I did, elliot bank and forest hill boys.

same with me (both of the schools)

Christ Church and Sydenham Girls.

Yes. Fairlawn Primary and Forest Hill Boys.

fairlawn and sydenham

Yeah eliott bank and sydenham girls why?

You guys should put in the dates you attended to compare eras.

To be honest, I have probably have a different view on the way school children behave in Forest Hill, being an American. A couple of months ago I was on the train and a bunch of boys (I'm assuming from Forest Hill Boys) were acting up on the platform. When a teacher, who was also on the train, repremanded the boys they all stood in a line and said 'yes sir and sorry sir'. I was impressed.

Something like that never would have happened at my white, outer suburban school in the 1980s. In fact my parents, who have visted Forest Hill many times have commented on the children gathering around WH Smith and the like and remarked that it reminded them of what it was like when they were in school in the 50s and 60s in America! My mother went to a state high school in a neighborhood of Boston that is very simliar to make-up of Forest Hill.

Sorry, to highjack the 'what school' thread--but I thought this kind of fit in with the discussion.

Good point Elizabeth I attended Elliot bank 1988-95 and Forest hill boys 1995/2000. Why multisync, because it's fun, interesting and better than discussing the recent transport fiasco and planning dilema's. Elizabeth the reason that boys from Forest hill boys responded to their teacher in such a fashion is because from what I remember Forest hill instills discipline and respect for their tutors and doesn't mind the tutors being a bit rough with the lads i.e manhandling trouble makers out of the classroom and such, they did it to me when I acted up and I thank them for it to this day. And also lets not forget the other reason why the school commands respect, the legend that runs the place, Peter Walsh. The man lives for the school and knows everyone of his flocks first name.

Wow - that's impressive!

indeed he is a great man .. my son goes to forest hill now (in year 9) .. They have just had their new building opened (complete with theatre)... and mr walsh still knows all their names

btw i went to fairlawn from '72 - '78

and sydenham from '78 - '83
(i am indeed an old fart !)

I went to Sydenhams Girls (97 - 2002) then Hillsyde 6th form, based at forest hill boys (2002 - 2004).
My brother Spike went to forest hill boys (99 - 2004), and experienced problems with both the teachers and students. Mr. Walsh helped him so much, it's too long to explain how. He also provided a reference when Spike applied for an apprenticeship, and 6 months ago when my bro needed a passport, Mr. Walsh signed the photos because he still remembered him.

Wow, Peter Walsh sounds like a tremendous guy. Maybe we should have a 'SE23 Stars' thread naming all the unsung heroes of our community?

Went to Fairlawn Primary from 1959 until 1965 and Forest Hill Boys from 1965 until 1970.

Discipline? Oh yes!

At FHB's, detention required you to stay after school and pick up all the litter in the school grounds. If you were lippy in class then you could get a cuff around the ear. If you turned up for gym with dirty kit then you got a trainer across the backside (they were called plimsoles then) and if you really upset the staff then the cane was still propped up in the corner of the Headmasters office.

But it was an accepted part of secondary schooling in those days and expulsion was pretty much unheard of.

I'm not being funny but that cane is still there but Walsh keeps it in a locked case on just in case any teachers get tempted.

In the 1960's, FHB's had a good all round reputation, so its good to hear about Peter Walsh's continued dedication. Although I understand that in recent years they have amalagamated and hence reduced the number of houses within the school? In my day there were six.

now they have

drake
reynolds
shackleton
harvey

sydenham dont have a house system at all now

sydenham dont have a house system at all now

Sydenham have (or at least had in the last few years) classes in each year named S,Y,D,E,N,H,A,M,G, & when applicant numbers dictated, R (as 'I' sounded too much like 'Y' on the tannoy).

But yeah, we didn't have any of the 'House Loyalty' or anything that some schools had. It meant there really was little interaction between the different yeargroups, which is probably why they introduced student-mentors.

FHB's School. Ok, nice to see that my old house Drake still exists. That means that the two houses now removed are Browning (Bright red ribbon over blazer pocket) and Newton. (Dark red ribbon)

When I attended the Headmaster was E. Potter and the Deputy Head (who we tended to see much more of) was a Dr Stanbury. Both wore the obligatory mortar board and gown.

my boy is in Drake (now that is the red one ) ... my youngest brothers were in newton i seem to remember

my daughter is at sydenham now ..
not sure if not having houses is better or not.. I was in Ryder (white) we were pants at sport

Am I the only one here who went to classic Holy Trinity??? I then went to Crofton Park... best time of my life--better than college and university.