil at Hewett, before it became a comprehensive. He still held some sports records when I was there. From memory, one of them was for 100m but that was broken by a boy in my class, Timothy Fisher.

Brief Biography

Based on a post on Facebook, it appears that he also taught PE and social studies. It seems that his first name was Paul, the subjects he taught included geography and that he died suddenly in 1995 aged only 48. I also came across a school newsletter from October 1976 which noted that Mr Ames had become Head of Humanities. This newletter noted that he had been a pupil at the Hewett Grammar School. Later, by the nineties, I believe he was head of Lower School. I think Mr Ames also features in the video “A Hewett Day” where he is seen (25.17) charing an inter-disciplinary humanities group meeting.

Photo of Mr Ames cropped from a photo with the school football team posted by Glen Griffiths on Hewett School Facebook group

This photo shows the Hewett Grammar School football team from 1963-64. Paul Ames is in the centre front, third from the left, with the ball at his left foot. The photo was posted on Hewett Facebook group by Brian Penney and is used with permission

This photo shows a party from Hewett at Norwich Station in 1974. On the extreme right are Mr Ames and Mr Wren. The photo, from the Evening News, was posted by Paul Dack on the Hewett Facebook group

First Diary Entry

In my diaries that I have, the first entry relating to school notes that I had finished my economics essay at lunch-time. In September 1976, I noted that I got my folder back in which I had done my economics project.

General Studies

General studies was part of the sixth form curriculum and timetable. As mentioned above, general studies was coordinated by Mr Macro. I don’t remember too much about it but think we had to do it but had some choice as to what we did. It also seems that we could do different things in lower sixth and upper sixth and that we could cover two topics per year. In lower sixth, I did politics and PE. In upper sixth, I did budget cooking and classical studies.

Politics

One of the subjects I took in general studies in lower sixth was politics. I recall this and that it often took a discussion-type format. It was taught by Miss Norman.

Miss Norman

Miss Norman was one of two deputy heads at Hewett and I recall her more in that role than as my politics teacher. I confess I had forgotten that she had taught me politics. She features in the video “A Hewett Day” in two places. In one (12.55) she is one of two guests in the school flat. In the other, she is seen (25.45) in a personal interview discussing her daughter’s sixth form choices with one parent.

“Nippy” Norman

Many former pupils recalled her on Facebook and noted that she was known as “Nippy” Norman. She features in the 1977 photo of a German exchange which also features Mr Macro. I am not entirely sure what subject she taught/had taught.

Head of Heartsease

She went on to be head at Heartsease in 1982 at the age of 42. Before teaching at Hewett, she had taught at Wymondham College. Born in Norwich, she went to university in London to study history and obtained her teaching qualification in Southampton.

When I was at Hewett, Miss Janice Norman was one of two deputy heads. She also taught me politics as part of general studies in lower sixth. In 1982, she went on to be Head at Heartsease. This cutting was on display at the open day in November 2024

Contribution to Anniversary Brochure 1970-82

As a former member of Hewett staff who was going on to be a head elsewhere, she contributed a piece to the anniversary brochure produced in 1982. She noted that she had come to Hewett Grammar School as senior mistress in 1968, at a time when the amalgamation of the three schools was being planned. Highlights of her time at Hewett included her association with the sixth form; highlights in music, sport and drama; participation in school journeys and, above all, the atmosphere of warmth, friendship and consideration created by both staff and pupils.

Politics Homework

Perhaps surprisingly for a non-exam subject, I noted getting politics homework, e.g. in September 1976. I think my assignment was to report back on Liberal views on education and the economy interspersed with my own personal views.

Politics Report

I also got a report on this subject in January 1977. This did not give me any grades but Miss Norman commented “always prepared to participate in group discussion, Roger has a good general knowledge of national and international issues.”

Issues Discussed in Politics

I also noted some of the things we did or discussed in politics. For example, on 17 September 1976, I noted that our MP John Garrett came to school and voiced his opinion on several subjects. I thought it was interesting. He was Labour MP for Norwich South from 1974 to 1983 and from 1987 to 1997.

A week later, I was asked in politics to report back Liberal views on education and the economy interspersed with my own personal views. A week after that, I noted there was a heated discussion in politics.

Two weeks later, we designed a questionnaire about people’s political views. A week after that, I noted that we finished the design of the questionnaire and had a heated discussion on education. In December 1976, I noted that politics was “interesting for a change“. We talked about Rhodesia, devolution and electoral reform.

PE

I did PE at Hewett at least until my fourth year. I loved sport but was not very good at any particular sport so did not particularly enjoy PE.

Mr Adams

I had Mr Adams for PE in fourth year. However, I do not really recall him although others do. He features in the same photo as Mr Rathbone and Mr Norris in the 1973 school magazine. I had also had him for PE in my third year, see Chapter 103.

In my spring report, Mr Adams commented that I had made good games progress including basketball but that my running was average. He gave me a B for attainment and A for effort. To be fair, I would have been delighted to be an average runner! I was always last in sprints. I did fare better over longer distances and mostly avoided the ignomy of last place!

However, in the summer he gave me a C- for attainment and B for effort. C- was probably a more realistic grade than the earlier B but still probably better than my performances deserved!! He commented that “he must work to improve his athletics to the standard of the winter activities”.

No PE Reports in Fifth Year

I don’t appear to have had any reports for PE in my fifth year. I wonder if I had stopped doing it at this point.

PE as Part of General Studies in Lower Sixth

What I hadn’t recalled was that I did PE as part of general studies in lower sixth. I think Mr Wren took me for this and I got a report from him on this in January 1977. He commented, “Roger has not always been present but when he is he attacks his work with a great deal of enthusiasm.”

Mr Wren

Mr G A Wren was our year tutor in third year and he also coached the basketball team that I was part of. Many other people remember him. Above, there is a photo of him at Norwich station with Mr Ames in 1974.

Esperanto

I think my decision to do PE in lower sixth as part of general studies was not only surprising but also somewhat last minute. It seems that, at one point, I was going to study Esperanto in sixth form, presumably as part of general studies. However, it seems I switched it at the last minute, on 8 September 1976, to do PE. I am not sure why I changed. Possibly, there were few other people interested in Esperanto. The school clearly did teach Esperanto as, in the 1978 school magazine, mention was made of a conference held at Hewett which was conducted entirely in Esperanto. I had a bit of a fascination with the language as a teenager. I think my father had introduced me to it and I was interested in the idea of trying to create a common international language.

Some words in Esperanto meaning “*my name is Anna, I live in the United States, I speak Esperanto*” © Elen Zickfeldt and licensed for reuse under this CCL

Classical Studies

According to my diary, one of the subjects I took in general studies in upper sixth was classical studies. I do not recall this at all. I am not sure what this covered or who taught it! Vaguely, I remember that I wanted to do classical studies as an O level but it was withdrawn as a subject being offered as I believe I was the only person opting for it! That may have been how I ended up with Latin.

Budget Cooking

I well remember my other general studies subject in upper sixth. This was a great course called budget cooking which was aimed to teach the kind of cooking that would be accessible for students. One of my main memories of this course was of making a beef dish which included beer so we had to take beer into school!

Given its focus on student cooking, it was both interesting and useful. My memory is that we had a set budget and then bought ingredients for the dish specified. Dishes we made included omelettes, a liver dish, cod balls, cauliflower cheese and a cheese and onion dish. I noted that the cheese and onion dish, while OK, was not as good as some of the other things we had made.

Mrs Meigh

I was taught budget cooking by Mrs Meigh. I don’t recall her but she is remembered as a home economics teacher by some on Facebook. On 8 November 1977, I noted there would be no budget cooking as she was going to be away.

Homework

One issue that is mentioned frequently in my 1976 and 1977 diaries is homework. Indeed, this is probably mentioned more often than in-school work.

I Sometimes Did Homework at School

I sometimes did homework while at school, for example during lunch-time. In March 1976, I noted finishing my economics essay at lunch-time. On 7 October 1976, I noted that I spent all my lunch-time working, first physics then maths. On other occasions, I just noted working at lunch-time without saying what I did, for example on 15 September 1976. In addition, I think Sarah Humphries and I made a habit of doing our maths homework in our biology lessons. However, on 9 May 1977, neither of us was able to do it.

I Did Homework at Home and Elsewhere

Of course, I also did some homework at home. In addition, I sometimes did school work when I was at grandma’s or at dad’s. For example, in October 1976. In February 1977, I noted doing a Latin translation when I was in Birmingham.

Specifying the Type of Homework Set

Often, I specified the homework I had been set and/or had outstanding. However, sometimes, I Just referred to work or homework.

Revision as Homework

On other occasions, I specified that I was revising, for example at the end of April 1976. I sometimes, but not always, specified the subject I was revising, for example physics at the beginning of May 1976. At times, we had teacher-led revision. For example, at the end of May 1976, Mr Macro gave us a “crash course” in German.

Projects as Homework

Sometimes, the homework/work we had to do involved projects of some kind. For example, in September 1976, I noted that I got my folder back in which I had done my economics project.

Lists of Homework

I often made lists of the homework I had outstanding. For example, in March 1976, I noted that I still had a lot of work to do and provided an itemised list a. English essay, b. write up chemistry experiment, c. German questions and d. social economics revision sheet. In April 1976, I noted the homework I still had left to do – English, physics, French and social economics.

The following year, in January 1977, I noted that I had done maths and Latin homework but that I had biology and some more Latin to do. In October 1977, I noted that I hadn’t yet handed in my maths homework. I had quite long lists of homework to do on both 1 and 2 November 1977.

List of my outstanding homework from 1 November 1977

List of my outstanding homework from 2 November 1977

I Combined Doing Homework and Social Activities

I often combined school work with more social activities. For example, early In May 1976, I did not go to work as I wanted to watch the FA Cup Final, see Chapter 123. I did note doing some school work though. In July 1976, my then girlfriend, Caroline Kingham, see Chapter 122, came round and brought homework to do.

From March 1977, I combined working in the city library with having lunch at Mancroft Vaults. In May 1977, I noted fitting in my homework before and after watching TV! It was 10 May 1977, so I had a look at a TV guide to see what programme(s) it might have been. I did not find anything particularly obvious. “Z Cars” was on BBC1. There was a play “It’s Not Quite Cricket” on ITV.

On one evening in September 1977, Andrew came round but I still managed to do some work. I had two friends called Andrew, A;drew Ellson and Andrew Sheppard. On balance, it is more likely to be the former as he had a moped.

Mancroft Vaults

Mancroft Vaults was one of our favourite places to go in the late seventies. According to the Norfolk Public Houses website, it was located in the cellars of the former Vine (Curat’s House). It operated as a wine bar from around 1972 to 1978. It was entered from the off-licence next to Vine which was called Backs. In 1977, it was a freehouse serving Abbott Ale on handpump. It is mentioned in a number of threads on the Norwich Remembers Facebook Group. One of the threads contains an excellent photo of Backs.

Andrew Sheppard

Andrew Sheppard had been in my class from first year and is pictured next to me in our class photo, see Chapter 103. From memory, he lived not too far from the school on Hornor Close off Ipswich Road. In 1976 he won a prize in music and, in 1977 and 1978, he won prizes in biology. In 1978, he passed A levels in biology, pure maths and chemistry. Apparently, he went to the University of Reading to study biology.

Sometimes I Did My Homework Quickly But…

Sometimes, for example, on 14 September 1976, I noted doing my homework quickly.

… At Other Times I Put It Off But Recognised That It Then Built Up

On other occasions, for example, the next day, the 15^th, I didn’t work because I didn’t feel like it! However, I also recognised that if I did not do homework on a particular day, it would build up and I would have more to do later. For example, on one day in September 1976, I noted that I did not do any homework that day and that I would need to do it at the weekend.

On another day in March 1977, I noted that I didn’t get round to doing any homework even though I only had biology to do. The next day, I noted I had lots to do but hadn’t done any of it! Also, in March 1977, I noted that I tried to work but felt I got very little done. On one day in May 1977, I noted that I did very little homework despite having lots to do. This was because I expected to do it the next day.

Easily Distracted?

On another day in October 1977, I got up intending to work but was distracted by tidying my room and Liz’s offer of help; cooking lunch; a driving lesson; spending my insurance money for records; meeting friends at Just John’s and playing bridge. I did some work on the 26^th when I think I was in Birmingham at dad’s. On the 27^th, I noted doing some work including writing an essay but noted that “I ended up watching the TV, very bad, tut tut”.

Although I was sometimes distracted by opportunities to socialise, I also sometimes cut such activities short to work. For example, on 29 October 1977, I came home early from playing bridge at John Durrant’s as I wanted to do some work.

On the other hand, in November 1977 I had intended to do my maths homework in private study but was distracted by a request to help put up shelves in the Lower School prep room and a request to play bridge in the common room!

Sometimes, for example on 22 January 1977, I did my homework because what was on TV looked boring!

Just John’s

Just John’s Delicatique in White Lion Street was one of the places we used to hang out in Norwich during the late seventies. You could get real coffee and incredible cheesecake. We spent a lot of time there! It was also a place beloved by Stephen Fry. He described it as “the beating bohemian heart of Norwich” and as the place where all the artistic people in the city and county would gather. He mentions it in his book “Moab is My Washpot” (p428). Like Stephen Fry and his friends, we used to order drinks to share and then sit there for hours. This was fine but I recall that you could only be there over lunch-time if you bought food.

Photo of Just John Delicatique

Just John’s Delicatique in White Lion Street was a place we used to hang out a lot in the late 70s. It is easy to understand why the real coffee and cheesecake proved such a distraction from homework! ©Wonglelsm and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Moab is My Washpot

John Durrant

John Durrant was a good friend of mine in the Hewett sixth form. He, Chris Gray, Ian Sherrington and I spent huge amounts of time playing bridge and later mah jong. Also, he was an excellent squash player and must have been a decent runner as, on the 1976 Sports Day, he beat Mr Macro in the steeplechase. He passed physics and chemistry A level in 1978.

I Thought I Was Working Hard

Quite a number of my diary entries relate to how hard I was working and the number of hours I was putting in.

General Comments

On some occasions, I just made general comments about how much work I had to do. For example, in September 1976, I noted “today I realised how hard I am working and that I’ve got to keep it up for at least a year”. Although my A level courses were two years, I was also doing two O levels, biology and Latin, in lower sixth.

There were other examples, e.g. at the end of September 1976, I noted I had done some of my homework but I still had a “great amount” to complete. The next month, in October 1976, I noted that despite spending all my lunch time working, I still had plenty to do. That same month, on the 21^st, I noted that I had got a “ton of homework”.

Specific Mention of the Number of Hours of Homework

At other times, I mentioned how many hours I had spent on homework. When I did, it was usually between 2 and 3 hours. Sometimes, I spent longer. For example, on one Saturday in February I did school work for five hours. In November 1977, I noted that my maths homework took four hours on one occasion. As mentioned below, I was particularly concerned about the amount of time I was needing to work on Latin. So, on one day in March 1977, I timed my Latin translation. It took me 66 minutes.

On 2 November 1977, I decided to document all the time I spent working that day. It totalled eight hours and 20 minutes. This equated to two double lessons, three hours study at the library and a further three hours of homework at home. I also noted that I spent a further one hour 40 minutes at school but I did not consider that I was working during that time. However, if that time was counted, the total time worked was ten hours

Feeling Bogged Down

Sometimes, e.g. in May 1977, I felt bogged down with trying to do the two O levels in addition to the three A levels. Feelings of being bogged down seemed to be more common on Thursday which was my busiest day. Perhaps as a result, soon after noting this in May 1977, I asked if I could have more private study instead of doing general studies. This may explain Mr Wren’s comment about me not always being at PE.

Burning the Midnight Oil

Sometimes, possibly often, I did my homework late at night. For example, on one night in October 1977, I only started my maths homework for Mr Catt at 11pm after getting home from playing bridge at Chris Gray’s house. I finished the homework at quarter to 1.

I Resented Having to Work When Others Didn’t

Sometimes, I resented that I had to work while others didn’t. For example, I noted on 12 April 1977 that “while Alan was at BB and Liz was playing table tennis I was slaving over my Latin translation which I was supposed to have done in the holidays and hadn’t and Nigel wouldn’t let me copy his.” This is interesting as it is my only note of trying to copy work/cheat. I am not sure if I had a particular objection to “cheating”. From this entry, it would seem not. In most subjects, my standard of work was among the highest so there would have been a limited pool of people to copy from! I don’t think this was so much of a problem in Latin!

Boys’ Brigade

BB refers to Boys’ Brigade of which my brother Alan was a part, see Chapter 124. This comment is a bit odd as I definitely did not want to be part of Boys’ Brigade as I saw it as closely tied to the Methodist church.

Nigel Ogilvie

I believe the Nigel mentioned here was Nigel Ogilvie. He was not a close friend of mine but I think he was in my Latin class. He obtained A levels in French and Spanish and went to work as a library assistant at UEA.

Sometimes I Had Relatively Little Homework

Despite what I considered to be a high workload, there were sometimes when I seemed surprised that I had relatively little homework to do. For example, on one day in September 1976, I noted that I only had Latin homework to do as I had done my other homework the previous day.

The following month, in October 1976, I noted that we had worked very hard that day but that we did not get too much homework. A few days later, I noted that I had very little homework but remarked that the work could get harder as Mr Poyner had consulted me about doing S level physics in my spare time.

