THE Post is grateful to Dawn Rogers of Launceston for previously supplying this photograph for our Times Past section of what she believes to be 4a of Pennygillam Secondary in Launceston — her fellow classmates were also delighted to see the picture in the paper and as a result many have come together to reminisce.
Norman Cowling, of Launceston, was delighted to see many faces he recognised in print and immediately got to work trying to contact his old school chums.
He has since been able to collate information from a number of fellow classmates and has pulled the following names together:
Back (left to right): Michael Screech, Angela Bluett, Maureen Olver, Barbara Perkin, Enid Coombe, Gillian Ware, Elizabeth Doidge, Ronald Barber.
Second row: Margaret Tucker, Gillian Sleep, Margaret Angear, Lorraine Abbott, Mr Sheen (teacher), Lesley Day, Margaret Boundy, Shirley West.
Third row: Mr Peters (teacher), Steve Ridge, Hazel Jasper, Irene Coombe, David Sanderock, Sheila Lindsay, Rita Jenkin, June Smart, Dawn Thomas.
Front: ?, Ian Rattray, John Hall, Philip Arscott, Nigel Buckley, Anthony Lawrence, Norman Cowling.
Missing from the photograph on the day was Pamela Creeber.
Norman and his fellow 4a classmates are now keen to hear from others, in the hopes of organising some sort of reunion.
Norman said: “Pennygillam Secondary School was started in early 1954 using buildings and land from the former WWII prisoner of war camp. It took pupils from primary schools in the area who had been unable to obtain grades to go to college.
“In the summer report for 1963 there were 401 pupils, headmaster, two deputies (one male, one female) and 15 other teachers.
“The photo was taken in late autumn 1964, because in February 1965 some pupiled (a dozen or so) accepted an invitation by the education authority to transfer to Launceston College as an experiment.
“We joined the GSE and O-Level pupils six months behind in the course work to see if we could pass any exams. Most were successful and went on to take A-Levels in the 6th form.”
Where are you now? If you are in the photograph and haven’t spoken to Norman recently, get in touch with us at the Post, providing a name and contact number.
Norman added: “We may consider a re-union in the future.”