Friday, June 16, 2006

Share your memories

Have you any interesting, funny, or fond memories of your time at Guildford West. Share them with all of us by clicking on the comment box and posting your thoughts.

29 Comments:

At 6:07 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Guildford west is a wonderful school, it has the feeling ou family and has come a long way in it's 50 years. My husband attended the school as well as my two older sons and now my daughter in kindergarten. My youngest son starts kindy next year, so it has been a long association with the school and it will be a few years yet. I encourage all parents to get involved in school activities (canteen, sport, reading groups, etc) to keep up the great spirit that is Guildford West. It's true "You can always tell a Guildford West Mum".
Grace Watson

 
At 11:08 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I began my school life at Guidford West PS. We were all local kids.Important lessons such as friendship,being a good sport, learning to tie my shoes, merit badges,Safety Patrols, morning naps (where are they now??),free bottles of milk,the tuck-shop. What a great adventure.
Mr James,Miss O'Coonor,Mrs Gill,Mr Cohen, Mr Ginns,Mr Ridgeway & others....here's to you all.
Neil Green

 
At 10:40 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

A funny memory for me would be being in trouble in 2nd class for some silly reason and being sent out of the class. Once outside I was talking to Lindsay Bickley who got into trouble earlier. He taught me how to make farting noises by using my underarm.

 
At 11:25 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bill James was great.He had us all involved........a wonderful man.He taught us respect.We need more like him.
Hello to Sonia Bertram.I fell off my bike perving at you.
Hello to Lyn Clarke..you were a much better dancer than me.
Regards,
John Green

 
At 11:36 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bill James was fantastic,he was all
about fair play and respect.What a role model for todays youth and,for that matter,generations to come.I was very fortunate,thankyou Bill.
Hello to Sonia Bertram.I fell off my Speedwell while perving on you.
Hello to Lyn Clarke who was a much better dancer than any of us.
John Green

 
At 10:11 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I attended GWPS from 1960-67. As a migrant kid (refugee parents)I could not speak English when I started in Kindergarten.
I have very fond memories of my years at GWPS and despite being from a foreign background found acceptance and friendship from day one.
My proudest achievement was coming first in English in 3rd class which was a great achievement given my lack of English when starting at school.
I have fond memories of al teacher from Kindey through to 6th class. Just for the record I think I can name them all:
Mrs Martin Kinder
Transition - Not Sure
Miss Hobbs first class?
2nd class help
3rd class - Mrs Revell?
Mr Clune 4th class
Mr Miss Scarfe 5th class
Mr Cartwright 6 th class.
All teachers were excellent and committed to their tasks as teachers.
I remember the marbles and the brandings at lunchtimes, the sports afternoonsa dn the BHP excursion which at that stage was the biggest trip I had done in my short life.

I have great memories of teachers and students and am thankful for everyone that has touched my life at GWPS.

I won't be at the reunion events but wish the school and all taking part a great time. I am taking a trip to redisover the past and you can check it out at my blogspot.

 
At 12:06 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's funny how these things trigger memories of people from long ago......Bill Ridley,Zorica Stanzic (my first crush),the Kalnins boys,Robert Creighton,Christina Milczarec,Christine Phillips,Elaine Pritchard, Graham Wing, Greg Pavel, Bill Ingleton,Graham & Valmae Brown,Jennifer Moss.
I've never been one for reunions & such but there is something special about this...almost a sense of ownership.
I'm trying to figure it out.

Neil Green

 
At 12:35 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I started at Guildford West in 1956 and have nothing but fond memories of the school. Miss Bastian was my teacher in K,1 and 2 and she had such an impact on me that I wanted to grow up to be just like her. I went on to be a teacher and am still teaching today! I'm really looking forward to the reunion and hope to catch up with some old friends.
Margaret (Dixon) Kerr

 
At 6:03 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Neil Green, you seem to know everyone i know, but I can"t remember you. Do you remember Jenny or Geoff Boots? What about my teachers Miss O' Conner and Miss Dickson in 5th class? I started school at GWS in 1960. Hope to see you at the Reunion Jenny {Boots} Cole

 
At 6:39 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I remember 5th class {1965}, some of us were given plants to plant in the assembly area, we were to tend them every lunchtime. I had an Azaelea, my best friend Michelle Meldrum had a gum tree. In recent years i have been to see my grandaughter in school functions.... My Azaelia is no more but Michelles tree is tall and strong... Michelle passed away 2003.I wish we could both be having a laugh at this reunion. Jenny {Boots} Cole

