A.O.S.A. 2006 ANNUAL REPORT |
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We could reminisce about all our teachers and remember them for many things . I often wonder whether the children I have taught will remember things about me - or maybe it would be better not to know! What else do we always remember about Ayton? Tuck Boxes! My box always had salad cream in it to spread on my cream crackers. Afternoon snacks . I'm not sure what time this actually came but I do remember the squares of sponge cake . The early rising bell. Once rung at 5.00am by Carol Jackson because someone was sleep talking and Carol thought she was being reminded to ring the bell! Sunday Dresses with neat white collars. Middlesbrough leave. I can remember on one of these occasions having my ears pierced. Definitely frowned upon . My long hair kept them hidden for a while although my mother certainly noticed it on her visit to school one weekend! The Matrons - Miss Hutchinson and Miss Banks. There was always that smell of wintergreen (is that the right spelling?) in the surgery area and it was possible to get a longer stay in the San if you warmed the thermometer on your hot water bottle! I wonder if Margaret and Mary knew we did that? Arriving at school at the beginning of term and having to put all your clothes out on the bed WITH THE NAME LABELS SHOWING! Shoes with heels that had to cover a sixpence. I remember being in the first or second year and seeing Hilary Thompson, (Herbie as she was known then) with high heels! I was so envious . House meetings . I was in Swarthmore with Taffy. I became Vice Captain in the later years. Goodness knows how! Lessons - Maths was a real problem for me and probably for Mr Armitage, a lovely person who took us Youth Hostelling and, as he used to say, we sometimes met some of his weaknesses! English - Miss Gascoigne a very young teacher who didn't stay very long . Geography, where we seemed to draw a lot of maps with Mr Collingridge. History, where I'm never sure whether the facts were true or false or just really exciting! Music - little tips that Dorothy Easton told us like phrases that match to certain melodies such as ‘Thank God when it’s over’ which fits very nicely to Fingal’s Cave Overture . Games - Norma Coverdale and then Judith Duncan with flying cape. Mr Livermore trying desperately hard to teach me science and then Chris Scaife, who had to try and do the same. Science became exciting when they decided to dig up some of the graveyard to extend the Meeting House . From the Science lab (I think it was Physics) you could see them digging up the graves . Much more exciting, I thought. Suzanne Cuthbert (Scaife), she really tried hard when I decided to do French Conversation. I do remember the odd word. Dissecting frogs with Mr Alderson . Not really my cup of tea . The weaving room with that smell of wool and all those wonderful looms. Ruth Harwood and her skirts. I’m sure she wove all the material and made them into skirts herself . I did O level weaving and still have many of the things I made. French with Mr Barley. Do you remember his pop group “The Red Hot Peppers”? There are many more and I’m sure you will all have your own special memories. Meetings became very special to me - a time for reflection and thought. A quiet time that I don’t think you appreciate until you are older. The sound of the peacocks outside the classroom block. I believe they had their heads bitten off but that could just have been a rumour . They always used to make such a noise especially during exam time. The grounds at Ayton. How lucky we were to have those wonderful areas we could walk in. The trees round the lake area, the teachers’ terrace, where if I remember rightly there were cherry trees . The swimming pool. Goodness it was cold at times . The tuck shop. I can remember being put in charge of the ordering which was great because I could order all the things I liked! Friends . We all had very special friends and I’m sure most of us keep in touch even if it is only a card at Christmas . The fun we had, the quarrels over small things that were soon forgotten and the support we always gave each other. In 1973 I left Ayton and went to Dartington College of Arts in Devon. I studied Music and Dance here and then moved on to Rolle College Exmouth to continue with my teacher-training course . I was also offered a place at the Northern College of Music in Manchester on the performer’s course, but I’d always wanted to teach . Even at three I had a blackboard and a class of very difficult dolls! In those days, you didn't ‘do’ degrees, but I have succeeded in getting one since, in 1994, when I gained a B Ed in Education Management. College came and went very quickly and before I knew it I was applying for teaching jobs . In those days you applied to a county and they found a school for you . I wanted to return home. I am a northern girl and much as I had enjoyed my time in Devon the draw of North Yorkshire was great. I was offered a job in a school in Northallerton. Yes, the one I had been to as a child with the same