St Georges School, Hong Kong

Imagine the SGS badge here!!

The Way We Were Our badge comprised the emblems of the three services – army, navy and air force, topped by the dragon of St George. I think the two colours also represented the three services – red for the army and blue for the navy and air force.

The stories here are taken from the St Georges website – www.saintgeorges-hk.com., set up by Ian Maw ( nicknamed Vicar). You will notice that, although there is a fairly basic thread for each item, the contributors don’t necessarily stick to the theme! So this can sometimes lead to a variety of themes under one heading. This book was presented to the Australian International School on 25th October 2006 by a group of ex-pupils from St Georges School, which once stood on this site.

Within its pages, we try to describe what it was like to attend school in Hong Kong over the past 50 years

You will find many pictures and anecdotes, written by the pupils from our website, set up six years ago by Vicar (Ian Maw) in an attempt to trace some of his old school friends.

Not only did he find his old friends but be managed to reunite many others, and for that we are all truly grateful to him. If it had not been for his search those many years ago, this reunion would not be taking place.

So, delve into its pages and read about how it was when we went to school out here! The ages of the people writing here range from those in their 60’s to those in their late 20’s.

We all have tales to tell – and we hope you enjoy reading them.

The ex-pupils of St Georges, 1955-1997 St Georges School, Hong Kong

The Way We Were

Articles

Contributors Ian Maw - History of a Website Laurie Skelton – Trooping to Hong Kong Arrival Flights to Hong Kong First Impressions Things I loved about Hong Kong Princess Alexandra Gweilo Treading the Boards School Uniform Stormy Weather Riots and Water Rationing RMS Queen Elizabeth School Lunches Thank You For the Music School Rules Visits to the Headmaster Sporting Days Outward Bound Course 1977 – Ian Maw 6th Form Common Room Film Stars Changes Georgian Gossip 1984-5 (article from The Georgian Chronicle, the school magazine) Last Days Coming Home with a Bump Chinese Dragon puts an end to St Georges’ Handover Many thanks to the following who have allowed their reminiscences to be used in the compilation of this book. The years represent the time they spent at St Georges, where known

Nick Airey 1973-81 Mandy McFarland 1977-79 Elizabeth Allen 1966-68 Sandra Mansell 1959-62 1965-66 Mick Ansell 1959-64 Wendy Mansell 1964-72 Sondra Aslett 1960-63 Nicola Millar 1975-76 Tom Banks Island School Jayne Moorat 1971-74 Alan Baxter 1962-65 Stewart Nuttall 1976-79 Frank Beecham 1973-75 Dave O’Hare 1981-84 Bryan Bellars 1978-81 Pete Olcorn 1976-79 Hilary Bellord 1972-74 Tim Oldfield 1965-66 Arthur Binns 1957-59 Julia Organ 1972-75 Chris Blackmore 1963-66 Andrew Parr 1976-77 Maura Bleeks 1994-96 Lindsay Pennell 1970-73 Teresa Boddy 1970-76 Sue Perry 1963-66 Marion Bold 1975-77 Donna Powell 1984-86 Tony Broadbent 1975-77 Ron Preedy 1956-58 John Brown 1969-71 Alison Reid 1976-78 Margaret Brownlow 1969-71 Rab Reid 1979-81 Robert Burridge 1961-62 Nigel Roberts 1973-77 Penny Campbell 1978-80 Tanya Robson 1978-80 Paul Chipperfield 1974-76 Caroline Rogers 1978-81 Steve Cowell 1976-79 Karen Rossell Stanley Cranson 1964-66 Tina Scott 1976-79 Keith Darker 1967-70 Lindsay Sinclair 1978-79 1972-75 Steve Dawkins 1969-71 Laurie Skelton 1957-58 Julien Dixon 1983-85 Kenneth Small 1965-67 Luke Doran 1984-85 Ralph Small 1965-66 Gordon Downard 1969-72 Sarah Smith 1981-84 Pam Downer 1968-70 Theresa Smith 1978-80 Ted Eaves 1962-63 Michelle Stepney 1988-92 Nigel Edwards 1969-74 James Stevens 1978-80 Judy Fenton 1972-74 Rebecca Suart 1984-85 Susan Fenton 1985-88 Carol Sweet 1980-84 Christine Finister 1975-76 Paul Sweet 1989-91 Carol Flett 1973-75 Steve Swift 1973-80 Aaron Fothergill 1983-85 Graham Taylor 1986-92 Andy Graham 1976-82 Denise Thorn 1966-69 Jeanette Hardman 1973-76 Bob Thurston 1955-57 Frank Hayes 1959-61 Joanne Varley 1974-79 Sarah Ann Hewitt 1980-84 Jane Varley Noelle Hopkins 1974-78 Caroline Vincent 1984-86 Bob Hoggett 1971-77 Di Ward 1957-59 Graham Jacob 1969-71 Neil Waters 1977-80 Andy Jenkinson 1980-83 Mark Walsh 1978-80 Glen Jones 1972-74 Heather Watson 1973-75 Kim Joynes 1976-79 John Wilkinson 1978-80 Chris Lee 1976-78 Dawn Williams 1977-79 Lyn MacDonald 1974-78 Lee Dave

Not forgetting the man who started it all back in 2000 – Ian Maw (Vicar)! Ian Maw – Vicar History of a Website

“I joined the 6th form at the school in 1976 after moving to Hong Kong when my late father, a Royal Navy Fleet Chief, was posted to H.M.S. Tamar for three years.

After initial reservations about going back to school, (I had just finished my secondary education in Plymouth and was looking forward to a bit of a break), I soon found that this was no ordinary school. For a start, sixth formers were allowed to smoke on the common room patio!

A great deal of freedom and a very relaxed atmosphere made it almost pleasurable. The common room record player (those things before CD’s) worked overtime to the strains of 70’s heavy rock, whilst various activities took place.

Having been educated to an employable standard, I left SGS in 1978 and began working for the Hong Kong Government at Police Headquarters, Arsenal Street (handily opposite the China Fleet Club). Later in 1978 when my parents returned to UK, I moved from our Navy quarters in Happy Valley to one of the Government flats in Ho Man Tin, Kowloon.

I said farewell to Hong Kong in late 1980 and returned to Plymouth, but not finding much to keep me there, I moved to London and joined the Metropolitan Police where I mainly served at Kilburn, NW6.

I married in 1984 and our first daughter, Kerry, was born in May 1985. In 1987 I transferred to Sussex police and we moved to Brighton. Our second daughter, Katie, was born in May 1988. We divorced in the mid 90’s and I moved to Newhaven, just outside Brighton.

Anna and I met some time after (although we had known each other previously – but that’s another story) and we were married in November 2000. We are still currently living in Newhaven.

In 2000, having reached 40, I thought a lot about the old days and set about trying to contact some of the old reprobates. This proved difficult, as there didn’t seem to be any information on the school since it closed, and resources were rare. Thinking that there were probably others, like me, also looking, I decided the web would be a good place to start, and decided to have a go at building a small site.

The initial idea was to take the site down once contact had been made. I didn’t realise how much interest the site would generate and was staggered when more and more people were signing up. As the result of this, I decided then, to keep the site going – and here we are today!”

And it is thanks to Ian that we have such a wonderful website, where we can get in touch with friends made in our younger days – and relive our childhood! Trooping To Hong Kong Laurie Skelton SGS 57-58

Repulse Bay 1957

Spring of 1955 found myself and the family on a train that chuffed and puffed laboriously out of Richmond Station. We were beginning our second adventure to the Orient in less than five years. Late in 1852 we had come back on the troopship Empire Fowey from several years in Singapore, just in time to see the coronation and the end of sweet rationing – 4oz of sweets per week only! Now we were off to Hong Kong which my dad (then a staff sergeant in the Royal Signals) had told me was even further away than Singapore.

Heavily laden with conscript and regular soldiers, our train slowly picked up speed; while I rubber-necked from an open window, the timeless countryside of North Yorkshire passed by.

I noticed a portly bobby on a bicycle wobbling his way along a lane parallel and below the single railway track. Suddenly a small object arced away from the carriage behind the one I was in, exploding close to, and startling, the officer of the law; causing him to be ejected unceremoniously from his mount onto the ground.

Dad looked up from his newspaper, muttered darkly about young conscripts with thunder flashes; and suddenly disappeared from our compartment to look for the prankster. Despite the efforts of several ‘redcaps’ (military policemen) and a number of officers and NCOs (non- commissioned officers) the culprit was never found.

I thought the incident hilariously funny, much like something out of a comedy film. Dad returned to the compartment in time to get our cases from those overhead luggage nets, as we were now pulling into Darlington station. My recollection of this Victorian celebration of civic pride was of soot-black grimy ledges, sulphurous smells and clouds of steam that briefly obscured our progress over the footbridge as the ‘puff puffs’ passed underneath.

There were dozens of porters hanging around, some actually willing to help you with your luggage. The platforms abounded with trolleys loaded with all sorts of merchandise, including newspapers, churns of milk, and dozens of large baskets filled with cooing racing pigeons. In the station

Trooping to Hong Kong 1 café teas came in china cups, complete with saucers and EPNS (electro plated nickel silver) spoons. No teabags, and there was a real linen cloth on the table.

I remember passing close to Stevenson’s Rocket and Puffing Billy exhibited on one of the platforms. I also put a threepenny bit into a cast iron gadget and punched out my name onto a metal strip (which I later attached to a small case).

A tremble of the platform and the sleek shape of an A4 hove into sight. It was The Gres (the Sir Nigel Gresley), making a quick pit-stop on the way to Kings Cross station. We had been transported a couple of times by it’s more illustrious record breaking A4 Pacific Class twin, The Mallard. Once in London we spent four enjoyable days with friends we knew from earlier times in Catterick. We did the tourist trek, taking in several history sites and museums, before entraining for Southampton and Ocean Terminal, and our date with Her Majesty’s loyal Troopship Asturias. It was a short journey time of about one and a half hours from Waterloo to Southampton; and the train stopped close to a large dockside transit shed. It was here that we were ‘processed’ by the authorities.

A walk into the daylight and we were greeted by the looming side of the ship that was to transport us to Hong Kong. It looked huge, but not nearly as big as the Queen Mary and the SS United States that were moored up close by. I remember walking up a long gangplank and in through a rectangular opening in the side of the ship, emerging into a large foyer.

It was here the purser checked out my parents’ passports and assigned the Lascar cabin steward, who showed us to our cabin and attended us during the voyage. By the time we had settled into out cabins a gong was being bashed along the companionway, and it was time for an early dinner. During the meal we were aware of preparations going on to leave the quayside, so we didn’t linger long over the delicious and plentiful food, and made our way up onto the main deck.

The quayside seemed far below and the people looked small as we glided past the tops of cranes. A portly lady stood at the end of the quayside and sang us off with ‘Anchors Away’, ‘Rule Britannia’ and ‘There’ll Always Be An England’. With a couple of goodbye blasts from the ships foghorn, we were heading out down the sound and past the Isle of Wight. A brief glimpse of The Needles and we were into open waters, bound for the Bay of Biscay.

Our first port of call was Gibraltar. In the four days it took to get there I noticed the temperature warming and the skies getting lighter and bluer. The sea was also loosing its cold grey look, and took on a less austere and bluer appearance.

Our day in Gib was soon over it seemed. We had hired a taxi plus its driver for the duration. The town was pleasant and clean, with many duty free shops. We had a snack lunch before heading to the Moorish castle, and experienced the expansive view, from its battlements, of the airfield

Trooping to Hong Kong 2 far below and the outline of Spain across the bay. By the time we got to the old gun galleries, with their cannons pointing out to sea that had repelled Napoleons fleets 150 years before, most of the Barbary apes had decided to to into town. So we only got to see a few.

We sailed down the Mediterranean Sea, passing the Italian island of Pantaleria, which had proved a threat with its submarines and fast attack craft to Allied convoys bound for Malta and Egypt thirteen or so years before.

There was an emergency on board when a baby was found to be dangerously ill with diphtheria, and Asturias was diverted closer to Malta than usual. It was twilight when we reached the rendezvous point with a high speed RAF launch. The ship stopped, and a gangway was lowered alongside, suspended by three small derrick cranes. A doctor and nurse came aboard, and they accompanied the mother and sick baby onto the launch, which was soon heading at some speed towards the twinkling lights of Valetta in the distance.

A couple of days later I awoke and looked out of the cabin porthole to be greeted by sand, palm trees, red kites circling high above, a glaring sun, some houses that looked straight out of the Bible, colonial villas and outposts, and the shouts of Arab traders looking up from their ‘bumboats’ calling out for trade. We were in Port Said.

That afternoon we children were invited into one of the ships lounges to meet the Gully Gully Man. Looking the part, complete with a fez hat, dog- eared packs of cards, three old brass cups, a couple of ping pong balls, some pieces of string, a pair of scissors, a day old chick and a couple of eggs, he held up spellbound for about an hour.

Aden - 1957

A northern bound convoy, that included Royal Navy warships returning from a stint in eastern waters, delayed our progress down the canal until the next day. By breakfast we were on the move, and I spent a lot of the day with my brother and a couple of new playmates absorbing the passing scene. There was a dusty road that ran by the canal, along which we saw Egyptian military trucks, staff cars and a couple of old armoured cars.

Trooping to Hong Kong 3 Numbers of ancient and battered lorries crawled along belching fumes; while others were driven at breakneck speed by kamikaze drivers.

Now and then groups of goats and camels would appear. At one point we saw a tantalising glimpse of the pyramids and sphinx in the distance. I also noticed a cluster of dolphins had taken up station with ‘chosen’ ships in our convoy. They were to stay with us through the Bitter Lakes convoy passing point, only to say their goodbyes when we reached the Red Sea. I remember that the bathwater was tepid seawater, and that the ‘special soap’ could barely muster a lather.

It was in the Red Sea that I Saw the first of many flying fish, skimming the wave tops; and an occasional marlin leaping towards the sky. An aircraft carrier, HMS Eagle if my memory is correct, passed so close to us that I could see the markings on the aircraft arrayed on its deck. There was a sperm whale that vented only a few yards away from the starboard side and drew lots of attention.

A couple of days later and we were rounding Steamer Point, heading for a mooring close to a 6-inch gunned Town Class cruiser – I forget the name – possibly HMS Newcastle. We were to have a couple of days ashore in Aden while the ship refuelled and replenished its supplies.

A string of bumboats ferried troops and families ashore. Mum, dad, little brother and myself toured the sights of old Crater Town and had our photographs taken on the back of an aloof and disdainful looking camel. We then made our way by taxi to the NAAFI club at Steamer Point, for a late lunch and a cooling swim in the safety of the shark nets; then back to the Asturias, and a refreshing breeze from the porthole ‘scuttle’ as the ship picked up speed and headed out towards the eastern seas.

Aden - Swimming within the shark nets

That evening my parents allowed me to stay above decks a little longer than usual. With tomato juice and Worcestershire sauce in hand, I stood by the railings as the sun dropped below the horizon and felt very grown up and sophisticated; while the ship’s shadow danced across the undulating scene below.

Trooping to Hong Kong 4 There was a muted sound of churning propellers and a distinctive swishing as the ship cut smoothly through the water. I recall flashes of luminescence on wave crests, now and then skimmed by flying fish; and a truly dramatic fiery yellow, orange and red sunset. Boy did I feel grown up. Standing there, tomato cocktail in hand …….

After a couple of days of shark and dolphin spotting, we slowly steamed into Colombo harbour and moored up back-to-back with ‘my’ old troopship the Empire Fowey (ex-German ship Potsdam). Both ships shared the same mooring buoy.

We spent part of the day wandering the ivory market, and the rest of the day visiting a temple and a crocodile farm. It was at a time when ladies would and could buy crocodile, snakeskin and ‘big cat’ shoes, handbags and other accessories quite openly in Colombo shops, and from the many stalls. Time seemed to fly by and it seemed no time before we were sitting in rickshaws and heading back to the harbour. On board ship that evening I experienced one of the tastiest fish meals, on that still lodges in my aging memory banks. It was a recipe based on a large grouper fillet. Mmmmmmmmmmm, I can taste it even today, more than fifty years on.

Yet more dolphins, sharks and flying fish and we were cruising down the Straits of Malacca, past palm fringed islands, huts on stilts and swaybacked pigs snuffling the ground beneath them. Then across Keppel Harbour (we children called it Kettle Harbour) and a day moored up at a Singapore quayside.

Here we were on familiar ground, having lived in Singapore for three and a half years only a few years before. We wandered the city centre, drove past out old married quarters in Tanglin Barracks, and visited the Botanical Gardens where my kid brother had previously been bitten on the nose by a grumpy old monkey. We spent a pleasant hour or so with Chinese friends at the NAAFI club, then paid a quick visit to the Union Jack Club on the way to a quick swim at Changi Beach.

A late tea in Raffles Hotel, and we just made it in time to re-board the Asturias before the gangplank was removed. Again it was all over far too soon and, that evening, we sailed away into the South China Sea and our date with Hong Kong.

It was during this final leg of the journey that a young lad I had made friends with won the ships’ sweepstake two days running. He guessed at 444 miles each time and scooped up a few hundred pounds, which was a considerable sum of money for a nine year old in 1955! On reflection, a jet plane could have travelled the same distance in less than an hour, but the experience would not be as memorable. Even the old turbo propeller planes could have managed it in an hour or so.

About three days later, and after churning through millions of migrating jellyfish, spotting hundreds more dolphins, porpoises, flying fish and the

Trooping to Hong Kong 5 odd shark, we were through the confines of the Lymun Gap and into Hong Kong harbour.

Little did I know then that it was to be the beginning of yet another great adventure, and a million happy memories.

Trooping to Hong Kong 6 Arrival

Andrew Parr: SGS 76-77 (40H, 50H) I landed in HK on the 9th April '76. My sister and her husband picked me up in their old Ford Cortina, and we set off for Sek Kong. The journey up Route Twisk seemed to last forever! I still couldn’t take it in. I'd seen these sites in films of course, but now i was really here. We got to the house, a bungalow (59b Northumberland Ave, if I remember right). Our next-door neighbours were the Heath family. Philip was about 13, and he showed me round in those first few days. I think his sisters’ name was Susan. The following week I started SGS, and my first meeting with Nigel, who wasn’t sure about my accent, and for the rest of my stay he called me a Scottish/ Lancastrian maniac!! I remember waiting for the school bus that first morning, and there was only Dave Beckham waiting when i got there. Coming home I got the wrong bus!! (I was making mistakes even then!!) This one went through Yuen Long; so I thought I’d better get off, not knowing where it was headed after that. But it did eventually go through Sek Kong village, but it was a longer journey. Shortly after arriving, I had to go to the clinic for an injection. The nurse didn’t waste any time, and I thought she must be on the darts team! After they scraped me off the ceiling, I said something like- ' oh, dear, that hurt a little bit'. Back at the poolside, a girl came over to ask if I was ok. This turned out to be Sashi Thapa. I told her that the nurse had just tried to skewer me, and told her what I thought of her. I’m sure she said it was her Mum!!! Luckily we became friends. It took me a while, but I finally got used to it all, and I look back on those first few days with fondness - and of course, things just got better!!

