ORA Reunion 2007

ORA Reunion 2007 The ORA Winter Reunion 2007 at our beloved Arbour Square, much anticipated and certainly the best reunion since the last one! What a turnout - almost 200 Old Raineians, spanning the 20's to the 90's, all crammed into what was the boy's gym. Thank you to everyone who came along to support the Association. There was a display of memo- rabilia and an exhibition of paintings by Eddy Dodwell, including the much seen "Arbour Square 2002" as well as a power point show of the ongoing restoration work at St George's in the East and of course the magician who kept everyone so well entertained. The Director of Estates, Sylvia Merton and Ginnette Ambrosiona conducted tours around the building and it proved so popular that mem- Spring 2008 ORA Reunion 2007 cont. The Director of Estates, Sylvia Merton and Ginette Ambrosiona conducted tours around the building and it proved so popular that members were turned away due to overcrowding. The changes caused much discus- sion adding to the incredible atmosphere although the upper part of the building is almost as we remember it, appearing even larger with the absence of lockers in the corridors and the roof unchanged. It was good to see ex and current staff including Humphrey Long, Gwynneth Jackson, Bernard Major, Miss Auerbach & Anthony Groves. The current head of Raines, Mr Gordon Clubb came as our guest and speaker. Thanks must go to the caterers who laid on a lovely buffet, to Brian Chaperlin who organised the bar, to the bar staff (family of committee member Brian Chaperlin) and the staff at Arbour Square, in particular Ginette for helping the function to run so smoothly. Claire Burrows And finally, congratulations to Claire Burrows who spent many months securing the venue and ensuring it was the success it was. The committee presented her with a bouquet of flowers on the night with our heart felt thanks for her continued enthusiasm and hard work. Thanks also go to those on the committee who helped. It was so nice to meet Marie Hamilton,who travelled all the way from Norfolk with her family to attend her first reunion. Marie,one of our oldest members has penned a few words: SEPTEMBER 1928 Even though there was a list to choose from my parents decided that I should attend Raines Foundation School, Arbour Square, although at that time I very much doubt as to whether they knew of the school’s his- torical background. At the school after new pupils had been shown to their form rooms, their mothers had an interview with Miss Grier, our Headmistress. She told them about the regulation school blouse which would cost 15/- each and that they could only be purchased through the school suppliers (the sax-blue colour being exclusive). Also needed were 3 box pleat gym slips in dark navy, black stockings, and an elastic belt with snake clasp in navy and sax blue. Mothers were also told that upon arriving at school we were to change from our outdoor shoes into plimsoles, this was a ‘must’ as the floor of the Great Hall was French Polished. We also had to have navy blue knickers and were told that there would be no changing for sport, that no cardigan should be worn if the weather was cold and any extra woolly must go under the blouse. It was also made clear that our blazer may be worn but usually that took the place of a top coat. The school blazer that could be bought from the school tailor was extremely thick and heavy and so very warm and cost £5. One could also buy school badges for the blazer pocket and for also for the hat. When I arrived home that afternoon I found that I had to tell my mother that the price of the blouse was 16/- and not 15/-, the material was poplin, not cotton, and that it should last longer. In 1928 after years of depression and still struggling through the General Strike 2 Spring 2008 SEPTEMBER 1928 cont. one shilling made a big difference.I think that the first change was the style of hat. The felt hat was out and we had a choice of either a Navy blue velvet beret with a silk or corded tassle which was 2/- , maybe more I forget or a Blue velvet crown hat with stitched brim, this was a little dearer. In the summer a panama with hat band and badge would be worn and the year that I left winter head gear was a black velour panama shape.. Looking at the school photo of 1933 it will be noticed that several of the girls are wearing cotton dress – this was decided for the girl’s summer uniform but still no sport gear!!!! Miss Grier was our Headmistress when I became a pupil at the school. She was tall, stately one could not help but admire her; she was authority personified, we were her family. Many activities were followed after school hours, visiting museums etc. The cottages at Woburn Sands were still being used enabling girls to have a holiday. Various schemes to raise funds were encouraged, however, as the place was not used during the winter months it therefore becoming a liability and the project came to an end. We had a Tuck Shop (profits were for the cottages), the shop carried on, though where the profit went I do not know. Helping other poorer schools was getting rather difficult what with the high rate of unemployment and the General Strike. Things must have been getting very low as in 1930/31 certificates were given instead of book prizes. I believe that the holiday project was started by Miss Grier, she seeing a much needed holiday for her girls so many of them never having been in the countryside. Miss Grier also realised that her girls needed to learn how to run a home and consequently the purchase of the cottage next door to the Girl’s school was made and became the Domestic Science Cottage. This was made very good use of with Senior Girls entertaining staff and during the General Strike teachers and scholars slept there as there was no transport available for a number of weeks. Each girl was placed in one of the houses, I think that there were four – Stuart, Colet, Red and Green. An older girl would be appointed as School Mother to a new girl, this would encourage helping one another to overcome any age barriers etc. We were a mixed crowd but I never experienced any racial discrimination amongst the girls. There was quite a competitive spirit between the houses both in sport and academics but we would get to know each other at Christmas parties, always of course inviting members of staff. At these get togethers, we usually were able ‘to let our hair down’. Soon after commencing the school year, Miss Grier came into the class room to give us a talk, whatever lesson we were having was shelved and the presiding teacher left (I guess that this had all been arranged) Miss Grier told us much of the story of the Founder and the Lottery, this was interesting history and makes one think of what one person can do – Sanctified Common Sense – many lives that have been uplifted – “COME IN AND LEARN YOUR DUTY TO GOD AND MAN”. Miss Foxon was my Form Mistress at this time and she also talked much of the School’s history. The first time that Miss Grier came into the class room she told us about an occasion when one afternoon she was sitting in her office when she heard some girls in the school playground literally yelling across to one another, in fact she gave us a demonstration of what she heard and we were all horrified. The result of this was that she made up her mind that her girls were going to be taught how to speak not only correctly but quietly, this incident I guess happened some years before my time as a pupil. When Miss Grier retired, a full length oil painting was placed on the balcony wall, the roof garden side. Miss Haugh was now Head Mistress having been Miss Grier’s Assistant. Miss Tregear, our new assistant, and life at the school went on as usual. The lower roof garden was cultivated by the Girl’s School, money was collected and a green house was purchased but this happened when I had left the school. One of the facilities missing was Playing Fields. I remember we held a Sports Day once in a field on the Isle of Dogs. How we journeyed there I have no idea, however the L.C.C. sanctioned the use of fields by East London Schools, there was much clearance of houses in the area surrounding Stepney – the L.C.C. extending their borders into Dagenham & Beacontree (some of the Girls moved out of the area but were able to travel back to the school). I remember we had a new gym mistress Miss Defty, she informed us of this new facility mentioning that showers were also provided. Question: What does one wear taking a shower?? This was something new!! I guess Miss Defty was flabbergasted – it was decided that we would wear a bathing costume. Classes chosen walked from Arbour Square to Stepney Green underground station then to Barking SEPTEMBER 1928 cont where we alighted and then boarded a Steam Train to Gale Street.

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