Hi Jillian, I believe we were in the same year. I stayed on an extra year to get better O levels leaving in 1959. As a secondary school it offered good opportunities to all. I have happy memories of my time there.

I left Cottesmore in1960 and I have to admit that my time spent there was very enjoyable.

I to left this school in 1960, I can remember it well, would love to have some banter with old school pupils peter lytle,b gamble, rochfort and many others.. I remember moving from one school to the other.

I attended Cottesmore School in 1957 and remember many of the teachers already mentioned. I too have very fond memories of my time there which fostered my love of English and Art. Does anyone know what happened to Mr Harvey? He was brilliant and I think he went to Australia. In my year were Anne Langan, Christine Shilling, Vivienne Daysh, Carol Farrow and Ann Corcoran. I don't much remember the boys except for Philip Pepper who once put a large box of chocolates on my desk and left me blushing for weeks! My name then was Una Mitchell. Does anyone remember?!

Wow, how amazing, to see such familiar scenes from my childhood. I went to Cottesmore when I was 11 (1963) and left in 1969 after GCE O levels. Mr Valdez was still Science master and many of his pupils will be pleased to know that he is still around. He and his wife regularly go on pilgrimage trips to Lourdes (same party as my mum who stopped going last year at 84). I think Mr Valdez can occaisionally be seen at St Peter's Church in Portland Road but I might me getting my facts mixed up. Best wishes to you all.

Hi Jillian: It was just so interesting to see you attended the same schools as myself, but I was before your time having attended St. Mary Magdalene from l942-47, then onto Sacred Heart from 1947-49. I left secondary school for a 2 year course at Gregg's College. I wish I had some pictures from those good old days at school.

I went to Cottesmore from 1961 to 1966. I would love to catch up with best friends Kathy Clarke and Margaret O'Sullivan (she lived in Portslade). I was a convent kid from St Annes convent. Does anyone remember me?

I well remember some of the girls at the St Anne's Convent who attended St Mary Magdelane School in Upper North Street and went on to Cottesmore, and also girls who were travelling with their parents and stayed for a short while in Brighton. Michaela Reddington was over from Germany with her family and invited me back for tea. Her mum prepared a sumptuous spread which in the 50s was a real treat. Another girl had parents who were acrobats performing at the Brighton Hippodrome. She asked me to view their performance backstage and we saw the King Brothers perform their hit "White Coat, Pink Carnation". What a thrill that was to be backstage in that beautiful theatre. As convent girls at the Sacred Heart, we performed Irish country dancing shows for the convent and also performed for the St Joseph's old people's home in Old Shoreham Road which is now a branch of Homebase. My late mother used to live in one of those green roofed houses in York Avenue which backed onto St Anne's Convent and when she decided to get rid of all her Art Deco furniture she donated it to the nuns in the convent.

I left Cottesmore in 1964. I was best friends with Frances Bishop, other friends were Angela Graf, Paula Mason, and lots whose names escape me, (old age!). My time at Cottesmore was very enjoyable. I also went to St. John the Baptist and St. Mary Magdelanes, we moved quite a bit. Anyone remember me?

I am now living in a Retirement Village in North Queensland, Australia. Aged 85, and 60 years married to my wonderful wife, Bernie, who accompanies me on daily walks along a Tropical beach fringed with coconut palms. We have seven children, eleven grandchildren, and four great grandchildren so far. I treasure my memories of students of Cottesmore days.

Hello Mr Harvey, I'm sure most students of Cottesmore, like me, fondly remember art lessons with you. Art with you was not just "about painting" you opened our minds!

I was in St Anne's Children's Home and am 65 years old. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers me.

So your first name is Terry - well Mr Harvey, I remember you and the school well. I still live in the area. I'm really pleased you are living the life you deserve.

Cannot believe what I just read Mr Harvey! I am delighted that you are enjoying life to the full Sir, yes I will still call you that even though I am now 66 and retired! I am sure everyone would like to here more from you in the future. Regards, Michael Whelan (ended with Mr Harrison and left in 1960).

Mr Harvey, I remember you. You taught me History in my 1st year. Maybe the best recollecection I have of you is in my 5th year (Christmas 1959) at the Christmas party for 4th and 5th years. You and Mr Isaacs danced The Sugar Plum Fairy in costume! It was hilarious. I left Cottesmore in 1960 after O levels and now live in Portugal. 

I remember Mr Harvey but cannot remember which lessons he taught. I left in March or April 1958 and joined the Royal Marines Band Service and the last class I was in was Mr Lesser's. I seem to remember Gillian Foley but think she may have been in the class above me.

I just loved art appreciation with Mr Harvey. I learnt so much about Art. 

