Page 4 - Front cover sm school.pub

Living on the edge of Welwyn parish, I was one of only two from Knebworth Primary School to go to St Mary's Secondary Modern School in the September of 1958. It seemed very big and strange and full of children unknown to me, but seemingly all knowing one another. However in the succeeding five years I came to think of the school as a supportive community which valued its students for what they could do and always encouraged them to do more. Before I started at St Mary's I was told that the school had a very good reputation. This was true. Not only was this because the students who left the school were well grounded academically and many had been trained in vocational skills such as wood and metal work, horticulture, secretarial and commercial skills. But also because students were generally well behaved in the community creating a good impression. The reputation and quality of the school was entirely down to the work of the Headmaster Mr Gordon Annsley Savage, (known to all students as GAS) and his staff. Discipline was very important to the well-being and smooth running of the school. For instance all children had to walk on the right-hand-side of the corridors in single file without running. At break times Prefects were stationed on all corridors and staircases to see that the students didn't break the rules. Appearance was also important, hair had to be combed and in the summer if you were wearing an open necked shirt the collar had to be outside your blazer collar, Prefects would quickly tell you if it was not. The school uniform was highly distinctive with its blue and gold tie and the blue blazer with the gold braid round the edge. Consequently any out of school misbehaviour got reported back and any students identified were reprimanded. Serious misbehaviour resulted in a short talk at assembly by Mr Savage about the responsibility of individuals and not letting the school down. Misdemeanour's in class were punished by standing in the corner or in the corridor, serious misbehaviour resulted in being sent to stand under the bell rope, where Mr Savage might see you and investigate why you were there, which I found a mortifying experience. Corporal punishment was used, but very infrequently. Another reason for the schools success was that with about 300 students it was just the right size for everyone to be recognised and remembered as a member of the school and with about 60-80 students in a year it is just the right number who's names can be comfortably remembered. A far cry from today's large comprehensives where the individual can be swamped in the crowd and seek security in cliques and gangs. Looking back, I consider that I was very fortunate to have attended St Mary's and as a “late developer” the school helped me make the most of my abilities, giving me the tools needed to progress to university a few years later. Richard Darby BSc, CMIOSH Head Boy 1962-63