Now the Fitzherbert Centre
Fitzherbert Centre
Photo by John Leach
This was taken in what was the old playground
Photo by John Leach
This old class is now Bernadette's bookshop
Photo by John Leach
Fitzherbert Centre
Photo by John Leach
These photos show what the old St John the Baptist RC Primary School used to look like. I do not know what the Fitzherbert Centre is used for Today.
I dp know that the school hall is still used by the church next door.
One of the old class rooms is used by the Catholic Shop called
Bernadette’s bookshop which is by the entrance in St Georges Terrace.
This used to be in Bristol Road for many years till it moved to the old school.
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I attended from 1949 – 55. Anyone remember me?
I came to this site as a result of downloading my father’s entry on the new 1911 census when he was eight, and living in Kemptown. Prior to starting at York Place Grammar school in 1914, he attended St John the Baptist parish school, but I do not know for how long.
I was at St John the Baptist school around 1960 – 1967, and then I attended Fitzherbert in Woodingdean. My name then was Diane Jarmakowicz and I lived at Chesham Road, Kemp Town. Anyone remember me?
Diane, just saw your post. A few coincidences. I went from SJTB to Woodingdean also. I also lived in Chesham Road, where I was born. The only Diane I remember in Chesham Road was Diane Trigwell, do you remember her? Did you know Vera Bridger, she lived opposite me, I was at No.6. I am in touch with her.
I was at St. John the Baptist juniors in 1950. Does anyone remember me?
These photos are of the St. John the Baptist School in Kemp Town, but the heading refers to the SJTB School, later renamed Fitzherbert, in Woodingdean. [The SJTB school is now the Fitzherbert Centre, rather than the Fitzherbert school, Jackie. Hope that helps clarify the headings for you. Comments’ Ed]
I was a little confused after reading Jackie’s comments, so I looked elsewhere on this site. It seems that (as John Leach rightly says) it was the primary school in St George’s Terrace, Kemp Town that became the Fitzherbert Centre. The secondary school moved to Woodingdean and became the Fitzherbert School.
I was a pupil at St. John the Baptist’s from 1955 till 1961 and have mostly fond memories of the place. My name then was Sylvia Carroll. My teachers were Sister Anthony, Sister Marie Theresa, someone else whose name escapes me, Miss Gregory and the kind and inspiring Mr Beech. The only one I found a bit scary was Mr Hogan, the headmaster. I’ve heard that Des Lynam was also a pupil here, but he left about the time I started.
SJB Woodingdean became Fitzherbert in 1960/61 the year I left. I know you Errol but cannot remember which class you were in.
I went there between years ’64-’66 and played british bulldog at play time. Good days. Love to here from anyone who knew me then
Hi Erroll, I remember and know you from the town and Varndean School, where coincidently Sylvia, Des Lynham also went at the same time as us.
I was here 1983/4 and have fond memories of this school. Break times we’d play cricket with the tennis ball in the playground, Mr O’Shea used to join in also sometimes. He was a great Headmaster.
I was at St. Baptist School 1953 till 1960. Does anyone remember me?
Regarding the last entry from Veronica Smith (was Provost), are you the sister of Roger Provost and Doug Provost? Mike Peirson
Yes, Veronica is the sister of Roger and Doug Provost. (I am her sister-in-law).
My thanks to Patricia Lawrence for answering my question regarding the Provost family. I went to school with Roger from 1948 until we left in 1958, we were in the same class for all of that time. I remember the tragic death of Doug at such a young age. I also remember Eddy their father cutting my hair in his barbers shop in Lavender Street. Roger was a great lad when we were kids, very into sport. I look at the photo in St. John the Baptist in 1948 when we were in class 1 and the photo when we were in class 3a at Fitzherbert in 1956 and wonder where the time went, so quick. Mike Peirson.
It has been 64 years or so since I started my school days at this school in 1948. The building looks just the same as it did all those years ago. It probably looked just the same to my father who attended this school long before I was born. The only difference is that the cement rendering has been painted. My first teacher was a very kind hearted nun called sister Carmella, whom I have never forgotten. To the right of the photo are steps leading to rounded doors which was the main entrance to the school for the staff and visitors. You were forbidden to use the doors to go into school. If you ventured through these doors you were taking a risk as just beyond and down a couple of stairs was the headmaster’s office. If you were caught going into the school this way you risked a severe tongue lashing from either the headmaster or Mrs. Long the school secretary. If you had to go to the school with your mum then this entrance is the one you went through, and even then it felt as though you were trespassing. A long time ago, but we knew where we stood in those days, and we knew where to toe the line.
I have only just got a laptop so it is all new to me. I would love to hear from any one who remembers me. I live in Worthing now and am still into sport. I play a lot of bowls and am just off to play a match – got to rush.
Hello Roger….glad to see you are alive and kicking, and still into sport. How the years have flown since we started school in 1948. I have recently reached my three score years and ten and loving life. Also glad that you have a computer, good for nostalgia. Best wishes
I wonder if anyone remembers my mother or her three sisters who were at St John the Baptist School in the 1930s/1940s. Their surname was Early and their names are Vera, Doris, Stella and Monica.
Hello Veronica, we went to school together. Your Mum had a hairdressers around the corner from the school. I thought you were an only child! Or perhaps it just seemed like that compared to our house and the many children there. I think you had a ‘perm’ in senior school, I thought it was tres chic! Forgive me if it was your actual hair. Love to hear from you. I live in Australia. Linda George
Hello Jax, My mum Joyce remembers your mother and aunts! Not from school, but from when she and her parents, Pat and Fred Whitcher, were lodgers at their house at 27 Marine Square in the 1930s. Incidentally, I think I was at school with you Jax! I was at S.J.B from 1954 – 1961.
Hi Linda, perhaps you could email me? it is justveronicasmith@gmail.com. I would love to catch up.
Any one still around from class of ’56? Cynthia, Ann, Alan?
I transfered from s.j.p. to Woodingdean in early 1950 left in 1956,what memories.
Hello. I started at SJB around 73 in Sister Anthony’s class. I remember the warm milk and dreadful lunches which we were made to eat. I have happy memories of the play ground and passing by the Presbetery kitchen window and saying “hello” to dear Mrs Owen (Maria’s mum) who was housekeeper (RIP). I also have fond memories of Mrs Jaggard (class 2) and Mrs Readie( class 3). I
remember bulldog in the playground and the May Prossession in the convent gardens. Such happy memories of all my classmates: Annette Cron, Maria Owen, Stefan Kryscew, Karen Scholey, Kathleen Moriarty, Tina Komashi, Andrea Harrison, Robert and Marina (twins), Sean Hennessy, Adrian Newman and Tasos Papanicolaou to name but a few. I am in touch with a few of you but would love to hear from any of the others. Happy days
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