St Augustine's Grammar School Old Boys
Visitors Book 2009

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My dear visitor, thank you for visiting www.staugs.org, the virtual home of the Old Boys of their alma mata, St Augustine's Grammar School.
All friends of this great school are cordially invited to mark the occasion of their visit by appending their signature and comments to this esteemed visitors' book.
However, be assured that in the event of inappropriate entries, particularly from those who have no regard for this school, these will not be tolerated and the usual and full measures will be implemented including suspension.

I see the panto season continues in full swing at Eastlands. Keep it up lads its fantastic entertainment!
Sir Laffalot <Oh no he isn't.co.uk !>
UK - 20 December 2009 at 12:25:28
I remember my first visit to St. Augs when I was a sprog at Plessington Lower. It was to rehearse for the choir for a concert at the Free Trade Hall where we sang Handel's Messiah...that was when there were still (gasp) girls at the Lower School!
Subsequent visits were all choir related and I must say that we were a superb bunch!
Ever more subsequent visits scarred me for life...
Old boy <originalchoirboy@live.com>
Spain, UK - 02 December 2009 at 14:01:16
Just came to see if there was anything about the Old school on the Web.Old age is making me remember the good old days.
David John Pimblott
UK - 10 October 2009 at 12:27:23
As someone from the class of '72,I thoroughly enjoyed reading the entries that conjure up deep-set memories of a time and place,the former of which I'm struggling to believe really happened.At a meeting in the late sixties for student-teachers,a certain person is reputed to have stated,"Most schools educate their pupils for life.Mine educates its boys for death!" Meant humorously of course , several jaws simultaneously dropped.
nick casey
manchester, greater manchester UK - 13 September 2009 at 23:15:36
Hello!
webmaster
UK - 12 September 2009 at 21:36:02
hello
michael mccourt <michaelmccourt444@btinternet.com>
cambridge, UK - 12 September 2009 at 20:03:43
No one got strapped more than me between 1967-1974! U for conduct on reports every year! Beat that boys, old mates, staff, please confirm
michael mccourt <michaelmccourt444@btinternet.com>
UK - 12 September 2009 at 18:08:39
As a founder member of the school, in September 65, I think I became the first in the place to get the strap, for tapping out a rythm on my desk with a pencil in Alan Shaw's maths class (day two, he was still working out our names). My memories are not much better from there on. I now however find that I have spent about an hour looking around the site. Sad old git aren't I?
Nicholas Sumner
UK - 11 February 2006 at 17:53:14
Sorry Nick but I don't think you were the first.
The first assembly was held in what became the libary on the first floor.The assembly hall was not complete as the buiders were still finishing off.
So imagine first day first assembly Spike bashing out some rendition or other when he breaks out into song, gloriouse song.
The look of amazement on the faces of boys no older than twelve or thirteen.
The giggles once started so hard to stop.
The dissbelief as Spike says you,you,you,you,you,you,outside my office.
Later they were all punished for finding amusement in his singing talent.Fortunately I was not one off them that day but few if any escaped the strap when staying at SA.
I remember Paul Power was one off the punished so he might have been the first.
Kevin Buckley <Buckleymanor@aol.com>
UK - 15 August 2009 at 20:57:29
I too have fond memories of my time at Augustine@s. I was among the first pupils in 65 and the experience has served me well. Happy to hear from anyone that remembers Johnny Psycho - the original before my namesake was born!
John Pierse <john.pierse@stockport.nhs.uk>
Stockport, Cheshire UK - 30 July 2009 at 15:02:49
Speaking of school dinners,(well we were a while ago)when the school first opened the kitchens weren't finished and meals had to be sent in. I use the term meals loosely. They consisted of curly sandwiches, stale cake and lukewarm coffee. Aye, times were 'ard, sometimes we barely 'ad strength to make it round t'bikesheds for a quick cig before afternoon lessons. Mr Hartley would always greet us with "Just dimped them then lads?"
Mr McCabe had a different approach. On one occasion he sent the rugby players out for a run while he got changed. When he came out and found them all sharing a number 6 tipped in the shelter in Hollyhedge Park, he lined them up and slapped them all in the face one by one. Serves them right for not having the brains to have someone keeping an eye out for him!
Moron Effing Ramsay <dindins@co.yuk>
UK - 01 July 2009 at 20:28:15
great site, brings back loads of memories, good and bad
gary meek <gary.meek2@ntlworld.com>
stockport, cheshire UK - 01 June 2009 at 23:12:00
Memories - brought back by reading the site....Ah !! - just remembered, we attempted to make a gas bomb of the entire fume cupboard in the chem lab - if you ever wondered why there was a crack across one of the glass panes....I laugh as I remember - (un)fortunately it didn't go off with a proper bang, more or a 'whuumph', but the extractor fan wouldn't work afterwards.....

We filled Cymbals' (Taras Cymballisty) pocket with water when he nodded off to sleep - the (early) blazers were so well made you could actually fill the pockets.

