NEWS FROM OLD GIRLS
Jean Johnson (Cuthew) 1951-56
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I was at CCHS in the fifties and as I approach my eightieth year it fascinating to reflect on how life has changed. I hope the school leavers of today are grateful to have such interesting opportunities.
These reflections were stimulated by the article of Beryl Whent’s memories in the last newsletter. The piece that interested me was the fact that Miss King had advised Beryl that she should stay on at School to study French at advanced level, after which she would have a really interesting job. However, her mother could not afford to keep her on at School for the Sixth Form. I have heard numerous reports of this. Many interesting vocations were missed. Indeed it happened to me. I had to leave at the age of 16 and the world lost what would have been a talented Primary School Teacher! Having said that, I founded a pre-School Playgroup, ran a Typing Agency, and had a really interesting and varied working life. I made sure both my children had the opportunity to go to university (my daughter was at CCHS). My two step-cousins, who were at the school during the decade before me, had to leave school at the age of 14; again for lack of aspiration on behalf of their parents but probably most of all for financial reasons.
Having read the fascinating obituary for Sylvia Manley in this newsletter in advance of printing, this is another aspect the leavers of today should reflect upon. Sylvia was fortunate enough to have her father in her life for several years, but the impact of his loss at such a young age must have been devastating. Even in the fifties we were still reaping the results of the Second World War. I knew of several girls at that time who never knew their father and others who never actually knew why or when their fathers had been killed.
The aim of everyone is to try and make the world a better place for the next generation. When we were at school most of us didn’t realise that CCHS gave us the training and confidence to do this. So, as Beryl said at the end of her article, “I have no regrets”.
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