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Di Ward: SGS 57-59 I spent my first few days in Hong Kong in hospital with mumps, having been segregated from everyone on the Oxfordshire!! After that it was a noisy, hot, crowded hotel on Nathan Road, and finally York House not far from the school.

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Penny Campbell: 78-80 (Forms 3-5) I was dragged, kicking and screaming in total protest, to HK in April 1978. It was nothing to the protesting I did at having to leave 2 years later.

Arrival 1 Frank Beecham: SGS 73-75 Arriving in Hong Kong March 30th, 1973 was like being transported to a different world. In some cases it resembled a place in the past, ancient - yet civilized; and yet the harbour front offered the opposite - staggering skyscrapers, higher than anything I'd ever experienced living on an RAF base in England's 'green and pleasant land'. The sweltering heat was most definitely not what I was used too, but for some reason it didn't really bother me too much. Our hotel, the Shamrock Hotel on Nathan Road, was a quiet, musky, air-conditioned escape from the hustle and bustle of Tsim Sha Tsui's busiest street, where the art of entrepreneurship had taken over every nook and cranny. My first day at St. George's School was held with silent trepidation. I was a shy and quiet student - as I was reminded in my report cards. My assigned homeroom teacher was Mr. Thorley who taught maths, and even though I'd just passed my C.S.E.s in Math with a grade 1 standing from my past school, I was intimidated with this teacher. My assigned 'House' was Windsor, whose colour was red. The first two classmates to befriend me that day were Pete (Jungle) Graham and Jim Harding. At lunch, I was met by a familiar face from my past - Tim Sheppard. Tim and I chummed around at our previous posting, RAF Wittering. I knew it wouldn't be long before I bumped into Tim or his brother Mark. Tim showed me the ropes at lunchtime taking me to the NAAFI across the road for a cheese and onion sandwich and a cold Watson's Iced Cream soda. He also introduced me to the tailor who set me up with the indigo blue shorts we all 'had' to wear. It wasn't long before I ventured to Osborne Barracks on Fridays and the Club Ultra View (CUV), a hangout for Forces kids in a Romney Hut used as a gym. A side room housed the CUV disco, often manned by the likes of Jungle, Bill Clayton and Paul Edwick. The music was different to what I was used to in England (which was laced with British pops). Instead there were the sounds of many progressive rock bands from the UK, USA and Canada. Our first home was in high-rise apartment complex called Mei Foo Sun Chuen in Lai Chi Kok. Looking like a 'concrete jungle', it was a bustling place. I remember shopping with my mum one day, and being awed at the skill of a street butcher hacking the carcass of a roasted pig, placing the contents into a pale green plastic bag, weighing it on a hand-held scale, and yelling the price to the customer through a mouth full of golden teeth. We lived on the 18th floor overlooking the harbour. Turns out there were many RAF families living here, alongside families from the Black Watch. Every morning we loaded onto a military issue bus for our trek to St. George's. Soon after, we moved to another apartment block called Belvedere Heights, off Prince Edward Road nearer to the airport, but closer to St. George's.

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John Wilkinson: SGS 78-80 (L6-U6) I arrived in Hong Kong 4th August 78. Damn was it hot - after a typically UK summer! I had 4 weeks of summer holidays left to orientate myself and get the feel before getting back to school. I must admit I was a bit

Arrival 2 shy in those days and it took me a while to meet the crowd in Osborne Barracks, but my sister basically dragged me too the pool one day and I got chatting. She knew everyone as the rest of the family had got there earlier than me whilst I festered in boarding school in Germany finishing my 5th year, damn what a waste I could have spent those months in Hong Kong. My folks picked me up in dads spanking 73 Ford Consul, nice car for what it was. Boy was I jet lagged after that VC10 journey via Bahrain and Colombo, then on too Osborne Barracks which I though looked a bit of a concrete jungle, but after my first taste of Osborne Arms food and a much needed kip in my new room…. Little did I know this was the beginning of 23 wonderful months. I remember lying in bed thinking I am going to like it here...... I didn’t...... I loved it......

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Laurie Skelton: SGS 57-58 I was up for the adventure when we left Catterick Camp in 1955 to go on the Asturias bound for Hong Kong. Having lived for 3.5 years in Singapore just a short time before I kind of knew the sort of things I might well experience. On getting to Hong Kong we spent about three months in an hotel in Nathan Road and my brother et moi attended Minden Row School for the duration. It was exciting being back to the 'familiar' Far East and doing all that 'Enid Blyton' type exploration that kids often do. From there we moved to Stanley Fort for a couple of terms and lived next door but one to Bob Thurston (RIP). That was a truly great place for an adventurous 10yr old. I know that I did feel a great sense of loss as we passed through the Lymun Gap on the way back, in 1958, even though we were to be off to West Germany only six months later.

HM The Queens’ Birthday Parade 1957 Photograph courtesy of Laurie Skelton

Arrival 3 First Impressions

Kenneth Small: SGS 65-67(L6th, 6B, 6 General) When we arrived in Hong Kong, we could not see anything, as we arrived at 0230 in the morning just before Easter 1965. To us it was hot and humid. When we were in the Airport Terminal Building and collecting our luggage, we were all ushered through the formalities and when we got through to the public area, we were escorted through to the bar where our father and other Officers from R.A.F. Kai Tak were there to meet and welcome us to the Colony (they had all been in the Officers Mess when the news that we were going to be arriving in the early hours so the bar was closed and they all moved over to the bar in the arrivals terminal to meet us along with transport to take to our new home). My first taste of Hong Kong was a glass of San Miguel Beer before we went out to an R.A.F. Mini Bus where our entire luggage had been loaded while we had the welcome drink. When we came out, there was a fairly strong (to us) smell, which we later found out was a lot stronger during the daytime because of the market and the homes (densely packed) in Kowloon City. The next day some of us went out for a walk down Prince Edward Road to find out the location of the nearest shops (we needed some more of the (to us) slightly sweet bread). We also discovered that it was not advisable to point things out when Taxi's were about, because the drivers took this as a signal that you wanted them to take you somewhere (in the future I always used to look out for Taxi's before pointing things out again). Our first day in Hong Kong.

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Teresa "Tess" Boddy: SGS 70-76

Can't remember mine, I was only about two!

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Judy Fenton: SGS 72-74 I'm afraid my memory of that day is somewhat hazy - I think we were all far too tired from the 26-hour flight to pay much attention, and just wanted to sleep!!! I have a feeling that Dad had other plans, wanting to show us all the sights there and then, and Mum wasn't too pleased!!!!! We had been due to join him 3 months earlier, but someone (me) broke their leg and was in plaster from toe to thigh, hence the delay!!!! All I can remember is Flip-Flops!!!!!!!!!!...Dad had bought us all a pair, as a welcoming present - Bless him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First Impressions 1 **********

Steve Dawkins SGS 69-71 (Forms 1-2-3)

My first impression was flying into HK to Kai Tak over Kowloon watching the colony appear and disappear backwards (Rearward facing seats) Like Kenneth the first thing I noticed was the humidity and heat not as bad as Singers,(Singapore) but still bad enough to hit you like a wet blanket. We were met by friends of my Dads Archie Horsfall and I think Ted MacKenzie who like Jude’s parents went straight to the bar whilst we waited for baggage and other stuff to clear. I don't remember the trip to Sek Kong much except looking through the bus window at the high-rise flats in Tseun Wan and the Morris Minors, hundreds of them. On arrival at the bungalow we were marched in whilst we kids were told to have a look round. I remember seeing a red throated lizard huge by comparison to anything I had seen in the UK, followed by a green snake to which I was strangely drawn my Brother ran screaming to my Mother and I was given a lecture about the noxious wildlife in the area by my Dads friend. I remember the next day well as I was trooped into Kowloon for my school uniform " I am not wearing shorts I screamed" though I was impressed with the blazer badge which was so expertly sewed on in a matter of seconds by hand by the Indian tailor. The following day I met up with old friends on the school bus and the rest is a wonderful memory of two-and-a-bit years in the colony.

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John Wilkinson: SGS 78-80 (L6-U6) I flew to Hong Kong on my own, as my family had got there some 5-6 months earlier. I had to remain in boarding school in Germany to complete my exams, which I did not mind. I arrived 4th Aug 1978, and was fascinated by the landing flying towards the Chequer Board before doing that right hand turn that took you towards Kai Tak. As you can imagine it was Hot! We all piled into my Dads recently acquired 1973 Ford Consul (Nice Car) and off we went. We took a slow drive to Osborne Barracks if I remember right; as I was tired I had not slept on the flight (I never do). I saw SGS for the first time as my Dad drove past so I could see it. I thought does not look too bad, I think I might like it there (How right I was!!)

I was shown my bedroom my sister of course had taken the bigger room, but I did not mind. Had my first taste of food from "The hatch" from the Osborne Arms, lovely...Then I went to bed and woke up at some late hour and watched some Martial Arts film with people flying through the Air acrobatically. My dad had some Tiger beer in the fridge that was liberated. I remember thinking yeah I am really going to like it here......

First Impressions 2 **********

Tanya Robson: SGS 78-80 I remember landing, but not much else until we got to the hotel. We were put up in the Lee Gardens, for about a month, waiting for our apartment to be vacated by the outgoing family that we were replacing. This was quite cool as it meant that as my dad was being shown the ropes at work we were being shown around the place. The hotel was great, there was a brilliant coffee shop, when mum and dad wanted to go out for the night they deposited us in the coffee shop with the staff and we had a great time. Made friends with the hotel staff and learnt a lot in those first four weeks. Met Pam Ayres in the lobby. Also with my contacts found out that West Bromwich Albion were staying in the hotel so got the room numbers and went and got some autographs, not interested in football but hey who cares. Good times sadly missed

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Hilary Bellord: SGS 72-74 (3WT & 4WT) One of the first sights I can remember on the approach into RAF Kai Tak was the number of American warships in Victoria Harbour and of course the high-rise buildings. On our arrival, we were transported to the Shamrock Hotel in Nathan Road. Kowloon was buzzing, it was hot, humid smelly, but so ALIVE! We stayed at the Shamrock for a week until our temporary private hiring in Mei Foo was ready. I can remember feeling as if we were still aboard the plane for the whole week as the hum of the air conditioning units at the hotel sounded like the VC10 engines! Whilst at the hotel, I can also remember meeting many of the American Sailors who were on their way to the Vietnam War and feeling so scared and sorry for them. Those that were staying at our hotel made such a fuss of us and were clearly missing their own families. I don't think I've ever eaten so much gateau as we didn't want to offend anyone but had to call it a day at one point and bid a hasty retreat to the bathroom! During the first few days, I can also recall going to order my new school uniform from a tailor in Tsim Sha Tsui. I can remember feeling so excited and in awe of everything that was going on around me, I just knew that this strange and wonderful place was going to provide such an opportunity to experience something unique and very special. How right I was!

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(Nogs) Noelle Hopkins: SGS 74-78 We flew out to HK in summer 1974 when there was all the trouble in Cyprus. This meant that the RAF was busy evacuating people and we had to travel BOAC, on a jumbo and got to join the Junior Jet Club!! Remember being frisked rather personally at Delhi airport. They were most interested in the contents of my baby sister's nappy, she howled indignantly, went purple in the face and produced one of the biggest poos

First Impressions 3 of her life. Still enjoy embarrassing her with that one today. Needless to say they lost interest after that. I can't really remember landing, think my brother and I were just desperate to get off the plane after so long. Neither of us had wanted to leave our friends behind in Cheltenham so we must have been a bundle of fun to be with. I later wrote home to tell a friend that getting off the plane was like walking into a crematorium and that the stench was unforgettable!!! My Mum was in raptures at returning to the place she had spent her teenage years. We stayed at the Hong Kong Hotel for about 6 weeks living in the style to which we would soon become accustomed, signing chits for everything!! Mum and Dad were most put out ‘cos their room overlooked the harbour and they kept being woken up by ship's sirens. As it was school hols we had a great time messing about in the pool, going to the YMCA for English comics and coke floats. Can still remember the smell of all those slightly out of date magazines. We explored all over, did lots of touristy things like riding the Peak Tram and when we eventually we got to move into our flat, 5 minutes from the beach, got all our possessions, the whole place started to feel like home.... maybe, we thought, we might just like it here!!! **********

Julia Organ: SGS 72-75 I, like Tess, do not remember arriving in HK on the first tour, as I was only one at the time. However, when we went back in 1969, my brother and I had similar feelings to those Nogs and her brother had - neither of us had wanted to leave Oakham. I remember the terrifying landing and then walking out into the heat and the smell. We were transported to the Ascot Hotel and I can remember us saying as we went to sleep that night we wished we had never gone there...... how wrong we were!!!! I remember having breakfast the next morning - we had Puffa Puffa rice, and thought it was great! We then went to the HK Football Club where my dad had membership from his previous tour and spent all day in the pool, and had cream soda and club sandwiches. I think that was when we both changed our minds! We stayed in the hotel for about 3 weeks and then moved to Stanley - beach, warm sea and sun - what more could we have asked for? Needless to say we never, ever said we wished we weren't there again - quite the opposite when we left I cried buckets most of the way home on the plane and I would give anything to go back again (last time was 93/94).

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Frank Beecham: SGS 73-75 Our first tour was in the late sixties too. We'd just left RAF Tengah in Singapore, and landed in Kai Tak. The smells were pretty much the same I guess. Not much mattered to me though in those days. However, on arriving in 1973, I was sure we'd hit one of those skyscrapers on landing. The door opened on the VC10 and the sweltering heat made my clothing stick to my skin instantly. The same heat carried that now familiar stench from Stinkies Corner. What the heck were we in for? And

First Impressions 4 that killer jet lag completely threw me for a loop. What's with that?? I thought St. George's was a cool school, though was against those blue shorts at first. I loved those cheese and onion sandwiches from the NAAFI at Osborne and the sweet taste of a cold ice cream soda. This definitely wasn't England! The first guy to talk to me was Tim Sheppard. Tim and I knew each other in the UK, and he showed me the ropes during my first few months. I lived in Mei Foo Sun Chuen - a concrete jungle. Lots of RAF and Black Watch families. Eventually we were relocated to another apartment block on Argyle Street. Ar-guy-lo-guy as I used to say to the cabbie. It wasn't long before I realized that I didn't want to go back to the UK. This was as close to paradise as I'd thought I'd ever be. I made many friends along the way. I could go on, but I won't. It's all coming back to me as I tap into the bowels of damaged brain cells, and there's just not enough room to write.

First Impressions 5 Flights to Hong Kong

Jane Varley: In October 1965 it took us 48 hours to fly out to Hong Kong! When we stopped for refuelling it was for hours at a time, we stopped at Istanbul, Sri Lanka and Singapore. You couldn't fly over India or Pakistan because they were at war and you couldn't fly over certain parts of China. I remember the flight vividly because I puked every time I smelt the food they presented to us. Flights did improve (thank god) and was amazed when in the 1980s you get to Hong Kong in 12 hours!

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Lindsay Pennell: SGS 70-73 Jane, I have similar memories. Our first flight out to HK was in 64, a Britannia from Stansted via Istanbul and Bombay. It took 3 days with long stops at each place. Then in 67 going home, on a BOAC 707 via Rangoon, Karachi (should have been Delhi but there was a problem with the plane) and Zurich - that would have been about 24 hours but we had to stay 24 hours in Karachi while the plane was fixed. We sailed out in 70, from London to Yokohama, flying down from Tokyo to HK on Cathay Pacific when they only had 6 planes and a similar number of routes. Then home in 73 in 24 hours on an RAF VC10. The only time I was airsick was after leaving Karachi, thanks to eating a slice of Melon at the airport. That lesson was well learned! Ah, how things have changed. **********

Wendy Mansell: SGS 64-72 Sandra, this sounds like a cue for us - 1958, BOAC Argonaut Speedbird, how many hours? Food? 'Popped' ears – Aargh

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Theresa Smith: SGS 78-80 The best way home was by Ship - we came back in winter 66 on the P&O ship SS Iberia - Hong Kong to Southampton via OZ crossed the equator twice (captain dressed up as Neptune and terrified the kids, came into the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal (last passenger ship through before it closed). Arrived in Southampton and it was snowing, skidded up and down the deck on deckchairs. That took 6 weeks Just wish I remembered more of it.

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Sandra Mansell: SGS 59-66 Yes Wendy, I remember 1958, and the Argonaut Speedbird. Being ‘downed’ at Bombay for 48 hours and put up in a hotel. The smell in the streets was appalling - put me off India for life! I always remember Mum buying you a snake-on-a-stick to keep you quiet!!

Flights to Hong Kong 1 Yes, the food was terrible, but I must admit I now feel really sorry for Mum, having to cope with a 10 and 5 year old for nearly a week, on her own, in 'foreign territory' literally!! I think I would have had a nervous breakdown!! **********

Nigel Roberts: SGS 73-77 (2OW, 3OW/3OH, 4OH, 5OH) I remember people in little boats in the Suez Canal selling things to us each time we stopped - they used to throw a rope tied to a basket on board for us to pull up and inspect the goods - sending the money back down if we liked it. I wonder if this still happens? Also, I bet few passenger ships stop of in Aden any more!

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Laurie Skelton SGS '57-'58 I had to endure a 3 week cruise taking in Singapore (several hours stop over), Colombo (several hours stop over), Aden (several hours stop over), the sharks, flying fish, marlin, porpoises and dolphins, a sperm whale venting a few yards from the ship, HMS Eagle (aircraft carrier) passing very close by, the Red Sea and coastline of Africa, the Suez Canal and the Bitter Lakes, seeing the Sphinx and the great pyramids, the dolphins formatting with the convoy in order to negotiate the Canal and it's locks, the lights of Valetta in the distance, Gibraltar (several hours stop over), across the Bay of Biscay, slipping past the Channel Islands, past the Needles and the IOW and mooring up at Ocean Terminal - Southampton. Yeh, you lucky, lucky lot, zooming high in the sky and doing it all in 2-3 days **********

Sandra Mansell: SGS 59-66 Hi Laurie, We did that the first time home! The second time, because the Suez Canal had been closed, we went as far as Colombo and then took in Durban, Cape Town, Dakar, and Lisbon, before docking at Southampton. Talk about broadening the mind. I don't think any of us knew how lucky we were as kids. Although, coming back to rural England, we had the micky taken out of us for 'talking above our station'! I am so grateful that my father was a well-travelled man - and took his family with him!

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Caroline Rogers SGS 79-81 You guys had it hard. Us Aussies were well looked after by our govt. we always flew business or first class on our famous Qantas (best airline in world). Never had a bad time, the only time was when we finally left HK to return to Oz that was upsetting leaving all the fab friends I’d made, so many different cultures and coming back to oz speaking with an accent like you guys. Even our own back home thought we were poms, soon wore off though.