On one Wednesday evening in November 1976, I noted doing a little work in the evening. The following, day, I noted there was very little work for a Thursday. Early in December, I noted that we did not have much actual homework and linked this to the fact that we were soon to start exams.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, when I managed to work at lunch-time and in private study, I had less work to do at home. It seems that my workload varied from day to day and depended on what subject I was studying. For example, in November 1976, I noted doing more work in the morning than the whole of the previous day as I had Latin.

Mistakes or Problems Sometimes Meant I Couldn’t Do Homework

Sometimes, mistakes or problems meant I could not study as much as I had wished. For example, in May 1976, I noted that I took the wrong books to both French and chemistry. In November 1976, I noted that I could not do my chemistry homework as I could not find my data book. I semed to be worried about this as I hoped I would find it.

The following year, in March 1977, I noted I did not have my physics textbook. I wondered if I had lost it or if someone had “whipped” it. I noted that I would look into it the next day.

Sometimes, I used mistakes as an excuse not to work! On one evening in September 1977, I intended to work but “my resolve gradually weakened especially when I discovered Gary had my Chem calc book, so I couldn’t work. I went into the city where I found Gary and Everard and went to Whites with them where a punk rock group was playing”.

My diary entry for 17 September 1977. I had just started upper sixth. The entry shows how not having a book could be used to distract me from work. In my defence, it was a Saturday night and I was 17

There were also sometimes other reasons why I could not work. For example, on 30 October 1977, we had a power cut in the evening which meant I had to defer working until later.

Whites

Whites was another of the places we used to hang out in the late seventies. I believe it was on Queen Street, where Brewdog is currently. It appears to have been formally Gundry Whites although it appears in the 1967 Kelly’s Directory as White’s Restaurant. There is a photo of it just labelled White’s on the Music from the East Zone website although that focuses on the music played there from 1980 to 1986. The same photo appears on Facebook. I believe the photo may have been taken by George Plunkett. Whites was apparently considered trendy and known for having excellent music in the seventies. There are a number of posts about it on the Norwich Remembers Facebook group.

School Work in the Holidays

Somewhat to my surprise, I did some homework in the summer holidays of 1977 between lower sixth and upper sixth. For example, on 16 August 1977, I did some physics homework. I noted that although it wasn’t very much, it seemed a lot at the time. I did some more homework the next day after dinner. Four days after that, I spent the day reading and working.

Going to the Library

In my diaries, I quite often mentioned going to the library but did not always mention which library I was referring to. For entries when I was in year 5, I assume this referred largely to the Upper School library which I do not recall very clearly!

Hewett School Libraries

Of the three libraries at Hewett, I remember the Lower School library most clearly. It was in the semicircular part of the school on the first floor. When I was at Hewett, I think the Middle School library was in a similar location. I think it may have moved to a more central location. The alcoves of that library were visible at the open day in November 2024. Currently, Hewett Academy use what was a science block as a library. I vaguely recall that the Upper School library was in the tower block. I am grateful to others on Facebook for reminding me that it was on the second floor of the tower block in the middle two rooms.

These photos were all taken in November 2024 and are associated with Hewett libraries. Top left – now a textiles room in the Hewett Academy, this was Lower School library when I was there; Top centre – outside view of what was the Lower School library when I was at Hewett; Top right – this was Middle School library but I think this was after when I was there. I think, at that time, the Middle School library mirrored the Lower School; Bottom left – the Hewett Academy library is now located in what was a science block when I was there (Bottom centre); Bottom right – the Upper School library was located in the centre of the second floor of the tower block

City Library

Later, in the sixth form, when we were allowed off site during the day, I think I was sometimes, if not always, referring to the city library. This library was in the same location as the current library in what is now known as the Forum. However, the old library was destroyed by fire in August 1994. The new library opened in 2001.

Norwich city library was destroyed by fire in August 1994 © mira66 and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

I Went to the School Library to Work but Also to Read the Paper

I sometimes went to the school library to work. However, on other occasions, I went there at lunch-time and read the paper. On one occasion, I noted reading “The Times”. On one day in September 1977, I went to the library and read the “New Scientist” but commented that I found nothing very interesting. I guess all of this was background reading! Even reading the paper was relevant to my politics course. There were other times when I just spent lunch-time in the classroom.

I Went to the City Library During the Day, in the Evenings and in the Holidays

Sometimes, I went to the city library during the day and sometimes in the evening. I quite often went to the city library during the summer holidays in 1977 between lower and upper sixth. I think one of the reasons I liked to work there was that it was relatively quiet whereas it could be noisy and distracting at home. Sometimes, I specified that I worked in the reference library, for example in September 1977, when I was working on an essay for chemistry. Some of my friends also used to study at the city library and we would use the opportunity of being in the city to meet up, for example at Mancroft Vaults.

Private Study

Based on my diary entries, I had some time for private study when I was in sixth form. I don’t think we had this lower down the school. These times might otherwise have been known as “free periods” but I think the term “private study” was meant to imply what they were for! The topic of sixth form private study is covered in the video “A Hewett Day” (16.44) and is introduced by saying “private study plays an essential role in sixth form life”. It features a sixth form study block which I am pretty sure was not in place when I was at Hewett.

Discretion Over How to Use Private Study

I think we had pretty much total discretion over how we used private study which was probably good preparation for studying at university. I think we were also not expected to stay at school. So, on one occasion, in December 1976, I noted that I did not feel like going to private study so I went home.

Some Discretion Over When We Had Private study

I think there was also some discretion over when we had private study. For example, once in 21 September 1976, I decided that I did not need a practical biology lesson so had private study instead. Sometimes, I got additional private study periods if a lesson was cancelled, for example as budget cooking was on 8 November 1977.

Request for More Private Study as Exams Approached

In May 1977, as my exams approached, I asked Mr Macro, who headed general studies, if I could have an extra double period of private study until Whitsun. He agreed.

Sometimes I Did School Work in Private Study…

I did sometimes use private study periods to do school work. For example, on 9 September 1977, I noted that I was able to do all my homework in school time as I had four periods of private study.

…But Not Always!

However, on other occasions, I spent the time talking to friends or playing bridge or darts! From memory, I believe we had a dart board in a kind of cupboard at the back of the sixth form common room. When I did note playing darts in private study, it was in July 1977, just after having finished exams.

On one day in April 1977, I noted that I had four periods of private study but I did not get much work done as in periods 3 and 4 Andrew, Richard and I talked about Richard’s new motorbike among other things and in periods 7 and 8 Lyn and I lost to Adrienne and John at bridge.

The Andrew mentioned here is probably Andrew Ellson as he had a moped and from memory was more into motorbikes than Andrew Sheppard was. I really do not recall who this Richard was. According to the 1978 examination booklet, there were two Richards who took A levels when I did. Richard Pummell did art and Richard Standley music. The John mentioned here is probably John Durrant.

Lynn Fryer

I don’t recall who the Lyn mentioned here was but, from the 1978 examination booklet, it was probably Lynn Fryer who took A level maths when I did. According to the prizegiving booklet, she went on to study computing at UEA.

Adrienne Wigg

Adrienne Wigg took English and Sociology at A level in 1978 and went on to take a BA in Law at Birmingham Polytechnic. She had been in my class from first year.

Occassionally I Missed Lessons

Very occasionally, I missed lessons. For example, in January 1977, I missed both chemistry and physics as I had to go to the optician. In the evening, I went to see my friend, Everard Mascarenhas, to copy his physics notes. However, I noted that I thought they were a bit confused!

Possible Explanation for Being “Bored“

While I did find elements of school challenging and interesting, I mostly found the academic side straightforward and relatively easy. This may have been a factor explaining why I quite often complained, in my diaries, of being bored. For example, in February 1977, I described school as monotonous and noted that I was soon fed up. Again, in May 1977, I noted that time seemed to drag especially in physics. A possible factor in this might have been that I was going sailing with Andrew Ellson and his father in the afternoon.

In June 1977, I was going to work but I was bored so rode my motorbike to Yarmouth instead! Although in my upper sixth year, I increasingly went to study at Norwich city library, I did sometimes get bored and then left early, e.g. in October 1977.

Giving and Receiving Help

Sometimes, I spent time helping teachers or other pupils. For example, in October 1976, I noted helping Mr Simpson prepare for the upper sixth parent teacher interviews that night. In March 1977, I helped my friend Everard Mascarenhas with his chemistry which he was now doing instead of economics.

In July 1977, in the evening, after doing some work, I took the chemistry paper to Andrew’s. I suspect this was Andrew Sheppard as he did chemistry A level. Taking this paper to him sounds to me like an excuse to ride my motorbike!!! In November 1977, Andrew wanted some help to put up a shelf in the Lower School prep room but when we got there, Diane, the lab technician was not there and although we looked for her we couldn’t find her.

When I was at Hewett, this was a relatively new science block in Lower School. I imagine this is where the prep room was. This photo was taken in November 2024. The building is now used by Hewett Academy as a library

I recorded very few instances of getting help from someone else with my school work. One exception was in December 1976. I noted that my sister Tricia helped me with my physics homework. I noted “I must say she is a quick worker”.

Reports

I have seven reports covering this period at Hewett from my fourth year to upper sixth. I have spring and summer reports for fourth year to lower sixth and just a spring report for upper sixth. These reports are in the cheque book style which was used through almost all of my time at Hewett, see Chapter 103. Dr Roy advocated for the use of such a system by secondary schools in his book “Teaching Under Attack” (p124).

I believe this was my final report from Hewett in February 1978 when I was in the upper sixth

Slightly Different Formats

The report formats differed slightly between Middle School and Upper School. Subject reports for Upper School also contained space to enter the exam level being studied. The report format for general studies differed again. Instead of exam level, there was a row for “group”.

In Middle School, general reports gave space for reports from form and year tutors and were then signed by the Head of Middle School. General reports in Upper School provided space for reports from the group tutor and Head of Upper School. For some reason, my general reports in sixth form noted attendance something which my earlier reports did not.

Special Reports

Some reports had special reports attached at the front or the back. When I was in Middle School, these came from one of the deputy heads whereas, in Upper School, they came from Dr Roy himself.

In General My Reports Were Good

In general, my reports were good. For example, in March 1975, mum noted that I had a “brilliant report”. One possible exception was summer 1977 when both mum and I noted that the term grades were OK but, in my words, the exam grades were “very poor”.

Parent Teacher Evenings

Mostly, parent teacher evenings were held soon after reports had been issued. In most cases, my mother attended. On one occasion, in December 1976, my mother was ill, so my father attended. I noted that he “seems to have enjoyed the evening. Of all my teachers he only disliked Mr Heaver”. I am not sure why!

Exams

Exams were a pretty constant feature of my time at Hewett in the late seventies.

When Exams Were On We Only Had to Go in for Our Exams

One thing I do recall being struck by was that when I was doing external exams, e.g. O levels and A levels, I did not need to go into school if I didn’t have an exam. This same rule may have applied to mocks. For example, in December 1975, I noted being off school as I had no exams.

I found this quite revolutionary given that I had always, or at least as long as I could recall, been expected to go to school. Sometimes lessons were scheduled though, including maths, economics, French and physics. Also, I still wanted to get teacher feedback at this time. For example, on Monday 21 June 1976, I took some maths work, that I had done the previous day, to school to see if I could get it marked. I am not sure if I succeeded.

I Took Maths and English Language O Level at the End of Fourth Year in 1975

In June 1975, I took maths and English language O Level one year early at the end of my fourth year.

My O level certificate from 1975. Our exams were with the Associated Examining Board. This board was formed in 1953. In 2000, it merged with the Northern Examinations and Assessment Board (NEAB) to form AQA, formerly the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance

I Took Most of My O Levels in 1976

CSEs Took Place Earlier

At the beginning of May 1976, I noted that the CSE exams had started but I did not have any as I was only doing O levels. In mid-May, I noted that we were displaced from our usual classroom because the German CSE was taking place there.

Internal Tests

In May 1976, I did have some internal tests. These included a French test in which I scored 19/23 (83%), two chemistry tests, timed essays in English, including one on “Romeo and Juliet” and a German oral.

My First O Level Exam

In 1976, my first O level was German oral on 7 June. I noted that this was not too bad. I was asked personal questions. In addition, I had to describe one large picture and six story-telling pictures. Also, I had to take a role in a situation.

Other O Level Exams

Three days later, on the 10^th, I had my French dictation and translation in the morning. I thought I had done quite well. The next day, the 11^th, I had a physics multiple choice paper. I had an English literature exam on the 14^th. I noted I had to write five essays in 2½ hours. On the 15^th, I had my French exam in comprehension and composition. I had two exams on the 17^th, chemistry and social economics. I thought I did quite well but noted “I’m getting nervous about my other exams, waiting for them to come and worrying about what I’ve got”.

On the 22^nd, I had my German reading and aural comprehension exam. The next day, the 23^rd, I had a chemistry exam. I noted that it was not as difficult as I had expected but I was writing the whole time.

By 24 June 1976 Most O Level Exams Were Over

On the 24^th, I wrote “the exams are now all nearly over. According to Mrs Alderton not many people have got any more exams but nearly everybody I know have. This morning I gave in many of my books…”

That very day, I had my second German paper, a comprehension and two compositions. I also noted that it was our schools sports day that day. I only saw one race the steeplechase. John Durrant beat Mr Macro.

On the 28^th, I had my first additional maths paper with the second one the next day. On the 30^th, I had my French oral.

Mrs Alderton

I am not entirely sure who she was but it seems, based on the Upper School section of the 1975 school magazine, that she may have been a careers teacher with Mr Williment.

O Level Results

In August 1976, mum noted that I phoned and had my O level results. I got As in physics, chemistry, French and German, B in additional maths and English literature and C in social economics. From my diary, it is clear I was youth hostelling at the time, see Chapter 122, and mum gave me the results. They are written in the back of my diary. I noted that dad would give me £18 for these as he was giving me £3 for an A and £1 for a B and I had one A and one B from the previous year.

My O level certificate from 1976. Our exams were with the Associated Examining Board. This board was formed in 1953. In 2000, it merged with the Northern Examinations and Assessment Board (NEAB) to form AQA, formerly the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance

Internal Exams Winter 1976

Informal Tests

At the end of 1976, I had a number of internal tests/exams. For example, on 2 November 1976, I noted that nothing exciting had happened but we had had a maths test which was fairly difficult. On the 24^th, we had a Latin test but I only scored 29/65 (45%). I think these tests were not considered a formal part of exams as I noted that our exams started on 6 December.

Exams Proper

On the 2^nd, I noted going to Mr Rathbone’s room to check my exam timetable. Although I had written it down, I thought I might have made mistakes. I hadn’t! On the afternoon of the 7^th, I had my first exam, in maths. On the 8^th, I had a physics exam. During the exam, I thought I was doing OK but was not so sure afterwards. However, in our S level lesson, Mr Heaver went through the paper and I thought I had done OK. On the 9^th, we went over our exam papers even though they hadn’t yet been marked. Presumably, this was in maths and physics as those were the exams I had mentioned. However, it does not seem I recorded all my exams, e.g. chemistry.

Results

We got our maths results from Mr Catt on 13 December 1976. I noted that I got 40/43 (93%). A week later, on the 20^th, I got my chemistry multiple choice results. I scored 22/30 (73%). Early the following year, on 14 January 1977, I got my chemistry result. I scored 78%. These results, I noted, meant I came top in maths and chemistry and second in physics.

I Took Two O Levels at the End of Lower Sixth in 1977

The O level exams I took at the end of lower sixth started at the beginning of June 1977 just as the school broke up for half-term.

My First Exam was Latin

On the 2^nd, I did not go to school as I was on study leave ahead of my exam on the 3^rd. I think I did revision at city library, I noted “when I got up I discovered that mum wanted me to go to the chemists before afternoon. It is in the other direction from the city where I wanted to go. However I got into the city in the end where I bought a T shirt and a pullover. Lunch was not too good but it could have been worse. After lunch I did some work, Latin revision”.

The 3^rd was an odd day as the school broke up at lunch-time. However, I did not go in the morning as I was on study leave but I did go in the afternoon for my Latin exam. I thought the exam wasn’t too bad “but Fiona was amazed or pretended to be when I said that as she said she thought it was hard.”

My diary entry for 3 June 1977 which noted sitting my O level Latin exam

I learned to try to avoid such conversations. Sometimes, you found out that you had done something wrongly and you couldn’t change it! However, mostly people seemed to want to say that the exam had been hard and they had done terribly which was not always the case. Once an exam was done, I tried to put it out of my mind while awaiting the results.

Two Fionas

There were two Fionas in my year, Fiona Paul and Fiona Buttle. From memory, I think it may have been the former who did Latin. I think this is confirmed from the 1977 examinations booklet which does not include Fiona Buttle but does show that Fiona Paul took an O level that year.

I do recall them both. Fiona Paul won an endeavour prize in 1976. In 1978, she passed French, German and English Literature A level gaining merits in both German and English Literature. She went on to study German at University of Hull. Fiona Buttle passed both A level French and German that same year. She went on to study speech pathology at Leicester Polytechnic.

Other O Level Exams

My second Latin exam was on the 16^th. The first part of my biology exam was on the 20^th. It clashed with my internal physics exam which, as a result, I did on my own in the afternoon. On the 22^nd, I went to school and did some biology revision with Mr Watkins. I had my final biology exam on the 23^rd. I thought it wasn’t too bad.

