So the Great 65th Reunion is happening – 4

Final post: Even more trivial pursuit answers — plus

So as up at the old place some of my classmates are gathering, I write this last entry in my own private Class of 1959 Reunion (Wollongong Branch).

Left over from the last post:

1. Which Maths teacher had a daughter who was a model a glamour shot of whom appeared in the Daily Mirror or The Sun?
2. Who was “Chrome Dome”?
3. To what Woodwork and Tech Drawing venue were we told in First Year never to go alone?
4. What PE teacher from our time was back on staff in the 1980s?
5. Who would sometimes hit boys on the back with a volume of the Shorter Oxford Dictionary?

Which Maths teacher had a daughter who was a model a glamour shot of whom appeared in the Daily Mirror or The Sun?

That was S R Frappell, who was 3B’s Maths teacher in 1957. And indeed he had a daughter who was a model, and someone did find a picture of her — probably in the Daily Mirror. Or maybe Pix. Or The Australian Post. Whoever it is pinned it on the notice board near the classroom door. Frappell was not happy. Ripped it down and glared at us. (Don’t blame him really.)

And I found this on RootsWeb:

Born: 13 FEB 1938 in Sydney NSW AUS
Buried: in East Lawn Palms
Died: 19 AUG 2008 in Tucson, Pima, Arizona, USA
Father: Sydney Richard FRAPPELL
Mother: Alice Ethel MARTIN
Spouses:
Occupation: 1956 Sydney NSW AUS
Model

There’s a story there I’m sure…

Who was “Chrome Dome”?

9B’s History teacher in 1957 — and yes, shiny bald head. Name of Mitchell. Used to always put his foot up on the front desk while speaking to us. Someone — was it Scouller? — once got out a pencil and began writing or drawing on the sole of his shoe. Nice bloke.

To what Woodwork and Tech Drawing venue were we told in First Year never to go alone?

This one.

Bourke Street Junior Tech — as in 1955 Sydney High did not have the very sophisticated Industrial Arts Department it has now. This place then was a “slum school” with a fearsome reputation. On the afternoons we went there for Woodwork and Tech Drawing we were indeed told to go as a group and NEVER alone. The Woodwork teacher would cane us at the drop of a hat. Resentment perhaps about where he was and what privileged little brats we were in comparison with the youth of Surry Hills, where truancy and petty crime were rife. We used to run through Surry Hills if we were heading for Central and the train home. It wasn’t just to make sure we caught the early train.

I recall Surry Hills for lots of interesting sights and smells.

Later on in the late 80s through to 2010 I got to live there. But today it is all rather different. And Bourke Street Public School is highly desirable.

That Woodwork teacher became a colleague at Cronulla High — my first appointment in 1966. He was head of Industrial Arts, and quite a nice bloke really… Not sure I ever mentioned Bourke Street.

What PE teacher from our time was back on staff in the 1980s?

That would be Jim “Tipper” Barnett. He must have just been out of college when he came to Sydney High in the 1950s. Here he is in 1986.

Who would sometimes hit boys on the back with a volume of the Shorter Oxford Dictionary?

Dot Hornibrook of course, who took over the Library from Tilly Lawrence. I mentioned her earlier in this series.

You would find me in the quiet confines of the Library, though under the formidable Dot Hornibrook the Library could be quite exciting. I distinctly recall her saying quite loudly one day: “I do not see how possession of a penis makes you more intelligent!” And that in 1958-9…. Feisty and rather interesting, actually…

My own private Sydney High — 2

Well, that’s my Reunion. A lot more could be said, but that’s enough for now – and three blog posts in one day is a first I think. I hope — and am sure — that the Reunion today went really well. Sorry I could not get there in person. Will I make the 70th? Hmmmm….