Flights to Hong Kong 2 Things I loved about Hong Kong

Nigel Roberts: SGS 73-77 (2OW, 3OW/3OH, 4OH, 5OH) I thought I would list my favourite things about HK, what are yours? 1. Weather - Although people used to grumble about the heat and the humidity – and I remember the hot humid nights especially when we lived in the New Territories without air conditioning in the 60's were awful. Winters in HK were cool enough to make a pleasant contrast from summer, and we got a few days' really chilly weather each year to remind us what of what we were missing back home. 2. Convenience - Buses, trams, minibuses, ferries, subway, taxis ... it was such an easy place to get around. Pretty much anything you could want to buy was is available, cheap and shops were open late into the evening - not like UK used to be when everything closed at 5pm. 3. Beaches and swimming pools - we used to spend hours outside at the beach or pool, no worries about skin cancer then. 4. The 'clubs' - being part of CSOS we got to use Little Sai Wan as our own personal play ground - away from the madness of Hong Kong, it was an oasis of tranquillity - with a great restaurant and a great place to be. We were also members of the HK yacht club, my idea of heaven on earth. 5. Safety - Given that it was such a large city, it is amazing how safe it was to be out and about, even late at night. When we first went in the 60's as kids we had so much freedom to explore our surroundings and we had no fear, and our parents had no fear for our safety. In the 70's we lived on the Island and life was very different, as a teenager I stayed out late but my parents never had any worries - now I worry when my kids play outside in the garden... 6. Food - My biggest regret is that I did not like Chinese food in HK, I have done my best over recent years to correct that error and love Chinese food to bits - but HK also introduced me to McDonalds long before they became established in the UK, and to spicy crisps, sweetbread, groupa, and so much more 7. School - how many people enjoyed their school days as much as we did? 8. Countryside - Everyone who has not lived there has a mental picture of HK as skyscrapers and crowded streets. But, because the buildings and people are all squashed into a small area, it meant that most of Hong Kong's area was countryside. Living in the NT in the 60's was living in rural isolation, and even on HK island there was so much greenery. 9. Foreignness - Living in a foreign country means that even simple things can seem strange and interesting. I guess that being a foreigner I felt a little bit more different and special than if I was living at home in the UK. Having said that HK was 'foreign' but then it was also so familiar, we had our little bit of England (and Scotland/Ireland/Wales) in a foreign land. 10. Friends - Living in HK meant that we had a lot of friends, people would come and go, new kids at school soon became established friends - others would leave never to be heard of again - until the invention of the internet, Vicar and the passing of 25 years! Oh, and I have to add an 11….

Things I loved 1 I loved the colour of Hong Kong; the United Kingdom seemed so dreary and drab when we arrived back home.

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Laurie Skelton: SGS 57-58 Nigel, I go along with your thoughts, feelings and arguments. The new and exciting sights, sounds and the exotic wonderful and not so wonderful smells. The big clear skies, real rain, sheet lightning lighting up the sky, the typhoons, the singsong voices and the excited animated Chinese way of communicating. The downside is that much of the greenery has been built on since the fifties and sixties - the time we knew it. For instance the land behind the Repulse (Bay) Hotel is all built over and The Peak is a lot less leafy - land there is more expensive and sort after than south east England.

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Andrew Parr: SGS 76-77 SGS (40H, 50H) Well said, Nigel, I couldn’t add to that, it sums it up perfect for me. One regret is, it didn’t last longer! But I’m sure that goes for all of us

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Kenneth Small: SGS 65-67 (L6th, 6B, 6 General) I have to agree with everything that has been said on this one. My biggest regret was that I would not try Chinese food and as said above, now I eat it whenever I can afford to do so.

********** Judy Fenton: SGS 72-74 Think this is going to be easy, although we did tend to take it all for granted at the time!!!! 1) Freedom!!!! We were allowed so much of it, in comparison with the kids back in UK!!!! 2) Social Life!! 3) Weather! Even the Monsoons, Typhoons and Humidity! 4) Money!!!! I used to get about $20 Pocket-Money back then, but could earn as much as $50 a time Baby-Sitting...and everything was SO cheap!! 5) Lantau Camps!!!6) CUV!!!...I LOVED the Youth Club at Osborne

Barracks!! 7) Cheung-Chow, and a real taste of the Chinese Culture!! 8) The "Buzz"!!...I LOVED the noise, and the crowds, and the lights, and the fact that you could shop 24/7, 52/12...if you wanted to!!!!!!

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Steve Cowell: SGS 76-79 (3bc, 4bc, 5bw, 6o) Well, super thread Nigel, I have to agree with your likes. Dislikes, well, I don’t think I have many, apart from the poverty and animal cruelty ones. Likes, well ,

Things I loved 2 1: Saturday morning driving at school, where in the U/K could you have done that. 2: My first kart race, at Morse Park, not Sek Kong, and the best pit crew you could wish for. (Me, dad & Swifty) 3:School...... enough said 4:Window shopping in Ocean Terminal and Ocean centre when it opened.

5:Kitchens...... she knows why 6:Osbourne Barracks and Kowloon Tsai youth clubs (was greedy, went to both) 7: Wednesday afternoons in the summer, Hong Kong footy club, an hour of squash, a swim in the pool, a few games of snooker, and a burger, all on Andy Burn's dads tab (God rest his soul) 8:helping to baby-sit 9:Tramps disco on a Friday night...... 10:All the friends I made then and have made since through this wonderful website

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Dave O’Hare: 81-84 Nigel. The freedom, I took it for granted, camping out in Vicky Barracks and thinking nothing of wandering down to the 7-Eleven for a Slurpee on those balmy summer evenings. Saturday mornings, pocket money in hand, and a load of us 13 year olds jumping the Star Ferry and going exploring Kowloon. Getting up early on a Sunday morning, running into Wan Chai for the South China Morning Post to find out the Football results from the U.K. I really did share a wonderful time in Hong Kong and those memories will last a lifetime. **********

(Tess) Theresa Smith: SGS 78-80 (6W) The Number 6 Bus. We used to 'love' those hard plastic seats Wasn’t it painful when you stuck to the plastic seats and then stood up quick to fight your way through the hordes to get off the bus, and the back of your legs felt like you'd just had plasters ripped of them! Or else we just slid around Then there was the sitting on the seat with knees up on the seat in front with sweat running down your calves from where skin touched skin behind your knees - that's Hong Kong to me! On another note about moulded bus seats and particularly the No 6, travelling into central on a Friday night, bumping down those extremely poorly maintained roads - much of which washed away every summer in the subsidence that happens during heavy rain and typhoon.

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Things I loved 3 Laurie Skelton: SGS 57-58 What about those wooden slatted seats and the bumpy out of town roads!! - My bottom still aches at the memory, I'm sure my cheeks are permanently furrowed. ********** Di Ward: SGS 57-59 They certainly had the slatted seats on the buses in the 50s - definitely an OUCH factor when you were as thin as I was then! Mind you, we did have 6-yard skirts and multiple tiered petticoats to protect us!

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Nigel Roberts: SGS 73-77 (2OW, 3OW/3OH, 4OH, 5OH) Another thing I used to love - visiting my parents’ Chinese friends during Chinese New Year and being given little 'lucky red' packets stuffed with money... Oh, and the lantern festival!

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(Tess) Theresa Smith: SGS 78-80 (6W) 1) Noodles on the Lantau ferry 2) Freedom to go wherever I wanted 3) LSW swimming pool 4) The view form the balcony of B9 Pendragon (our flat) 1) The ladies loo's at the Mandarin 2) Tram parties 10) Going out there for holidays during my college years

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Keith Darker: SGS 67-70; 72-75 1) Chicken Madras at HKFC 2) The Condiments Tray with your Curry at Little Sai Wan 3) Sailing around Junk Island on a windy day. 7) The first Infants School in Victoria barracks. 8) The American Comic Shop in Happy Valley in the 60's. 9) The lift at the Ascot House Hotel. 10) The toyshop in Princess Building. 11) The Ocean Terminal when it first opened. 12) The Coffee Shop at Dairy Farm. 13) The 'Olde' Tea Shop on top of the Peak. 14) Bowen Road 15) The Star Ferry 16) Swimming on Lantau. 1) 6th Form Parties at SGS. 2) New Year in Statue Square. 3) The high dive at Big Wave Bay. 4) Daddies Root Beer 5) China Products 6) Lane Crawfords 7) The late night Walla Walla

Things I loved 4 8) Lai Chi Kok Ice skating rink.

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Lindsay Pennell: SGS 70-73 A few more (Keith, I agree with a lot of yours: e.g. the Happy Valley comic shop, Ascot House) 1. The waffle restaurant somewhere in Central in the 60's 2. Satay's at the Stanley Club 3. Dairy Farm Coconut ice cream 4. My dad's MG TF sports car in the 60's that he always wished he'd kept and shipped back to UK - would have been a good investment 5. Playing tennis at the Stanley Club - badly 6. Hanging out with other hippy types at the Windsor Restaurant in Central 7. The Muthers Club on Repulse Bay Beach

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Graham Jacob: SGS 69-71(L6/U6) 1. Rickshaw riders/drivers - never rode in one 2. Temple Street - a tailors shop that made suits for HK$100 (about £7 10s) 3. The house in new territories where the district commissioner lived - I knew his daughter and when I was leaving she threw an all night party for me 4. ABC bowling alley - seemed a better option than doing homework. 5. Lantau - some great memories of borrowing army tents and rations and doing our own thing. 6. Big wave bay - fantastic fun - well it had to be if we were prepared to trek all the way from Kowloon - body surfing and cliff jumping 7. Record shops - being able to borrow records to take home and record onto reel-to-reel for a couple of bucks 8. All those cheap electricals, especially hi-fi.

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Di Ward: SGS 57-59 The Hong Kong we 50’s people knew was much less an international city and much more a Chinese one. It was this Chinese-ness that I enjoyed so much - The amazing sight of a tiny old lady tottering along on bound feet - she must have been one of the very last to have suffered this. She needed someone either side to help her walk. - All the young Chinese girls in cheongsams and not Western dress. - Amahs in black trousers and white tunics, with long pigtails and the hair on their foreheads plucked into a straight line - Little children with their trousers split along the seam (a simple way of

Things I loved 5 potty-training!!) - The sound of firecrackers ripping through the air - The gorgeous scarlet jacaranda trees - Aw Boon Haw gardens - very scary! - The Temples with their flickering joss sticks and strange (to me at least) gods - The sound of Chinese opera (though I never could get the hang of it)

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(Nogs) Noelle Hopkins: SGS 74-78 Di, we saw all that in the 70s as well ... mixed with Western influences and hi tech inventions e.g. pirate cassettes - all very bizarre but something not to have been missed

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Di Ward: SGS 57-59 That's very interesting Noelle - I thought foot binding had died out long enough ago that it wouldn't be seen by the 70s. Anyone know when it did die out? **********

Frank Beecham: SGS 73 to 75 During the HK2003 Reunion, while we were touring the village of Tai O, I came across an artisan's shop. He was selling mainly bamboo carvings (of which I bought one of a laughing Buddha), and on one of his shelves was a pair of shoes, meant for bound feet. They had to be no more than 4 inches long and well worn. I decided not to buy them, as they seemed to ooze the feeling of a tortuous life of broken feet. Gave me the shivers.

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Nigel Roberts: SGS 73-77 (2OW, 3OW/3OH, 4OH, 5OH) Another thing I loved.... The toyshop in the Ocean Terminal - the one with the 'Scalectrix track' in the 1960's - any one else remember it? And the Mariners Club in Kowloon, and the China Fleet Club on HK island...

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Laurie Skelton: SGS 57-58 Di, I go along with your 50s list 100%, and we could add a lot more. Such as the Dragon Boat festival The HK Trade and Cultural fair on Kowloon side - a celebration of HK past, present and future. Redifusion were just introducing television to HK The hibiscus in full bloom Trips up to the peak and a gentle stroll back down. Stanley Primary beating Victoria at cricket - and later when I was at Victoria, us beating Stanley at football. Well, you have to take a balanced

Things I loved 6 view of these things. Do any of you recall a Chinese Catholic School football team playing against SGS and a couple of their priests/ teachers encouraging them quite openly to foul, nay, cripple our team in order to win? It was funny in reality. Etc, etc, etc.

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Bob Hoggett: SGS 71-77 1) A lot of the stuff I loved about the place has already been listed, so here's a few more off the top of my head: 1. The ice cream cones on 2nd class - Star Ferry 2. Window-shopping at Tom Lee Piano Company 3. Air-conditioned taxis 4. Hamburger, egg and chips at the YMCA 5. Typhoon signal #5 (Home time!) 6. Wednesday afternoons in the summer (Home time!) 7. The popsi guy 8. The "slide" in the Ocean Terminal 9. The vacant lots behind Hilltop where they parked new PLB's 10. McDonalds 11. OK and New Sound Studios in Mongkok 12. Being paid to play drums at almost every forces establishment in the colony plus various clubs. 13. Flip flops 14. The smell in China Products and those sculpted ivory balls. 15. Daimaru store 16. My sister running amok in stationery shops 17. All the weird snacks you could get at the Star Ferry. 18. "Dragons Beards" in Star House (A snack that looks like it's covered in white hair!) 19. Tiger Balm Gardens I could go on all day!!!

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Bryan Bellars: SGS 78-81 (3/4/5) Speaking of Dragon's Beard, there was a little chap and his trolley thing in the "Crafts" centre of Ocean Terminal who sold two types of confectionery. One was the Dragon's Beard as you describe and the other I have no idea what it was called but it looked like a big cauldron of phlegm which he plucked at with chopsticks and then snipped pieces off, rolled the bits in chopped nuts and popped into a small box. Being of that age, there was nothing better than popping into Ocean Terminal for a box of snot. Yumm. So the question is, what on earth was it called and perhaps more importantly, what the heck was it? Any ideas?

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Things I loved 7 John Brown: SGS 69-71 (3rd, 4th and 5th year) Boy oh boy, do I miss Hong Kong, and all those memories!! I can honestly say a day never goes by without me thinking about those days.

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Dawn Williams: SGS 77-79 (20W, 30W, 40W) Loved everything about our stay in HK, even having to travel through the tunnel to get to school. The only bad part was when we were told we had to come back to Oz. As much as I love Western Australia, living in HK was great. I am glad to have had such a wonderful opportunity.

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David O’Hare: SGS 81-84 After finally getting around to clearing out my garage this morning, [dull I know!] I found my long lost Georgian Chronicles and have spent the last couple of hours reading them. Strange how seeing things in print brings the past rushing back, seeing photos of people and places that had a profound say on your upbringing. Anyway at the back of the 84 Chronicle, there was an anonymous piece written, and it kind of sums up SGS, the best place I ever had the privilege of attending......

EPILOGUE

''So yet another school year is over? It seems hard to believe that Saint Georges has been standing for 30 years now doesn’t it? I wonder if it’s a coincidence that Disney World was opened thirty years ago too!

As you read through these pages you will see its been a year much like many before it...... Swimming Galas, sports day, Christmas at Saint Georges'', an Easter Production, the infamous House Camps, the cookery competition, a junk trip, the sixth form trying to be debonair, and so on.

If you've been here for two years or more you'll have seen it all before. Yet each year is different. New faces, both pupils and staff. We make new friends easily, yet we lose them just as quickly. Its one of the weird things about Saint Georges, how people come and go, never to be seen or heard of again, except through these very pages of your old school magazine.

This year many pupils and staff will be leaving including the headmaster who has been here since 1971,Mr Alexander who has been here for almost as long, and Miss Macgregor who joined the school in the early Seventies too. I’m Sure that all of us remaining would like to wish all our leavers ''Good luck and happiness for the future''.

And maybe one day, when you’re tired of this magazine propping up the leg of some rickety old table, you’ll flick through these pages and

Things I loved 8 remember...... “

* * * * * * * * * * * * ANON.

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(Nogs) Noelle Hopkins: SGS 74-78 What an excellent piece to discover Dave!!!! At least we have this site now to rediscover old friends. Mega respect to Vicar Bet we wouldn't have lost friends so easily if email and the web had been around way back then... Or would we???

Things I loved 9 Princess Alexandra

Ted Eves: SGS 62-63 Can anyone remember Princess Alexandra’s visit to Hong Kong - I think in 1962? She visited Lyemun Barracks to review the obligatory parade. Both my father and Colin Trimmings were leading the parade. Tony Lyth was staying with me and we had front row seats. She spoke to us! The next day I read about the little boy who did not stop taking photos when she spoke to him - that was me. Even worse I dropped that camera ruining the film! Can you remember the visit?

Princess Alexandra touring St Georges School

Robert Burridge: SGS 61-62 Yes - Ted. I remember Princess Alexandra visiting our school

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Franky Hayes: SGS 59-61 I must have just missed the visit; come to think of it we were back in the UK for Christmas 1961. We also had a brilliant snowfall about April/May 1962. Only recently arriving from Hong Kong the snow was alien to me but I must admit great fun.

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Sandra Mansell; SGS 59-66 Hi Ted, Robert and Franky, I’ve found an old scrapbook with lots about the visit of Princess Alexandra. It was 4th November 1961 when she arrived. She 'wore a coat of ivory corded silk with tiny Chinese collar, a becoming hat of white feather on brown silk straw with face-framing brim, and white doe-skin gloves'!

Princess Alexandra 1 The China Mail was quite entranced with her loveliness and gave glowing reports on everything she did. She watched a 'brilliant 15 minute firework display', attended Divine Service at St John's Cathedral, and 11 year old David Aylward, son of a US consular official, took her photograph and had it printed in the paper! She drove a train in Yaumatei, and visited the police outpost at Lok Ma Chau and saw life over the border. She was also given an honorary degree by the University, attended a Youth Festival at the Hong King Football Club stadium and made a stunning figure at a royal ball. They dubbed her the 'Sunshine Princess'. She also made a 'surprise visit' to, of all places, a lingerie shop, met the junior Red Cross, and had a ride on the Star Ferry (very daring- with just 3 escorts!) Franky, I think I can remember you saying that you were in HK when Prince Phillip arrived. That was March 1959 and, yup, I've a cutting about that too!

Princess Alexandra leaving St Georges School

Sondra Aslett: SGS 60-63 (3rd, 4th, 5th) Sandringham house Yes, I too remember the visit of Princess Alexandra to HK. There are pictures of her in the 1961-1962 'Georgian Chronicle' and an article written by Christine Fraser. Princess Alexandra was presented to the Head girl and Head boy at the time - Pauline Dennison and John Hardy.

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Sandra Mansell: SGS 59-66 Veering away from Princess Alexandra for a moment. Does anyone remember the cholera epidemic in August of '61? I have newspaper cuttings giving the various inoculation centres around the colony, with advice to get them quickly.