Other Internal Exams

In addition to my two O levels at the end of lower sixth, I had internal exams in June 1977. On the 11^th, I had a maths exam which I thought was alright. On the 15^th, I had another maths exam. Then, on the 16^th, in addition to my Latin O level exam, I had an internal physics exam, see above.

Relatively Poor Chemistry Results

That day, I also got my chemistry multiple choice results. I scored 17/30 (57%) which I considered “not very good”.

More Revision and More Exams

On the 17^th, I did not go to school but stayed at home to revise. This was because I had private study and chemistry and only three or four people were likely to be in chemistry because of a biology exam. I had an internal physics exam on the 20^th.

Better Maths and Physics Reults

On the 21^st, I did not have any exams but I did get my maths result, 76%, which I considered quite good. I noted that it was second best. On the 22^nd, I got my physics result – 76% which was second to James Jarvis again.

Poorer Chemistry and Maths Results

On the 23^rd, I got my chemistry result – 58% which I considered not very good. On the 24^th, I got my second maths result, 65%, which I also considered “not too good”. My end of year exam results could have been affected by the fact that I was taking two O levels. But, there was also a tendency to make internal exams harder to try to stimulate effort and to make external exams seem easier.

O Level Results in Lower Sixth in 1977

On 26 August 1977, I got the results of the two O levels I took in sixth form. I got a B in Latin which was worse than I expected and an A in biology which was much better than I expected.

Internal Exams at the End of 1977

We had some internal exams towards the end of 1977. For example, on 10 October 1977, I had a chemistry test. Shortly after that, my diaries stop and we only then have information from my mum’s diaries.

Not Entered for Chemistry A Level

In April 1978, I learned that I had not been entered for chemistry A level. This caused mum to panic but I tried to reassure her that there was still time to resolve this. This was what happened and I sat chemistry A level along with my other subjects.

A Level Results

On 17 August 1978, mum noted that I got my A level results. I was in Spain hitchhiking round Europe at the time, see Chapter 122! I got three As and a 2 in each S level.

Exam Results’ Booklets

Among mum’s papers were booklets giving the Hewett’s exam results for 1976, 1977 and 1978. The format was similar although the booklet for 1978 was larger in size. Each booklet started with A levels giving names and subjects. Results for O levels, CSEs and CEEs then followed.

Denoting Those Who Passed O Levels in Fourth Year

In 1976 and 1977, a symbol like a crossed out hyphen was used to note that “these pupils gained English Language O Level passes whilst in their Fourth Form Year”. It is a bit confusing as the 1976 booklet applies this symbol to people in my year but not to me. Maths is not mentioned.

Distinguishing Fifth and Sixth Form

In the 1978 booklet, O level and CSE results were divided into fifth year and sixth form. Those in fifth year who had gained an O level in fourth year had this shown in another column.

Identifying Those with CSE Grade 1

In 1978, CSE numbers were divided into grade 1s and other grades. In the 1976 and 1977 booklets, grade 1 CSE was counted as an O level.

Certificate of Extended Education (CEE)

CEE stood for Certificate of Extended Education. It was an examination, mainly taken after a one year course in subjects not geared to A level. It existed from 1976 to 1988. Results for these were shown in 1976 and 1977. In 1978, this category existed only for those in sixth form.

O Levels and CSEs

For O levels and CSEs, names were given and the number of exams passed in each category. Subjects were not stated. In none of the exams were grades given.

National Association for Maternal and Child Welfare Basic Examination in Child Care

In 1977 and 1978, results were given for the National Association for Maternal and Child Welfare Basic Examination in Child Care and this gave both the mark for the oral and the final grade.

A and S Levels

At A level, students were identified who gained a merit or distinction which I think reflects S level grades 1 for distinction and 2 for merit.

Useful Lists of Names

I have found these booklets extremely useful in terms of giving lists of students who were in my year.

Front cover of examination results booklets for 1976

Scan of front cover of examination results booklet for 1977

Front cover of examination results booklet for 1978

Prizes and Prizegiving

Hewett had a system of prizes and prizegiving in the Upper School. Prizegiving took place in the March or April following the year in question. So, 1976 prizegiving took place in March 1977, 1977 prizegiving in March 1978 and 1978 prizegiving in April 1979. I recall, for example, that attending the upper sixth prizegiving meant that I came back for it from Newcastle, where I was at university. The diaries give much more detail of the 1976 prizegiving than the others because I have my diary from March 1977 but not for subsequent years.

Prizes Reflected Academic Achievement to Some Extent

Prizes did reflect academic achievement but there was some teacher discretion. Attempts were made to share prizes across students and to reflect effort as well as attainment.

I and Some of My Friends Won Prizes

In February 1977, I heard that I had won a physics prize. I noted that my friend Everard Mascarenhas had won a prize too. From the prizegiving programme, he was one of five students to win an endeavour prize. Other winners in my year included Fiona Buttle, Alison Grimes and Gary Wood.

The Prizes Involved Money to Buy Books

Two days later, I went in the city to buy books as prizes. They were a book on O level biology and a maths problem paperback. Sadly, I no longer have these books. Just over a week later, Everard and I went into the city to buy his prize.

I Won Two Prizes for 1976

Over a month after I was notified of my physics prize, I heard that I had also received a prize for chemistry but I had not been given it because of an administrative error. I commented that I had now been given it.

Practising for Prizegiving

On 24 March 1977, we had a prizegiving practice with the actual event taking place the following Tuesday. I remember from this being told that if we were given the wrong book we should accept it, smile and sort it out later! We had another practice on the day of the event, the 29^th.

1976 Prizegiving

As for the event itself, I noted in my diary that I thought it was boring but mum enjoyed it especially the orchestra. Afterwards, I went to the pub with Chris Gray, Michael Grey and Everard Mascarenhas.

Mum herself noted that the prizegiving was a bit long but that the orchestra played Suite No 1 from Carmen by Bizet which was excellent. She went with Mrs Mascarenhas and was glad of her company.

Front cover of the programme for the Hewett School Upper School Prizegiving in 1976. This took place in March 1977

The programme for the 1976 Upper School prizegiving which took place on 29 March 1977. The musical interlude was the thing that mum remembered and noted in her diary

After Prizegiving We Went to the Pub

However, I am not sure which pub we went to. The Tuckswood was very close to the school on the corner of Hall Road and the Ring Road. This pub was closed and demolished in 1995. There is a McDonald’s and garage there now.

However, I am not sure that is the pub we went to. I cannot recall ever going there although from my diary I clearly did, e.g. after the school play in 1977. It was certainly not one of our favoured hangouts, although many others from school did go there. It is likely that we just went to one of our favoured hangouts in the city.

Chris Gray

Chris Gray was a good friend of mine in the Hewett sixth form. He, John Durrant, Ian Sherrington and I spent huge amounts of time playing bridge and later mah jong. Like Ian Sherrington, I believe he and his family lived in the Greenways estate. In 1976, he won a geography prize. In 1978, he passed five A levels in applied maths, pure maths, pure and applied maths, physics and economics. After school, he went to St Andrews to study economics.

Michael Grey

Michael Grey was another friend of mine at Hewett, particularly in sixth form. I recall that he and Chris Gray spelled their surnames differently. I believe he was part of the school football team. In 1978, he passed A levels in applied maths, economics and history. He went on to study business studies at the City of London Polytechnic. For some reason, at school, he was known by the nickname “Spick” and that is how I referred to him in my diaries.

Prizegiving Programmes

Among mum’s papers were programmes for the three prizegivings for 1976, 1977 and 1978. They follow a similar format although the 1976 programme is smaller. Details are given of the attending dignitaries and then the programme that would be followed. They then presented prizes won followed by names of pupils who had gone on to higher education, employment and vocational training. The programmes also gave details of school governors, school officers and sixth form committee.

Front cover of programme for Upper School prizegiving in 1977

Front cover of programme for Upper School prizegiving in 1978

Prizewinners

As mentioned above, in the 1976 prizegiving, I won prizes in physics and chemistry. Two prizes were given for most subjects. Other prize winners in physics and chemistry were Ann Franks and Simon Bass respectively. In the 1977 and 1978 prizegivings, I won chemistry prizes. For our year, in those years, there was one prize per subject. In 1977, Timothy Fisher won the pure maths prize and James Jarvis won the physics prize. In 1978, the prizes were reversed. James won the pure maths prize and Timothy won the physics prize.

Details of What People Went on to Do After School

The 1978 prizegiving programme also gave the details of university course, vocational training and employment that people from my year went onto from sixth form.

Prizes

Sadly, I don’t have any of the books I won as prizes during the time I was at Hewett. However, I am grateful to Karen Aldridge for sending pictures of the “Roget’s Thesaurus” and the “Oxford Student’s Dictionary of Current English” that she won in Spanish prizes in 1977 and 1978 respectively.

School Officers

The term school officers refers to head boy, head girl and deputies. I was mentioned as deputy head boy in the 1977 prizegiving programme. James Jarvis was head boy, Suzy Roessler was head girl, Alison Grimes and Alysoun Hayhoe were deputy head girls and Timothy Newenham was the other deputy head boy. Also, in the 1977 prizegiving programme, Suzy gave a report after Dr Roy, Alysoun gave a vote of thanks to our guests and James gave a vote of thanks to the school governors. A later section of this webpage looks at my time as deputy head boy.

Sixth Form Committee

In the 1976 prizegiving programme, I was listed with other students from my year as members of the sixth form committee.

Ann Franks

I am not entirely sure who Anne Franks was. I fear I do not recall her. However, with me, she won a physics prize in 1976. She did O levels and CSEs in 1976 and 1977. I am not sure what she did subsequently.

Simon Bass

I recall Simon well from our year. He did O levels and CSEs in both 1976 and 1977 and he passed A level chemistry in 1978. With me, he won a chemistry prize in 1976. He also won a prize in social studies that year. He went on to study a Higher National Diploma (HND) in hotel management at Norwich City College. From memory, his mother may have taught at Hewett. I believe Simon had a form of Down syndrome and may have had other health problems. His sister Rachel, I believe, also attended Hewett. I think she posted on some of the Hewett Facebook sites under her married name of Clarke. I think she mentioned in one of those posts that Simon had passed away. However, I cannot now find those posts!

Prefect

I was a prefect in the sixth form. One of the main responsibilities appears to have been acting as a prefect in the dining hall. I don’t recall anything about prefect duties! I came across a fairly extensive list of prefect duties at Hewett on Facebook. This was for 1966 so would have been when Hewett was still a relatively small grammar school. Prefect duties may have been different then. Still, in addition to dinner duty, there was lunch hour general duty, milk duty and duties during break and responsibilities for A block (upstairs, on the stairs and downstairs), C block (left hand and right hand staircases), entrance hall, library, dententions (sic), B block, lates, buses, before 8.45am, cycles, boys cloakroom and outside the staff room.

Dinner Duty

I sometimes referred to a short dinner duty. Sometimes, I noted doing dinner duties for other prefects, including Fiona in December 1976 and for Suzanne (Roessler) in April 1977. Often, dinner duty passed off quietly and uneventfully. On one occasion, I noted that there were too many prefects there. Sometimes, however, there was trouble in the dining room. For example, on 8 November 1976, “some girl” thumped Rosalind Mitchell in the dining room. Later that month, on the 23^rd, I noted that duty in the dinner hall was “pretty chaotic”.

Rosalyn Mitchell

There was a Rosalyn Mitchell who took external exams in 1976. So, I presume she was in my year, that she went into the sixth form and was a prefect. However, I don’t see any record of her taking further exams in 1977 or 1978, I fear I do not recall her.

Deputy Head Boy

In July 1977, I noted that I had to see Dr Roy after school to ask if I would consider being head boy or deputy. I commented that I would find out on Monday. Mum also noted this in her diary and that four others had also been asked. The outcome of this was I became deputy head boy in the upper sixth. James Jarvis was the head boy and Tim Newenham was the other deputy.

Other Senior Prefects

Suzy Roessler became head girl with Alison Grimes and Aly(soun) Hayhoe as her deputies. Collectively, we were known as senior prefects and/or school officers, in prizegiving programmes. On 5 September 1977, I met Dr Roy with the other senior prefects and he explained to us what he expected of us. Following that, on the 9^th, we were introduced to the Upper School and, on the 12^th to the Lower School.

Details of the senior prefects/school officers from the 1977 prizegiving brochure

News article featuring the five other senior prefects with the Lord Mayor of Norwich, Ralph Roe. This article was posted by Alison Grimes on the Hewett Facebook group and is used with permission. I am not sure why I am the only senior prefect missing from this photo! As stated in the article, the people in the photo are (from left to right) James Jarvis, head boy; Ralph Roe, Lord Mayor of Norwich; Tim Newenham , deputy head boy; Alysoun Hayhoe, deputy head girl; Alison Grimes, deputy head girl; and Suzy Roessler, head girl

I think we were perhaps supposed to have been introduced to the Middle School on 7 September 1977. We went there for that purpose but there was some confusion about whether there was an assembly or not. We decided there wasn’t so went back to Upper School. I don’t know if the introduction happened at a later date.

My diary does not say much about my responsibilities as deputy head boy.

Tim Newenham

Tim Newenham was also deputy head boy when I was. We were good friends particularly in the sixth form. From memory, he and his family lived on Bluebell Road. In 1977, he won the Bond Prize for Service. In 1978, he passed A levels in biology and English literature. He went on to study P E management in Loughborough. As noted in an article from the 1978 school magazine, he was a phenomenal javelin thrower, head and shoulders above anyone else at school.

His sporting achievements are noted in the anniversary brochure produced in 1982 covering the period from 1970. He was described as an All England representative Norfolk U17 discus/javelin winner. It seems he may have finished 10^th in the 1986 commonwealth games competing for Wales. He has produced videos on how to throw a javelin. As of December 2024, he is Director of Performance and Pathway for the Singapore Disability Sports Council.

Tim Newenham was also deputy head boy when I was. We were friends. As illustrated in this article from the 1978 school magazine, he was a phenomenal javelin thrower, head and shoulders above anyone else at school.

Suzanne (Suzy) Roessler

Suzy Roessler was head girl when I was deputy head boy. She was academically very able. In 1976, she won the Norwich Co-operative Society GCE Prize at O level and, in 1977, the Chairman’s Prize for Special Academic Achievement. Also, in 1976 and 1977, she won prizes in German and, in 1978, she won a prize in French. In 1978, she passed A levels in French, German and English literature gainging distinctions in both French and German. She went on to study modern languages at Wadham College in Oxford.

In the anniversary brochure produced in 1982, she contributed a piece as a former pupil. She noted that she had come to Hewett from Holland in 1973 and that the school had accommodated her wish to study Dutch at O level and A level. She recalled foreign trips while at Hewett including as part of the choir and orchestra. It seems she may have gone on to teach French and German. While she and I were senior prefects, we represented Hewett in the regional TV quiz “Question 5“.

Alison Grimes

Alison Grimes was deputy head girl when I was deputy head boy. In 1976, she won a prize for endeavour and, in 1977 and 1978, she won subject prizes in Spanish. In 1978, she passed A levels in history of art, French and Spanish, gaining a distinction in French. She went on to study French and Spanish in Bradford. She is an active contributor on the Hewett Facebook group and has kindly shared photos there including of “Le Paradis” where she worked in the summer of 1977. I understand that she lives in Spain.

Alysoun (Aly) Hayhoe

Aly Hayhoe was deputy head girl when I was deputy head boy. In 1977 and 1978, she won subject prizes in English. In 1978, she passed A levels in French, history and English literature gaining a merit in English literature. She went on to study English in Durham. Her mother taught at the school and her sister, Rachel, also attended the school. She is an active contributor on the Hewett Facebook group under her married name of Alysoun Fenn.

From her posts there, it seems she remembers many of the same people I do. She also had been active in the school choir. In one of her posts, she reflected on the role of deputy head girl feeling that although she “met some of the great and the good“, she had always felt that “it was a role that could have been much developed, especially seeing how other schools have used senior students as great bridges between staff and students to change practices and curriculum!“

Responsibilities as Deputy Head Boy

My diary does not say much about my responsibilities as deputy head boy.

Inspecting St John’s Close

However, part of the responsibilities seem to have been inspecting St John’s Close to ensure there were no students there. Sometimes, I did this on my own and sometimes with others, e.g. James Jarvis. There was, and is, a chip shop in St John’s Close but Hewett pupils were not allowed to go there during school-time. I think this restriction also applied to lunch-time except possibly in the case of the sixth form. I myself recall buying chips there many times while I was at Hewett!!

St John’s Close has not changed much from when I was at Hewett. There was a fish and chip shop there then and there is one there now (above)

Seeing a Woman Who Complained

In September 1976, Tim Newenham and I went at lunch-time to see a woman who had complained about someone from school causing damage. We didn’t see anyone but I noted we would go again.

I Forgot a Senior Prefects’ Meeting

On one occasion in October 1977, I thought I had had a bad day. I forgot to go to a senior prefects’ meeting so had to apologise to Dr Roy in the afternoon at the headmaster’s seminar. I do not recall these seminars at all but apparently they were a feature of how Dr Roy worked at Hewett. They are well-illustrated in the video “A Hewett Day” (15.46).