I too remember Mr Harvey. He once threw a blackboard duster at me. It missed me, I guess I was talking too much so probably deserved it. I also remember an exchange teacher Mr Koch, I think he was from the States, he also used to give me 100 lines on a regular basis for talking in class and many times I had the cane from Miss Hayes. Still have fond memories of my schooldays though. I used to love sports and belonged to Hove Athletic Club and held the high jump record for the school. I remember several times a few of us used to jump out of the window of Mr Valdes' class when the bell went. Mr Harrison was my form teacher. Very interesting to read all the comments - I have only just found this site.

I don't think I knew Jennifer Bleach but I remember Mr Koch (he came from Missouri, USA). Mr Harrison is a name I remember but can't think for the life of me what he taught (was it Geography?). Miss Hayes was a rather large woman, but, I recall she was a teacher in the lower school. I think Jennifer must have been in school around my time (I left in 1958 in order to join the Royal Marines Band Service).

Wonderful school filled with teachers who believed it was their vocation to teach us, not just a paid job. I attended the Junior and Secondary schools. Some of the teachers you may remember are: Miss Canlin, Mrs Soo, Mr White, Mr Prior, Mr Gee, Mr Harvey, Mr Byrne, Mr McKenzie, Mr Smith (head) then the terrible Mr Devereaux! Mr Bradley, Mr Randell, Mrs Fox, Miss Fitzpatrick, Mr Valdes and a few others whose names slip my mind.

Heard about this site from Patricia Lawrance who, like me, went to St Mary Mags. I went on to Cottesmore, and remember well Mr Harvey. Everybody thought it was wonderful the day he turned up at school in his Rolls Royce. The height of extravagance; everybody wanted a ride in it. A great teacher, always smartly turned out, and I am very pleased to hear that he's still around. Mr Bradley and Mr Harrison were both killed in car accidents, terrible consternation in class when Mr Harrison didn't turn up and we were given the bad news. Mr Bradley was the Sussex athletics coach, if I remember correctly. Mr Gee the geography and sports teacher, he liked to clip us around the ear with his whistle. Hope a few more old pupils pop up.

Thanks John Flynn for information. I was in Mr. Harrison's class of 1959 - 1960 and this was my last year at school. I was aware that Mr. Vic Bratley was killed in car crash, but shocked to hear that Mr. Harrison was killed in same way.Do you know what years these happened?

Hi Mike, you cant have been in Mr (Woody) Harrison's class 1959/60, he did not arrive at Cottesmore until about 1965/66! I moved from Cottesmore Junior School in Sept 1965 to the secondary school. We had a few months of woodwork with Mr Bratley, before we heard he had died. I don't recall us 11 year-olds being told that it was in a car crash. Anyway, we went some months with no woodwork teacher, before Mr Harrison arrived, probably late 1965 or early 1966!

Hi Peter, well I guess there must have been at least two Mr. Harrisons attached to the school in the period 1957-1967. The Christian name of "my" Mr. Harrison I do not know to this day. Maybe someone reading this will oblige with a name. Was Sister Immaculata still at Cott. in 1965 ? Regards, Mike Whelan.

There must have been two Mr Harrisons, I was at Cottesmore from 1954/59 and a Mr Harrison was there during that time teaching geography. If my memory serves me right he was at the same time involved with a residental school run by East Sussex Education dept. teaching agriculture and horticulture (not Plumton). What I do remember is that he was a bit of a task master and rather free with a swipe with a ruler if he thought you weren't paying attention.

Hi Mike/Dan, I guess you two must be correct, there were two Mr Harrisons. The one from 1966, came from (I think) Hove Manor School (Connaught Road Hove) we nicknamed him "Woody" Harrison, he replaced Mr Bratley who had died. Mr Harrison was ex army, strict but fair, really had time for us young lads. Of course apart from woodwork, I did Tech Drawings with him, he explained 1st and 3rd angle projection so clearly, I still find it simple today (which can't be said for the university graduates of today who let CAD rule the day).

Mr Harvey was my art teacher, I don't think I had much talent although I am doing watercolour painting as a hobby now, and thoroughly enjoy it. My memory of Mr Harvey was that he introduced us to art appreciation and used to show us slides of paintings and discussed them. This has still stayed with me and I often think that he did introduce us to the art world. He also had a Land Rover and he took us up to the top of Chanctonbury Ring for a sponsored walk across the Downs - it took my friends and I so long to do the walk that we got back to the school after everybody else. I used to be a bit scared of him but then I was scared of most of the teachers especially when they chucked board rubbers about. There was one teacher who used to shake the boys by their shoulders I can't remember her name but she was a bit of a tartar.

So pleased to hear about Terry Harvey! He took me after school for G.C.E. Art. There were several of us but one by one they dropped out as they got jobs. The last was Peter White. I was then the only one but the lessons continued and I loved them. Mr Harvey was a great teacher. I think I was too young to appreciate him then. Since leaving Cottesmore in 1961 and many years later I too became a teacher of English in a Comprehensive. However, since my retirement I took up Art again going to the local Art College and gaining a degree in Fine Art. I sell some of my work and like to think that it was Mr Harvey who first inspired me. If you read this - I know it's late coming but a big thank you from Una (nee) Mitchell.