I also have a cutting of Princess Margaret's wedding on 5th May 1960, at which a former Hong Kong dean, the Rev. F.S. Temple, took part. Mum was busy giving birth to our baby sister, Karen on that day!

Princess Alexandra 2 Another, undated cutting is of the occasion of Pat Boone (I doubt if the younger ones remember him!) came to the colony and had a 'tribal greeting'. There's a photo of hoards of screaming girls hanging over crash barriers - shades of the Beatles a few years later

Does anyone remember the China Fir going aground in April 1961?

And the last cutting I have is of Typhoon Mary, June 4th 1960. Just after baby sister Karen was born! 40 families in Tsun Wan lost their homes and 4 small craft, including an oil tender, were sunk!

How about that for a load of memories!

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Ted Eves: SGS 62-63 Hi! Sandra, I remember Typhoons Mary and Wanda. We used to watch the junks sinking in Shakiwan from our flat. Can’t remember which typhoon was worse but after one a ship ended up on Kai Tak runway! I do remember the cholera epidemic. I was in Vicky barracks school then and they made us queue up after assembly to be inoculated. I hate needles and as soon as one lot were over I was worrying about the next!

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Princess Alexandra 3 Gwei Lo

Dawn Williams SGS 77-79 (20W, 30W, 40W) You know I really hate showing my ignorance but here's an example! What does Gwei-lo mean?

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Franky Hayes SGS 59-61 I think it means 'ghost' Dawn. The word is not to be taken as an insult and has differing meanings.

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Laurie Skelton SGS 57-58 Muk/mok tow - I thought that meant 'thick' or 'stupid'. I remember Wanchi lads 'teasing' a group of us once, using the term and pointing to their heads - perhaps they were saying that they were stupid

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Teresa "Tess" Boddy: SGS 70–76 I thought Chee See was "stupid" and muck tow was "woodenhead".

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Frank Beecham: SGS 73-75 In Hong Kong, an abundance of nicknames for Westerners have developed over the years. The term gweilo (foreign devil) originated many years ago with the birth of Chinese xenophobia. Originally it was derogatory, but since the Communist riots of 1967 it is quite openly used by both Chinese and resident foreigners. It is slang now, and more commonly used than the more polite term saiyahn (Western person). There are, however, other ruder terms used either vehemently or, again, humorously. The Western joke that "all Chinese look alike" is turned around by Hong Kong's Chinese population, especially those not in regular contact with foreigners, to "all gweilo look alike."

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Dawn Williams: SGS 77-79 (20W, 30W, 40W) Thanks for clearing that up for me. The only words in Chinese I learned was how to count to 10 Oh and of course the obligatory hello, how are you? Never was any good with languages.

Gwei Lo 1 Laurie Skelton SGS '57-'58 Dawn, you can easily go beyond 10/sup, its a little bit like Latin in a way. Try to work out by yourself the following; there is a simple logic. sup yeh, sup ye, sup sam (etc.) ye sup yeh, ye sup ye, ye sup sam (etc.) sam sup yeh, sam sup ye, sam sup sam (etc.) - it goes on using the same formula.

Gwei Lo 2 Treading the Boards

Tim Oldfield SGS 65-66 I have come across the programme for the March 1965 School production of HMS Pinafore, which I remember attending. Here are the names of the people involved: Little Buttercup: Josephine Sumner Boatswain: Ron Nuttall Dick Deadeye: Alun Stevens Ralph Rackstraw: Christ Taylor Captain Corcoran: Chris Hartley Josephine: Linda Kennedy Sir Joseph Porter: Elwyn Roberts Cousin Hebe: Linda Gareh Carpenters Mate: Ian Gibson Sir Joseph's sisters, cousins and aunts: Susan Andrews, Susan Bower, Carmen Caruna, Carol Clarke, Victoria Clarke, Salley Foster, Lesley Fraser, Christine Gareh, Georgina Graber, Nicola Hull-Brown, Denise Mant, Joy Crowley-Milling, Carol Nuttall, Susan Perry, Regina Proctor, Laura Spencer, Margaret Stanton, Susan Stone, Mary Taylor, Patricia Wilkins, Rosemary Hickman. Sailors: Chris Blackmore, Keith Compton-Bishop, Geraldine Cooke, Len Keedy, Pauline Kimberley, Robert Lane, Alan Mitchell, Howard Preston, Christine Sly, Barbara Steele, Andrew Stone.

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Chris Blackmore SGS 63-66 Yes, I was in that. I really wanted to be Dick Deadeye, but I was too shy to say so, and the PE teacher with 9 children took the part. I had to carry a candle on from the side of the stage in the second act, and he thought it was very funny blowing it out as I entered. I still have this nightmare about Pinafore, where I am the only one who has not been told that all the songs have been changed. I still think I would have been a better Dick Deadeye than that PT teacher! Pat Wilkins and I were the first students to get 8 O Levels in one go at SGS, unless I am much mistaken...

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Sandra Mansell SGS 59-66 Josephine Sumner also played the plaintiff in Trial By Jury the next year. Elwyn Roberts played the judge. Barbara Steele was also in Trial By Jury, as was (I think) Georgina Graber, Pauline Kimberley and Carol Nuttall.

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Sue Perry: SGS 63-66 I was in H.M.S Pinafore although I can't sing, but it didn't seem to matter. It was great!

Treading the Boards 1 Some of the ‘Trial By Jury’ Bridgesmaids Fiona Whitton, Sandra Mansell, Barbara Steele, Pam Wolman, Bonnie Treadwell and Elizabeth Bell

Sandra Mansell SGS 59-66 Brian Tilbrook designed the scenery for ‘Trial By Jury’. Much to the horror of some of the staff and pupils he had the temerity to paint the school shield black and white, to use on the stage. He painted it back to its normal colours afterwards though!

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Stanley Cranson: SGS 64-66 Hi Tim I think I remember your name, it’s so long ago. I remember HMS Pinafore. I was one of the stagehands, moving the scenery and other backstage work

Treading the Boards 2 Steve Cowell SGS 1976-79 Jesus in "A man alone " was played by John Shaw, I still have my photo's I took during rehearsals from my vantage point high up with my spotlight!!!!

Noelle Hopkins SGS 1974-78 Julia Beever playing Jesus in a Man Alone (Steve you are on about a later version)

Jeanette Hardman SGS 1973-76 I still have the programme from the production of "A Man Alone" from March 1976. (see left) In addition to Gillian Leung playing one of the Disciples, I remember Danielle Le Brun played Judas and Tracy Mapleton played The Epileptic.

Treading the Boards 3 Jeanette Hardman SGS 1973-76 Do you remember the production Christmas at St George’s in 1975, with Pantomania performed by the Fifth Year (including my sister Di.) No, I don’t have a great memory.... I have the programme in front of me!

Treading the Boards 4 School Uniform

Frank Beecham: SGS 73-75 What the heck did you all think about those uniforms? Who had the shortest shorts/dresses? What about those knee socks, House ties, and winter sweaters? I remember the tailor-made shorts...what's with that? As much as I hated wearing uniforms, I wish my kids did. Trying to get them ready for school is a chore. What to wear?

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Judy Fenton: SGS 72-74 Although I didn't wear the shorts and knee length socks, I DID wear the Deck Chair Dresses in the Summer - Famous for my "Puffy Sleeves"...Even more so than THAT Tank Top! Winter uniform saw us wearing those awful grey pinafores and peppermint green roll-neck blouses!! My WORST moment was when my Mum insisted on me wearing "sensible shoes" I used to change into my plimsolls on the short bus ride to school, because I hated them that much!! Mr. Fisher dropped me in it one Parents Evening by saying "Judy comes bouncing into class with her dirty, torn plimsolls..."I got into SO much trouble over it, but at least I was allowed to choose my own shoes after that

Bryan Bellars: SGS 78-81 My first job was unpicking some of the threads in the tie so each stripe had a black line through it. And the fashion then was to wear it as thin and as short as possible (honest, I was not alone in this...was I?)

School Uniform 1 But getting there and being given knee length white socks and shorts was a major culture shock having just arrived from Smethwick, Birmingham, where such clothes would have gotten me and instant beating!! Still, after the first 10 minutes I wondered what all the fuss was about.

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Margaret Brownlow: SGS 69-71 Winter Uniform saw us wearing those awful grey Pinafores and Peppermint Green Roll-Neck Blouses. I don’t know if I should confess to this...... but back in 1971 the school held a competition with the senior needlework class, I was doing 0'level needle work... we had to design a new school uniform, which would be judged and voted on by the pupils. I designed a rather nice pinafore dress and a rather fetching shade of lilac roll-neck blouse. Guess who's design won. IM SO SORRY. Just so glad I left just after that so I didn’t actually get to wear it

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Heather Watson: SGS 73-75 I was subjected to the design disaster (thanks Maggie) Has Vivien Westwood seen your designs?!!! The summer sack was equally as bad; mine was really, really short!!! I too had to wear sensible shoes, and like you Judy I sneaked the highest platforms you have ever seen to school with me.

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Hilary Bellord: SGS 72-74 3WT & 4WT I had "smock" style deckchair dresses for the summer, which my dad proudly made for me. Can also remember there being a choice of lilac coloured blouses for winter too as well as the peppermint green. Unless I dreamt it, I can also recall having to tie my hair back when I first arrived, which I wasn't impressed with, but think that rule was eventually relaxed.

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Christine Finister: SGS 75-76 I never had to wear the deckchair dresses although my younger sister did. We had pale blue dresses (any design you like) for the summer and winter saw us in fetching navy skirts, white blouses and pale blue ties. Also, the differently coloured terry shirts for PE. Was it so we didn't have an identity crisis?

School Uniform 2 Sandra Mansell: SGS 59-66 If you have any complaints about the uniform, just be VERY grateful that you weren't there in 59! Navy gingham, with a square neckline, fitted waist and material belt fastened with 2 buttons, and a full, gathered skirt, no more than 18 inches off the ground! (The older girls were allowed to wear it a little shorter - but not much!) Some people used to have very full net nylon petticoats to help them to stand out. Not a good idea in hot Hong Kong!! The winter uniform wasn't too bad, grey skirt, white shirt with house tie and navy blazer.

(Tess) Theresa Smith: SGS 78-80 (6W) Like Christine, I was in the 6th form and the girls summer uniform was supposed to be pale blue dress. I think I had one made, but decided that a pale blue skirt and blouse or cap sleeve T shirt was far more practical, as I could change the shirt when I got too hot and sweaty during the day and I'd bring a spare one every day (was I obsessed?) The winter saw me wearing a very short, very tight, navy Thai silk skirt (made by my own fair hands), which got me hauled in to Deputy Headmistress office numerous times because the split at the back was too high.

School Uniform 3 Stormy Weather

Wendy Mansell: SGS 64-72 There were a lot of Australians who lived at Hilltop, North Point. Including Michell O'Neill, and a lad called Bradley. My younger sis, Karen, used to come in and say "Mom, Oi'm goin' owoot to ply” or words to that effect. She's always been a sucker for an accent - now seen sporting a Stoke one!

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Sandra Mansell SGS 59-66 I remember when we had that enormous rainstorm which washed away our road from Hilltop down to North Point one morning. Nobody could get their cars out, so the Aussies and us Brits decided to knock down the wall at the side of the block of flats, and build a road across some waste ground to the road. The Chinese in the block refused to help, but a lot of the Aussie and UK men got themselves on BBC national news whilst building it, including Dad. I think Granny saw Dad swigging a bottle of San Miguel!

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Dave Now I can remember a big typhoon somewhere between 64-66 that hit HK (there were a few typhoons during those 3 or so years, but this one was the biggest that I remember - no school for nearly a week!!!). Those flats at Hilltop came close to being washed down the hillside??? Early the morning after the typhoon hit I remember driving from Deep Water Bay around to Hilltop with my Dad to check on this 'near collapse' and what to do with the Aussie families living in these flats.... there were many blocked streets, water every where, strong winds, rain and crushed & smashed cars every where - the front gates of Victoria Barracks were blocked with 'hillside' debris - large rocks and trees and many of these damaged cars. I think we have several pictures of the Hilltop flats with 'no road' - you could see the exposed foundations on one side?? Pretty frightening stuff that morning, as the typhoon was still nearby.... is this the same enormous rainstorm, I wonder???

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Mick Ansell: SGS 59-64 It was either Typhoon Mary or Typhoon Ruby, if I remember rightly Mary was the biggest. We all went to Sheko Beach trying to surf just before it hit Hong Kong

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Stormy Weather 1 Wendy Mansell: SGS 64-72 Typhoon Mary was in 1960. I was in the BMH then with TB and pleurisy!! That's how I remember. All the windows in the ward were blown out and we had to be re-bedded in different areas of the hospital. It was pretty scary at age 6 and I had nightmares about having to walk on broken glass and losing my teddy bear (he's quite safe and over the experience now, thank you). Hilltop was about 1967. Must have been, because we used to play kiss chase at Hilltop, in the garage space underneath - and I didn't do that at 6. I remember standing on the edge of the abyss and looking down into North Point, seeing cars that had been washed down the hillside. It was all made more exciting by the fact that we lived on the 17th floor! Apparently, someone had neglected to open the floodgates at the Braemar Reservoir and the result was quite spectacular! Sandra, did you say the Chinese residents threw us a big feast by way of a thank you to the crazy gwai-lo barbarians? I also remember that the San Miguel was funded by charging a toll to those who had not laboured on the road **********

Sandra Mansell SGS 59-66 Yes, I've still got some photos of us on a boat on the way to the barbeque!! And there is also a small Aussie (I think) boy on one of them! I remember that morning hearing the most almighty roar early on. A bit later Mum looked over the balcony to check the state of play before the younger members went to school. "There's a heck of a lot of mud on the road down there" she commented. I looked over. "That's not mud," I replied "That's no road!!"

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(Tess) Theresa Smith SGS 78-80 I think the one in '67 might have been my namesake, the lovely Typhoon Tess. Not positive, though. Regarding Aussies - there were a lot them living in Hilltop in the mid seventies - the Howells, the Gates family, Shirley Kavanagh (where R U now?) **********

Dave My Dad says the temporary bridge was named after a largish-ish Aussie Warrant Officer - "Fatman Bridge"....

********** Mick Ansell: SGS 59–64 The two biggest Typhoons when I was there in 64 it must have been Ruby. I remember in Garden Rd it ripped out all the trees and was picking cars up and throwing them across the road.

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Stormy Weather 2 Franky Hayes: SGS 59-61 I too remember Typhoon Mary during 1960 whilst living in Sek Kong. Scared the living daylights out of me what with the mountain (Tai Mo Shan) just above the Village. The sounds of thrashing rain on the corrugated bungalow roof was like millions of pebbles falling in clattering confusion. The sounds and sights of heavy boulders bouncing and thundering down the river was a thrilling event to watch. After the typhoon receded we used to stare in gob smacked awe at the carnage it caused including the Twisk being impassable due to parts of it being washed away. Hence no school for a week. Sorted!

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Sandra Mansell: SGS 59-66 We were in Briar Avenue, Happy Valley when Mary struck. Wendy, you were in hospital, and I was terrified that I'd never see my 'beloved' little sister ever again!! Mind you, I think you had the more exciting time. We just had a tree blown down in front of the flats and had to wait for it to be towed away! **********

Alan Baxter: SGS 62-65 I too remember Typhoon Mary. I think we lived at 65B Sek Kong village it was right next to the metal bridge over the river. I remember the house over the other side of the river loosing it's roof and my dad trying to go over to help and being lifted of the ground by the wind and blown almost twenty or so yards (old Money) down the Road.

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Kenneth Small: SGS 65-67 (L6th, 6B, 6General) Don't remember the name of the typhoon which hit in '66 but it was a nasty one and gave us all a week off school. Our dad was stuck up at the top of Tai Mo Shan for a couple of days because of it.

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Elizabeth Allen: SGS 66-68 I remember those typhoons very well, including the time we tried to put the storm boards up on the patio doors for the first time. Dad was up on Tai Mo Shan and then didn’t fit; the last handle was on the outside!

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Kenneth Small: SGS 65-67 (L6th, 6B, 6 General) I remember that during the big Typhoon in 1966, I just happened to be looking out of my bedroom window and looking down onto Kadoorie Avenue, when I saw a Morris 1000 driving up the hill from Prince Edward road, when it suddenly stopped and lifted up of the ground about 6 inches and when it settled back down on the road it continued on up the hill as if nothing had happened.

Stormy Weather 3 The reason for this became apparent after the car had gone and I saw a manhole cover shooting up about 18 inches under the pressure of the water being dumped by the Typhoon. At the time we were confined to quarters because of the Typhoon.

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Nigel Roberts Anyone here remember Typhoon Rose? We were in the New Territories at the time and I was at Sek Kong School, but this storm went right over the top of us. Many people were killed, and I remember the rain being forced through the concrete wall of our house on the Castle Peak Road.

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Graham Jacob SGS 69-71 (L6, U6) I lived in Hong Kong from 69 –71 and eagerly awaited my first typhoon. A week after I left Typhoon Rose hits. I can’t recall whom, but three of us headed out to Big Wave Bay when a typhoon was predicted (it ended up being a tropical storm). We put up our tent on the beach and settled down for the night. Later on the ten blew away so we made for the gents toilets and camped there for the rest of the night.

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Mandy McFarland SGS 77-79 I remember Hurricane Hope that did a lot of damage to Star Ferry and sent an oil tanker adrift, causing it to split and spill its load. I lived on the 9th floor of Dragon House in Victoria Barracks and it was both exciting and terrifying at the same time. A lot of damage was done. I too used to find typhoons and the monsoon season exciting and loved sloshing around school ankle deep in water and playing around in the monsoon drains (how dangerous was that??) Now I can’t stop complaining about the rain we’re having here over the last few months and I say “Lord, reminds me of monsoon season in Hong Kong….”

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Gordon Downard (Tigger) SGS 69-72 Being out there in 64-67 and 69-72 I also seem to recollect a Typhoon Rose. A few ships put to sea that night, one was a yank warship; and it was lost with all hands. A Few other ships were blown aground, some near the Ocean Terminal, others around the bay. I was also out there when the Queen Elizabeth caught fire.

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James Stevens SGS 78-80 That was one brill storm. Some Chinese man who had a roof garden on our block left all his plants on the roof and, after the leaves had blocked all the drains and sent hundred of gallons of water down the stairwell into

Stormy Weather 4 every flat (mum was not impressed), the wind decided to throw all the pots 12 stories down onto the car park.

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Bob Hoggett SGS 71-77 I remember Rose well!! We got sent home from school when No. 5 went up, and I remember being quite distraught when we finally got home. The thunderclaps I heard that day are still the most awesome I’ve ever heard! I also seem to remember watching no less than four films that afternoon. Sis and I were also there for Typhoon Wanda, which Rose was often compared to. But we were too little to remember that.

