Manchester Xaverian in the Sixties
Life in a Manchester Catholic grammar school
Bob Cummings Having been a teacher myself, I’m not over keen on criticising others in my profession, but as the victim of the inadequacies apparent in the staff at Xavs in the 60s, I feel in a position to objectively pass comment. The recruitment policy, if there was one, was to play ultra safe… no women, no … Read more
A few years ago I visited Xaverian College with a couple of colleagues to view one of their student data systems – this was when I was developing IT systems in Further Education. The department we were visiting was in the Mayfield building at the far end of what used to be the cricket field … Read more
I knew a couple of students who were expelled from Xaverian and at least one from the prep school. The boy who quietly disappeared from St Anne’s had a name similar to Morensky and was the son of the chemist who had a shop on Wilmslow Road. This boy had a head which was definitely … Read more
At the age of 14 or 15, our class had to take part in a ‘Retreat’. For those of you who have never taken part in one, I can’t be very helpful in describing what one was. I think it was a time for prayer and reflection, although for the life of me I can’t … Read more
Many thanks to Paul Richards, now residing in Australia for his excellent memories at Xaverian and St Anne’s Prep. If there is anyone else out there who has memories to add, email me at bcweb01@billbl I was there from 1956-63, when Bro. David (rather unkindly known as ‘Chimp’) was headmaster– he twice administered 6 of … Read more
Now this might sound a bit odd at first glance but I can assure you it’s true – another side to the enigmatic Brother Cyril Birtles. Brother Cyril occasionally took my class for music. There was an old piano in the conservatory attached to the back of St Anne’s Prep. We would gather round the piano … Read more
My parents decided it would be a good idea to join the Parents/Teachers Association. I have no idea what the motivation was but for several years my mum ran the White Elephant Stall both at the Christmas Fair and the Summer Fete that were held annually. The Christmas Fair was held in the gymnasium, the Summer … Read more
My thanks to Dale Littler for sending me the following class photos. These were taken on a yearly basis – not quite sure of the location. If you can identify yourself in either of these, please get in touch and send your recollections.
Mr Charles Sellars was our music teacher. For some reason he didn’t like me. This sometimes happens and I don’t remember the phenomenon mentioned in any of my further education teaching manuals when I eventually became one myself. I really tried to get myself liked but it was no use and I dropped music as … Read more
Probably the most painful experience I can remember from all my time at Xaverian is the one relating to Mr Archdeacon. It probably contributed more to the reason my academic achievements slid off the scale and my earlier promise evaporated. It still fills me with mixed emotions over fifty years later. I enjoyed being taught … Read more