We filled the gas pipe with water for Mr Hartley to light the bunsen, only for a jet of water to put out the lighter.
Funny thing about that was we did it about 7 or 8 times...and he fell for it over and over.

I think one morning we got heavy metal music before assembly instead of the organ music - does anyone else remember that ?

I remember we got the loathsome cheese pie before it got changed to the "cheese and biscuits", as Spike was horrified to see all the waste when the pie came back...
(more as I remember)
Andrew Priest <priesta@maf.govt.nz>
Wellington, NZ - 13 May 2009 at 04:42:52
Found this site almost by acceident - class of 1967. Great reminders of schooldays, both good and bad memories. I remember the "collapsing lectern" incidents clearly, and watching the first man on the moon from class.
Andrew priest <priesta@maf.govt.nz>
Wellington, NZ - 13 May 2009 at 04:01:07
i only went to st augustines for 1 month .mr winstanley was head .there was one other larry byrne from the same town.1961 i think.detention every evening because of a boy called donnelly.it was great fun especially the art class.
larry byrne <larrbyrne@gmail. com >
arklow, wicklow ireland - 10 May 2009 at 23:04:47
Only just discovered this site. No idea why I never looked for it before. I was in class of 1967, so nearly in from the start. Not too many names in the visitors book from that year. Managed to survive the full term to 1973, but only just. Mixed memories, but vast majority good. Anybody around from that time please get in touch.
andrew newby <andrew.newby@btinternet.com>
UK - 15 April 2009 at 19:10:38
howdy
Anthony James Flanagan <tonyman2@supanet.com>
Manchester, Greater Manchester UK - 03 March 2009 at 20:14:42
Brought back some memories ;-)
Peter Bibby <pjbee666@googlemail.com>
Bangkok, Thailand - 03 March 2009 at 07:09:48
Thank you mother and may God bless you. I was surprised at the number and content of mails I recieved directly from former staff members on the subject, though non willing to comment on the web site ? Not sure I remember you though ? Were you one of the dinner ladies ? I've never eaten as well as I did when I was at school, so if you were you did a cracking job and should be proud.
Tony Chadwick <tony.chadwick@hotmail.co.uk>
Cheadle, Cheshire UK - 24 February 2009 at 22:31:19
Pass me that rock before he lifts the piano lid!
Mother Mary <Blessed@virgin.com>
UK - 24 February 2009 at 18:31:27
I wish I'd met him as an adult and had a proper conversation with him. I just remember him as a pantomime villain, pompous, arrogant, a condescending bully, when on the stage. However, when you met him on detention when collecting rubbish, or as a sub waiting to sink into the swamp that doubled as a rugby pitch, he could be quite human, even if he mixed you up with someone else and didn't have a clue who you were, even on the odd occasions he was sober. What did the teachers think of him ? Was he a leader - a good guy to work for ? Let those of us who are without sin cast the first stone
tony chadwick <tony.chadwick@hotmail.co.uk>
Cheadle, Cheshire UK - 23 February 2009 at 00:46:42
I wish I'd met him as an adult and had a proper conversation with him. I just remember him as a pantomime villain, pompous, arrogant, a condescending bully, when on the stage. However, when you met him on detention when collecting rubbish, or as a sub waiting to sink into the swamp that doubled as a rugby pitch, he could be quite human, even if he mixed you up with someone else and didn't have a clue who you were, even on the odd occasions he was sober. What did the teachers think of him ? Was he a leader - a good guy to work for ? Let those of us who are without sin cast the first stone ?
Anthony Chadwick <tony.chadwick@hotmail.co.uk>
Cheadle, Cheshire UK - 23 February 2009 at 00:42:57
could'nt he tickle tge ivories
tony chadwick <tony.chadwick@hotmail.co.uk>
Cheadle, Cheshire UK - 23 February 2009 at 00:34:49
... and his *GOOD* points!
Peter Fay
Orkney UK - 31 January 2009 at 16:49:44
Spike's good points?
There was always his singing.
Loz Wyche <loz56@fsmail.net>
Manc, UK - 31 January 2009 at 13:22:01
i was one of the first intake when the school opened,many fond memories of the place,and most of the teachers,but mcguiness was a walking serpent.anyone think of any redeeming qualities he had?
paddy freney <pfreney@tiscali.co.uk>
manchester, UK - 28 January 2009 at 17:48:34
Sorry Mr Ransome, still hungover from last night. I meant of course Mr W!
yerbutnobutyerbut <oops.com!>
UK - 01 January 2009 at 11:53:42
The last I heard Mr J, having spent 2 years with the Gary Glitter chain of boys clubs is currently doing outreach work for the Michael Jackson "Make A Wish" foundation. Can I say what an absolute pleasure it is to respond to genuine enquiries of a serious nature. If any one would like to contact Mr Ransome re. his enquiry on the message board directly, they can do do at : humourlesstwat@prefect.co.uk. If anyone comes across a copy of my metalwork o level (failed) certificate please don't send it to me, some of us have moved on. (but obviously not very far!)
Prince Essparkway <Givemestrength.com>
UK - 01 January 2009 at 11:46:59