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Neil Waters (Mole) SGS 77-80 We lived in Stanley. My bedroom window looked directly out at the storm- warning tower. I remember being sent home from school and being very excited at the approaching storm … not to mention the time off school. I can remember the lights on the tower changing to number 10 and looking it up in the phone book… just to make sure I had it right. The rain was coming in at right angles through the windows, we had all the rugs up on the tables and dad was sweeping water out the front door and down the stair well. My job was to catch the parquet tiles that were floating out of the door. I still have the vision of a half inch thick wooden window shutter buckling, being sucked from its metal frame and flying away… very quickly. The lull as the storm passed over was quite eerie, as was the way everything looked so different after the storm. A great adventure!

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Nicola Millar SGS 75-76 I remember the light swinging in our block of flats, because the building was swaying so much!

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Glen Jones SGS 72-74 I remember being there for Rose. Boy was it exciting when you were a kid. Doubt if I’d feel the same now. Iremember how all the family had to sleep in the same bedroom. I assumed it was in case the flats collapsed. It would have been easier to find all the bodies. What a grim thought. Worst thing about typhoons was that when it rained it flooded the storm drain at the side of Bonham Towers, and all the rats used to escape into the lower floor car parks. I still have aphobia about rats to this day.

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Stormy Weather 5 Mark Walsh SGS 78-80 I remember Rose. We lived in Shouson Hill at the time. All the windows, except two, came in and the flat was a complete lake, glass and bits of furniture everywhere. The constant howl of the wind and, as Mole said, the eerie lull as the eye passed over. Even more exciting was exploring around inspecting the damage afterwards…

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Tony Broadbent SGS 75-77 Typhoons were great for time off school. We used to walk down Nathan Road with all the trees bent double. We had to walk there were no buses. The bowling alleys were always open though.

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Tom Banks Island School 65-89 We lived at 84 Robinson Road, which was just at the junction of Kotewall Road and Oaklands Avenue. My bedroom window looked directly up Kotewall Road. I was lying in bed and heard this almighty sound – like thunder, but it went on too long to actually BE thunder. I got up and looked out of the window, but saw nothing, until I saw a sea of mud rushing down the road. I ran through and told my folks and we all went down stairs. Our caretaker was comforting some European guy who appeared to be wearing nothing but his underwear. A house belonging to some friends of ours – Casper and Neil McDonald - had worked loose on Po Shan Road, and slipped down the mountainside, bowling across Conduit Road, and into a 12-storey building on Kotewall Road, bringing it down. Casper and his mum died, Neil fractured his pelvis, and his dad was out of town. The Irish Guards that were sent in to dig out survivors were stationed in our block of flats. We would take down beers and tea, and would get Mars bars in return from the NAAFI van. It was sad and exciting at the same time.

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Nigel Roberts SGS Tom, gosh – what an incredible and also awful story. I bet as a kid you did not really recognise the significance but it must have been pretty harrowing. I do seem to remember the collapse of some block of flats – I was about 7 or 8 at the time.

Stormy Weather 6 Riots and water rationing

Kenneth Small: SGS 65-67 L6th (6B, 6 General) In early 66 our parents went to one of the Night Clubs in Tsim Sha Tsui, just off Nathan road for a good night out. The night came to an abrupt end when Tear Gas entered the club via the air conditioning and everyone left immediately for home. Later in the summer the Colony was struck by a violent Typhoon, which caused a lot of damage. As a result of these two upsets we all had extra holidays during term time. The following summer there was not enough water and as we were living in a hiring rather than a quarter we had water rationing of 4 Hrs every 4th day until we left in July

********** Ralph Small: SGS 65-66 (4B, 5B, 6G) That tear gas through the air conditioning marked the start of the Star Ferry riots in 1966. It also marked the start of a Kowloon wide Curfew every night, and armed guards on all of the school buses. (Curfew meant only the brave (and the stupid) ventured forth - I went)

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Di Ward: SGS 57-59 I can remember seeing the riot police in all their protective gear marching up and down in Kowloon Tsai where I lived. But there were no riots in the fifties.

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(Dusty) Arthur Binns: SGS 57-59 Sorry Di but there was riots in 1956 - my History book tells me that 51 people were killed and 358 injured. It centred round Chinese Nationalist Day on 10th October When we were both in Hong Kong - certainly in 1957 and 1958 - we had days off school on both the 1st [Communist Day] and 10th [Nationalist Day] and there may even have been times of curfew. I'm not sure if there was any unrest

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Sandra Mansell: SGS 59-66 Do I remember the 66-67 riots? I had just left SGS and got myself a job at Police HQ. I started in the typing pool, where we stood at the windows and watched hoards of people traipsing from Central to North Point on foot, as all the buses had gone on strike. After that I was seconded to be a Personal Assistant to one of the Superintendents and, as I was going home in 68 they decided that I should be one of two girls who went up to the Victoria Remand Centre

Riots 1 where all the communist agitators were incarcerated. There I, was employed to type up the top-secret reports on the interrogations. I had the dubious honour of having my name mentioned in the Communist press as being on a 'hit list' when they took over. I also remember standing outside Police HQ waiting for my lift to the aforementioned remand centre when a Chinese sergeant sidled up to me, grabbed my arm, and hauled me into the police compound. I had been standing about 5 feet from a suspected bomb! The owner of the suitcase was not very happy when he came to find it to be told that it had been blown up in a controlled explosion! Mind you that paled into insignificance when my boyfriend and I came across 3 suspect bombs, on our way back from the beach, outside a petrol station. We were going to be late for work if we turned round, so we chose the middle one and went over it. He phoned me up that evening to inform me that the only live bomb had been - the middle one! Now I KNOW I have a guardian angel!

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Lindsay Pennell: SGS 70-73 I remember the Cultural Revolution riots in the sixties - we had armed Ghurkhas on the school buses (at least the ones to Victoria Juniors). Who remembers the playing of Engelbert Humperdinck songs on loudspeakers from the Hong Kong Club while the demonstrators were waving little red books outside the Bank of China?

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Bob Thurston: SGS 55-57 Don’t wish to intrude into the 60's, but I thought I was reading about the Typhoon storms and the Double 10th riots of 1956/57. Water rationing was quite common at Stanley Fort in the 50's. We stored it in the bath! You can work it out! History repeating itself!!

Riots 2 RMS Queen Elizabeth

Stewart Nuttall, 76-79 (3WP, 4WG, 5OL) The Seawise University, ex RMS Queen Elizabeth. What were you doing on the day you heard that it had been set on fire and sank in January 1972? Just found this about the Queen Elizabeth:

Queen Elizabeth was completed on the 27th February 1940 and left for New York to be protected from the Germans. The operation was top secret and it had been spread that she was going to Southampton and not even the captain know were she was going to sail until he opened the letter on her way out from Clyde. She had never been tested yet either but everything turned out good. In late 1940 she went to Sydney were she was refitted as a troop transport. During the war Adolph Hitler offered the Iron Cross and 250,000 $ to any submarine commander who could sink Queen Elizabeth or Queen Mary. It happened sometimes that Nazi radio reported that both Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary had been destroyed. On one occasion there was a submarine that fired four torpedoes towards Queen Elizabeth but by some reason they never struck her, maybe she was to fast. In 1946 she was released from war service and could begin her maiden voyage as a six-year-old ship. She was sold in 1969 to Queen Ltd and was renamed Elizabeth. In August 1970 Queen Ltd went bankrupt and Queen Elizabeth was sold to C.Y. Tung who wanted to convert her into a university ship. She was renamed to Seawise University. On the 9th January 1972 she started to burn and burned for 3 days, rumours say that the fire was fixed. She starred as the wreck in the James Bond movie "The man with the golden gun" from 1974, which also was the year when they started to remove the wreck. Technical Data: Weight: 83,673 GRT Length: 313,5 m/ 1029 ft Width: 36,1 m/ 118,4 ft Speed: 32,0 knots Passengers: 2,283 Crew: 1,296 Builders: Brown at Clydebank, Scotland.

********** Bob Hoggett: SGS 71-77 I remember it well! It must have fascinated me cos I remember making a scrapbook out of the newspaper cuttings. Our family had a trip out there not long before it's demise. We still have a big picture book about cats that we bought onboard. Even though she was anchored off Stonecutters, and we lived in North Point overlooking the runway at Kai Tak, we still saw the smoke from the fire. I've got some snaps of her, burnt out on her side, that I took on a school trip to Stonecutters.

Queen Elizabeth 1 Wendy Mansell: SGS 64-72 We saw the smoke from the Star Ferry on the way to school, and back ... and on the way.... etc. Quote a shock, as those of us who had not travelled on her all knew someone who had, and had been aboard when she was in port. The ship was renamed ‘Seawise’ as a pun on CY's initials and the fact it was going to be a floating Uni. Many people said it was unlucky to rename a ship and that it was an Act of God, however, there were also rumours that it was sabotage.

Bob Hoggett: SGS 71-77 I'd been to Gordon Hard boat club with Mum & Dad, Bro & Sis. We were on our way back to HK side when we heard about it on the radio and took a detour so see it if we could, all we saw was lots & lots of smoke but no ship. A bit later I went on a school trip (Stanley Fort) to go on a cruise around the remains of the wreck. The trip around the Harbour was arranged by the Teachers in Unit 2 at Stanley fort school. We were doing a study on the ships in the harbour and the Tamar tug captain went close to the wreck of the ship, so that we could take some photos.

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Teresa "Tess" Boddy 70–76 Bob, couldn't you see it from your flat? I know we could see a lot of smoke and I THINK the very tip of the ship if you leaned out the window, and Summit was in front of us.

********** Bob Hoggett: SGS 71-77 Yes Tess, but we lived in D block remember! They could see the ship from A, B and C blocks, but we were facing east between Tin Hau Temple Rd. and Cloudview Rd. But we saw the smoke drifting past.

Queen Elizabeth 2 Frank Beecham: SGS 73-75 Remember seeing it from our balcony at Mei Foo too, just off Stonecutter's as has been mentioned. Funny how all the area there is now reclaimed land. Stonecutter's is part of the mainland.

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Dawn Williams SGS 77-79 (20W, 30W, 40W) The only ship I remember taking a detour is the one that ended up halfway up Green Island. Brothers, sister and I woke one morning and looked out from our balcony to see a very large container ship stuck halfway up Green Island! Wiped out quite a bit of the fishing industry but made great viewing for us kids.

********** Carole Sweet: SGS 80-84 Blimey - I can’t believe that about Stonecutters. We too used to rent one of the bungalows...many a fab time there, with the only down side being a salt watered pool. When I was speaking to someone recently who was there in the 90's, they said they never had school camp to Stonecutters.... WHAT!!! Please tell me they didn’t stop that. What a scream we used to have with the girls on one side of the block and the lads on the other...midnight feasts, teachers pulling their hair out as each time they would check the beds another person was missing!!! Ahhh, the good old days

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Tom Banks: Island School 65-89 I remember it well. It was a weekend, and a large gang of us were playing downstairs at our flats in Robinson Road (near Kotewall Road - not that far from Bonham Towers) - it was mid morning. We saw a little bit of smoke coming from the ship, so we shouted up to my dad who was on the balcony. Now as everyone knows, every balcony in HK had a pair of binoculars, so dad had a nosey, and I kid you not, he went and phoned the fire brigade. I'm not saying he was first, probably one of many. It was comical seeing the tenders being carted out there on Car Ferries. As was said, it burned for 3 days, and at night you could see the little dots of flames coming through the portholes - it was an amazing sight. The rumours were that it was started deliberately, hints of three different seats of fire, and unexplained Chinese characters daubed on the deck. Anyway, a sad end to a magnificent ship. You only have to have been on the Queen Mary at Long Beach to know the grandeur that once was. It lay on it's side for a long time until being broken up and sold for scrap to Taiwan - we used to watch huge chunks of it being carted off. Apparently, after Stonecutters was reclaimed, all the snakes came across to Yaumatei scaring the half the locals to death (the other half presumably had snake soup)

Queen Elizabeth 3 Gordon Downard (Tigger): SGS 69-72 I remember that we were getting ready to go to Little Sai Wan to play footy, it was definitely a weekend that it happened. The reason why I am so sure that that we saw the smoke cloud coming from the direction of the QE1 and me and the brothers had a semi heated discussion of the likely cause of it. Yes it was a real shame as I remember a long of the big liners coming in to Honkers standing proud against the Ocean terminal. I also have to agree with someone’s statement that there were numerous fires started throughout the ship and that the fire had been caused deliberately...

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Tom Banks: Island School 65-89 It was DEFINITELY a weekend... we lived at the far end of Robinson Road and it happened right in front of our view. We saw smoke coming from it, and when the smoke was only about a hundred feet high, we shouted up to my dad who was on the balcony - he had a look through the binoculars - then went and dialled 999 - I swear to god - he did. I'm not suggesting he was first - but he DID call them. They had fire engines out on car ferries - it burned for days - little dots of light through the portholes at night. Tess, there's no way you would have seen it from the Star Ferry - it was way past Stonecutters, almost as far as Green Island. I heard that there was three separate fires started - and that there was some slogans painted on the side. It burned for about three or four days possibly even longer. I remember the hulk lay there for several months while they argued about whether to salvage it or not (I can't believe that was ever an option). In the end it was cut up into chunks - loaded on lighters, and carted right through the harbour like some charred carcass picked clean by vultures.

Photographs from South China Morning Post

Queen Elizabeth 4 School Lunches

Kim Joynes: SGS 76-79 (1OK, 2OH, 3OP) I know we have had various food topics and mention has been made of some of the 'specialities' of SGS's canteen but what option did you opt for on a regular basis for your lunch? Did you play safe and bring in a packed lunch to be ate in the main hall or were you more adventurous and risk a cockroach curry puff in the NAAFI? I personally tended to opt for the set meal of the day, which on the whole was very scrummy if somewhat predictable i.e. Monday - Cottage Pie, Tuesday - Chow Fan, Wednesday - Sweet and Sour Pork, Thursday - Beef and Green Peppers and Friday - Fish and Chips, but must say the best school dinners I have ever had at any of the many schools I attended. Of course I also needed to supplement these meals with the other delights on offer - those big, fat proper chips, curry puffs, sausage rolls. Of course one of the oddest extras available was the raw carrots, which I would doused in salt and vinegar, strange habit I know but I don't think one I was alone in.

********** Di Ward: SGS 57-59 I don't remember there even being a school canteen in my day (the late 50s). So it was packed lunches every day - with segments of that pomelo I was drooling on about in 'A Taste of Hong Kong' a while ago. Can other 50s/60s members remember if there was a canteen then?

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Sue Fenton: SGS 85-88 Always had a baked potato or a curry puff.... never ever wavered from the two of them!!...Used to pickle my potato with salt for some strange reason.... couldn’t do it now!! I hate raw carrots so never went for those...but used to have a friend who did exactly the same as you with them Kim!

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Judy Fenton: SGS 72-74 To be perfectly honest, I can't really remember eating that much at School, apart from the odd curry puff or sausage roll!!! However, I drank bottles and bottles of Grape Fanta I can't remember which Liz it was (Brown or Marriott) who used to have an odd taste in Sandwich fillings - Strawberry or Pineapple Jam with...Cheese?!!!!

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School Lunches 1 Sarah Smith: SGS 81 -84 For the three years I lived out in HK there used to be a few of us that would live off cheese and cucumber sandwiches!!! We never ever varied what we had, and it was amazing how many people you could get round on of those tables for four!!!!!

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Tanya Robson: SGS 78-80 I only remember the ring doughnuts, I used to eat my sandwiches on the bus on the way to school, don't remember what I had for lunch but the ring doughnuts featured heavily. Also I was a stick insect in those days and ate like a horse. I still eat like a horse but sadly am not a stick insect.

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Nogs – Noelle Hopkins: SGS 74-78 Oooohhh cold Mars bars, so you could eat off all the bottom layer and just be left with toffee and choc. YUMYUM

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Ralph Small: SGS 65-66 (4B, 5B, 6G) There was a canteen, in 64-66, but we all took packed lunches. We didn't eat them in the canteen though, used to sit around the sports field and eat or swap them.

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Jayne Moorat SGS 71-74 I used to take sandwiches and fruit for lunch. Tess, didn't we used to leave school at 1pm on a Friday? I don't think I took sandwiches on a Friday, just walked round to the USRC earlier than usual and spent the afternoon in the pool! Those were the days.

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(Tess) Theresa Smith: SGS 78-80 (6W) Jayne, I don't remember leaving school after or even before lunch on a Friday. I do remember Wednesdays - we went home early.

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Teresa "Tess" Boddy: SGS 70–76

"Cornish” pasties, they were great!

School Lunches 2 Lindsay Sinclair: SGS 78-79 I spent most of my money on really greasy doughnuts and bottled cream soda from the canteen. Heaven!!!!

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Kenneth Small: SGS 65-67 (L6th 6B, 6 General) Di, in the mid 60's, the canteen was next to the assembly hall and just before the gym and I never went in there. My lunch mostly consisted of cheese sandwiches which were eaten in the form room, on the odd occasion I would swap some of the sandwiches for a rather large section of home made Cornish Pasty which was very nice and made a change from the same every day, even though I did love cheese Sandwiches and still do.

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Dave O’Hare SGS 81-84 Definitely the NAAFI doughnuts, they were the best I ever tasted, if only I knew the recipe

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(Tess) Theresa Smith: SGS 78-80 (6W) What was the food like at School? I only remember Sausage rolls!!!!!!

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Sandra Mansell: SGS 59-66 I very rarely had a meal at the school - mostly took sandwiches. But those meals I had were quite edible! I DO remember the sausage rolls and the doughnuts that were on sale at break time though - scrummy!!

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Julien Dixon: SGS 83-85 Yes, some of the foods was bad, I seem to remember chicken pies that were very bad (I don't really now what was in them), also some form of curry pasty that despite being curry and grease was actually not that bad. Seem to remember that If we did not bring sarnies (sandwiches) then we did get something off the hawkers outside the MTR, would probably not go anywhere near them today for fear of food poisoning etc.!

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Donna Powell: SGS 84 –86 I remember at break they used to sell the curry puffs little triangle things used to have them and the doughnuts, can't remember ever eating anything else at school.

School Lunches 3 **********

Carol Flett: SGS 73-75 I don't remember the food at school much but I do remember nipping over to Osborne barracks for a hot dog, with onions of course, instead of partaking of the 'healthier' options available at school.

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Karen Rossell: The worst memory I have of school food was getting halfway through my Cornish pasty only to discover a half eaten cockroach!!! I think I broke the speed record to the girls’ toilets from canteen! After that it was Osborne Barracks. They did a great chow fan!!!

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Steve Swift: SGS 73-80 I wondered who had the other half. When I went to complain with the dinner lady I was told by the cook, "no no no, we use onions". Only onions I know that had legs....

********** Teresa "Tess" Boddy: 70–76 Don't remember doughnuts. Pasties, sausage rolls, curry puffs, but not doughnuts. You kids of the 80s, you never had it so good!