Interactions with Other Senior Prefects

My diaries do not mention much about specific interactions with other senior prefects. However, in November 1977, one of the deputy head girls, Aly Hayhoe, asked me if I would speak to head boy, James Jarvis. She had concerns about how he was organising a dinner and dance. I am not sure I know why she did not just speak to him herself but I noted that I would mention it tactfully.

I find this interesting as I have never considered tact my strong point! For this reason, I was struck by a comment in my upper sixth report in which my group tutor, Mrs Barker, said “… I anticipate a bright and successful future. Apart from academic success he has a quiet charm and sensitivity, diplomacy and a quiet authority”. This has to be one of the nicest things anyone has ever said about me!!

Sixth Form Common Room

In the sixth form, we had a common room. I first mentioned this in my diaries on 10 September 1976 when I went there at lunch time. In October 1976, I noted that at least they had now got a tape recorder in the common room. In July 1977, I had two periods of private study. I noted that “most of the people in my year have started taking private study in the common-room and some teachers have tried to stop us so I went to see Mr Burns and he said it would be OK until he made a ruling on Tuesday.” I don’t know what the ruling was. On the 19^th, I noted that our common room facilities were not very good but that I got particularly infuriated when meetings were held there and we couldn’t use them!!

Staff Room and Common Room Notices

In September 1977, I noted that “the most interesting event today was in the afternoon during private study. Last week we had erected a notice mimicing the one on the staff room door about when pupils should make enquiries. Anyway today James had to go and see Mr Nobbs as he had signed it along with all the senior prefects.

Apparently Miss Norman had complained to Dr Roy who had seen Mr Nobbs. Anyway James was told to remove it with as little fuss as possible but we decided that it was very petty of the staff not to see the joke (actually that’s a bit unfair, most of the staff thought it was funny, only Miss Norman objected) so although we took the sign down we decided to get our own back so Tim and I removed the sign from the staff room door and it is now concealed in the common room. The events to come should be quite funny”. As far as I can see I did not note anything further related to this issue.

My diary entry for 30 September 1977 in which I describe an issue relating to signs on the staff room and sixth form common room

Sixth Form Study Block

I believe the video “A Hewett Day” was made about four years after I left the school. It focuses (16.42) quite heavily on the sixth form study block and its role in allowing sixth formers to pursue their studies. I am not sure if it replaced the common room. Initially, I thought that it did but the piece in the anniversary brochure implies that both were functioning in 1982. I am pretty sure the study block was not in place when I was at Hewett.

Sixth Form Committee

In September 1976, I was elected to represent our form on the sixth form committee. This committee appears to have been made up of representatives from both lower and upper sixth. The anniversary brochure produced in 1982 had quite an extensive piece on the sixth form committee.

An article about the sixth form committee taken from the anniversary brochure produced in 1982. The sixth form had grown from when I was there. Also, the degree of staff involvement in the committee seems greater then than it was when I was there.

Sixth Form Subscription

Two days after I was elected to the committee, there was a sixth form committee meeting. The sixth-form subscription had been raised to 20p. I am not exactly sure what this was for or how frequently it had to be paid.

Common Room Committee

Another meeting had been called to elect two lower-sixth people to the common room committee and several people to form a working party to speed up processes of the larger commitee. The meeting to elect the two lower sixth members of the common room committee was held on the 23^rd. From the lower sixth, Tessa Waite and Andrew Ellson were elected.

Tessa Waite

Tessa Waite was in my year but was not someone I knew well. She took external examinations in 1976 but I can’t see any record of her after that. Her photo appeared in the 1973 school magazine along with a piece she wrote entitled “Miss Pringle’s”.

Andrew Ellson

Andrew and I were friends particularly in the sixth form. He was very into motorbikes and was one of the first in my year to have one as he went down the FS1E moped route which meant he was able to get it once he was 16. He and his father were also into sailing and I went sailing with him on a number of occasions. From memory, he lived with his family in Kingsley Road near the old Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. He played as goalkeeper for the school football team. In 1978, he won the Mitchell Prize for Public Spirit. He passed A level biology in 1978. On leaving school, he went to work for Berni Inns.

Working Party

Following the election of lower sixth members to the commone room committee, there was going to be an election for the members of the working party to join the secretary and treasurer. There were to be three members of the lower sixth and two from the upper sixth. I am not sure how this split was decided. Three people were nominated from the lower sixth myself, Edward Cross and Sian Jones.

However, then I noted “the fun started”. About eight people were nominated for the upper sixth places. Then, they all withdrew their nominations and stated that they wanted to form their own independent common room committee. I don’t really understand why they did this or what the issues were. I then noted that there were “some heated discussion” and they said they would be willing to be responsible to the main committee. The main committee was to discuss this at the next meeting. However, less than a week later, the main committee met and the upper sixth members of the working party were elected with no further trouble.

My diary entry for 23 September 1976 concerning elections to a sixth form working party

Edward Cross

Edward Cross was another friend of mine who was really into motorbikes. Like me, he worked for Sainsburys in Anglia Square, see Chapter 119. He was also in the school football team. In 1978, he passed A levels in history, sociology and English literature. He went on to study sociology at the University of Aston.

Sian Jones

Sian Jones featured in the 1973 school magazine as a gymnast. She is active on a number of Facebook sites relating to Norwich, in general, and the Hewett, in particular. I believe she now lives in the US.

Working Party and Committee Meetings

From then on, I did not always clearly distinguish between working party and sixth form committee meetings. Things the working party/sixth form committee did, during the time I was on it, included raising funds and erecting some “sixth form only” signs, presumably for the common room.

Fundraising Activities

Fundraising activities included a raffle, making toffee apples for sale and a fundraising auction. I made posters for the raffle and managed to burn myself while making toffee apples. I went to the fundraising auction but described it as “boring”.

Treasurer and Secretary

In November 1976, we elected Sarah Humphries as Treasurer and Sharon Sage as Secretary. They served until October 1977 when we elected new officers. As is explained in the article from the anniversary brochure, a Treasurer and Secretary were elected annually from the lower sixth.

Sharon Sage

I do recall Sharon. She may have been in my Latin class and may also have worked for a while at the Scientific Anglian bookshop, see Chapter 119. However, I may be misremembering this as there is no mention of her working there in my diaries. In 1976, she won an art prize and, in 1978, passed English literature A level. I am not sure what she did after she left school.

Not Always Positive About Committee Meetings

In my diaries, I was not always positive about the meetings. In October 1976, I described one meeting as “chaotic” and another as “a complete waste of time”. Perhaps, as a result, I did not always go to meetings, for example, in February 1977. On 23 March 1977, I noted that I went to a committee meeting at lunch-time “where many irrelevant details were discussed”. Similarly, at a meeting on 3 October 1977, I noted that “there were lots of arguments over nothing”.

Staff Meetings

There were a lot of staff meetings at Hewett and these feature in the video “A Hewett Day” (24.47). However, my diaries rarely mentioned these. Perhaps this is not surprising as they did not affect me directly. However, on one day at the end of February 1977, I noted we finished early at 3.30pm as there was a staff meeting.

Laboratory Assistants

In September 1976, head of chemistry, Mr Chaplin announced that they were looking for two people to work as laboratory assistants two nights per week. I noted that there had been a lot of volunteers.

Everard Mascarenhas and I Worked as Laboratory Assistants at School

At the end of April 1977, Debbie, the lab assistant from school came to Sainsburys, see Chapter 119, and told me that “Everard and I can start doing lab duties next week, Everard is doing Monday & Wednesday and I’m doing Tuesday and Thursday.” I am not sure why there was such a long delay between when Mr Chaplin mentioned this and when Everard and I were told we could start. Might someone else have been taken on first? I am also not sure why Debbie chose to tell us this at work rather than at school.

Tasks of the Laboratory Assistants

There were then some entries regarding laboratory duties including the types of tasks we were involved in. These included tidying up bookshelves. However, on occasions, I summarised the duty as “dashing about the site”. On at least one occasion, I described lab duty as a waste of time. As with after-school lessons, lab duty sometimes meant I had to stay in school while others were able to go home. Sometimes, lab duty created potential clashes for me with after-school lessons, for example, in biology. Sometimes, Everard and I walked home together after he had finished his lab duty and I had finished an after-school lesson. However, the timings did not always work. For example, on 4 May 1977, Everard’s lab duty finished before my lesson did. Occasionally, Everard and I swapped duties, e.g. in October 1977, so that he could attend football practice.

Lab in Hewett Academy in November 2024. Much is different from when I was at Hewett. Some things are the same or similar, such as the periodic table, gas taps and having to put your stool on the table/bench

Reading Scheme

From late September 1976, I noted that I had volunteered to take part in a scheme during assembly times to help children who had difficulties with their reading. The scheme was organised by Mrs Hayhoe.

Mrs Hayhoe

Mrs Hayhoe taught at Hewett. I assume she taught English although I do not recall her and I do not believe she ever taught me. She is remembered by some contributors on the Hewett Facebook group. She had two daughters in the school, Alysoun and Rachel. Alysoun was in my year and was deputy head girl at the time I was deputy head boy.

A Brief Report

In my lower sixth spring report booklet, there is a report from Mrs Hayhoe saying I took part in the scheme.

Report from Mrs Hayhoe in January 1977 when I was in the lower sixth. This confirmed my involvement in the reading scheme with lower school pupils

My First Pupil

The scheme started on 11 October 1976 and I had a boy called Michael. He had a reputation for being very troublesome but I noted that he didn’t give me any trouble. The next day, I continued with the reading scheme but noted that I struggled to get a book that was easy enough for him to read. I must have continued with him for at least a few months as, at the end of January 1977, I noted that I had a lot of trouble with him.

A Second Pupil

I am not sure if a change was made immediately. However, in April 1977, I noted that I had a new person for reading whose name was John. I noted that he did not seem too difficult but that it was too early to judge, perhaps based on my earlier experience. On the 25^th, I noted that the reading scheme went off without a hitch. Perhaps this implies it didn’t always. On one day in May 1977, I noted that I felt really tired and nearly fell asleep during the reading scheme. That same month, on the 18^th, I noted that it was the last time I’d do the reading scheme for five weeks as during the next two weeks the second years had exams, the week after was Whitsun holiday and the two weeks after that we had our exams.

A Similar Maths Scheme

From December 1976, my friend Everard Mascarenhas and I were involved in what was essentially the maths equivalent of the reading scheme. Initially, I helped two boys. Early the following year, in January 1977, I had a meeting with Mrs Greer about helping to teach maths to 3A.

Mrs Greer

I assume Mrs Greer was a maths teacher although I do not recall her and I don’t believe she taught me.

Helping 3A with Maths

On 19 January 1977, instead of PE, I helped 3A with maths. Ian, who had helped them the previous day, said they were awful but I thought they weren’t as bad as I had expected. I assume this Ian was my friend Ian Sherrington.

The following month, in February 1977, I took two children out of 3A on my own for the first time. I described it as quite successful. On the 16^th, I noted that I had enjoyed helping 3A with maths although it had got a bit hectic.

On 18 May 1977, I noted that I helped with 3A’s maths for the last time as I decided to tell Mrs Greer that I wanted to revise for my exams but I commented in my diary that what I would actually do for those last two periods for the following two weeks I didn’t actually know!

Trip with Mr Ames to Hastings

In January 1977, Mr Ames asked me to go with him to Hastings to collect some books for the school. I am not sure why Mr Ames asked me nor what the books were specifically. He had been my form tutor in Year 4 and had taught me social economics but both of those things had ended as, at this point, I was in the lower sixth.We went early in February 1977. I had to be at school by 7.30am and we only got back about 9pm. We arrived in Hastings about 1pm after briefly getting lost. We had lunch there. In fact, we got back to school about 8pm but it took about half an hour to unpack the minibus.

Assemblies

Assemblies Were a Prominent Element of School Life

At Hewett, assemblies were a prominent feature of school life. Of course, they were also held at other schools. On 22 October 1976, mum noted going to my sister Liz’s assembly. She noted that Liz played the flute and danced the hornpipe. The assembly was on Nelson and mum considered it very good.

Assemblies Were Held Every Day in the Three Halls

Assemblies were held every day in each of the three halls in Lower School, Middle School and Upper School. This is something that is mentioned in the video “A Hewett Day” (1.39) and pupils are seen in one of the assemblies (2.41).

This is a still from the video “A Hewett Day” (2.55) which shows an assembly at Hewett

Not a Fan of Assemblies

I confess I was not a huge fan of assemblies. In November 1977, I summed up my view of assemblies. I thought they were pointless as they meant I had to get up half an hour earlier than I needed to!

Happy to Miss Assembly

As a result of these views, I was probably happy when we couldn’t go to assembly. For example, on one occasion, in May 1976, we couldn’t go to assembly as our form tutor was not there which meant that there was no-one to lead us in. I assume this was something that school required as we hardly needed to be led to the school hall. We knew where it was!! I also note that the reading scheme took place when we should have been in assembly. So, perhaps this was part of my incentive to be involved!

Occasionally Assemblies Were in the Dining Hall

In May 1977, we had one assembly in the dining hall as exams were taking place in the assembly hall. I thought they should have just made it a business assembly but they had a full one.

Critical of Particular Assemblies

I was sometimes critical of particular assemblies. For example, on 21 December 1976, I noted that school started with a carol service which was “funny because it was so stupid”. I did not really explain why I thought it “stupid“!

On one day in April 1977, I was late getting up so had to hurry to school “only to be subjected to an assembly by Mr Norris on the meaning of the word sincere!” It sounds like the kind of topic a Latin teacher would want to talk about!

Sometimes We Had to Do Assemblies

Sometimes, we had to present an assembly. In my diary, at the end of September 1977, I noted discussing with Tim what we would do for our assembly. Initially, I thought this was Tim Newenham but it could have been Tim Fisher. On 5 October 1977, I got to school early to go over the assembly with Tim. I thought it seemed to receive a fairly good response. However, that afternoon, I had an interview with Mr Nobbs, which was supposed to be about my Cambridge application but it ended up being about our form’s assembly the next day. On the 6^th, I noted that our assembly went down quite well but Mr Nobbs made several unpleasant remarks at the end.

Memories of Class Assemblies

It seems that this assembly was one given by our form. I do recall our form doing one assembly that was quite controversial because we wanted to present various belief systems. This involved a dance presentation to Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” and me referring to Eric von Daniken’s book “Chariots of the Gods?” I think we were under pressure to give a more Christian emphasis. Although I believe our form tutor defended us I recall being forced to end with a Christian viewpoint. I believe we had been planning to have this but we were not necessarily going to end with it. I am grateful to Graham Brown for talking about this assembly on Facebook. He thought it was when we were in second year. So, it would not have been this assembly and Mrs Robinson would have been the form teacher in question, see Chapter 103.

Graham Brown

Graham Brown was in the same class as me from first year. I recall he was an excellent chess player and he was featured in that capacity in the 1973 school magazine. I believe he was in the group that went on the 1975 camping trip to France. He is an active member of the Hewett Facebook group. In 1978, he passed A levels in pure maths, applied maths, pure and applied maths and physics. After he left Hewett, he went to read combined studies in Stirling.

Music

The Least Musical Sibling

Music was important in my family. However, I was probably the least musical among my siblings. Each of them learned a musical instrument at school, see Chapter 103.

Tricia and the High School

My elder sister, Tricia, in particular, was involved in musical activities at the High School. She was both in the choir and the orchestra.

1975

In February 1975, mum noted that the High School choir and orchestra were televised. Mum did not always specifically state wheter Tricia was in a particular performance or not but the implication was that she was. Also, in February 1975, mum and Tricia went to a High School centenary service at the cathedral. There was coffee and cake afterwards. Mum had contributed a home-made cake to this. She noted it was a sponge with green and white butter icing which I believe were the school colours. In March 1975, mum went to the cathedral to hear the High School perform “Missa Brevis” by Benjamin Britten and Haydn’s “Nelson Mass”. This was also part of the High School’s centenary celebrations.

These cuttings are from mum’s scrapbook. They include a photo of rehearsing for and a report of the performance by the High School choir and orchestra at the Cathedral that mum went to in March 1975. The report refers to the music that mum noted was performed

In December 1975, Tricia went to the Great Hospital to sing with the High School. Two days later, Tricia took the car so that she could go to practice for the carol service at the cathedral. The carol service was that night. Mum went but noted feeling very lonely, see Chapter 114.

1976

In January 1976, “Songs of Praise” featured Norwich schools. Tricia was in a madrigal group from the High School.

In March 1976, I noted that Tricia had gone to a school rehearsal “or something”. A few days later, Tricia went in the car to a school concert in Loddon. Towards the end of March, mum noted going to hear “Easter Story” by Schütz and Vivaldi’s “Gloria” in the cathedral. This was a High School performance and Tricia played the violin.

At the end of March 1976, Tricia went with the school orchestra to Germany. They travelled via Harwich to the Hook of Holland. In April 1976, mum noted going to a concert by the High School orchestra at Blackfriars’ Hall. Also performing were an orchestra from Heilbronn in Germany. Mum noted that it was very good. The following day, Tricia went to a school concert in the evening.

More cuttings from mum’s scrapbook. These feature a photo and article about the performance of the High School orchestra and an orchestra from the Eily-Heuss-Kapp School in Heilbronn in Germany that mum went to see at Blackfriars’ Hall in April 1976

Alan Focused His Musical Talents Elsewhere

Although my brother Alan was quite musical, I think his main focus was playing clarinet in the Boys’ Brigade band. I don’t know how much he participated in musical activities at school. Nevertheless, in December 1975, mum went to a musical concert at Alan’s school. She said it was “quite good”. Two years later, in December 1977, she went to Earlham School carol service held at St Peter’s Park Lane Methodist Church. She thought it was very nice.

