School Memories – Colebourne Primary School

This page includes memories and archived materials from the history of Colebourne. If you have any memories of the school that you would like to share, please get in touch. You can email the school – enquiry@colebourne.bham.sch.uk

Please follow the links below to read all of the accounts. Here is a flavour:

“So many happy memories and laughter. I particularly remember when we won the School minibus totally unexpectedly. Ambitious School productions and the traditional fancy dress party for year 6.” Sara Mitchell ( was Cohen), Ex Teacher, 1998-2001

“These were some of my happiest times of my education . There were 52 children in the last class at Stechford Road . My teacher was Mr Clark and 50 of us passed the11+ exam. My first Headteacher was Miss Wright and then it was Mr Barley.” Cynthia Allen (was Pountney), Ex Pupil, left – 1953/1954

“Sharing in the Vision of the colocation school, watching the new school come to fruition. Appointment of the new heads. Attending numerous festivity plays, dance shows, school discos and music concerts. Attending many fantastic sports days. The beautiful infectious voice and smile of Mrs Irene Askew in her unique accent. Many many healthy debates and challenging decision-making round the governor’s table. The leaving service for of pupils who left in 2002, 2007. Mrs Williams having a funeral service for my daughter’s goldfish who was buried in the Millennium garden when she was so upset at my suggestion to flush it down the toilet. The many many school Fates in both old and new school. My baptism lunch/ celebration was held in the new school canteen in 2010.” Sonia Harris, Ex Governor, 2001-2014

“Flower festival. I remember my mum proudly making me a headress which I couldn’t wait to take off because the petals kept falling off. Netball team and going to matches on the bus after school -Nansen road, shard end etc. And miss Faughey who really was the scariest teacher, who also ensured I had both good spelling and learnt my times table. A happy school time. “ Susan Sharp (was Jones), Ex Pupil, left 1974

“Being in Mr IDM Chrystal’s class, W2! Judy Collins’s Amazing Grace always played at start of his assemblies. Doing an assembly about Ralph McTell’s ‘Streets Of London’ song (makes me cry when I hear it now – takes me right back to that time). Playing in the netball & rounders team with Miss Creamer & Mr Chrystal taking us to matches in his Datsun (with no front seat!). School disco’s – Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’ still a favourite! Patterdale x 3yrs (I still go and have a look at it now whenever we’re in the Lake District). So many happy memories there: sleeping in dormitories, playing ‘beatle’ & ping pong in the hall, laughing & joking with the teachers, Kendal mint cake in your pack up, all the walks, swimming in the tarns, climbing Hellvelyn & striding edge, playing hide & seek in the grounds, singing songs on the coach – wonderful! X“ Samantha Brewer (was Wilkinson), Ex Pupil, left 1976

“I have endless memories within the walls of Colebourne, all positive ones; to begin with, Colebourne is where I met one of the most important individuals in my life, my best friend. Sticky, paint covered hands made thoughtfully designed Christmas decorations that hung high within our school hall. Dramatic plays inspired the aspiring performer that I am today. I learnt of the importance of our imaginations with stories written in tiny green books with messy handwriting. A tomboyish, carefree little girl had one of the most wonderful primary school experiences within the old walls of Colebourne and chasing frogs along the fields at playtime that had escaped the millennium garden.” Jade Summer Linekar, Ex Pupil, left 2006

“Hodge Hill always seemed a very friendly and relaxed place , a school that felt big enough to cope with changing times but small enough for everybody to know each other . The 1970’s staff were firm but fare and if Mr Chrystal didn’t put the fear of god into you with one of his glares than Mr Nicholson certainly could. My most memorable moments from then would be whilst being taught by Mr Griffiths, a down to earth approach to teaching but always common sense drummed home.” Ian Jones, Ex Pupil, left 1980

“Loved the harvest festival displays & making decorations for the hall at Christmas. Loved the post box too where we put all our cards. Friday achievement assemblies were also a highlight.” Shazlin Chowdhury, Ex Pupil, left 1995