teachers in post! Not good . They couldn't understand how someone who had not passed the 11+ could possibly be a teacher, and my Head of Department was the teacher who had smacked me so many years before! I managed two years at the school where I had a class of 47 seven year olds! (And they worry about large class sizes now). After being told not to build a snowman on the football pitch I thought it was time to go. I moved to an infant school on Catterick Garrison and loved every minute of it . I had a lively class of four and five year olds and I was probably the only constant person in their lives. Mums and dads were very young. Most of the dads were over in Ireland and Mums of 17 or 18 years old were left at home . There were some characters in my classes, but it would take too much time to tell you all the wonderful things they said and did. From there I moved to a junior school in Ripon teaching 10 year olds . A real shock after little ones, and I could hardly reach the blackboard unless I wore high heels . I was also given promotion at this point. I took on the responsibility for music throughout the school . From Ripon I moved to Masham as deputy head. The school in Masham is very old and part of it had been the caretaker’s house. On my arrival in school, she took one look at my sling back stilettos and said ‘I hope you’re not going to wear those on my floors.’ It was while I was Deputy Head that I met Mike . Masham is used for lots of filming - Heartbeat, Frost and on this occasion a film called A Day in Summer . Mike was an accountant in the film industry . The children and school were used a great deal during the filming, and night scenes consisted of fair ground rides in the market place . The children loved it and many were able to open bank accounts with the money they earned . However some of the wiser children did find the waiting around hard work, and as we waited for yet another ‘take’ one day a 10 year old turned to me and said “Acting isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, is it, Miss Hird?” I agreed wholeheartedly . Mike left the film industry soon afterwards and we have been together ever since. After 5 years I felt it was time to move on but at that time my Headteacher at Masham left suddenly and I was asked to take over as acting head. In 1990 I became the Headteacher. Life as a Headteacher was not easy. Decisions have to be made and there’s always someone who knows better or doesn’t agree. I loved every minute of it until November 2003. The dreaded Ofsted arrived for the second time and there followed a very stressful time for everyone . The story isn’t important any more but it ended my career as a Headteacher. For several months I was absent from school and in the end decided there was more to life than a 60-70 hour week with no weekends. I left Masham with great sadness . However where one door closes another usually opens. I am now doing supply teaching which I love . This term I’m working at one school covering for maternity leave. No responsibilities, no governors, meetings, no finance meetings, but I’m back with the children. I did have other interests while I was teaching, although once I became a Headteacher I didn’t seem to have time for anything. I joined the North Yorkshire Chorus and performed, not only in this country, but Finland and what was East Germany. Quite a few old scholars were members of the choir, one being Chris Thompson. I was a member of the Northallerton Operatic Society and later became their musical director. I was also a member of the Northallerton Variety Company . This was great fun as we performed pantomimes every year. I frequently took the part of the Principal Boy and at times half of an animal! Usually the front half. I never seemed to be asked to take the pretty parts! At the present time I have returned to the Variety Company Concert group as their musical director. Lots of concerts raising money for charity and great fun! Looking back and now having the chance to reflect, I think the way in which I teach children and see them grow is down to my time at Ayton . I treasure the memories I have of Ayton, its teachers, my friends and the fun we had. We were educated for life and we were valued for what we were . Our talents were nurtured and I hope I have passed those things on to the children I have taught over the years . Today we seem to be more concerned with test results from the age of five onwards. Surely we should be encouraging children to reach their full potential whatever it may be. I look back to Ayton with very happy memories and I thank all those people (teachers, friends, my family and Mike) who made and still make it possible for me to succeed in the things I choose to do. I don’t think we realize in our younger days who and what can have such an impact on what we do or how we think and behave . But in my case I shall always remember those who had an impact on me. Thank you for listening and sharing my experiences. Maeve Hird (1963-70) |
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A.O.S.A. 2006 ANNUAL REPORT |