Liz Took Part in School Musical Events

Liz learned to play the flute at school and she did play it in school concerts etc.

1975

In March 1975, mum went to a concert at Liz’s school. At this stage, Liz was still at the Avenues primary school. Mum noted that Liz played a flute solo. A few months later, in June 1975, mum went to a musical evening at Liz’s school. She noted that it was “not bad”. In October 1975, mum went to Liz’s harvest festival which I assume was at school.

1976

The following year, in March 1976, Liz missed taking part in a school concert as she had fallen in the playground and injured herself. Two months later, in May 1976, mum went to a concert at Liz’s school. I noted that mum and Liz argued before this concert, see Chapter 114. It was a combined Colman Road and Avenues concert. It involved a choir and orchestra and mum noted it was very good. She also noted that grandma went with her.

The following month, in June 1976, mum noted that Liz went to St Peter Mancroft to play flute with her school. A few months later, in October 1976, mum noted going to Liz’s assembly where Liz played the flute and danced the hornpipe.

In December 1976, mum and Tricia went to see “Pied Piper” at Liz’s school. I assume this was a play but I don’t know for sure if it involved music. Liz played the mayoress. Mum noted that it got better as it went on.

I found this unlabelled photo in one of mum’s albums and wonder if it relates to the performance of “*Pied Piper*” at Liz’s school. The notice on the wall says “*Mayors Gone By*”. Initially, I thought Liz was on the extreme left but I think she is second from the left.

1978

In May 1978, mum went to an Earlham School concert at the cathedral for Christian Aid. Liz played the flute. Finally, in July 1978, mum went to Liz’s school musical concert at night. She said it was not bad.

A Music Group

I was part of a music group while at Hewett. This was not something organised by the school. Rather, we did it ourselves. We practised a lot but we never had a name and I don’t think we ever performed! From memory, we practiced in one of the rooms off the open corridor alongside the Upper School hall. Based on my diaries, the group was pretty short-lived from around March to September 1976.

This photo of the Upper School hall was taken at the open day in November 2024. From memory, the music group I was involved in in 1976 practised in a room to the right of this shot

I am not sure what my role was as I could not play an instrument, although I was trying to learn guitar, and I don’t recall singing! I think mostly the others in the group sort of humoured me! Others I recall being in this group were Gary Wood, Michael Marriage and possibly Tim Fisher.

Gary Wood

Gary Wood was one of my closest friends at Hewett. He and I had a lot in common. We both played guitar although, unlike me, he played well! We both had motorbikes and we both worked at Sainsburys in Anglia Square, see Chapter 119. Gary went on both the camping trips I went on to France in 1975 and 1976. He worked at “Le Paradis” in the summer of 1977. From memory, he lived with his family in Eaton Rise.

In 1976, he won an endeavour prize and, in 1978, the Sheriff’s Prize for Art. In 1978, he passed A levels in pure maths, physics, chemistry and art. He went on to study physics in York. He is a member of the Hewett Facebook group but uses the name Robert Wood. Apparently, Robert is his first name but he used Gary as Robert was also his father’s name. His Facebook page notes that he studied architecture in Rome, Cambridge, Harvard and London, that he has his own architecture studio and lives in France.

Timothy Fisher

We were in the same class for a number of years and he features in a class photo from that time, see Chapter 103. In 1974, he and I were involved in a fight and he knocked me unconscious and I was admitted to hospital, see Chapter 100. I recall that he was a very good sprinter but a poor long-distance runner. He would set off too fast and then would have to stop to throw up and the rest of us would plod past.

He was academically able. In 1976, he won the Arthur South progress prize. Then, in 1977, he won a pure maths prize and, in 1978, a physics prize. In 1978, he passed six A levels in pure maths, applied maths, pure and applied maths, physics, chemistry and biology. As a result, he won the Norwich Co-operative Society GCE prize at A Level that year. Based on the 1978 prizegiving booklet, he went on to study Medicine at Leeds. Following that, he appears to have moved to the United States pursuing a career in research and industry.

We or They?

Sometimes, I referred to the group as “they” and sometimes “we”. For example, on 23 March 1976, I noted, after a group practice, that “they’re getting to be quite good”. However, after the practice on 26 March 1976, I noted that “we are getting quite good”. I made similar positive comments in both April and May 1976.

Individual Practices

I sometimes described individual practice sessions in my diary. For example, in May 1976, I thought we had had a good session but I had been put off by Tim banging out rhythm with his ring. On one occasion in September 1976, I described a group practice as “crummy”. Then, on another, I noted that the group practice was a farce as we were drowned out by a drummer and guitarist on the stage. On one occasion in October 1976, I had not known there was a group practice so mum brought my guitar for me and I met her outside school.

Problems Over the Room

On several occasions, we had some problems over use of the room to practise in. For example, on 10 October 1976, we stayed until ten to six and I noted that we got into trouble for being there too late. Three days later, we had some trouble with the caretaker but I said we overcame that.

Musical Style

I don’t think we had a distinct musical style and I don’t recall fully what we played. I suspect it was older pop songs for which we could get the music! For example, early in April 1976, I borrowed a book of Beatles’ songs from my friend Gary Wood. I noted that I was trying to learn these songs on the guitar.

I am not sure if this is the same book I borrowed from Gary. It looks and feels familiar. If it is not the exact same one, it is similar

Committed to the Group

I think I was fairly committed to the group although sometimes I left early, for example, in March 1976 on my sister’s birthday, or did not go, for example in April 1976 when I was ill.

Dependent on Gary Wood

I think the group was fairly dependent on Gary Wood who I recall as a good guitarist. So, when Gary could not come, for example, in May 1976 when he was swimming, practice was cancelled.

Playing Guitar with Friends

Gary and I sometimes played our guitars together, including at school at lunch-time. In September 1976, I noted he had a new guitar which I described as “quite good”. I also sometimes played guitar with Michael Grey, another good guitarist. In November 1976, I noted that he had a new 12-string guitar.

Gary Wood Played in a School Review…

In November 1976, Gary Wood was part of a group that played in the school review. On the 5^th, we listened to them practice and I noted that they were quite good. However, three days later, I noted he was worried about playing in the review. The following day, there was a dress rehearsal for the review. The review took place on the 11^th. I went with Everard and noted that it was good.

… And in School Assembly

In a Facebook post Gary, now Robert, recalled that the band he was in“was sent to the headmaster’s office for wearing trainers in a school assembly performance. For crimes against music, fair enough, but for trainers?!“

School Carol Service

In December 1976, I noted that we were having a school carol service in the evening. However, my main interest was the disruption this caused to lessons.

1977 School Play

In February 1977, I was involved in the school play. My main role was as a scene shifter but I also helped with other practical tasks, such as “stapling some things”. I noted that we had at least three practices to change scenery. At least one of these involved a morning off. The play was performed on 16^th and 17^th. I thought it went well but described the waits in between scene changes as “boring”! I thought the second night went better than the first and noted that, in my opinion, this was due to the presence of the sixth form. After the second performance, we had a celebration in the dressing room and then to the Tuckswood pub. On the 18^th, I went into school late at 10.30.

This article about the 1975 school play is from the school magazine. I include it because of its reference to six scene changes and a group of “*quiet and competent*” scene shifters

Films at School

Occasionally, films were shown at school For example, in February 1977, I stayed behind at school to watch the “Snoopy” film. I thought it was very good.

I am not sure but this may have been the film “Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown” which was released in 1977 and was the third of four “Peanuts” feature films. It might of course have been one of the earlier films “A Boy Named Charlie Brown” (released 1969) or “Snoopy Come Home” (released 1972). Perhaps the second one is more likely given that it had Snoopy in the title.

Based on a comment by Graham Brown on Facebook, I believe this film may have been shown at a film club run by Mr Catt.

Sport at School

As mentioned above, I loved sport but was not very good at it! Still, I was quite involved in it while at school both in PE and outside of lesson time.

Football

My first love was and is football. It was the most popular sport at school. I recall often playing football in the playground, for example as illustrated as a “pre-registration bout of activity” in the video “A Hewett Day” (2.23).

Although I was nowhere near good enough to play football for the school, a number of my friends were. They are featured here in a photo of the first eleven I was kindly given by Mark Jermy. It shows the Upper School tower block in the background.
Back row – Mr Marney, Peter Dooley, James Beale (possibly Nicholas Bush), John Pestle, Andrew Ellson, Ova Arup (possibly), Edward Cross, Everard Mascarenhas
Front row – Mark Jermy, Andrew Smith, unknown (possibly Perry Playford), Dr Roy, Kevin Piper, Michael Grey (possibly Paul Nicholls), unknown

Upper School Football Competitions

In spring 1976 and 1977, there were football competitions in Upper School. In 1977, it was five-a-side. However, in 1976, I am not sure but I think it was 11-a-side.

The 1976 Competition

In March 1976, I noted watching a play-off between 5/2 and 5/5 which 5/2 won 2-1. On the 16^th, the final took place between 5/2 and 5/7. 5/2 won 3-2.

Back to Our Normal Groups

Once the tournament was over, we went back to our normal groups. However, I am not entirely sure what they were. I noted that we had a game on 11 March 1976 which finished 2-2. Over the next two weeks, we played five-a-side and won 4-1 and lost 4-1 respectively. In the game we lost, I noted that I scored.

During April and May 1976, I played football in many lunch-times and sometimes at break. However, on 20 May 1976, we were unable to play as the ball had been lost. We also played football in PE, for example, on 15 September 1976 when I thought we had won and, on the 22^nd, when we won 6-5. In November 1976, I noted that both football teams won. However, I am not quite sure what football teams these were. A few days later that month, in November 1976, I was asked to play football on Sunday and thought I would.

Staff Versus Pupils

On 8 April 1976, there was a staff v pupils football match at the end of the school day, in periods 7 and 8. I noted that it cost 5p. I noted that “everyone walked out at half-time despite attempts by teachers to stop them”. To be honest, I don’t really understand what happened here.

The 1977 Five-A-Side Competition

In spring 1977, in April, a five-a-side competition was organised to raise money for the sixth form extension. I wonder if this is the sixth form study block featured in “A Hewett Day” (16.44). This competition was organised by L6/3 but both their teams were knocked out before the first round proper. Games appear to have been played every day except on a couple of occasions when other events were on, including a fundraising auction and judo.

Teachers also organised teams. Winterbotham’s Wonders were beaten by L6/7 which I noted contained Chris Gray, John Durrant and Tim Fisher. Our form had two teams and both got through to the last 16 without having to play. However, the team I was in was then beaten 5-3 by L6/8A although I was pleased as I scored twice! Gary Wood scored the other goal. We had trouble fielding a second team as four people were unable to play. We did scrape a side together but they lost 7-1 to an upper sixth side. In the semi finals, L6/8A beat Brittain’s Bashers and U6/5 beat L6/5. The final was held on 4 May 1977 and I thought the upper sixth team would win but they did not, losing to L6/8 3-2.

Mr Brittain

I assume this refers to a teacher called Mr Brittain. I don’t believe he ever taught me.

Basketball

I was part of the school basketball team. However, this was definitely not because I was any good at it! Rather, very few people played so they needed more or less everyone to make up a team! Nevertheless, in March 1976, we played Heartsease and won 68-34. We sometimes played basketball at lunch-time and in PE, for example, in May 1976. In December 1976, I noted playing basketball with others including some girls. A few days later, we played basketball with three teams of five in rotation. I got hit in the face and got a black eye!

Badminton

In April 1976, I noted that Mr Stevenson attempted to teach us to play badminton. A few days later we played in PE and I “discovered that everybody is much better than me”!

Mr Stevenson

Mr Mike Stevenson was a PE teacher at Hewett. He taught me PE in my first and second years. I recall being completely terrified of him! He is remembered positively by many former pupils on Facebook. However, there were also some who had similar experiences of him as I did. Apparently, he was a very good badminton player and he may still be involved with Norfolk badminton. There is a photo of him presenting an inter-form cup on Facebook.

Swimming (and Forum!)

I did go swimming quite a lot while at school both in PE and at other times, e.g. before school and at lunch-time. On one day in December 1976, I forgot my swimming trunks so went to forum instead. I said it was interesting as it was about stained glass. I also went to forum on 7 September 1977. On 28 September 1977, there was no swimming due to the fact that the teacher, who was to supervise, was travelling with the football team. So, after basketball, I went to forum where we had a sort of mock trial. I confess I am not exactly sure what forum was!

Options for PE in Sixth Form

At the end of fifth form, in July 1976, there were discussions about what we might do in PE, presumably in sixth form. I noted that I hoped to do sailing. However, I am fairly sure this did not happen! I did go sailing a couple of times with my friend Andrew Ellson and his father but I don’t think I ever did sailing through school.

Other Sports

I played a number of other sports at school.

Cricket

In July 1976, during sixth form induction, I played both football and cricket at lunch-time. On 22 September 1976, I noted that we played cricket at lunch time and that we won. On 6 July 1977, I was going to play cricket but nobody turned up so I went home.

Table Tennis

Although I have found no mention of this in the diaries, my fourth year report mentioned that I was part of a table tennis club.

Rounders

On 24 May 1977, after a short dinner duty, we played “a silly game of rounders”. The next day, the 25^th, we again played rounders and I noted that we lost.

Sports Day

Although I loved, and still love, a variety of sports, I always hated school sports day. The focus of this was athletics and it was highly competitive from what I recall. Those who had not qualified for any event had to run the 1500m steeplechase which I always regarded as an ordeal, see Chapter 103. On the afternoon of 28 June 1977, there were no lessons because it was sports day and everyone was expected to attend. I did not! I went home!

My Siblings’ Involvement in School Sports

I did not find anything about Tricia or Alan’s involvement in sports at their schools.

However, Liz was quite sporty and was involved in a number of sports. On one occasion, in October 1976, Liz went swimming after school and for some reason mum got cross with her, see Chapter 114. In November 1976, Liz went to watch a school football match. At the end of April 1979, Ken Tickle spoke to mum after a church event to say that Liz had been asked to swim for Earlham School but she had refused. Mum talked to Liz about it who said she didn’t think she was good enough.

I have not come across any mention in diaries of Liz playing netball. This unlabelled photo was in one of mum’s albums. I am fairly sure it is Liz who is one of the two centres (circled). I am not sure when this was taken or what the team was.

Bridge

I recall that I played bridge a lot in the years I was at school, particularly when I was in the sixth form. My main memories are of long, late night sessions playing bridge, and later mah jong, with my friends, Chris Gray, John Durrant and Ian Sherrington.

Ian Sherrington

Ian Sherrington was a good friend of mine in the Hewett sixth form. I recall that he had a Saturday job at Halfords, see Chapter 119. He, John Durrant, Chris Gray and I spent huge amounts of time playing bridge and later mah jong. Like Chris Gray, I believe he and his family lived in the Greenways estate. I am not sure what he did after he left school.

Bridge Club

From my diaries, I note that I was part of a bridge club at school and this is perhaps where I learned to play. It seems that bridge club took place on a Monday lunch-time. However, it could not always be held. For example, it was cancelled on 29 March 1976 because CSE orals were taking place in the room we used.

Bridge Tournament

In May 1977, Gary Wood and I took part in a bridge tournament. I am not sure exactly what the format was but I noted that there were eight pairs and we each played the other. Also, I described it as very, very complicated. I don’t think we did very well. After three games, I noted that we had scored 30 points and after five games 70 points. The tournament seemed to fizzle out. On 9 May 1977, we were supposed to play but no-one seemed to know what was happening so we did not stay. We didn’t go after that.

We Played Bridge at Every Opportunity

Nevertheless, we enjoyed playing and I noted playing bridge at break-time, lunch-time and during private study! On one occasion, in November 1977, I noted playing bridge in private study rather than doing my maths homework! At least on one occasion, I played bridge instead of going to a physics lesson!

On one occasion, in October 1977, I was going to go to the library to do some work. Mr Chaplin had been due to give us some chemistry A level questions but he had not done so and did not have them quite ready. As it was the last day of term, I decided to wait for him and played bridge while I waited. When he found me, he said I should have been working!! I described this as pathetic!

Other Card Games

I sometimes referred only to playing cards without stating what game we played. We played cards at break-time, at lunch-time, in private study and even sometimes in lessons, if the teacher was not there. On one occasion, in June 1977, the weather was so nice we played cards outside at lunch-time.

I did also sometimes specifically mention games other than bridge. For example, at the end of March 1976, I referred to playing patience at lunch-time as I could not go to bridge club because CSE orals were being held where we usually had our club.

Other Games

A number of other games of one kind of another are mentioned in relation to school in my diary.

Shove Ha’penny

In April 1976, I noted that most of the boys played football but I played shove halfpenny with Michael, probably Michael Marriage.

Hangman

On the last day of term, in April 1976, I noted that we played hangman in social economics. There are lots of versions online. The link goes to one which pops balloons rather than a hangman’s noose!

Crosswords

On 20 December 1976, we didn’t do any work but Anna had had the foresight to bring some “Puzzler” crossword magazines so we did those. On 27 April 1977, I tried to do one of Christopher Austin’s crosswords “while chatting to a pretty fifth year called Christine”.