 
At 7:04 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

My previous entry should have read that I started at Guildford West in 1957. It was my sister Rosemary who started in 1956. Lots of memories have sprung to mind. Things like never ending games of Softball on Friday afternoons and trying to sneak to the end of the line when the teacher wasn't looking so I didn't have to have a bat!! Also there was Tunnel Ball and Captain Ball. Does anyone do this anymore? I also remember sitting amongst the clover looking for 4 leaf clovers. There was an abundance of them one year and we were all searching for that one bit of good luck. I also spent many hours playing Jacks on the path outside the toilet block

 
At 1:44 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I started at GWPS back in 1974 in 2nd class as i had to come to the school from another primary school. I have fond memories of Mrs Bratby who all the kids loved. I always enjoyed her funny little verses that we used to sing in her class. I also remember being told by Mr Nicholson in 6th class that chairs have 4 legs and not 2 as we all used to swing on them.
i am so looking forward to coming to the reunion and i can't wait to catch up with some old school friends.
Michelle Murphy

 
At 11:37 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

To Jenny (Boots) Cole--it looks like we were about 4 years apart in our classes. I do remember Miss O'Connor--sweet,sweet lady. We had her for kindergarten & first class.
The only teachers I can't remember were the 2 we had in 4th class.
All the names will hopefully come back come 21st September.It should be a great time.
Neil Green

 
At 5:47 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Miss O'Connor became Mrs Sheridan
She was beautiful. Was anyone a tree warden? Anyone remember the little koala on the red cross badge we use to buy for a fund raiser. I remember the fetes and the popcorn that was sold in carrot shapes made of crepe paper. And a wooden stage that reminded me of a boxing ring. We played tunnel ball at my sons 22nd birthday party about 3 years ago. It was fun, we just used basket balls.
Mr. Smith was 1964 4A and Mr Renshaw was 1965 5A teachers. Favourite part of the playground was the line of trees between upper playground and lower playground. Remember the map of the world outside the Year 2 classes in the early 60's. And a rumour that Mr Ridgeway was attacked on his "bald" head by a swooping magpie. They still exist!
Lots Lots more to remember.... I might get back to you.

 
At 6:11 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I had a small garden on the Palmer Street Fence line. The soil was hard as a rock....no wonder everything died. We were called Tree Wardens.
Mr. Ridgeway was the principal and the rumour that went around regularly was that a magpie had attacked his 'bald' head. Those magpies are still around.
Miss O'Connor became Mrs Sheridan in 1961. She was 1B's teacher that year. She was also K1 in 1960 with 44 children - can you believe it?
I wore a junior red cross badge with a koala on it.
I loved the school fetes and remember the wooden stage that reminded my of a boxing ring. They sold candied popcorn in carrots made of crepe paper. You always bought a toffee or 2 or 3 on fete day.
Favourite part of the playground was the tree line between the upper playground and the lower playground.
Who remembers the Map of the world painted on the concrete pavers outside the Year 2 classrooms.
I too was a child of "new Australians"- hating to open up my school bag with my salami sandwich in it. When my mother cottoned on to Vegemite - she spread it about 1/4 inch thick. Couldn't eat it.
GWPS - was a great school with many happy memories.

 
At 11:54 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Like Eddgar, I remember the BHP Port Kembla Excursion. It was a real treat to see such a magnificent industry in action. I can remember many sparks, heat and machinery. Strangely enough I remember mostly the corn beef sandwiches that was served up to us in the canteen. They were the best I have ever tasted. Beats devon any day.
Cheers!

 
At 11:57 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jenny Boots, Did you live in Fowler Road near the pipeline?
Did you have a bob hair cut in the infants and a straight across fringe? If so, it too me a while to remember you.

 
At 5:15 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mrs Ridgeway in the early 60's taught us sewing. Don't exactly know what the boys did while the girls sewed. We had to purchase a yard of headcloth. We made a pin wheel. It was embroidered on the front with various stitches i.e. running stitch, tacking, back stitch and chain stitch, all of which I can still confidently do. The remainder of the material was used to make an apron. A bit vague on that one but I think we repeated the stitches onto the apron.

 
At 7:15 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

In reply Neil Green, yes that was me with the rediculous bob hairdo.Can you remember Mr Walpole, he was my 4th class teacher, I have some very funny stories about him.I also remember the popcorn and sticky toffees and Mr Ridgeways poor bald head that we believed had been attacked by magpies. God, how we all loved playing Jacks and skipping ropes and elastics. Shelley and I werent to bad at marbles either. Cant wait till the 21st. Good on GSWPS, Jenny {Boots} Cole

 
At 11:26 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

To Jane & the P&C
Job well done................if the cocktail party is half as good as todays open house it will be magnificent. What a great day.
A wonderful touch having Mrs James there for the cake cutting.
Although I didn't meet/see any old friends it was nice making new ones.
See you all at the 60th
Have a blast on Friday night.
Cheers & thanks
Neil Green

 
At 8:52 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

A question for the ladies of the P&C:
Are there any copies of Mrs James taken back in September.
Also are copies of the video/dvd available to purchase.