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Bob Hoggett: SGS 71-77 Me too! Curry puffs and chips drowned in vinegar. LAAAAAVLY!

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(Kipper) Graham Taylor: SGS 86-92 Hmmmmmm Curry Puffs! That was as far as I would go with School food. I was not brave enough to venture any further. Maybe that's why I brought sarnies to school.

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Nigel Roberts: SGS 73-77 (20W, 30W/30H, 40H, 50H) Personally I used to prefer sneaking out of school down to McDonalds (in Nathan Road??) for a big Mac at lunch times....

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Michelle Stepney: SGS 88-92 Nigel, You should have been at SGS when I was. Sometime between 1991 and 1992 the Business Studies GCSE courses had to set up there own business.

School Lunches 4 My group unfortunately opted for friendship bracelets and tie dye T-shirts but Gareth Bartman's group (only name I can remember because he was so smug at their profit) set up a franchise where they took orders at break time, got off lessons early, and went to McDonalds before lunch and dished up their orders for a rather hefty profit, if I remember correctly, at lunchtime!!!

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Sandra Mansell: SGS 59-66 Showing my age now! Macdonald’s wasn't around when I was out there! So you just had to make do with the doughnuts, sausage rolls, etc, and the popsies! **********

Steve Swift: SGS 73-80 Yeah, popsies from those strange men on scooters with a refrigerated sidecar and a brolly sticking up from the back But what I want to know is, how you got from SGS to Nathan road Macdonald’s and back in a lunch hour?

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(Tess) Theresa Smith: SGS 78-80 (6W) We were forbidden to buy anything from the 'ice cream' men outside the gates and the fence (check out the school rules - if anyone has them)

********** Alison Read: SGS 76-78 I can remember only donuts. I can't remember school dinners, where were they held - in the hall? Perhaps I used to go home for my lunch seeing as I only lived across the road but I honestly can't remember what I did for lunch, maybe that's why I was so skinny coz I didn't eat anything

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Sandra Mansell: SGS 59-66 I've just remembered Nutty Nibbles! Bliss! When I was there in the 60’s Alison, the dinners were held in the canteen at the side of the main hall, overlooking the front of the school. They had huge green and white striped awnings to keep the sun off us.

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Joanne Varley: SGS 74-79 Chicken Pies and Curry Puffs, strange onions in the curry puff though!!

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Sandra Mansell: SGS 59-63/65-66 Are you SURE they were onions Joanne?

School Lunches 5 ********** Joanne Varley: SGS 74-79 Now you come to mention it, do onions have legs?

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Caroline Vincent: SGS 84-86 Does anyone remember the little man near the MTR station outside the school that used to sell those huge sweet waffles? Mmmmmmmm.....

********** Maura Bleeks: 94-96 Yes I remember the huge waffles and the fish balls in the really strong sauce or was that the oil?

********** Julien Dixon: SGGS 83-85 Yes I do remember the sweet waffles, and all the other things they used to sell outside the MTR at lunch time. My mother was not too impressed at me eating from the stalls, she always thought I would get some strange ailment or food poisoning, I never did though!

********** Jane Varley: Back to school lunches - in the days before the tunnel our parents used to force us to have school lunches because of all the long hours we spent travelling - remember lining up for lunch-time tickets then getting to the front of the queue to discover the horror of them running out!!!

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Aaron Fothergill: SGS 83-85 I’ve had some of the Calbee crisps here in the UK (they were the yellow bagged BBQ flavour ones). I was utterly hooked on them in HK and would eat 2 or 3 bags a day while drinking a bottle of Sprite. I think they cost about a buck a bag (the cheapo nasty crisps in the clear bags were 10-20 cents a bag or something, but were vile). When I found some bags of them in Chinatown in Newcastle I was horrified to find them costing £1.50 a bag and even worse, that they actually used real beef powder as flavouring. So I can’t eat them now I’ve become a vegetarian (most flavoured crisps use artificial flavourings in the UK).

School Lunches 6 Thank you for the Music

Over the years St Georges took on the role of nurturing a whole host of musical groups.

Here are just a few of them:

1 The Leopards

Made up of brothers David and Stu Barns, Alex McKenzie-Ross, Barny Mills and John Tanner.

1969 ‘Tenfolk’ The Folk Group

Back: C. Holroyd, D. Allison, Mr. A. Jones

Front: S. Gibson, J. Stanton, J. Whellams

Thank you for the music 1 In 1971 there was a Staff Folk Group made up of Michael Ryan, music teacher, Alan Jones, PE teacher and Dave Saunders, art teacher

In the early 1970’s a group was formed who’s fame extended beyond the boundaries of the school to encompass the whole of Hong Kong.

Eric Stote and the Whippet Stranglers

The group comprised Julian Emslie on guitar and vocals, Bill Clayton on guitar and vocals, Keith Darker on bass, Chris Raven on keyboards, Chris Fallon on guitar and vocals, and Frank Beecham on drums.

They enjoyed great camaraderie in the band, practicing at Lees Studios in Kowloon Tong. They were all 5th and 6th formers from SGS and Frank Beecham says that they could not have formed the band without the school. The name of the band was made up in the common room where each person yelled out a random thought.

Thank you for the music 2 They played at several military establishments, such as Gun Club Barracks and Osborne Barracks. In 1974 the group entered the Hong Kong Talent Contest, more as a joke, and for the opportunity to play in front of a large audience. They ended up on the front of the Hong Kong Sun newspaper

As well as playing in the group, three members of it, Steve Clayton, Bill Clayton and Frank Beecham ran the Spiders from Mars Disco, which took over in between set from the band.

This disco was a permanent fixture at Club Ultra View in Osborne Barracks, across the road from the school. The club was located in a Romney hut, provided for them by the top brass at Osborne Barracks, as a place the British forces children to hang out. It was painted black, adorned with fluorescent images of pop stars and lit with ultra violet lighting, hence its name. Club members did all the decorating. Dances were held a few times a year, but the club was open every Friday night.

As band members left the colony, the group evolved into Formerly Eric Stote. By this time Tony Wardle and Rob Creber had joined the band as Keith Darker, Chris Raven and Julian Emslie had all returned to the United Kingdom.

Tony Wardle SGS 197 –76 We formed our first band when we were in the forth year at St Georges - around summer ''74. The band consisted of Rich Slesser, Sean Darker (Little Sean played the Bass), Chris Wild, Mark Cates and Myself. Mark (drummer) went to Island school I think, but lived quite close to SGS Osbourne Barracks and Sunderland Road.

We played the music of the day: ‘Born to be wild’ - Steppenwolf, ‘Me and you and a dog named Boo’, ‘It never rains in Southern California’, ‘House of the rising Sun’, etc. We practised hard and had a few early gigs at parties in flats (makes me shudder to think we had a band playing in a flat!!) until we finally landed a gig at Tamar Officers Mess for New Year 1975..... It went Ok

Thank you for the music 3 We used to practise at the studios in Causeway bay and Kowloon. Mark always used to book them because he could speak Cantonese. The rooms were incredibly small and not air- conditioned but were incredibly cheap.

In '75 we played some more gigs, including Little Sai Wan youth club. To get to the gig we used to hail the Public Light Buses. If the driver saw us with all our drum kit and equipment they would pull over, Mark would talk to them in Cantonese and usually the driver would throw off the current passengers and let us on. He'd make more money with us - doesn't seem fair now....

It was a really good gig, lots of kids came, dance floor was packed and everyone had a really good evening. Afterwards we sat on the balcony of the sports club with all of our gear and realised we wouldn't be able to get back from there to home. So we decided to kip the night on the balcony.

It was late-ish about 2am and we saw a guard doing the rounds with a guard dog. He circled the field and finally came to find us trying to sleep inside a top-secret government camp. He arrested us on the spot. We had to take all the band gear down to the guardroom and spent the night in the cells.

We secured another gig at the Black Watch Barracks at Gun Club. It was the soldiers NAAFI club. It was a big stage and we set up and finally got started. It was like a scene out of the Blues Brothers in the Country and Western Bar!! As we played the first bottle was thrown at the stage, gamely we carried on. Finally after the 6 or 7th number we fled the stage trying to get our gear off before we were lynched. Perhaps they weren't keen on Alvin Stardust.

Time progressed; I started playing with Eric Stote and the Whippet Stranglers. Frank Beecham was the drummer then. We played the youth club at Osbourne Barracks many times.

Thank you for the music 4 Every year they had the Talent Show at the TV studios. We entered with the Whippet Stranglers in 76. They put Frank in a booth miles away and we tried to play Paint it Black by the Rolling Stones. Trouble was we had practised the number a few times but relied on visual cues from the drummer. Ah well - got the certificate. But as usual they spelled my name wrong and when I asked for a correction it came back with a piece of dymo tape over my name on the certificate!! I still have certificate now!!

We left Hong Kong in 1976 and I went to school in the UK with Steve Clayton and the Nelson Twins from King George V. Rich went on to form Blue band with Rob Creber and Bob Hoggett. They managed to get onto television.

Time passed and I joined the SGS site in its early days and found Rich Slesser. So after 30 years and 6000 miles and we are still in a band together. We're now a good gigging pub band. Still kicking out some classic rock numbers of the 70's. Some of the numbers we do now were in our set list then. Last month I found a 1975 hand written version of Wishing Well by Free in an old book.

We played at the Biggie SGS 2002 Stratford reunion. We found all original SGS members and told them we were playing. Rob Creber had become a professional musician; Bob Hoggett played the drums (in Blue Band with Rich Slesser). We played at the SGS 2003 reunion as well.

Way back in 75 I had a fight with a kid called Tony Broadbent - the final picture shows that some people haven't forgotten that he broke my nose in that fight!!

Thank you for the music 5 School rules

Hilary Bellord: SGS 72-74 (3WT & 4WT) It was once said that rules were meant for breaking.... did you agree? Which rules did you break whilst at SGS and how? This is probably one for the lads since most of the SGS girlies were well behaved

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Sarah Smith: SGS 81-84 I ran across the grass quad and got caught

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Sue Fenton: SGS 85-88 I actually got caught in 5th year smoking.... but def didn't get slippered. They weren’t allowed to do that in my day! I had to sit outside deputy headmistress's (who's name I can't remember for the life of me) office every day for 2 weeks in all my breaks!!

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Hilary Bellord: SGS 72-74 (3WT & 4WT) Just realised that there are probably numerous amongst us who won't even remember what the school rules were! Since there were FIVE pages of them in the school diary, I won't type them out but will show you the "Special Rules" from 1973-4 school diary: -

" 1. Smoking is a health risk for you, a fire risk for the school, and is forbidden on the school premises AND when you are wearing school uniform 2. Food or drink must not be consumed in classrooms or anywhere in the New Block unless permission has been given. All litter is to be placed in litterbins and bottles returned to crates 3. The Grass Quadrangle is out of bounds 4. The correct school uniform is to be worn to school activities and functions 5. The wearing of cosmetics and jewellery is forbidden 6. Fifth and sixth formers may go out of school during the lunch hour, but anyone else must bring a note for permission if they wish to go out for any reason 7. The new playing field will be in use on some days of the week. However, its condition is still not good and pupils must NOT go on the field except with a member of staff for a recognised sports activity (LOL!) 8. Ball games are not permitted near the Romney huts or on the Volleyball court. These rules are a matter of common sense. Selfish behaviour cannot be accepted and must be discouraged. Do not let your tutor group and House down, as well as yourself. "

School Rules 1 Sue Fenton: SGS 85-88 Oh...well there's another one I broke then. I smoked in uniform!!

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Teresa "Tess" Boddy: 70–76 ‘Ball games are not permitted near the Romney huts or on the Volleyball court.’ Didn't know about that one! I cracked my wrist playing volleyball with a football (ouch!) one lunchtime!

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Kim Joynes: SGS 76-79 (1OK, 2OH, 3OP) Sue, I also got done for smoking, but in the 3rd year and didn't even bother going outside the school gates. I got caught sitting on the lower field just sitting on one of the benches!!! As for my punishment, same as you - had to sit outside Miss McGregor's office every break time but I only had to do it for one week, perhaps I got a more lenient sentence as one of her star cross country runners and normally a right goody two shoes

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Michelle Stepney: SGS 88-92 I was a very good girl!! I never broke any of the school rules. OK then, I never got caught!!!

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(Mole) Neil Waters: SGS 77-80 I was an angel at school. Would not have dreamed of stepping outside the accepted code of behaviour. Seriously I don’t remember being in trouble once at the school. Honest!

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(Tess) Theresa Smith: SGS 78-80 (6W) Mole... never in trouble at school - no - but outside was a whole different story I got caught smoking at the back of the common room by Jock (McArdle) - got given smoking lines - duly given to first year on school bus to complete. Got called in a few times by Mrs McGregor about the length of my skirt or rather the height of the split in the back of it. Other than that I behaved rather well at school I seem to remember. It’s possible though that I wasn't actually there that much in the U6th.

School Rules 2 Julia Organ: SGS 72-75 I got caught leaving the school on several occasions - which meant I had to write the rules out each time. Was also caught in one of the huts at lunchtime - Had to be Jock (McArdle) that caught us though! School rules had to be written out twice for that one - once normally and then again - backwards!!! Did run across the quad once - but got away with that one. Had the slipper once - for having dirty plimsolls! Can you believe that - not exactly a heinous crime!

School Rules 3 Visits to the Headmaster

Frank Beecham: SGS 73-75 Okay own up. Were you a goody-two-shoes or a pain-in-the-neck? I was called in to see Mr. Suart, yes, Amanda and Becca's dad on three occasions. I also felt the sting from Mr. Harris' ruler once. And a good yelling at from Jock MacArdle

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Ralph Small: SGS 65-66 (4B, 5B, 6G) I never had to visit the Head, who was Mr Croft in my day, I never had the time anyway, always seemed to be in detention

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Steve Cowell: 76-79(3bc, 4bc, 5bw, 6o) Little angel me, never even had a telling off from Jock

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Chris Lee: SGS 76-78 The only dealings I had with the Headmaster at SGS was when he gave me my prize at the end of the year for outstanding achievement not once, but twice

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Steve Dawkins: SGS 69-71 1-2-3 One to Mr Croft plus a beating, and a summary beating from Jock McArdle, two summonses to Mr Suart and counselling session, and mass telling off from him in Assembly first day of term after we trashed the school bus on the last day of term. Three lots of detention numerous misconduct marks. One form prize presentation in my first year from Mr Croft, and summoned to Ben the head boy for smoking who promptly confiscated bent cigarettes from me and passed them round the common room. So you see I was a good boy really!

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(Nogs) Noelle Hopkins: SGS 74-78 Remember waiting nervously outside Miss Macgregor’s office to let her know I couldn't run in School X Country ‘cos of a cold - was expecting to get told not to be such a wimp. Could hear raised voice from inside so knew she wasn't in a good mood. Was joined by another girl who was plastered in make up and jewellery.

When the first victim came out, both of us on the bench got called in together and I had to stand there and watch whilst this other girl got

Visits to the Headmaster 1 hauled over the coals. Felt like a TOTAL teachers pet and wanted to run out after her and explain Coughed and spluttered well enough to get out of the running though.

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Stewart Nuttall, SGS 76-79 (3WP, 4WG, 5OL) I was put on report a couple of times but I can’t remember what for.

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Franky Hayes: SGS 59-61 I didn't have the pleasure of seeing the headmaster but volunteered for double Corporal punishment from Miss Soames, One lunchtime I nipped out to Stinky Corner and purchased a bag of Cherry bombs. I don't know if any of you remember the tennis courts adjacent to the 'Play Ground'.

From the school side I could see through the mesh fence of the tennis court a barracks. Between the barracks which was also fenced and the tennis court were many boys and girls sitting. My sin was to get a hand full of cherry bombs and lob them as hard and as high as I could at a trajectory of about 70 degrees in the direction of the hexes knowing that I had initial ring fence protection. Wow what a throw I thought, what a star, and then I saw what resembled an American Air Force Cluster bomb raid on an airfield, flashes, and smoke, the full Monty. I was impressed, high- pitched screams where sounded. I then had to rid myself of any incriminating evidence, a second salvo of sun baked clay cherry bombs went high into the sunlight and before the secondary impact was heard I legged it back into the school quadrangle, across the grass and up to the upper floors via the corner steps running to the sounds of further bangs, screams and shouts. As you may be aware there was only two ways up and two ways down to the upper levels me thinks, I went up one way and Miss Soames up the other with the Craft teacher in hot pursuit after dining with the inmates of SGS.

Summary execution by being made to stand on a dodgy chair with my hands on top of my head. Miss Soames then armed herself with the obligatory 12 inch wooden ruler. After the Craft teacher read the charge out and, without plea or even an opportunity to appeal, I felt and heard the rat-tat-tat of the rule, six each side of the back of the legs but it was well worth it!

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Marion Bold SGS 75-77 Two things come to mind, one being the fire alarm (setting it off after being dared!) the other screaming in class after being ‘wired up’ by the elbows and having an electric current passed through from two certain people (no names mentioned) from a home made device!! Or maybe it was something else, but these two incidents jumped into my head. I was went to the Deputy Head but can’t for the life of me remember why. Weren’t the boys dealt with by Mr. McArdle and girls by the deputy female

Visits to the Headmaster 2 (Can’t remember her name, sorry). All I do remember is how I shook because I was in trouble and my dad would have gone mad!! We were having a reminisce the other night about me hiding a pair of platform shoes in my school bag (they were great - black and green!). I changed into them on the school bus, got into school and promptly fess down the stairs!!! So maybe it was that I was sent to her, as I never wore them to school again.

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Gordon Downard (Tigger) I felt the sting of the cane for fighting one time.

Visits to the Headmaster 3 Sporting Days

Hilary Bellord: SGS 72-74 3WT & 4WT I was rubbish at sport and even worse at swimming! I know that we have numerous sporty people amongst us, so come on those of you who were good at sport, lets hear some of your tales and likewise from those that were useless like me

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Andy Graham: SGS 76-82 Any sporty SGSers remember any records they broke during school sports days? Mine was the junior cricket ball throwing 47.63metres

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Bob Hoggett: SGS 71–77 Mine was longest time round x-country course! Everyone was sitting waiting in the buses when Aussie Bruce and me came sauntering over the finish line! I started pretty well though. Took off like a bullet for some reason! **********

Teresa "Tess" Boddy: 70–76 I broke the school senior girls javelin record on several occasions. I THINK I also held Inter girls shot, as well, once, but not positive.

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Rebecca Suart: SGS 84-85 I broke the Woman's shot-put record in 1984 whilst in the first year - can't remember the distance though!!! But I was beaten about 4 years later I believe. **********

Paul Chipperfield: SGS 74-76 The only record I can think of was the shot putt and, yes, my mother still has the medals from school and inter-school meets. The only significant school team record was we actually managed to beat KGV in '76 after years of loosing to them. **********

Andy Jenkinson: SGS 80-83 The inter-schools sports days were held at Wanchai stadium. Used to love those, I could get 2 days off school for about 3 minutes of running. And there was a MacDonald’s just over the road. At the 1982 School sports day I set a new 100m record at 11.86 and Kazu Okuyama broke the 200m one with 24.61. This was down to our natural talent, extensive training and peak physical condition.