Unopened, mini version of “*Puzzler”* that came free with packs of Shredded Wheat. The magazine was first produced in 1972. It is now operated by Puzzler Media, formerly British European Associated Publishers. They acquired “*Puzzler”* in 1988.

Anna

I am not sure who this Anna was. Based on the 1978 Examination Results booklet, there were no Annas in my upper sixth year. There was an Anne Taplin who did pure maths, geography and religious studies. I am not sure it was her. There was an Anna Kettle in my year according to the 1976 Examination Results booklet and that name seems familiar. She was a member of the sixth form committee in 1977. However, I am not sure which one of these it was, if any.

Christopher Austin

Christopher Austin was in my year. In 1978, he passed A levels in biology, economics and pure maths. He went on to Leicester Polytechnic to study management science.

Christine

I am not sure who this Christine was or why she would have been in a lesson with us! Based on the 1977 Examination Results booklet, there were a number of Christines who took exams that year so may have been in the year below me including Christine Aldous, Christine Barker, Christine Brown, Christine Ragan, Christine Tilley and Christine Underwood. There was also a Christiane and three Christinas. I have no idea if she was any of these and, if so, which.

Snowball Fight

On 13 January 1977, it had snowed so at break time there was a massive snowball fight.

Frisbee

On 20 May 1977, we played with a Frisbee that Simon Bass had brought from America. I don’t think we had seen one before. They certainly were not commonplace then as they are now. In my diary, I noted, “Today the weather deteriorated from very good in the morning to moderate in the afternoon. At break most of my friends took advantage of the good weather to go and sit in the sun while the more suicidal among us ran around doing strange things with the frisby that Simon Bass brought back from America. By lunch-time the sun had gone in and the wind which had made our frisbee game more interesting had stiffened and was making it too cold to walk around in shirt-sleeves, so we stayed inside and played cards as we also did in private study.”

Darts

I recall that there was a kind of walk-in cupboard at one end of the sixth form common room and there was a dartboard iin there. I recall playing darts a lot at school. However, there are only a couple of diary entries about this. On 5 July 1977, I had two lessons but spent the rest of the time playing darts. On the 6^th, I needn’t have really bothered to go to school as first two I had private study so I played darts.

Example of dartboard © IIVQ and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Crime Prevention Quizzes

During my time at school, we were involved in crime prevention quizzes. It appears that this was an inter-school quiz and that our school entered at least two teams. It appears that these quizzes may have started in 1974 as I found an article which referred to the fourth Norwich inter-schools’ crime prevention quiz taking place in 1977. Apparently that year, Bowthorpe beat CNS in the final.

On 19 March 1976, I noted that Jeremy’s team won their match and were through to the semi-final where they would play Thorpe House “A”, the team that had beaten Simon’s team. On the 22^nd, I acted as questionmaster in a practice for what I described as our only remaining Crime Prevention Team. They practised every day that week. The actual match took place on Friday 26 March 1976 in periods 5 and 6. We lost 91-84. I was scorer. On the 31^st, there was a meeting at which Mr Cheeseman thanked us for taking part in the quiz.

Jeremy Staples

The Jeremy mentioned here might have been Jeremy Staples who was in my class from first year, see Chapter 103. In 1977, he won a special prize for citizenship. He studied A level biology, economics and geography. He went on to study a BSc in hotel and catering at the University of Surrey. Also, he was a member of the Hewett sixth form committee in 1977.

Thorpe House

Thorpe House was an independent school on Yarmouth Road in Norwich. It closed in 2010. It amalgamated with the Langley School to form the Thorpe House Langley Preparatory School.

Simon Lefevre

The Simon mentioned here might have been Simon Lefevre who was in my class from first year, see Chapter 103. When I started at Hewett, we lived close to each other as we both lived in Waverley Road. His picture featured in the school magazine in 1975. I think he stayed on to sixth form as his name is given as a member of the sixth form committee in 1976. However, I can’t find anything about him after that and I do not know what he went on to do after school.

I came across this cutting in one of the books on display at the Hewett Academy open day in November 2024. It is from July 1982 and notes that Hewett won the inter-schools crime prevention quiz that year, It was the ninth time the competition had run confirming that it had started in 1974

TV Quiz

The following year, in July 1977, Mr Norton asked me if I would represent the school in a TV quiz.

Mr Norton

Howard Norton was Middle School head. He countersigned my end-of-year report in my third year but I do not recall him. He was at Hewett for 11 years before becoming head of Costessey High School. In the school’s anniversary brochure produced in 1982, he contributed a piece in his role as head of Costessey High School. He noted that prior to coming to Hewett, he had had four years of comprehensive experience in Oxfordshire.

Planning Meeting

Two months later, in September 1977, I noted that there was a meeting involving me, Suzy Roessler and James Jarvis. I believe each team needed one boy and one girl. However, I do not recall how I was chosen ahead of James. I assume James was some kind of reserve but I am not sure why then we did not have a female reserve too.

“Question Five“

I referred to this as a meeting of those who were involved in the TV quiz which I referred to as “Question 5”. This was a regional BBC quiz about which it is difficult to find details. It was hosted by Geoffrey Wheeler, who was much better known for hosting Top of the Form. The concept of the quiz was that each contestant was asked a question in a category and then a fifth question was directed to those at home, hence “Question 5”.

We Came Second… Out of Two!

We recorded it on 18 September 1977 but sadly lost 49 to 70 although that raised £49 for the school. Presumably, this was calculated at £1 per point. From memory, we were competing against a team from a school, possibly an independent school, in Bedford. I do not recall which school.

I noted that, in early October, I received £2 in expenses for appearing on the show. At the end of October, I noted that people at Sainsburys knew I had appeared in a TV quiz show so wanted to talk to me about it. I noted that I liked this!

Broadcast in November 1977

The show itself was broadcast on 8 November 1977. I simply noted that the episode had been shown.

Mum’s Assessment

Mum however noted that I had done very well but “his girl partner was v poor”. Mum also had a cutting from the show in her scrapbook. This featured me and Suzy with Geoffrey Wheeler.

News cutting featuring me with Geoffrey Wheeler and Suzy Roessler on the programme “*Question Five*” which was shown on the regional BBC on 8 November 1977. We had recorded it a couple of months earlier

Mm’s diary entry for 8 November 1977 noting that I had appeared on TV

I think mum’s assessment of Suzy was a bit harsh! Suzy was incredibly smart and was, I believe, the only person from our year to go on to Oxbridge. However, from memory, many of the questions were about UK popular culture about which she was less knowledgeable, possibly because she had moved to the UK from the Netherlands.

I recall that she was played the theme tume to “Top of the Pops” which she was unable identify. The format meant that if you answered a question incorrectly, the question was passed to the opposition team member of the same gender and they had an opportunity to answer. There was a round with local questions. My counterpart was asked about a person from Bedford and he answered incorrectly. The only person I had ever heard of from Bedford was John Bunyan so I said it and it was correct!

School Go-Kart

On 19 March 1976, I made reference to watching the Go-Kart on the tennis courts at lunch-time. They were due to be racing it the next day. I noted that when it worked it was alright but “pieces keep dropping off”! A Go-Kart features in the video “A Hewett Day” (25.30).

School Trips

School trips were an important and memorable part of growing up for both me and my siblings. Such trips ranged from day trips to longer periods away, including overseas.

Tricia and the Houses of Parliament

In January 1975, Tricia went on a High School trip to London by coach to visit the Houses of Parliament.

Alan and a Possible French Exchange

In March 1976, mum went to see Alan’s French teacher Mr Edwards about a possible exchange. I am not completely sure if that happened or if Alan went on it.

Alan and the Science Museum and the Planetarium

In December 1977, Alan went to the Science Museum and Planetarium in London with school. Although there were plans to open a planetarium at the Science Museum this never happened and plans were dropped when Madame Tussaud’s opened a planetarium in 1958. It closed in 2006 as Madame Tussaud’s moved its focus from science education to entertainment.

Alan Went to London Again

Alan went to London again with school the following year in December but mum did not record exactly where they went.

Liz Went to Trimingham

In June 1977, Liz went to Trimingham with school. Although I think this was the first mention of Trimingham in the diaries, I think I went there when I was at Colman Road.

Liz Went to York

In July 1979, Liz went to York for the day with school.

“Great Expectations” at the Odeon

In April 1976, I went to the Odeon, see Chapter 106, to see “Great Expectations”. I suspect this was the 1974 film which was made for US television but released through UK cinemas. I noted this was because we were studying it at school. However, I don’t think this was a school trip as such but it was related to what we were studying at school.

“Pompeii AD79“

In February 1977, I went to the Pompeii exhibition in London. This was “Pompeii AD79” at the Royal Academy of Arts. According to mum, we left school at 8.30 and got back at 7.30. I noted that Pompeii was a city in Italy during the time of the Roman empire which was destroyed when Mt Vesuvius erupted in AD79. The journey took nearly four hours and then we had to queue for two hours so we only had an hour and a half to look round.

Science Museum

In July 1977, I went on a school chemistry trip to the Science Museum in London. Mum gave my friend, Everard Mascarenhas, and me a lift to the station to catch the 7.58 train. We played bridge most of the way there and then travelled as a group to South Kensington. We spent until 1pm in the museum then had lunch in Hyde Park. Then, we went off separately in the afternoon. Anna and I went to the planetarium and Trafalgar Square. When we got home, I walked home with Liz and Everard.

I am not entirely sure who this Anna was. Perhaps it was the same Anna as the one who brought in the “Puzzler” magazines. As far as I can see, there was no-one called Anna who passed A level chemistry the year I did.

In terms of Liz, I am not sure if this refers to someone who went on the trip. If it does, I am not sure who that would have been. If not, it is possible it could refer to my sister and we met her either at the station or in the city.

Earlier School Trips

I had been on a school trip to Rouen in April 1973 and on an exchange to Koblenz in March 1974, see Chapter 103.

Plans for an Exchange to Rouen

It seems that there were plans for me to go on an exchange to Rouen in 1975. However, at the beginning of 1975, I discovered that this was to be for girls only.

Camping Instead

However, Mr Cheeseman was planning to take a group of boys camping at Easter. Mum noted in her diary that dad had said I could go despite the cost being considerably more than the exchange. She concluded that this meant that dad should pay for it, see Chapter 114.

About a week later, mum noted that the dates of the trip had changed because of the double booking of the minibus. The new dates were 24 March to 4 April. Easter Sunday was 30 March 1975. Mr Cheeseman came to see “us” about it. He came round again on 7 March.

We left on the 24^th. In addition to me, there were six other boys. Apparently, we went on the hovercraft from Ramsgate.

Hovercraft

Hovercraft operated between Ramsgate and Calais from 1966 to 1982. They were operated by Hoverlloyd which, in 1981, merged with rival Seaspeed to form Hoverspeed.

“Le Paradis”

I do not have details of this trip as I was not keeping a diary at the time. Or at least if I was, I don’t have it. However, I do recall that we spent most of our time at “Le Paradis” campsite and we also visited Paris. This campsite hosted a number of school trips over the years. In 1977, a group that included Alison Grimes, Sarah Humphries, Gary Wood, Richard N and Simon Lefevre went by train to work there in the summer. Alysoun Fenn née Hayhoe also recalled a French trip there with Mr Cheeseman in 1977. There is an excellent history on the campsite’s website. The campsite is located near Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère in the Dordogne.

Photos of 1975 Trip

I have two boxes of slides which I initially thought were from this trip because they feature a hovercraft crossing. However, we also came back by hovercraft in 1976. Nevertheless, I still think these photos are probably from the 1975 trip because of who and where they feature.

In 1975, we travelled to a camping trip in France in the school minibus. This photo shows me in front of the minibus

We travelled by hovercraft from Ramsgate to Calais

This photo is the only half decent one I have got of us actually camping on this trip. It is not even at “*Le Paradis*” but is labelled Amboise which, I believe is just outside Tours. Presumably, we stopped there on the way home. What the photo does show well is that there was snow on the ground! Apparently, it was the first snow in the south for about forty years!!

Various pictures of Paris taken on this trip including (top row left to right) – Eiffel Tower x2, Arc de Triomphe, tomb of the unknown soldier and Sacre Coeur and (bottom row left to right) – film crew on Champs Elysees, Notre Dame and Versailles

This photo is of me in Reims. Presumably, we went through Reims on our way back to Calais from Paris

This photo shows Gary Wood and possibly Graham Brown. I think the photo is taken in Calais

Planning Another Trip to France

In November 1975, I met with Mr Cheeseman to discuss plans to go to France the following year. In March 1976, Mr Cheeseman came to see mum about the French trip which I noted was about 19 days away! Mum noted Mr Cheeseman coming too and that he said she should come to the Caribbean evening on 22 May. Mum said she did not like going on her own and apparently Mr Cheeseman said that was why he did the bar!!

On Monday 5 April 1976, I noted going to our final French meeting which was from 7 to 8. I noted that we were to leave on Saturday and “there are 118 hours to go”! Not that I was excited about the trip!

Final Preparations and Setting Off

On Wednesday 7 April 1976, I helped Robert with the tarpaulin for the minibus. On the 10^th, we left for France in the school minibus at 8pm. Mum noted that Mr Cheeseman was in charge. Those going included, me, Gary Wood and seven others. I think these were Robert Bonwell, Alison Walton, Susan Marjoram, Vivien Gamble, Sarah Humphries, Tim Newenham and possibly someone called Val. I have identified two Valeries in my year in 1976 – Valerie Cornell and Valerie Gardiner. Perhaps one of them is the Val in question. It is also possible that I referred to Vivien Gamble incorrectly as Val!

Robert Bonwell

I recall Robert Bonwell from my year. He was a good javelin thrower although somewhat eclipsed by Tim Newenham who was phenomenal. Like me, he did work for some time at Sainsburys in Anglia Square, see Chapter 119. In 1976, he won a prize in German. In 1978, he passed A levels in geography and economics. He went on to study estate management at Oxford Polytechnic.

Alison Walton

For a while, I was unsure which Alison had been on this trip but I am grateful to Alison Walton, now Ali Tea, for identifying herself on the Hewett Reunion Facebook group. Alison did O levels in 1976 as I did but I don’t see any record of her after that or what she went on to do after school.

Susan Marjoram

I recall Susan Marjoram from this trip as we spent time together hitchhiking. I believe she was a vegetarian and she was the first vegetarian I had come across. In 1977 and 1978, she won history of art prizes. In 1978, she passed A levels in history of art, French, English literature and art. She went on to study history of art at the University of Sussex.

Vivien Gamble

I knew Vivien relatively well at school. She was friends with Sarah Camp who lived opposite me in College Road. I am not quite sure if she was the Vivien who worked at The Scientific Anglian when I was there, see Chapter 119. She appeared doing a head stand in a gymnastics photo in the 1975 school magazine! In 1976, she won a prize in Spanish. In 1978, she passed A levels in Spanish and English literature. I am not sure what she did on leaving school. She is active on Hewett Facebook sites under her married name of Vivien Seymour, for example see here.

Overnight Ferry

On Saturday 10 April 1976, I noted that we left for France in the evening. Gary, Robert and Mr Cheeseman had collected our stuff in the morning so we only had to get ourselves to the school for 8pm. I noted that we got to Felixstowe without any hitches and that Gary beat me twice at backgammon while we were waiting to embark. I commented that I was writing my diary at about midnight and the boat had just started up. At that time, I was in my reclining seat as were some others while the remainder were still in the bar.

Zeebrugge to “Paradise“

We arrived in Zeebrugge at about 6.50am on Sunday 11 April 1976. I noted that most of us had been up since 5am. We left the ferry at 7.10 and drove to Lille. One thing I noted was that we had to wear our seatbelts as it was illegal not to do so. We then “drove really hard” and reached the campsite “Le Paradis”, where we had stayed the previous year, at 8pm. I noted this was French time and that it would have been 7pm in the UK.

We went through Paris, Orléans and Limoges. The distance from Zeebrugge to “Le Paradis” is around 850kms. Once we arrived, we set up camp and then some of us went out for a meal. I think I went but I was feeling tired and thought I might have a cold so I returned to the campsite ahead of others and went to bed.

This postcard from “*Le Paradis*” dates from 1986

Note on Seatbelt Legislation

France first introduced seatbelt legislation in 1973 whereas a similar law was only introduced in the UK in 1983. As far as I can see, the law only applied to the driver and front passengers but I think Mr Cheeseman applied it to us all.

Roque Saint Christophe

The following day, Monday 12 April 1976, I felt much better. We did a tour of the area in the minibus. I noted that we started hitchhiking the next day. Also, I noted that we “broke into” the Roque Saint-Christophe in the afternoon. I don’t know why we “broke into” this site. Was it to avoid paying or because it was closed?

I referred to Roque Saint-Christophe as Roc St Christophe. This is about 3kms from “Le Paradis” and is described as a troglodyte town. Apparently, these days, a tour might be expected to take 40-45 minutes and would cost €9 per person, although another site says €11.90.

Photo of La Roque Saint-Christophe in Peyzac-le-Moustier – licensed for re-use from Alamy

A Mouth-Shattering Soup

When we got back, we had what I described as a “mouth-shattering” soup for tea. I am not entirely sure what I meant by this, hot perhaps.

Hitchhiking Groups

I noted that I would be hitchhiking the next day with Alison and Susan to Périgueux, about 40-50 kms from “Le Paradis“.

