This reminded me of an oft quoted headline in a local paper (not the Brighton and Hove Herald!) some 50 years ago: 'New Head For John The Baptist'. Not an unlikely sequel to the Biblical severance, but rather the appointment of a new principal at the school!

I was a pupil at St John the Baptist primary school from 1948 until 1954 when I went on to St John the Baptist in Woodingdean, later to be called Fitzherbert. My father and my siblings also went to the primary school. The head at the time was a Mr Head, who was as thin as can be. He had two daughters, Cristobel and, I think, Angela. At the time, the senior school was on the floor above the junior school. It later moved to Woodingdean. The parish priest was a Father Flanigan, who I am sure my father said was at the school as a young priest when he was there. The later priests were Father Grogan, Father Bailey and then Father Seamus Hester, who married me and my first wife. And not forgetting Father Costello who christened our first son.  During the christening, he gave our little boy a burning candle to hold. The wax was running onto our son's hand but he never uttered a word. Father Costello said that God was keeping him quiet.

I think Mike Peirson and I were in the same class for most of our school years. If I remember rightly, his father played a banjo at a party I went to at Mike's house. We were the first lot of pupils that went to the Fitzherbert School at Woodingdean. Father Costello married my husband and I (1962) (after weeks of haggling) because Jim was not a Catholic, saying it wouldn't work out. Bless him, he wasn't always right, as we're still happy together. As for Father Grogan, I can remember being terrified of him.

I would like to say hello and to also say that I remember Vera Bridger as she then was. If I remember Vera, you lived just around the corner from me in Rock Street, how nice to hear from someone from that time. My father did play the banjo and the piano. The very sight of Father Grogan was enough to put the wind up you, he was a rugby player with all the bent ears and nose to go with it, that probably is why he looked so frightening. If you want to chat some more about those times Vera send me an e-mail and see if we can come up with some more memories from then. Best wishes. mickfpeirson@btinternet.com

I was in the convent next to the church and went to the Infant and Junior School, then on to Fitzherbert until 1958/59. I think the other pupils used to look down on us convent girls! Do you remember the head, Mr Ivory? Convent days were not good but school was OK.

I was at St John the Baptist primary school in 1961 and would be interested in contacting anyone who was there then or who remembers me. 47 Woodbourne Avenue, Patcham BN1 8EQ.

Is the John Leach at the top of the page any relation to a Mr Leach who used to play the organ in St John the Baptist Church?

I went to St John the Baptist from age five in 1948 to 1954 when I went to Lourdes Convent. The headmaster was Mr Hogan and he had three daughters: Angela, Shelagh and Cristobel. Some teachers were Mr Beach, Mr McQuaid (trained the choir), Miss Marhouteaux, Sister Mary Mercy, Sister Gertrude. I remember Vera Bridger a little bit. I live in San Francisco now and I am so pleased to find this website!

Hello Janice, I remember you too. I think you lived in Portland Road. It's nice to hear where people live now. I live in Norfolk with my husband of 46 years. Best wishes.

I attended St John the Baptist until 1958, Mr Ivory was Head at the time. I enjoyed my years at this school and have very many happy memories. The Christmas play in 1957 portrayed the new song at the time 'Mary's Boy Child'. Every time I hear this song, it brings back those happy times. I was allocated the job of stage manager, and I believe that my best school pal Carol Fisher played Mary. We were split into four houses Moore, Fisher and Campion, I can't remember the fourth! Anyway on my last term Campion house won the cup, and I can remember myself and a boy called "James Dean" were presented with the cup. This was actually my last day at school in April 1958. I have however had a great life and a lovely family, one daughter and one son who currently lives in Australia with his wife and son. I also have another grandson who currently lives with us.

Sister Anthony was my first teacher in 1964. Mr. Hogan was the headmaster, Mr. O'Shea his deputy. Also on the staff was Sister Mary Mercy, Sister Gertrude, Young Mr. Hogan, Mrs. Gregory. It is such as shame that the old school in Bedford Street is to be demolished. As children we were told by Sis. Mary Mercy that even German fighters which attacked the area including the school could not destroy it.

Hello there. Does anybody remember Ann Dook, (later Ann Morris), who attended St John the Baptist school in the 1940's? I'm fairly certain her teachers included Miss De Mohen and Mr Crowley, before they moved up to Woodingdean. I'd be grateful for any info, my email address is sarah.a.heaton@hotmail.co.uk

I was the organist at St John the Baptists until about thirty years ago, when I came to live and work in France. The parish priest at the time was Fr. Gerry Coates (now Canon Coates) who had two assistants Fr. Jim (an Irishman) and Fr. Jelf, whose brother was something high up in the police I think. I remember a very busy and happy church. I spent some of the best moments of my life at St John the Baptists.

Janet - the fourth house at the Fitzherbert School was Southwell. I was in Campion from 1955-1959.

Jackie, yes you were right Southwell was the fourth house. They should bring back this idea in schools today, how hard we worked to earn points for our respective houses. Also how proud we were to win the house cup at the end of the school term. Thank you for reminding me.