Looking for School Records and School Photos

Collenswood School in the Sixties

By John F Dunster

Well as The Headings say, I’m looking for records & Photographs of Collenswood Secondary Modern School. I was there only for about 6 years(1963 to 1969). I cannot remember too much about my school life really, but I had a real good friend at Broadwater Crescent. I lived on the Corner of Broadwater Cres & The main road which I cannot remember either. After I left School I went to work as an apprentice toolmaker at Marconi Instruments & Stevenage College of Further Education until 1969. We then emigrated to Canada. The school friend I remembered his name (Michael Henderson) and like I wish I could have remembered more. I really enjoyed my time in Stevenage and over the course of time I have lost all Documentations and School Photos, and of course lost his address, so I hope you can help me, regards John.

This page was added on 05/08/2013.

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  • Veronica Ryan just won the Turner Prize 2022.

    By David Perkins (08/12/2022)
  • So, moved to Stevenage in 1961/62 and attended Collenswood School when it 1st opened. Made a little history being the 1st set of triplets to attend. Brian Dennis & Sheilagh. We are at the ripe old age of 73 years now and all still alive and kicking. I Myself (Dennis) am still living in Stevenage, Brian emigrated to NZ and Sheilagh is living in the south (Worthing).

    My 1st Wife (Eileen Collins) also went to Collenswood but after I had left. Her older brother Steve also went to the same school.

    Great Memories and times at Collenswood.

    By Dennis Whitaker (04/10/2022)
  • As promised, Ken, you can see my posts in an aerial picture from the mid ’60’s and some memories based around some of the bits and pieces I unearthed during a sort out. On the sports fixture list I saw that there we quite a few basketball matches and I seem to remember you were a pretty good player (I was rubbish). Do you remember any of these ?

    By Ian Henning (14/09/2022)
  • I remember you very well Ken, we both got roped in for the school athletics team – you were ahead of me in javlin, shot and discus. I’ve rediscovered one or two things from Collenswood days which bought back memories which I hope to put together for a post.

    By Ian Henning (30/07/2022)
  • Just come across this…I was there 63 to 69. Mr Jones, Miss Coley, Mr Handford to name but a few. Still local in Hitchin area. Whatever happened to Terry McNaughton and Ian Henning?

    By Ken Jordan (28/07/2022)
  • Just in case anyone still visits this page, the sad news is that Peter Warren has died. He taught at Collenswood School for 37 years

    By Di Bennett (14/07/2022)
  • In the mid 1970’s we all referred to Mr McArthur as Big Mac and we hadn’t even heard of McDonald’s.

    By Graeme Innes-Johnstone (26/02/2021)
  • I was there from 1978 to 1984. Was lead bowler in cricket, defender in football and 800 metres runner representing the school at Ridlins running track. Teachers: Mr Bethell in Maths, Mr Shaw in Physics, Mr Dixon in Geography, Mr Clee in Archaeology, Mrs Graham in History. Others were Warren, Hecker, Head, Sorrell, Cleare, Betts, Ms Whittaker, Ms Gordon, Ms Livermore, Ms Stevens l remember.

    By Peter Rutt (08/11/2020)
  • I recall all the memories of those who have written before. And yes Mr Head, Mr Sparrow and Mr Miller I have good memories. I was at the school between 1968 – 1974. I was captain of the Basketball and Football teams. I recall forming a band and playing at the school. Great times. Reach out if you remember me.

    By Garry Kay now Garry Denny (11/08/2020)
  • I was there from 1980 to 1984. There were two head teachers, Mr. McArthur for the boys, but I cannot think of the name of the lady who was head of the girls. She taught all subjects and would quite often fill in if a teacher was off.

    By Lesley Convery (27/06/2020)
  • I was at Collenswood 1974-1981. Mr MacArthur was Head and Mr Lyndsey was Deputy. In English Mr Head bullied me and put me off language for life – something I’ve never forgiven him for. I loved Technical drawing with Mr Duffy. I remember Mr Miller, Mr Sparrow, Mr Cleare, Mrs Beard, Mr Edwards, the guy who taught Applied Maths – with the big ginger beard, he was great. School mates I remember – Dave Chapman, Robert Cato, Neil Bugler, Joe Sapsford, Denise Porter, Hillary Mudge, Alison Greene, Brian Mole, Bradley Paine. I held the triple jump record until the school closed 🙂 I think it was 11.76m.

    By Neil Bonfield (06/06/2020)
  • I remember mr Jones rural studies I was in his form. Left in 1970 MacArthur was not happy as I said I would stay on. Mr Hanford was the PE teacher miss coley English. Good school good memories.
    Chris

    By Chris Fry (12/04/2020)
  • The Deputy Head who brought her dog to school was Miss Loveridge. I don’t know what the dog was called. It would lay in her office on a cushion.

    By Tony Wheeler (02/08/2019)
  • I would have attended Collenswood from 1966-1971
    The teachers that made the most impression were Mr. Head and Mr. Sparrow
    The pupils I recall mostly fondly are David Perkins, John Baxter, Wendy Fensome, Linda Shepherd and Judith Maryon.
    I did enjoy assembly each morning and listening to classical music. Mr. McArthur was head and a lady who would bring her dog to school with her was deputy.

    By Jacqueline Fletcher-Snodgrass (21/10/2018)
  • I remember you Mr Dunster, you were one year above me, we didn’t speak so you won’t remember me but I saw you involved with fisticuffs with another from my year. You left in 68 because I was 6th year in 69.

    By William Jones (15/11/2017)