Dear Una, thank you for your kind comments. I retired from the local Catholic Secondary School, still teaching Art, in 1991. I am so pleased to hear that you have maintained your interest in Art and that you are doing so well in your profession. Terry Harvey

Dear Mr Harvey, I was one of your pupils in Art and you helped me do a sketch 'The Death of Macbeth'. I really enjoyed your classes. I also remember you supporting Campion House and in the cross country over the Downs you made me run faster by driving your old Rolls Royce behind me, I came third in the end. Great to hear you are living a relaxed retirement. Thanks again.

With reference to Vic Bratley woodwork teacher, he was killed in a car accident on the London Road and there were two Mr Harrisons. The geography teacher had an operation and died in hospital as far as I recall, his son was also a pupil at Cottesmore. If anyone remembers me would love to hear from them my email address is nevillepc@hotmail.com

I went to Cottesmore from Lourdes Convent in 1964 and left in 1969. Unfortunately I have never been one for remembering names but I do remember Mr Whitem who was my class teacher for a while. He taught RE but most of the lessons were taken up with him playing his guitar for us! I also remember Mrs Fox, Mr Prior, Mr Harvey and Miss Cook the cookery teacher! I was friends with Anne and Christina Blaker and Veronica Sullivan.... my mind has now gone blank. I would love to hear from anyone who was in my year.

Jill, that was Mr White (Jock) who mainly taught French, but mostly played his guitar!

I am an infrequent but interested visitor to this wonderful site. I would like to offer some clarification with regard to the two Mr. Harrisons. I have no knowledge of "Woody" Harrison but his predecessor was my father, Louis Harrison. My father was born and educated in Crewe, Cheshire and moved south to start his teaching career at Coleridge Street School. After serving in the RAF as a PT instructor during WWII he returned to Coleridge Street. He transferred to Cottesmore St Mary's Secondary School when it opened, which I believe was in 1954. I have some early pictures which I will post as soon as possible. After a very short illness, my father died from a coronary thrombosis on January 25th, 1963. I was 13 and my brother David was 10. We both attended Cottesmore Primary and then, after 5 years living in Lindfield near Haywards Heath, we returned to Hove after my father's death. We both then attended Xaverian and De La Salle Colleges; that's another story for another day on another page. I remember the names of a number of my father's colleagues from the reminiscences here and in particular Vic Bratley and Mr Valdez. The latter I recall was a keen photographer and indeed I still have some photographs that he took of the house, Beckworth, that my family lived in in Lindfield. I was saddened to learn of the manner of Vic Bratley's death. My recollections of him involve being taken on a number of occasions to AAA athletics meetings at the White City - one of those trips I recall involved transporting a pole vaulter's pole there and back on the roof of one of the original Minis! Although I did not attend Cottesmore Secondary I will always have an affinity for it and I can still "see" the yellow and white ceramic squares on the columns down by the playground. I stayed in and around the Brighton and Hove area until 9 years ago when I moved to Houston, Texas. My abiding memory of my Dad is that he was tough but fair and that he loved his family, his church and his profession. It is with great interest that I look forward to reading many more memories of Cottesmore in the 1950s and early 1960s.

Hi John, Mike Whelan here. I am absolutely delighted to read your comments and to know that you are Mr Harrison's son. A fine teacher he was, you are right - he was firm but fair. I was in his class in 1959-1960 which was my last year and I have never forgotten him. I do have a class photo of this year and if you haven't a copy then you can email me at mikeewhelan@gmail.com and I will attach one for you. Your other comments have brought back many memories. Regards

Like Nina I was in St Anne's Childrens' Home and would love to hear from anyone else who was there.

I remember Tina Hagen, there was five of us that were friends. Tina, Maggie Smith, Maddy Roberts, Mary Halewood and myself, still meet up with Mary and am still in contact with Maddy. I remember some of our teachers Mr. Berry our 1st and 3rd year teacher and Mrs. Curragh 2nd and 4th year teacher also Mrs. Fox Mr. Harvey Mr. Valdes Mr. White and the lovely needlework teacher with the impossible name and Mr. Gee who I see at St. Georges Church fetes and he still remembers me, how I do not know as he never took me for a lesson that I remember. I found this site by accident, but will visit it more often now.

Hello Frances, did Mary Halewood go to the catholic school in Vale Road? I have a photo of Mary (I think) and myself Sue Verran (Martin) taken after holy communion at the church hall. If Mary would like a photo my email is su_ever_ran@hotmail.com.

What a wonderful site this is. So great to hear about all old friends. Glad to hear that Mr Harvey is still alive, my aunt used to do housework for him and his family. I believe he lived in Newtown Road. Hope to hear from anyone who knows either me or my brother Raymond.