A Note on Hitchhiking

It appears that one of our main activities while at “Le Paradis” was to hitchhike in groups around the local area. I suppose this would have been seen as a good way of “forcing” us to interact with French people and to speak French. One person who went on that trip, Vivien Seymour née Gamble, commented on Facebook that she was convinced the experience helped her pass O level French. However, I was only 15 and I can’t imagine such a thing being allowed on a school trip these days. I confess to being somewhat fascinated by hitchhiking as a teenager. For some reflections on this and changing attitudes to hitchhiking, see Chapter 92.

Hitchhiking to Périgueux

On Tuesday 13 April 1976, we had breakfast after fetching some croissants from the shop. I noted that we walked all but 3km to Montignac when someone who was going to the bank picked us up.The total distance would be about 13kms so perhaps we walked 10kms. We changed some money and bought some food, then got another lift to Le Lardin.

I noted that we used the toilets at a garage and that the owner got “quite cross” as we hadn’t got a car! Nevertheless, we then managed to get a lift to Périgueux. We looked round there and I noted that there were lots of Roman ruins. We got a lift to Les Eyzies and then walked, which was about 12kms.

Drinks with the Kusters

That evening, we had drinks with the Kusters, the Dutch campsite owners, then went to bed. “Le Paradis” was and remains a family-run business focused on promoting companionship, conviviality and sharing. Started in 1967 by Wim and Fien Kusters, it is still run by their son and his wife, Ellen and Gé Kusters.

La Grotte de Font-de-Gaume

On Wednesday 14 April 1976, I noted sleeping in, until 9am, before having a shower and going to the bread shop. We then went to Périgueux and had couscous in a restaurant. I am pretty sure this would have been the first time I had couscous. I noted that it cost 13F 50.

Afterwards, we went to la Grotte de Font-de-Gaume. Apparently, it is one of the last sites with polychrome paintings open to the public. I noted that this houses some brilliant cave paintings.

Postcard showing a prehistoric painting of a bison from la Grotte de Font-de-Gaume

Madeleine

Then, we broke into the prehistoric village of Madeleine. We seemed to do a lot of breaking in! Madeleine is another troglodyte village on the way back from Font-de-Gaume to “Le Paradis”. Afterwards, we came back and showered and ate. I noted that Robert and I had both turned in although the others were still talking.

Trout Fishing

On Thursday 15 April 1976, we dropped Val and Sue off in Les Eyzies as we were going trout fishing to provide food for a barbecue that we were having that night.

I don’t know about Val but I believe Susan Marjoram was a vegetarian which would explain why she did not wish to go trout fishing! I spent two days hitchhiking with her and I am pretty sure that she was the first vegetarian I had encountered.

After dropping Val and Sue, we bought some other provisions in Le Bugue and had lunch. We then went trout fishing and caught 16 all together, of which I caught three.

An Evening Barbecue

In the evening, we had a barbecue to which Mr Cheeseman invited three people he knew, Mrs Ivy Lorton, her daughter and her boyfriend. In a Facebook post, Ali Tea (née Alison Walton) remembered her as a wonderful older lady from Gozo in Malta. I presume the boyfriend mentioned was the boyfriend of Mrs Lorton’s daughter.

A Cave Above Le Moustier

After the barbecue, we walked to a cave above Le Moustier then went for a drink at a cafe and had some chips. At 10.30pm, we started to walk to the campsite but were picked up by Mr Cheeseman.

“Scrambling”

We got up late on Friday 16 April 1976 and decided to go “scrambling”. I noted that we had sausages over a wood-fire for dinner. Presumably, we had carried these with us. We found a chateau and a small cave although I am not exactly sure where these were. When we came back, we had eggs for tea and then went down to the café and had some drinks. I am not sure if this was a café on the campsite or elsewhere.

Gouffre de Padirac

On Saturday 17 April 1976, I noted that we had been at “Le Paradis” for nearly a week. We got up early and took all but the two large tents. It seems we were making an overnight trip away from “Le Paradis”. We had a leisurely lunch of sausages and potatoes over a camp-fire.

Then we went to the Gouffre de Padirac. This is a large cave or chasm. It is some 75kms south west of “Le Paradis”. I did not go down but some did. The ordinary price was 11F but those who went down obtained a special reduced price of 8F. I expect cost was an issue for me. While visits to sites were probably not that expensive, they mounted up and I expect I was on a tight budget! The cost now for over 12s and students is €21.50 in high season and €17.50 in low season.

Rocamadour

After that we went to the Rocamadour campsite. I am not sure which this was as, apparently, there are seven campsites in Rocamadour. I don’t know which one it was. However, I noted that there were no amenities at all. Perhaps we had been spoiled by the excellent facilities at “Le Paradis”. We had tea of egg-soaked bread over a log-fire and then went into Rocamadour for a couple of drinks.

I noted that we had hard-boiled eggs for breakfast on Sunday 18 April 1976. We then went “up to the top of the chateau”. I assume this is referring to Chateau Rocamadour.

Rocamadour with its mountain-top chateau © Calips and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Back to “Le Paradis“

After this, we went straight back to “Le Paradis”and had dinner there. In the afternoon, I had a swim and did some reading. I noted that it rained quite heavily. We had cheese and pancakes for tea and sat afterwards talking. We were then invited to a party which lasted until midnight. I am not sure who invited us, other people who were camping there perhaps.

Swimming, Drinks and a Party

On Monday 19 April 1976, we got up late and went swimming. I noted that the water temperature was about 55°F, which is around 12°C.

We then went to Ivy’s for drinks at 11.30 but stayed for lunch until 4pm. I don’t know if Ivy perhaps had a second home in the Dordogne. Ali Tea (née Alison Walton) recalled that she was from Gozo but that was perhaps where she originated from and she now lived in the Dordogne. Then I had another swim.

In the evening, we went to Sarlat , around 30kms from “Le Paradis” as there was a ball there but we left as it didn’t look as if it was going to be very good. We had our own party at “Le Paradis”.

Hitchhiking to Domme and Beynac

On Tuesday 20 April 1976, I hitchhiked to Domme and Beynac with Susan. We had 12 lifts. I noted that one came very close to crashing. To be honest, I seemed fairly blasé about this! I liked Domme but thought Beynac was not very impressive especially on the inside. This view is perhaps surprising as Beynac is considered one of the most beautiful villages in the Dordogne! Perhaps what I meant was that the beauty could not be appreciated from within the village.

Mr Kusters’ Barbecue

We got back around 6.30pm just missing the deadline of 6pm! We then had a barbecue which the campsite owner Mr Kusters had prepared. I described this as a smashing meal which only cost 10F. I noted that Ivy came but left quite early. Also, I commented that there had been some dancing and that, at the time I was writing my diary, it was midnight.

This photo, I believe, was taken the following year in 1977. The couple are Wim and Fien Kusters who started “*Le Paradis*”. I imagine one of the young boys is Gé who now runs it. I am grateful to Alison Grimes for sharing this photo and for allowing me to include it here. She is pictured (red circle) as is Sarah Humphries (red square).

Paris

On Wednesday 21 April 1976, I got up about 9am and went to a bank in Montignac and changed the rest of my traveller’s cheques. We left “Le Paradis” at about 11am and drove to Paris with only one break. I noted that we found the campsite fairly easily but I described it as “rather grotty, grassless and overcrowded”. I noted that we bought some food and “ate rather well”. Then, we went round Paris in the minibus. I noted that it was good as a lot of the sights are illuminated. On the 21^st, mum noted that she got letters and cards from me.

Napoleons’ Tomb, the Louvre and Notre Dame

We got up fairly late on Thursday 22 April 1976 and then went shopping. Then, we caught the metro into Paris. I went with Gary, Bob and Sue to Napoleon’s tomb then after lunch went to the Louvre where we met Tim. Tim and I split from the others and went to Notre Dame. After that, we looked round the box shops on the side of the Seine and bought a picture of the Eiffel Tower.

We travelled around Paris on the metro in 1976 © Clicsouris and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Napoleon’s Tomb © Dennis Jarvis and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

The Louvre. This photo is from 1980 so before the glass pyramid was in place © David Nutter and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Eiffel Tower and Montmartre at Night

Then, we caught the metro and met Val and Sarah on the way back. We had liver casserole for tea. Then, after a rest, we went for a night trip round Paris, to the fountains near the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre.

Les Invalides

On Friday 23 April 1976, I got up before the girls and Geoff dropped Gary, Bob and me outside the metro. At the start of the trip, I referred to Mr Cheeseman. By the end, it was Geoff! We went into the museum at Les Invalides. Gary and Bob left early but I stayed there until 1.40pm. I found it very interesting as it presented the war from the French point of view.

Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe During the Day…

I then bought some lunch and ate it under the Eiffel Tower. After that, I went to the Arc de Triomphe and went to the top. I spent some time “messing about” on the metro then came back.

…And at Night

We had something to eat and went out in the minibus to the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower and Montmartre. At the Eiffel Tower, I bought a “leather bracelet thing” for 6F (70p).

Pérephérique

We did a round tour on the Pérephérique which is the Paris ring-road. It is motorway all the way round and has no traffic lights or roundabouts. This clearly made an impression on me as this was before the opening of the M25 in 1986. Work on constructing the Pérephérique began in 1958 and was completed in 1973. Although originally the speed limit was 90km/h, it was lowered to 70km/h in 2014 and to 50km/h in 2024. It took us 27 minutes to do the 20 miles.

Sleeping in the Minibus

We came back, had a sandwich and then went to bed. I noted that we had to get up early the next day as we were going home. Also I noted that I had been up early the past two mornings as I had been sleeping in the minibus. I recall this. My understanding was that Robert Bonwell and I did this because our tent had been damaged. I noted that, although it was comfortable, it let in all the light in the morning.

Home Via Calais

On Saturday 24 April 1976, I was not the first up which made me wonder if I had got up later or they had got up earlier. We left the campsite at 8.20am and arrived in Calais at 1.30pm. We had dinner in a self-service restaurant in the hypermarket.

The hovercraft was supposed to leave at 4pm but left at 5pm. Instead of taking 30 minutes, it took 1¼ hours. I assume the weather was bad as I noted I was sick. We arrived in Ramsgate at 6.15pm French time, that is 5.15pm British Summer Time. I noted that we were now using British Summer Time and that the arrival time would have been 4.15pm GMT.

We got back to Norwich just before 10pm after we had had a quick meal in a Little Chef cafe. When I got home, mum and Tricia were still up. Mum noted that I got home about 10.30pm. On the 25^th, mum, Tricia and Alan went to grandma’s but I stayed as Mr Cheeseman was bringing the rest of my stuff from holiday.

Working at “Le Paradis” in Summer 1977

As mentioned in several places above, some students, including Alison Grimes, Sarah Humphries and Gary Wood, went to work at “Le Paradis” in the summer of 1977. One possible reason why I did not go is that, by this point, I was no longer doing languages. However, this was also the case for some of those who did go. I am grateful to Alison Grimes for sharing photos and recollections of that time.

I am grateful to Alison Grimes for sharing these photos of “*Le Paradis*” in summer 1977. The photo above shows Alison with Gary Wood and Sarah Humphries. The photo below shows Simon Lefevre on the right. Alison notes the other person as Richard N but I am not sure who this was

French Exchange

In July 1976, there must have been a French exchange over as I spent most of my time talking to “part of the French party that is over” at Kay’s party that day. I am not sure who this was. There was a Kay Burton in my year according to the 1976 examination results. As far as I can see, she did not go on to the sixth form.

A German Party and a Group of Swiss Girls

In October 1976, I noted that there was a party of Germans in school and, a few days later, that some people were showing a group of Swiss girls round.

Visits by Foreign Students Were Common

According to the video “A Hewett Day” (11.55), it was common to have foreign students visiting the school. Featured in the video are visitors from Austria and Spain.

Memories of This Walk

I posted this article on the Hewett Facebook Group and received several comments. Quite a number of people remembered doing the walk including Karen Aldridge, Sally Avery, Julie Butcher, Angie Chowns, Paul Dennington, Carl Grapes, Julian Green, Alison Grimes, Caroline Henning, Tina Hudson, Mark Jermy, Sian Jones, Kevin O’Connor, Sue Benson Osborne, Peter Owen, Sandra Prince, Malcolm Read, Anne Smith Ne Webster, Cathryn Smith and Sue Wilson. Others referred to walks following different routes, e.g. one in Thetford Chase and another to Blakeney and back in 1982/3. Anne Smith Ne Webster noted that the first beach walk was in 1971. She also explained that one of the reasons for the beach route was to ensure it was safe for 200 pupils to walk.

Collecting for the NSPCC in Yarmouth

In July, in both 1976 and 1977, I was part of a group of Hewett pupils who went to Yarmouth to collect money for the NSPCC. I am not sure why we went to Yarmouth rather than, for example, collecting in Norwich.

For 1976, I wrote “left the house at approx 1/2 past 8 with Patricia who was going to her school for the last day of term. I got to Thorpe St at 9 and the train left at 1/2 past. We first tried our hand at collecting by standing and shaking our tins. We kept this up till just after lunch then Ian, Andrew & I went on the fair. There we met Eggy, Dominic, Lawny and Crossy. On the way back I helped Dom collect some money by asking people on the front. He got just over £10. When we got back I went & asked people on the market place. I got 2 tins of over £6 each and my 1st tin of about £2 which all in all is about £15.”

My diary entry for 14 July 1976 when a group of us went to Yarmouth to collect money for the NSPCC

The Ian mentioned here might have been Ian Sherrington and the Andrew could have been Andrew Ellson or Andrew Sheppard.

In 1977, I noted that I collected £9 10½ despite going on the funfair! A decimal halfpenny was in use until 1984.

Andrew Smith

I have no idea why but Andrew Smith was always known as “Eggy“. He was in the school football team and I have memories of going with him to watch Norwich play. He also worked at Sainsburys in Anglia Square, see Chapter 119. In 1978, he passed A levels in economics and history and went to work for insurance company Bland Payne on leaving school.

Dominic Kersey

I fear I do not remember Dominic. He was in our year and, in 1978, passed English A level. He went on to do an HND in business studies at City College.

Mark Lawn

Mark Lawn won a prize for engineering drawing in 1976. When he left school, he became an HGV apprentice at National Carriers. I met up with him in 2024 around the time of the open day. He was not able to attend but he works as a steward for Norwich City so I met him at the football.

Coeliac Society Raffle

In October 1977, I took raffle tickets from the Coeliac Society to sell in school. I made £2.00.

Strikes

Sometimes, our schooling was affected by strikes. In January 1979, I had already left school and was at university. However, on one day, Liz and Alan were off school because of an NUPE one- day strike which affected caretakers and cleaners. On the following day, Alan was back at school but Liz was not because of a lack of oil.

The National Union of Public Employees (NUPE)

The National Union of Public Employees (NUPE) existed between 1908 and 1993 when it merged with the National and Local Government Officers Association (NALGO) and the Confederation of Health Sector Empolyees (COHSE) to form UNISON.

Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee

In July 1977, Queen Elizabeth II visited Norfolk as part of her Silver Jubilee celebrations. She came to Hewett on the 11^th. I recall this visit and noted in my diary that I acted as a steward as did most of my friends.

A week before the visit, on the 4^th, I noted that we had another meeting about the Queen’s visit. I don’t seem to have recorded the first one. I referred to my role as helping with “crowd control”.

After the visit, on the 15^th, I had the afternoon off because I had helped with the visit. Various people came to mine but we broke up at 4.30pm as I had to go to work, see Chapter 119.

For the visit itself. all schools in Norfolk were closed and about 2,000 schoolchildren gave a display at Hewett. My mum noted the queen’s visit and my role at school as steward. However, she seemed more impressed that my brother was a Boys’ Brigade representative, see Chapter 124, at County Hall and Prince Philip spoke to him! Some pictures of the visit were published in the Lynn Advertiser and for some video footage of the visit, see here.

Documents for the Queen’s Visit

Brochure concerning the Queen’s visit to Norfolk in 1977. This was on display in the Lower School hall at the open day

This photograph of the Queen’s visit to Hewett in 1977 appeared in the 1978 school magazine

Among mum’s papers was a programme for the Queen’s 1977 visit. This is the front cover

Timetable for Queen’s visit in 1977. She was due to arrive at Hewett at 11.55 and at County Hall at 12.35

Route and order of vehicles for Queen’s visit to the Hewett School in 1977

Details of people who were to be presented to the Queen at the Hewett School

Programme while at Hewett and route and order of cars for departure

Social Activities at Schools

The schools that my siblings and I attended organised a range of social activities which are noted in family diaries.

High School Fireworks

For example, on 5 November 1975, mum noted going to the High School fireworks display. I recall going to the High School fireworks and thought we did so on more than one occasion. I believe this was my first experience of organised firework displays. Previously, we had had our own fireworks in the garden, see Chapter 106.

Earlham School Fete

In July 1977, mum went to help at Earlham school fete in the afternoon. She noted that she was on the Earlham Road gate with Jackie Scott. I am not entirely sure who Jackie Scott was.

Earlham Sixth Form Party and Dinner

In December 1978, just before Christmas, my brother Alan went to a sixth form party and dinner. I believe he would have been in lower sixth at that point.

Social Activities at Hewett

As with other activities, the diaries have more detail about social activities at my school, not least because understandably I wrote mainly about my school in my diaries.