Sporting Days 1 Jayne Moorat: SGS 71-74 I was in the A team swimming, netball team, volleyball team and athletics. Sport was one of my favourite.

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Teresa "Tess" Boddy: 70–76 Apart from netball (which I was OK at), I was pretty good at most sports. In 1975 (I think) at the Inter-School athletics, I managed to be the first person seen by St John's that year when I tore all the muscles down one side of my back in the A grade javelin! (I must give up sport, I'm SO accident-prone!) **********

Ron Preedy: SGS 56-58 I seem to recall reading that during or just after the Cultural Revolution in China children finishing in the last three places in any sports event were awarded the prizes. (Not a joke) does anyone remember this being mentioned in the news or in a documentary?

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(Mole) Neil Waters: SGS 77-80 I have medals from inter school athletics, swimming, and rugby. Also played Hockey (really badly but I did enjoy the game...a Kiwi was the only one silly enough to be in goal) I had the best time at SGS trying all the sports I could imagine (at that time)...... even kayaking in the pool. Congrats to the PE staff of SGS for a great time!

Boys hockey 1957

Sporting Days 2 Michele Stepney: SGS 88-92 I was terrible at hockey, so volunteered to be in goal during PE lessons. Don't think I was ever good enough to make the school team, and never thought it was natural to be able to run while keeping your stick close to the ground! I was however a swimmer and high jumper. Actually got very close to breaking the school high jump record at an Inter schools meet once. We 90's girls were lucky enough to be introduced to rugby for a short time. If I remember rightly, Miss Bottero was tackled whilst having her whistle in her mouth. Result...... 2 broken teeth and back to netball!

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Kenneth Small: SGS 65 -67 L6th (6B, 6General) I was absolutely useless at any sport, had been for years and am even worse now (can only walk, with the aid of a stick, about a quarter to half a mile and I’m finished). Back at SGS they used to make me do the cross-country and on arriving back last (inevitably) they put me in goal for one of the mixed 6th form hockey teams (mixed, as in boys and girls in both teams). The only advantage in being in that particular goal was that I never, ever saw the little white and solid ball, as it was always at the other end of the field scoring goals for the team that I was in, so it was easy to lose track of the game and I could have had a sleep with no one noticing.

Junior Rounders Team 1988

Sporting Days 3 Nigel Edwards: SGS 69-74 Swimming was my only attempt at fame whilst SGS. Still got the box of medals (though lost all the certificates that indicated to me getting any exams). And remember being part of the "A" grade winners

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Michele Stepney: SGS 88-92 I was at an inter school's swimming gala and was roped in to do the 100M Freestyle at the last minute because someone didn't turn up. I literally had to run from the stand to the pool, stripping as I went!! My strokes were backstroke and breaststroke, crawl was never a favourite. I was out of breath by the time I got to the diving block, so wasn't in for a good race at all! I finished about a minute after everybody else and was almost doing doggy paddle by the time I got to the end. Luckily for me, the name of the girl who was supposed to have swam was on the giant score board instead of mine!

Swimming Gala 1957

Frank Beecham: SGS 73-75 I was never really much of a jock. I played basketball for Windsor House and our team won the inter-house games two years in a row. I still have the certificates. I was also quite good in discus throwing and 100m sprinting - also have the certificates. Never really got into the soccer or rugby teams - wasn't good enough I guess. Hated cricket. Julian Emslie beat out everyone in swimming. So that was a waste of time. I liked watching the girls’ field hockey though.

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Sporting Days 4 Teresa "Tess" Boddy: 70–76 Julian Emslie (mentioned by Frank) was IN the Commonwealths! And I THINK he was in the Olympics when HK was next to Israel in the Olympic Village in 1972......

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Sheila Gardiner SGS 73-75 I was pretty good at swimming. I qualified as a lifeguard while in HK and also passed my honours personal survival badge!

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Tina Scott SGS 76-79 I hated sports and was rubbish. I was the only one I know to fail swimming medals because I couldn’t get out of the pool; or refused to swim in SGS pool because it was a mixed lesson that day, boys – yuk!

Sporting Days 5 Tom Pond, Steve Coombes and Ian Maw

Outward Bound Course 1977 It was the summer of ’77 – myself, Steve Coombes, Tom Pond and Brian Green were selected to attend the Outward Bound School in Sai Kung. I can’t remember exactly how we were selected, but I know that we were sponsored by SGS.

The course was, if I remember correctly, 7 weeks. It was like one of those junior leader type affairs, and was almost entirely Chinese (we were the only non-Chinese there).

It involved all sorts of activities – cross country runs, orienteering, rock climbing, canoeing, hill hiking and sailing (except when we were out there was no wind, so we had to row that damn boat from Sai Kung into the harbour and back over 3-4 days).

Each day started at 5.30 when we were woken and marched straight out for the morning plunge into the sea. We then had to clean the barrack area before breakfast. Once breakfast was completed, the activity of the day commenced. The only times you got out of this routine was if you were on one of the ‘out of camp’ activities.

The final test was a 3-day hike in which we had to climb the 10 highest peaks in the New Territories – Tai Mo Shan, Ma On Shan, etc.

On completing the course, we were awarded certificates, badges, etc. Ian Maw (Vicar) SGS 1976-78 6 th Form Common Room

John Wilkinson: SGS 78-80 (L6-U6) The 6th form Common Room. That mysterious void to lower years...Sanctuary to us 6th formers. I have seen some very funny, and somewhat outrageous behaviour go on in the two years I was privileged to be able to use the room. Cricket matches inside for one. Well if you could call it that. The wicket used was a large painting if I remember right by Mr Tilbrook, I believe. I remember it was my time to bat once and I swung wildly and launched the bat skywards letting go, I believe it lodged in the false ceiling, a teacher walked in and didn’t notice it or pretended not too. Playing loud Rock on the turntable was popular. Booting and throwing a rugby ball around the Hockey pitch, I think was a 6th form perk. I believe it was out of bounds to lower years. I remember a few of the guys getting on the roof of the Common room one time, and somebody, (yours truly included), thought it would be a good idea to turn a fire hose on them. It wasn’t, but we did it anyway. Ah... good memories but to name a few.... Any More?

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Kenneth Small: 65-67(L6th, 6B, 6 General) Hi John, Where was this 6th form common room situated? In 1967 the 6th form were given the use of one of the old classrooms in the part of the school that had been vacated when the first new block of air- conditioned classes was opened. To get to the room we had to go through the old part of the school next to the old army vehicle park and into what I think was either the old woodwork or metalwork room which was for the exclusive use of the 6th formers, strictly no prefects, as they had there own common rooms behind the stage. While we were in there cleaning things up one of the lads managed to put his hand through a window he was trying to open and cut his wrist, that was about the only thing that happened before I left in July 1967.

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John Wilkinson: SGS 78-80 (L6-U6) It was basically some kind of hut, believed partial brick, with a curved corrugated roof. It was located nearest side to Waterloo road. To one end of it was a small gym I think. To the other end, I cannot recall. It lay parallel to a field, which I believe served as a hockey pitch basically the smaller of the two fields. This I believe was out of bounds to all but 6th formers.

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Common Room 1 Judy Fenton: SGS 72-74 The 6th Form Common Room was where? Correct me if I'm wrong, but up until I left in July 74, the Common Room was located behind the Home Economics "Flat", next to the Patio...or was that the 5th Form Common Room?

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Steve Cowell: SGS 76-79 (3bc, 4bc, 5bw, 6o) The 6th form common room was a Nissan hut type of thing behind the changing rooms. I have a few photos taken inside, will try and find them when I move, John,...... now come on, you know us 6th formers were gods!

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Kenneth Small: 65-67(L6th, 6B, 6 General) To get to the 6th form common room in the summer term of '67 we had to go down the covered path beside the bus park (the old transport depot where all new vehicles were issued from) and into the old woodwork & metalwork rooms in the old single story class rooms which were probably not there when you were.

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New Common room 1975

Common Room 2 Nigel Roberts SGS 73-77 2OW, 3OW/3OH, 4OH, 5OH When I was in the 3rd year, a group of us broke the world record for playing table footie, and as a 13 year old we were privileged to spend 10 days in the summer holidays living and playing in the 6th form common room as it was the only place big enough that had air-conditioning. It was great fun. Imagine the disappointment when we came back to school after the holidays and be barred from entering that den of iniquity again! We used to wonder about the excitement of what when on in there!

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Luke Doran SGS 84-85 I was barred from entering the Sixth Form Common room, because I wouldn’t pay the $10. I through it was well out of order that we had to pay to get in. Can't remember the teacher's paying to use their common room! So, I was only in twice - the first time and the last time.

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Common room 1984

Nick Airey SGS 73-81 The Common room was closed after, if I remember it right, several of the rules of use were broken. 1. The State the place was left in after one of the 'Cushion fights', which resulted in some of the Rattan Chairs getting broken. (Rule stated that the room should be kept in a 'reasonable state') Even the cleaners ended up refusing to clean up.

Common Room 3 2. Some Cigarette burns being found in the common room (Rules stated that the smoking was only allowed at the back door) 3. None sixth formers found in the common room. (Rules stated that only sixth formers were only allowed in the common room.) Even the teachers had to ask permission (If they were fool enough to enter.) Our punishment besides losing the use of the common room was to redecorate it completely, which included having to ‘Beg, Borrow, or Steal’ some replacement furniture and fittings.

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Kenneth Small: 65-67(L6th, 6B, 6 General) Up until the Summer Term of 1967, as far as I know there was not a sixth form common room, however, when the first of the air conditioned multi (2/3/or 4) story classroom blocks opened, we were given the use of the (old metalwork room) room farthest away from the rest of the (non air conditioned) classrooms, obviously to avoid any noise or trouble from or to the rest of the school. Up until July '67, as far as I can remember, no members of staff ventured into this sparsely furnished common room.

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Di Ward SGS 57-59 Air-conditioning?? You wimps! You haven't lived until you've sat on a metal stool in a smelly biology lab on a hot steamy Hong Kong day, cutting up a very dead frog!!!

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Kenneth Small: 65-67(L6th, 6B, 6 General) Di, Not so much of the wimps please. When we were in the air-conditioned block, we always opened the windows wide as, at times, it could be too cold. So, with the controls in the room set too minimum for cooling and the windows wide open it was only just cooler than the temperature outside; and quite a bit cooler than in the few non air conditioned class rooms still in use like the science labs, between the Quadrangle and the road (Norfolk Road) out at the front of the school.

Common Room 4 Film Stars

Sarah Ann Hewitt: SGS 80-84 Does anyone remember the film that was made about Saint George’s School?

It was shown on UK television in the late 1970`s, possibly on the BBC Children’s` bit. There were other programmes in the series, which featured children from around the world and their schools. I think there was one about Germany, possibly one about Scandinavia, but I have the impression it was mainly about British Forces` kiddies.

I went to SGS from October 1980, and remember asking Miss Levy about it. All I can recall was that there used to be a clock in the Main Hall, and that the Sixth Form had driving lessons on the playground, from some man that Miss Levy remembered.

Does anyone else remember the programme?

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Margaret Brownlow: SGS 69-71 I was out there when they actually made the film. I think it was about 1971. I never did get to see the film when it was finished. I remember that they made sure that there where no calendars about as they didn’t want it dated. As far as I know, thank goodness I’m not in it. But I bet there as a few people that I know who are. As you can imagine everyone was told to be on their best behaviour ...or else. I think the film was made so that parents could see what an army comprehensive school was like. Its nice to know that it was shown on the telly though.

About the same time there where quite a few folk wandering around with camera's taking slides. This may have been for the school magazine, or possibly some other reason. I know that they showed all the slides during a lesson.

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Steve Cowell: 76-79 (3bc, 4bc, 5bw, 6o) Sarah-Ann, the man who used to teach driving was called Jim Atkinson, and it was open to anybody who wanted to learn to drive, not just 6th formers.

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Nick Airey: SGS 73-81 There were several programs done which featured SGS. One was done on the Ex-Pats in the Far East, which included SGS, KGV and other schools. And the one that you may be thinking of which was done, I think as part of Blue Peter / John Craven’s Newsround.

Film Stars 1 This featured the handing over of the rebuilt 1918 Bus, Motorcycle and driving displays by the SGS Driving School; which as Steve says was open to any SGS student that could pass a basic Driving test. The Main Test involved driving a circuit of the Basketball court, parking on a 'Dollar' (which you could keep) and retrieving a chewing-gum from a piece of string (without taking hands from the steering wheel). Progressing to the 4-Ton truck and Hi-Ace van - once you had proved able to drive the cars then you could learn the Bikes.

Minibus and driving class 1973

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Graham Jacob SGS 69-71 (L6, U6) I remember them filming in 1971 – we were due to have a maths lesson when we had to pretend to be sitting an exam. At first we were miffed at having to do the examination paper but when it was handed out it was blank – and we had to scribble away as if doing the real thing. We all came away convinced that we had got ‘A’ grades!

Film Stars 2 Changes

Di Ward: SGS 57-59 In the late 50s, I think SGS was simply we British forces kids and the Ghurkha kids. But it seems as though this changed and I'd love to know how it evolved from there. I've seen Japanese and Chinese names on the site for example. Anyone be kind enough to fill me in??

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Franky Hayes: SGS 59-61 I left SGS 1961 and there were a couple Ghurkha kids in our class. Tek one was called but can't in the life of me remember the other. I believe their parents lived in Fanling with their fathers being in the 8th Ghurkha Rifle Brigade. I don't remember any Japanese kids being at SGS though, having said that feeling was still a bit twitchy considering World War two only finished fifteen years earlier.

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Julia Organ: SGS 72-75 Not sure of the exact time it happened - suspect the 80's? - But the school opened its doors to anyone who could pay for their child to attend - as well as still educating Forces/CSOS children. Perhaps someone would be able to tell us when this actually happened? Was definitely after I left in 1975. **********

Laurie Skelton: SGS '57-'58 With a shrinking Brit. forces and ex-patriate contingent it seems that SGS reached a stage of diversify or loose viability. (Rather like many of our farmers are faced with now.)

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(Mole) Neil Waters: SGS 77-80 I can tell you that I was one of a very few "unentitled Children" at SGS when I started in 1977. Still have the receipts from the bursar Mr. Jones who was a great rugby ref.

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Peter Olcorn: SGS 76-79 (5OA, 6O)

The Aussie forces had to back up the poms of course So I got the advantage of a world class education at the Go Down, The Jockey Club, The China Fleet Club to name a few!

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Changes Lynn Macdonald SGS 74-78 It was 1977/8 when SGS started taking fee payers, but only a few and normally kids of HK Govt expatriates. In the 1980's it became more like the other international schools and took a wider range of people.

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Kenneth Small: SGS 65-67 House L6th (6B, 6General) When we left in July 1967 it was just British and Ghurkha children at the school. Also the first block of air conditioned classrooms had recently been handed over to the school and opened for use.

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Robert Burridge: SGS 61-62 I was a "Ghurkha kid " attending SGS 61/62. My dad was paymaster to the Ghurkhas, which meant yearly rotor postings to Hong Kong. Singapore, Malaya. Penang, Kuala Lumpar & Borneo. Whilst the ranks were mainly young unmarried men from Nepal, only a few UK-officers kids went to SGS.

Changes Georgian Gossip 1984-85

This Year St. George's is 30 Years old! Believe-it-or-not that’s older than many of our teachers! The school officially opened at 4.30pm on May 25th 1955, had 338 pupils on roll, shared the site with a tank and heavy military vehicle park belonging to 6 composite Ordinance Depot, and was built in what was then a quiet residential district of Kowloon, away from the hustle and bustle.

Before the opening of St. George's service children had to attend KGV School, and before that an all age school had been started in Sek Kong and also one in the Officers Mess Buildings in Mindon Row, Kowloon.

Obviously times change...we now occupy a very busy site indeed, being surrounded on three sides by busy Waterloo Road, the K.C.R and Kowloon tong M.T.R. Only Norfolk Road has remained free from urban development and our school fields must occupy one of the most expensive pieces of real estate in the colony.

In its' first year the school had two headmasters until a permanent Headmaster, Mr Hill arrived in April 1956. In 1960 another headmaster came and the school began a sixth form. The school population had risen to about 470 by then.

By September 1961 there were over 600 pupils in the school and the vehicle sheds were taken over from the Ordinance Depot and converted into craft rooms, a commerce Room and a laboratory. During that year Princess Alexandra of Kent also visited the school.

Another permanent Headmaster, Mr Croft, arrived in August 1964 and air conditioning was put into most of the classrooms.

In January 1965 the 3-storey building now known as the main block began to be built. It was completed during the summer of 1966 and Ordinance depot had moved away from the site. Their vehicle sheds were demolished to provide what is now the top field.

In 1969 more buildings were added, the area of Mr Heap’s workshop, the housecraft flat, Mr Rose's Art room and the T.D room.

By 1971 the school leaving age had risen to 16 and the population of the school was over 800. Mr Suart also became headmaster in September of that year.

1973 saw the highest number of pupils in the school; 950, but since then our population dwindled steadily. Building continued however and by 1975 the sixth form common room had been built, more classrooms had air conditioning and the 6ft concrete foundations of Ordinance Depot's heavy vehicle park were dug up to build the swimming pool.

It was about this time our urban harassment began; the M.T.R began to

Georgian Gossip 1 be built in Suffolk Road, causing much disruption to our playing fields, Waterloo Road was widened, and improved, and the electrification of the K.C.R., with the expansion of Kowloon Tong interchange, got under way.

Over the years our school buildings have suffered with the 2-storey science block having to be closed down and temporary building erected on what was the playground. The past 6 months had the school looking as if we had suffered a terrorist attack! Holes were everywhere as B.D.D. examined the structure of the concrete and metal supports. We have now however gained some good new tennis courts and basketball courts.

Yet despite the falling numbers of both teaching staff and pupils, and the building problems, St. Georges stands resiliently - as it has for the past 3 decades.

Further developments, and changes, must occur in the future. One might wonder at what they might be and what future chronicles will bear testimony to. **********

Sandra Mansell SGS 59 – 66 It doesn’t tell about the time when 3 very, very large tents were erected on the grass quad because there were not enough classrooms. That was also the autumn/winter when Hong Kong had an enormous amount of rain, and I can remember numerous buckets in the tents to catch the rainwater! I can’t remember the year, but it was certainly before 1963, possibly 1961 when it says we had an influx of pupils.

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Steve Dawkins 69-71 Forms 1-2-3 Windsor House During the rebuild in ‘69 a corner of the quad was a no go area strictly Workmen and teachers by appointment only. Lunch break seemed an ideal opportunity for a sneak preview of the new block.