Thanks

Neil Green
neilfg@hotmail.com

 
At 7:52 am, Blogger Unknown said...

I started guildford west school the day it opened in 1956. I dont remember the actual date but it was the first school day for that year.My teacher was miss O Connor who later on became mrs sheridan. The original headmaster was mr James followed by mr Wridgeway. .My younger sister started school in 1959, her teacher was mrs Martin. There was miss Bastian who became mrs Orange after marrying another teacher at the school.I remember many names of students at the school as I attended there for 7 years. Would love to have contact with old school mates. My name at school was Diane Morris. My email address is diane.lowings@three.com.au-Would love to hear from you .

 
At 1:36 pm, Blogger Unknown said...

I attended GWPS from Grade 1 through to Grade 6. I remember Scott Layton, he was in the same grade as I was and we went to the same high school. I also remember Peter with the one leg. He was such an inspiration, I remember walking to school with him a few times, he shared a lot. He was a fanatastic swimmer in high school all be it with one leg. I remember Bret Holton, Susan Larkin, Michelle Booker, Gail Lee, Sandra Mathews, a bunch of stuff. I had a huge crush on Bret Holten, and I remember Audry (the smallest boy in our class). I remember the coral trees, and singing all the Carpenter songs that were on the charts. The 5 cent packets of chips, and the Choo Choo bars. I remember we were all pretty good at sports, soft ball, cricket, net ball etc. I remember either Terry Coffee too. It is amazing what huge things we dealt with as children, parents divorce, step parents, sickness, fights in the toilets. My first cigarette (black and whites) with a tomboy (girl)Tracy. I am going to be a grand mother for the first time this year. I have three children, Cait (the new mum 27) Jessie (Police woman in Rockhampton), Joey (Australian Army just returned from IRAQ), and two step children Brian 22, doing a PharmD at Albany College of Pharma in the USA and Keith, also going to Albany Pharma college. I now live in Maryland USA, work from home as a computer tech, and am very happy. If you care to write please write to colleen@phenoralyn.com

keep the memories coming!
Colleen Lynch (Johnson)

 
At 3:35 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Being in the front row for afternoon naps gave me eye strain. I have fond memories of quite a few very naughty chaps, getting up to all sorts of mischief, and angelic little me getting the blame. Seeing all those teachers names, makes me realise i have no clue which classes i was in. Funny how things change. Jenny Boots, i think you got one brother mixed up with me. Just read about Michelle, thats very sad, we stayed thick all through high school.

 
At 3:38 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ps. Has anyone ever heard from Rischenda Anne Montague ?

 
At 3:49 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Edggars Ozols , wow another Wisdom Street boy. Your commitment to study while adapting to a new culture ( or lack of one haha ), like a lot of the guys i grew up with, was something you cant appreciate until a certain amount of maturity is reached. Great stuff. Take care.

 
At 10:44 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I started gwps in 1961 i remember mrs farrel was my kin teacher then miss allen who became mrs black i think mrs spooner mr renshaw mr stevens was my last teacher there i remember being one of the milk boys wow also what happened with sports as i remember we had 100 per cent attendance on fridays best day of the week

 
At 11:02 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I too remember great times at GWPS. Miss Inman was the Infants dept head mistress when Mr Ridgeway was the Principal(followed by Mrs Short. I had Mrs Farrell as my Kindy teacher and Miss Allen in 1st class, Miss Brown in 2nd class and Miss Scarfe in 3rd and 5th class. Miss Van Krysen(sp?)in 5th and Mr Stevens in 6th. Great school, great times and a great period in history. It would be good to read a history of the school and the great teachers.

 
At 2:28 pm, Blogger Unknown said...

I too have very fond memories of GWPS. same as the last Anonymous comment,Miss Inman was the Head Mistress of infants, I too, had Mrs Farrell in kindergarten, Miss Allen in 1st class, Miss Brown in 2nd class (though I remember Mrs Martin and Miss Hobbs in the other 2nd classes). I also had Miss Scarfe in 3rd and 5th, Miss Van Krysen ( I can't remember the spelling either but she was also the Red Cross Rep teacher) and Mr Stephens in 6th class. Yes a history of the school over the years would be a great idea. Great school, great teachers and a great time to be growing up! Ron

 

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