A Concert

In July 1975, mum noted that I went to school at night to help with car parking etc. for a concert.

Dinner With My Form

About a week later, also in July 1975, I went out with my form and teacher to dinner in the evening. This would have been the end of my fourth year. My form teacher that year was Mr Ames.

Helping Mr Cheeseman

In November 1975, I helped Mr Cheeseman with a cheese and wine party. Mum noted that I went to help him again in December. These may have been the first of many such school events where I helped Mr Cheeseman often with the bar. I am not sure if rules were less strict then. On this occasion, I was only 15.

Carol Service

That same month, on the 15^th, I went to help with our school carol service.

School Play

In February 1976, I went to our school play.

Caribbean Evening

In March 1976, when Mr Cheeseman visited mum to talk about the French trip, he invited her to a Caribbean evening on 22 May. Mum noted that I was going to help him with the bar. On 20 May 1976, we had a meeting about this evening which I described as a sort of carnival. I noted that I was working behind the bar. On the 22^nd, I noted that this evening was held and I worked behind the bar. I noted I had enjoyed myself but was tired. I walked home with Sarah and Claude and noted “I am tired and intoxicated”. At this point, I was not quite 16. I recall this evening although not much detail. I believe there might have been some kind of limbo dancing competition!

Sarah Camp

The Sarah referred to here probably refers to Sarah Camp who lived opposite me in College Road. We quite often travelled to and from school together. As here, this might have involved walking but I also recall giving her lifts on my motorbike. In 1978, she passed religious studies A level. I am not sure what she did when she left school.

Claude

I don’t know who Claude was. However, I did find a Claude Alberts in my year in 1976. I do not recall him. Also, I have a vague recollection that Everard Mascarenhas may have used the name Claude at some point but this could be completely wrong!

A School Barbecue

In June 1976, I went to help Mr Cheeseman with a barbecue at Stoke Holy Cross. I noted that it was a school barbecue. We set up the refreshment tent at Stoke Holy Cross then went to Mr Cheeseman’s for some tea. I have some vague memories of helping Mr Cheeseman with at least one off-site activity. In my mind, it was in some kind of cricket club. However, it may not have been this event!

I noted “when we got back we found that it had been moved to Upper School hall. Took the tent down went to the hall but no it was in Middle School hall. When it finally did take place it was rather useless but even so I enjoyed it.”

Sixth Form Dinner and Dance

In January 1977, I went to the Grove House Hotel where the sixth form dinner and dance was being held. I was in lower sixth at this point. I noted that we had turkey and roast potatoes. Also, I commented that the dance was a disco which finished about midnight. I walked home with Sarah Camp and Everard Mascarenhas and got home about 12.30.

Country and Western Evening

In March 1977, I went to help with the bar at the school country and western evening. I really do not remember this! Mum noted that I was helping Mr Cheeseman and that it was an HSA do.

Hewett School Association

HSA stood for Hewett School Association. I confess I did not recall much about the Hewett School Association (HSA) but a piece in the 1975 magazine explained their aims, structures, benefits and events. By becoming a charity, they had become eligible to receive grants from foundations including the Foundation of Joanna Scott and Anguish’s Educational Charity. In 1975, the Association’s Secretary and Treasurer were Brian Snoad and C Gordon respectively. Both had daughters in my year, Kathryn Snoad and Karen Gordon. Brian Snoad was also a school governor.

An article in the 1978 school magazine explained that the HSA had been established when the Hewett became a comprehensive. The HSA was said to have three main functions – providing parental opinion, fundraising and organising events. The HSA had paid for a cover for the swimming pool and for the purchase of a sixth form study centre which seems to have been bought just as I left Hewett!

The 1982 anniversary brochure explained a little about how the HSA functioned noting that it consisted of four committees. There was an overall committee and a committee for each of Lower, Middle and Upper School. David Hawkes explains in some detail the inputs the HSA has had into school policy, funds it has raised and events it has organised.

This piece about the Hewett School Association was in the 1975 school magazine

An article and photo about the Hewett School Association from the 1978 magazine

These contributions about the Hewett School Association appeared in the anniversary brochure produced in 1982

Kathryn Snoad

I recall Kathryn Snoad. She was in my year and among my circle of friends in sixth form. She went into nursing on leaving school. Her father, Brian Snoad, was a school governor and secretary of the Hewett School Association.

Karen Gordon

Karen Gordon was in my class throughout my first five years at Hewett and I believe she was in my form in lower sixth at least. She appears in a class photo in 1R or 2R, see Chapter 103. After school, she went to work at the Norwich City Council Engineers Department. Her father, C Gordon was treasurer of the Hewett School Association.

Serving Sherry at “Some Function“

Four days after the Country and Western Evening, also in March, I noted that school finished early for some function. I served sherry at this.

Old Time Music Hall Evening

In May 1977, mum picked me up from Sainsburys and dropped me at school where I helped with the bar for the Old Time Music Hall evening. I do not recall this either.

Sixth Form Party

In July 1977, I went to my sixth form party. Mum noted that I walked as I wanted to drink.

Social Activities With Friends From School

In addition to social activities organised directly by and/or at school, many of the social activities I was involved in related indirectly to school not least because most of my friends were from school. Some of these took place during the school day when I was in the sixth form. For example, in March 1977, there seemed to be a period where a number of us went to the Mancroft Vaults for lunch on a Friday.

For example, on 4 March 1977, Everard Mascarenhas and I went to the Mancroft Vaults at lunch-time where we met Chris Gray and Ian Sherrington and had sandwiches for lunch. On the 18^th, I borrowed Gary Wood’s bike at lunch time and went to Mancroft Vaults. Only Chris Gray and I were there. On the 25^th, I did not go to the vaults as I went swimming.

My Siblings Had Similar Social Activities

My siblings also had similar social activities with and through their school friends.

In March 1975, a boy, who mum thought was called Roger or Robert Stewart, rang my sister Tricia up and brought round some invitations to a party for girls at the High School.

In November 1978, my brother Alan went to a school friend’s party. He did the same on New Year’s Eve 1978. In October 1979, he went to a party at night thrown by Mark, a school friend. He also went to a school friend’s party on New Year’s Eve 1979. Mum took him at 10pm and brought him back at 1am.

School-Related Health Services

There were a number of school-related health services that my siblings and/or I accessed during this period.

In April 1975, mum saw our GP Dr Welch about Tricia’s eyes. He advised her to contact the school health service which she did. She noted that an appointment would be sent. I am not sure what the outcome was.

In December 1975, mum took Alan to the school dentist. In June 1976, she took him to see the optician, Mr Hunt. He said Alan needed to wear his glasses for school for three weeks and then be reviewed.

I Was Referred About My Eyes

In my case, in September 1975, I saw the school nurse who referred me to a consultant at hospital about “short sightedness”. I had first been told I needed glasses in September 1966, see Chapter 88.

I Hated Wearing Glasses at School

Mum thought I was worried but would not talk about it. More likely, this meant mum was worried and I did not want to talk to her because it would only magnify any anxiety I had. I know I hated wearing glasses at school as I was teased/bullied about them. So, when I went to university, I decided to turn up wearing glasses and had no problems since.

One of the problems I had with wearing glasses was that the glasses available through the NHS were truly hideous. I recall having to wear glasses similar to those pictured as a young child. I do recall that, in secondary school, I did have some with complete black plastic rims. These were better but only marginally and I never really wore my glasses consistently until I went to university. For example, when we appeared on the TV quiz show “*Question Five*“, Suzy Roessler was wearing glasses but I was not.

Anyway, mum wrote to Mr Cheeseman. She also rang the school nurse who was going to try to arrange for me to see Mr Hunter. Early in October 1975, Mr Cheeseman came to see mum about me. I presume this related to my eyes but it might not have. The following day he asked me to help him on Sunday and mum noted I seemed delighted about this.

Told to Wear Glasses for All School Work

Early in November 1975, mum took me to see Mr Hunter. He told me I was shortsighted and that I needed to wear glasses for all school work. Mum commented that I was quite upset and that she might ring Mr Cheeseman the next day. She did indeed do that.

In January 1977, I noted that I went to see the “optician” who said everything was OK and to come back next year. With hindsight, I think this might have been an ophthalmologist that I saw. According to mum, we saw Mr Hunter’s registrar. She noted there was no change.

Injuries at School

Occasionally, I or one of my siblings incurred an injury at school. For example, in March 1976, Liz fell in the playground. The school phoned mum and she picked her up at 1.15pm. She was very dazed and odd, and could not remember anything. Mum phoned our GP, Dr Welch. He was at Mile End. He advised mum to let her sleep and then if she was not OK to let them know. She should have played solos and duets in the school concert that night but did not go. By the evening, she seemed better but not her usual self.

Travelling to School

During my time at Hewett, I lived between 1 and 1½ miles from school first in Waverley Road then in College Road, see Chapter 102. College Road, where I lived throughout the late seventies, was slightly further away. I got to school by various means. I recall walking, cycling and, after I was 17, going to school by motorbike. Sometimes, I went by car but I do not recall this clearly. The video “A Hewett Day” (1.03) notes children arriving by various means at school.

Car

Lifts From My Sister

Once my sister Tricia had passed her driving test, see Chapter 127, she sometimes had the car to go to school, for example in November 1975. In July 1976, Tricia dropped both me and Alan at school.

Driving Myself

I also occassionally had the car to go to school after I had passed my test, see Chapter 127, for example in February 1978. However, I don’t think this was very often as I had my motorbike at that time.

Lifts from My Mother

Quite often, mum gave us lifts to school particularly if the weather was bad or if we were unable to walk or cycle. For example, in February 1977, mum took Alan to and from school after he had had surgery on his foot. In May 1977, I noted that I had a lift to school as I felt sick and had earache although I did not tell mum as I thought she would only have worried. Mum also gave lifts if she was going that way. On one day in May 1977, I got a lift half-way to school as mum was going that way. Also that month, mum was giving Alan a lift so I scrounged a lift to Newmarket Road. Again, later that month, she took me all the way to school as she was going to the doctor’s.

However, there were sometimes stresses involved in this. For example, in February 1976, I was going to a party and wanted Tricia to take me not mum. I think it is pretty reasonable that a 15-year old boy would rather be dropped at a party by his 17-year old sister than by his mother! Mum definitely did not understand this!! She was upset by this, writing in her diary “if I’m not good enough for that I’m not good enough to take him to school!”

Bus

I don’t recall ever getting a bus to school as I don’t believe there were suitable bus routes. Alan occasionally used the bus to get back from Earlham School, for example, on 7 March 1977.

Bikes

Sometimes, we biked to school. For example, Alan did on 12 January 1976 and on 8 March 1977. However, I have not come across any specific references to me cycling to school in either mum’s or my diaries. I know I did so although perhaps I walked more than I cycled.

Walking

We often walked to school. For example, on 12 January 1976, both Tricia and I walked to school. I often walked with friends, particularly Everard Mascarenhas who lived on Park Lane.

For much of my time at Hewett, this is the way I walked to school, up Cecil Road. This photo was taken in November 2024 en route to the open day

Walking in Bad Weather

We did sometimes walk in bad weather. For example, in September 1976, I noted that Everard and I got soaked walking to school and that it took most of the morning to dry out. In January 1977, I noted it was difficult walking to school because of snow. Everard found it particularly difficult in his new boots. The next day, after school, I walked home with James Jarvis in the snow. The day after that, it was snowing when I walked home and I got soaked.

Offered Lifts While Walking

Sometimes, when I was walking to and from school, someone might stop and offer me a lift. Such people included teachers, for example, Mr Simpson and other pupils, for example, Sarah Camp, who lived opposite to me. On 19 April 1977, I was walking to school and had not called for Everard. Mr Simpson stopped and offered me a lift. On the 27^th, I noted that the sun was shining so brightly that I refused mum’s offer of a lift. So I walked. But, it was cold and I was glad when Mr Simpson stopped and offered me a lift. On 2 May 1977, I intended to walk to school but when half way there “a car ground to a halt and I was offered a lift by Sarah”.

Sometimes, however, I turned down lifts and was happy to walk. For example, on 4 May 1977, although mum offered me a lift I decided to walk and was pleased that when I met Mr Simpson his car was too full to give me a lift.

Motorbike

On 14 June 1977, I went to school early to arrive before everyone else. I think this may have been the first time I took my motorbike to school as I had got it the previous day. After that, I often used to go to school on my motorbike. I recall that I used to go to school along the ring road. We were able to park motorbikes at what was a dedicated sixth form entrance . As of November 2024, that entrance was extremely badly overgrown. A glimpse of this entrance is seen in the video “A Hewett Day” (16.44) behind a group of sixth formers heading to the study centre. A motorbike is seen parked at that entrance.

This is a still from the video “*A Hewett Day*” (16.44). It shows a group of sixth formers exiting the main Upper School building to go to the sixth form study block. What was the sixth form entrance is behind them and a motorbike can be clearly seen parked there

While it is difficult to visualise now, this was the sixth form entrance to Hewett when I was there. We used to park our motorbikes there. The photos were taken in November 2024 at the open day and show the view from inside the school (above) and from Hall Road (below). There is still a dropped kerb on Hall Road outside this gate

Uniform Policy

Throughout my time at Hewett, there was a strict uniform policy. I can recall hating it particularly the requirement to wear a tie. It appears that, by the nineties, the uniform policy was more relaxed and wearing a tie was optional! I recall that this policy was strictly enforced including the requirement to have your top button done up and the tie pushed up. Often, we would rebel by pushing our ties up but having our top button undone behind the tie where it could not be seen.

The uniform I had to wear while at Hewett. This was on display at the open day in November 2024

These images illustrate the school uniform I had to wear for most of the time I was at Hewett. Above – my class from first or second year. Below – a later photo of me. Both appear in Chapter 103 and show the dreaded school tie!

Leeway for Sixth Formers?

While, in theory, sixth formers did not have to wear uniform, there were pressures to conform and dress in certain ways. I encountered this, in particular, when I became deputy head boy.

In September 1977, I wrote, “I feel I must mention the thing that has annoyed me today. At our school they are tightening up on school dress in the lower part of the school but give an almost free choice to the sixth form. However several people have mentioned my not wearing a tie. I feel that as I am not forced to wear a tie I won’t and it is not that I don’t want to set a good example but I am against school uniform completely, it seems ludicrous to me that a tie is considered smart yet lack of a tie is not. Although we are supposed to have more freedom there is always someone trying to run my life.”

Uniform Requirements Meant Considerable Cost

Uniform requirements meant considerable expense for mum and this was across the four of us. It was not only the cost of the main uniform but there were lots of extras, such as different kinds of PE kit. In September 1976, mum noted buying Alan two shirts for school and a football shirt. She got these all from Co-op for £7.59. Also that month, mum went into the city to get Liz some navy gym knickers. Liz came home for them at lunch time. In April 1977, I noted that I went into the city to buy a lab coat.

Tom Stevenson [Sports] Ltd advertised themselves as officially-approved stockists for all Hewett School sports clothing. This advert appeared in the 1975 school magazine

School Buildings: Some Notes

On 29 November 1976, I noted that it was very cold in school as the heating was not on and everyone was complaing. The next month, on 21 December 1976, we spent the rest of the morning “supposedly tidying our form room”. On 28 March 1977, I commented, “Today the weather was very bad it hailed but it soon melted due to the sun being out and penetrated the rooves of the school building.”

Free School Meals

On 26 November 1977, mum noted that she got a letter saying that Alan, Liz and I qualified for free school meals. I assume she had applied for these and that we qualified because she was assessed on her income only plus what she received from dad, see Chapter 114. Mum also noted that she would give us 50p per week during term-time. I do not recall this but assume she did it because she was saving money on buying dinners.

Example of school dinner ticket similar to the type we had at Hewett in the late seventies. I recall they came in rolls and were perforated along the short edges – public domain image from Wikimedia

My Recollections

I do recall getting free school dinners because we got free dinner tickets which I used to sell to my friends to buy chips! However, I had not recalled that I received free school dinners for a very short time only as I left school in the summer of 1978. I don’t recall that there were special free dinner tickets as such. I think everyone having school dinners had to have such a ticket. Presumably, most people paid for theirs. I don’t think there was any cash used at dinner time itself. Apparently, Hewett used the ticket system from 1975 to 1995 and there were different colour tickets for different sittings. It seems that discs for free school dinners were in use in 1987. Apparently, I was not the only one who sold their free dinner tickets!

Alumni Organisations

I think the High School had a formal “Old Girls” group. Tricia went to at least one of their meetings on 17 December 1976. I am not aware of a formal alumni association for Hewett. However, there are a number of active Facebook groups for former and current Hewett pupils. I am a member of two, the Hewett School Facebook group and one that was specific for the 2024 reunion/open day.

School Friends and Teachers

The diaries and other materials that I have have given me a great deal of information about people who were at school with me and about our teachers. As well as recording these in the index of people I have compiled for the diaries overall, I have compiled special indices for school friends and school teachers.

School Magazines

School magazines have proved a valuable source of information. I have physical copies from 1972, 1975 and 1978. I am grateful to Alison Grimes for sharing a digital copy from 1973 with me. Also, I have a digital copy of an anniversary brochure produced covering the period 1970 to 1982. I have used material from these magazines in various places but it is my intention to produce a description of each here.

Part 10 Chapter 118 Schools Download