Wrong, spotted as soon as we rounded the corner, and screamed at by the head and his entourage, who were also having a guided preview!

Close shave – it would have been another batch of detention for Messrs Hartley, Dawkins and Dunn

Georgian Gossip 2 Last Days

Hilary Bellord: SGS 72-74 (3WT & 4WT) I honestly can't remember what happened on my last day at SGS although I suspect I spent most of it looking like a wet weekend. Does anyone remember what happened on their last day?

********** Di Ward: SGS 57-59 Yes - cried buckets!!

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Ron Preedy: SGS 56-58 The last day of freedom and paradise. These were some of the thoughts that went through my head. I realised that things would never be the same again. Here my parents were relaxed and happy, life was good to us, and no stress as we now call it. Heavy rain clouds lay ahead and they certainly came. My thoughts were with my SGS friends that I was leaving behind. How I envied them. My mind then went to those that went before me, I said to myself they must have adjusted to UK by now and so will I. In an attempt to try to console myself. I am sure that I felt that I was walking the last mile in my life. So what’s new?

********** Judy Fenton: SGS 72-74 Like Ron, I felt a sense of loss, and knew that things would never be the same again.... and wished I'd done and seen more than I actually did...but back then, the Disco's, Party's, Splash In's, Lantau Camp...and BOYS were all that mattered!!! I can't remember attending any lessons, although I must have done, but remember the Traditional "Dress Signing", lots of crying, and being given loads of leaving presents - framed photo's, necklaces, chokers (yes they were the fashion back then), perfume and a Rag Doll made by Linda Kershaw!! ...I think I still have a Mother of Pearl Heart belonging to one of the necklaces - minus the chain...and the photo's - minus the frames!! The School Uniform was in the Attic for years, and its whereabouts remain a mystery??...Judging by the pictures of that day, and what was written on my frock, maybe not such a bad idea!!!

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Sarah Smith: SGS 81 –84 I can remember my last day at SGS like it was yesterday. It was also the last day of the Summer Term, so I seem to remember not a lot of schoolwork was done that day bar Good byes! Before the day had even started I can remember being errm attacked by my lost love plus a few others that took great pleasure in ripping my dress off me!!! Luckily I had my shorts and vest on!!!!! Thankfully I’d brought all four of my dresses for that day and the rest of it was spent writing over

Last Days 1 them and ripping pieces off for various individuals too numerous to mention here. But like all good things that day was coming to an end. School assembly had been called out on the quad, as was usual for the last day of the summer term. Throughout this all I could hear was whispers of "Smifffy you’re heading for the pool!!!!! And low and behold I...... managed to dodge the lot of ‘em!!!! But that’s not to say I made the bus without a soaking as they got me with cups of water from behind the classrooms on the old basketball courts, blooming cold too it was!!!!! Then the dragon of a bus lady wouldn’t let me on the bus so I had to change into me civvies!!! Not nice ridding over Route Twist with soggy underwear on I can tell you!! But like all good things it came to an end in floods of tears, cuddles, kisses and swapping of addresses. Like you’ve all said, life seemed so simple then. We had the pool the sun and an easy life!! And yes my parents seemed so laid back then they were almost horizontal!!! A lot of heartache came out of that day also though. But I left knowing that Id met and developed with some of the best friends I have ever known.

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Paul Sweet: SGS 89-91 My last day was the last day of term. Like was said before, normal lesson go out the window that day. Our exams had been done so it was all over bar the shouting anyway.

Looking back now, I realise that I missed out on so much, I never got my yearbook signed, or my shirt. I never took any photo's so all the people that I knew then, I have great difficulties remembering clearly now. I never swapped enough addresses to stay in contact with all my friends. What I'm saying is that I'd give anything to do it all again, knowing what I know now. I'd do more and say more, and damn the consequences.

Hong Kong and St Georges remains one of the most treasured times and places of my life, it's just a shame that I couldn't have realised that more when I was there. But not to worry, I'm in contact with people now, lots of new friends and loads of fun memories.

Vicar and Anna, thanks for everything, and thank you to everyone else on the site for making it what it is.

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Steve Dawkins: SGS 69-71 (Forms 1-2-3) It was the last day of April 1971, I was as miserable as sin and couldn't face going into school. So I spent the morning wandering round Kowloon savouring the sights and sounds for the last time. I went back to school after lunch made up a story that I had missed the

Last Days 2 bus and sort of daydreamed through the remaining lessons. I had to go to the office before leaving to pick up my final report and was bade farewell by Mr Suart and wished a pleasant trip back to UK. Big lump in the throat I walked the round the quad one last time and onto the bus. The bus ride back to Sek Kong was spent fighting back the tears. I even missed my stop and had to walk up the Twisk from the NAAFI. The flight home the next day was horrendous for me There were two SGS Girls on the flight Patricia was one the other girl was a 5th Year we were all crying our eyes out all the way to Singapore. At the time I didn't realise I was leaving the happiest days of my life behind. Someone asked last night what was it all about. Magic - I would say a spell cast over us to keep us forever thinking of SGS and HK.

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Laurie Skelton: SGS '57-'58 The cruise home - some compensation. For us older ones the trauma of separation from SGS, fab friends, Mr. Fagg et al, was smoothed by the thought of the imminent three week cruise that took us back to the UK. Down the South China Sea to Singapore, through the Straits of Malacca with the picturesque sparsely populated fishing villages set against a fabulous tropical sunset. Then over to Aden and up the Red Sea to the Suez Canal and the sights of Port Suez, the Bitter Lakes, a very British looking yacht club, the pyramids and the Sphinx in the middle distance and on past oases of fig trees to Port Said with its swooping and wheeling red kites searching for carrion. Through the last of the lock gates and a goodbye to the dolphins that had adopted our ship for two days in order to get through the canal's locks - and into the Mediterranean Sea. On down the Mediterranean; past Malta and 'Pantalleria?’ (From where Italian and German torpedo boats attempted to sink our convoys during WW2); escorted by schools of dolphins most of the way we make port at Gibraltar, visiting the Moorish Castle, the old fortress galleries and of course - the apes. As we leave Gibraltar and head into the North Atlantic the sea becomes a darker grey-green and the air feels denser and colder. Across a usually choppy Bay of Biscay and it’s party time on board. As a twelve year old, I could still go to the children's party, but could also go to the adults' parties etc. and stay up late. All the way up Southampton Sound there was thick fog. Our foghorn suddenly felt high pitched as a very deep foghorn answered us. Then out of the gloom loomed a huge bank of lights that towered over us. It was the Cunarder, Queen Mary! Mooring at Ocean Quay we joined the S.S. United States and the P&O Canberra, needless to say, we weren't bothered much by the Customs people who were busy swarming over the richer pickings. I feel sorry for the younger among you that missed the likes of HMTs (Her Majesties Troop Ships) Empire Fowey, Asturias, Nevasa and Oxfordshire!

Last Days 3 **********

Rab Reid: SGS 79-81 (5ST, 6S) It's funny, I've just read thru a load of replies to this topic and quite a lot (including myself) can't remember our last day at SGS. They do say that the mind tries to block out really sad moments in our lives - I think they're right! I think the last school day didn't seem real - like limbo or something. It all hit home though, on the last day in HK. Lots of friends and my girl at the airport. I just broke down and cried buckets and never stopped all the way back to the UK! You make so many promises, but deep down (and from years of postings) you know that you're not going to keep them all. It's the hardest trying to trace my 'international' friends from the other schools...where are they now? Even writing this seems to bring back some of that hurt and tears - it just goes to show the impact that SGS and HK has made on my life - I miss it dearly!

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Robert Burridge: SGS 61-62 The last day at SGS for me started with a forced dipping in the Star-Ferry Fountain - Kowloon side, just as the HK-kids came over to take buses to school. John Whellams is the only culprit to own-up do far. This was the practice for SGS-leavers around 1962.

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Pam Downer: SGS 68-70 Last day at school was kind of weird. I mean, there was always someone leaving, so it seemed almost casual, or pretended to be that way. I got some stupid scribblings in an autograph book, and addresses were exchanged although when I got back to the UK it was mainly me writing big thick letters pleading for news, and a couple of lines back from my friends. Anyway back to the leaving day. It WAS surreal. We drove up the TWISK in some kind of van, can't remember whose. Our dog, which we had given away to a neighbour, ran after the van as it drove away from the house. That single moment is frozen in time. It was too much for me and I started sobbing! Everyone blamed me for blubbering and starting them off too. My sister was a bit too young to feel as much, I think, but my parents -- it was all they could do to hold it together and then when I started up. I don't think I'd ever seen my dad cry before. Well not since he parted with a nice new fancy car when we left Germany! I cried off and on all the way to the airport. And almost the whole time AT the airport. I remember my mum taking me aside and whispering, "Stop, try to stop - you're upsetting everyone else!" It was true. I mean, great big heaving uncontrollable sobs, and other army folk all around trying hard to keep their own composure! My parents talked about my "emotional sensitivity" for years after, citing the airport fiasco. It became one of those stories.

Last Days 4 I think it was a bit better once we got on the plane. Ohh well it didn't hurt that the pilots and crewmembers were brilliant and they let us all (the kids) come in and look at all the controls. They all signed a page in my infamous autograph book. Steve, I think you're right about some kind of magic spell that was cast over us all.

Last Days 5 Coming home with a bump

Nigel Roberts SGS 1973-1977 2OW, 3OW/3OH, 4OH, 5OH My parents had four main tours abroad during their working life, Singapore, Hong Kong – twice, and Cyprus. However, during the two tours to HK, the return home back to old Blighty was an awful experience.

Coming back the first time, when I was about 10 was terrible. From being at a wonderful school in Sek Kong, I ended up at a decent, but run down, Church of England primary school in Bishops Cleve near Cheltenham. The impression I got from the teachers there was that they felt I was bound to be “subnormal” in my education. I remember being hauled out in front of the class early on and being ask to recite a ‘times table’ – 1 times 9 is nine, 2 times 9 is 18, and so on. I had no idea what the answers were as I had not been taught to learn by rote at Sek Kong, the teacher was appalled and insisted I did this each day until I had learnt it – it took me weeks of humiliation before I did.

The children at the school were just like most kids at any school in England I suppose, but they teased me mercilessly. Having spent 8 out of 11 years in Singapore and HK I had dark skin and a slight oriental look. Because I came back from HK I was called “chinky” and other pretty unsavoury things. If I spoke about all the things I had done, and the places I had been to I was seen as being a show off, and so I learnt quite quickly to keep my mouth shut.

Having been in HK where kids made friends easily, and children came and went often, I found it hard to settle down to school in England where kids had known each other all their lives, and their parents all knew each other, and were not that interested in having a ‘new friend to play with’.

I remember it came to a head when I was being pushed around by some small group of children (3 or 4), and I decided I would not take it any more and laid into two of them as hard as I could. Needless to say, I ended up getting a bit of a beating until a teacher pulled them off me, but I found that it gave them a little bit of respect for me, and certainly on a one to one basis no one ever had a go at me again. It taught me that bullies quite often will back down if you stand up to them, a lesson that has served me well much of my life – I wont let anyone bully me now – and I wont stand for other people being bullied either.

Things got a bit better when we went ‘up’ to the local comprehensive school, everyone was new and I managed to make some good friends, but the name calling and efforts at intimidation did continue, although by then I was bigger and stronger and would not put up with it.

When I was 12, we were posted back to HK and what a relief that was. I remember my first day in the second year at SGS, and how different it was. Arriving in class I was invited to play footie at lunchtime, and never looked back. I don’t ever remember being bullied at SGS or seeing anyone being bullied or picked on. Sure there were problems between people at

Coming home with a bump 1 school, but it never seemed to go over the top.

I loved my four years at SGS, and took my O levels there. I did pretty well, I got 7 O levels and mostly at pretty good grades. Coming back to the UK, we were posted to Chard in Somerset, and I ended up in the 6th form at Holyrood School. What a shock! Kids tried the ‘chinky’ tactic on me again, but I had learnt my lesson from before and stamped on it pretty quickly. Generally I was left well alone.

At SGS I had done pretty well academically, and was always near the top of the classes I was in, 7 O levels at A and B was seen to be pretty good. What a surprise though to find kids in the 6th form at Holyrood who had take 14 O levels, everyone had better grades than me, and some kids even had 8, 9 or 10 grade A’s at O level. This made me recognise that while the education at SGS was pretty good, the disruption that we all had certainly did affect our educational performance.

Britain at the end of the 1970’s seemed such a dreary and bland place. I really missed the colour, vibrancy and happiness that were in Hong Kong. I felt (and still do feel) that HK was my home, this place I was now being forced to live in felt much more alien than HK ever felt! I have to say that the UK is a much nicer place now, the shops are open much longer, the street are cleaner and people are generally wealthier, and I do love living in the UK, but I also miss what we all had in HK, and what none of us, nor our children will ever be able to have again!

Was it just me, or did the rest of you also find it hard to settle back into ‘normal’ life when you came back home?

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Franky Hayes: SGS 59-61 We left HK on the trooper Oxfordshire it was then when I withdrew into myself deeply then ran away to sea four years after we arrived back in the UK. 29 years later I came ashore again. Pined for Hong Kong/Sek Kong for many a year but the elders didn't realise that three years in HK was a great chunk in ones childhood and you were really part of the HK culture. Arrived at Perham Down near Tidworth and went to a civilian school. Lot of resentment from the country bumpkins and indeed some of the teachers. The geography teacher hated me because I was world travelled by the age of 12.

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Denise Thorn SGS 66-69 I returned to UK in '69 at the age of 13 after 3 years at SGS - it was a bit of a culture shock but nothing like as severe as I'd been through previously.... I was seriously unimpressed with the weather, with the shops closing at 5pm, etc, and the general quietness of life in a small southern English "city" (which I didn't think deserved the title). It was also my first

Coming home with a bump 2 experience of an all-girls' school and I found that weird. But - there were quite a few other girls at the school who had dads with GCHQ and had lived in HK or other exotic places, and there were others who had travelled and even lived abroad because of other connections. This meant that I was not treated at all as an oddity. By contrast, when I was 7 my family went to live in deepest Cornwall after 3 years in Istanbul. There was no-one else in the school who had set foot in a foreign country and many who had never left the immediate area - in my class of 40 kids there were 10 who reckoned they came from families where no-one had ever been outside of Cornwall at all. (This came out when the class teacher did some "hands up who" research.) Initially I was regarded with great suspicion and many of my classmates would not speak to me at all because I was "foreign". (Yes, this was a big learning experience! I hope I have taken something useful with me from this time of being excluded on perceived racial grounds.)

Coming home with a bump 3 Chinese Dragon puts an end to St George’s By Yojana Sharma in Hong Kong

The British flag will be lowered in farewell today as St George’s British Forces School in Hong Kong closes. It has taught Services children for more than 40 years.

Bagpipes will play a lament as the last 57 pupils leave their desks to march out, closing a chapter in the colony’s history in advance of the handover to Chinese rule next year.

More than 17,000 pupils have been educated at St Georges. It was founded in 1955 to serve the growing British garrison.

The school was at its largest in the late 1960s and early 1970s when the cultural revolution in China was seen as a threat to Hong Kong. In its heyday, the school had 1,100 pupils on its roll.

Martin Cater, the headmaster, who describes himself as an “army brat” –his father having served in the Forces – has been at the school since 1984.

“I arrived in Hong Kong 20 days before the Sino-British accord on the 1997 handover was signed and I’ve always known the life of the school was finite.”

He is leaving for Germany and said his only regret is that he will not be in Hong Kong when the colony is handed over to China. “It would be nice to be here on the day,” he said. The teachers, most of them from Britain, will take up posts with Service schools in Germany and Cyprus. Mr. Cater admitted that it would be a wrench for them.

“Some have been here 20 years and one has been at the school for 26 years,” he said.

Most pupils educated at St Georges spent only two years in the school. Renowned for its emphasis on sport, it has provided team players who have played internationally for Hong Kong in almost every sport.

Mr. Cater will lower the Union flag himself as pipes and drums play. A symbolic beating retreat ceremony was held last week on the departure of the sixth form.

The school is being left fully equipped. The contents will be disposed of later by subcontractors.

The future of the valuable urban site – estimated to be worth £650 million – is unclear. Under an agreement with China, it will revert to the Hong Kong Government, ostensibly for educational use.

However developers believe that at least part of the site, with huge playing fields – an unusual luxury for Hong Kong schools – will be sold off for commercial development.

Chinese Dragon Hand Over

Lee Everyone out there must have watched the hand over to the Chinese. I suppose like myself you all had lumps in your throat.

Whilst in HK that day seemed so long away, and then the next thing I spent the day glued to the T.V set watching with floods of tears running down my face. It must of been so had for the ones still over there. I just hope it still a great place to live?

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Sandra Mansell SGS 59 – 66 Lee, I too had tears streaming down my face. The family couldn't understand why I was so upset. I felt like I was losing a best friend, and even now tears well up, just thinking about it

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Steve Dawkins SGS 69-71 Forms 1-2-3 Windsor House I was working offshore when the final days approached and listened to the news reports on radio and watched the scenes on Sky News. With each passing day with clock ticking the hours away to handover. My mind was full of what if's.

I was feeling for the Chinese left behind what was to happen to them would they be caught up in the politics there freedom taken away from them. Ruled with an iron fist supported by the Peoples Army just recently moved into Sek Kong Camp.

My mind drifted between 1969-70-71 to 99 to 2010 and points between the lump in my throat was the size of an apple, the tears would well up and subside to be replaced by a smile and warm thoughts of past friends of schoolboy humour and fun. Then the cycle would swing in again.

I thought of the time I was given detention for running across the quad and promptly being ill over the teacher when he grabbed me Visits to Lantau and Ping Chau, 7 up Floats in the YMCA and the near riots on the school bus at end of term. Swimming in warm pools in the catchments of the New Territories; the memories ebbed and flowed through my mind in 1996 and 1999.

Yes I cried, yes it felt like my heart had been ripped out; I was back to 1971 leaving on a VC10, again begging my father to stay. It felt like a funeral of a dear friend. Not unlike a dear friend passing away. But you don't mourn forever and you remember, with like-minded people, the virtues of the friendship.

Hand Over 1 Wendy Mansell SGS 64-68; 70-72 I spent quite a lot of time in tears; from the day I saw the picture in the paper of the last kids chucking a teacher in the swimming pool to the handover - and beyond!

Hand Over 2 Post Script

If nothing else, St Georges School taught us to accept people irrespective of their culture, colour, creed and age, thereby making us far more open minded than a lot of our peers, who had only ever lived and worked in one place.

Education is not just about paper qualifications, but about ones’ experiences in the world; and Hong Kong was definitely an experience not to be forgotten for the rest of our lives ……………………..

Think I’m getting a bit too deep and philosophical here, but I’m sure you know what I mean.

Helen Fenton SGS 1972-74