“The willow tree. Story time under the willow tree with Miss Grace. Story time lying on the grass behind W6 in the summer (Miss Grace).
I came to Colebourne in Year 4 (Mrs Wilson) and left in Year 6 (1995). I don’t recall much of Year 5 (I think that was in the main building with a young, short-haired female teacher and a rabbit called Ben. The class was N5. I remember being taught times tables one day, and it was raining on one side of the class, and sunny on the other.
The huts, making decorations for Christmas. Thunderstorms in W6, and again, story time listening to the thunder outside.
Assembly and hymns (so light up the fire, let the flame burn. Open the door, let Jesus return). Trying to turn as red as possible in assembly and being made to stand at the front in the corner, by Mr Edwards. Mr Edwards losing his cool in assembly and plonking randomly and angrily on the piano and slamming down the lid.
School plays (I was usually a narrator in the nativity, as I had a loud voice.) I still recall being behind the stage on the right hand side, looking out waiting for my cue.
PE with black pumps. Playing snakes and ladders (or cat and mice?) on the playground and running into Mr Griffiths spilling his coffee over him.
Dinner time in the hall. I remember boiled cabbage and carrots. And strawberry mousse for dessert. Mr Edwards giving me new copy of Paddington, I was the first in the school to have that copy (or so I recall) Trips are less vivid. I recall a trip to a church – a couple of churches actually. Visiting reception (not sure why), and seeing the alphabet characters along the top of the wall (Annie Apple, etc) I can still imagine myself walking from reception, through the corridor, past the entrance on the right, then the hall on the left. I can see the big windows and the apparatus on the wall, and the stage with the heavy red curtains, and the piano in the corner by the door. And the chart with the various groups – Snowdon, etc – where each group would get a sticker on the chart depending on how well we’d all done…I don’t recall what it was for. I’m 33 now. I left Stechford as soon as school was over, and moved to Walsall. I kept meaning to visit the school as an adult, and walk through those corridors one more time. When I did finally visit, the new building was up. Not to sound dramatic or negative, but at that moment and since then, I felt as though I had lost a part of my childhood. That school, even though I only attended 3 short years, is forever in my heart. I will always cherish those memories, especially from W6, and I will always be grateful to Miss Grace for those sweet memories of storytime.” Efrosini Marinou (Nicknamed Frosi back then!), Ex Pupil, left 1995

“A very happy ship captained by a professionally motivated ex-naval headteacher. When I started a parents association, bringing greater parent involvement, the school took its rightful place in the community.” Alan Nicholson, Ex Deputy Head, 1971-1978

“Mr Chrystall and the song Amazing Grace which was played before all his assemblies, athletics, gymnastics, the old school junior and infants, Mr Hutchins the Head, Miss Cox, playing skittle ball on the playground, hiding in the gym horse in the cloakroom at playtime! So many good memories.” Emma Thorn (was Wilkinson), Ex pupil

“I was naughty only once; I scratched another girl’s face, a bit of rivalry over something or other. My teacher, Miss Bird made me sit with my hands in paper bags, which were tied on my wrists with string.

On many occasions we had no heat in the winter so we sat with our coats on. The boilers that generated the heat were run on coke (a derivative of coal) often deliveries of coke never came because it was rationed out. The toilets were outside and frequently they froze so we missed school.”
Extract from Margaret Birkett who attended the school between 1948 and 1950 – Read Margaret’s full account

“A naughty boy once climbed 30 feet up a drainpipe onto the hall roof to retrieve a ball. We used to play a variety of ball games like ‘hot rice’ where we’d charge about, linking arms, chanting ‘ha-rt roiss’ and throwing a ball hard at anyone nearby. If we hit them, they joined us. My favourite game was to be a member in one of two teams at either end of the playground, where we’d throw the ball with all our might up into the air to the other team, some distance away. Needless to say widows were frequently broken. Then there was French cricket, and non-ball games, like giant strides and fairy steps, British Bulldogs, marbles using the drain covers as targets and so on.”
Extract from Mike Whitmore who attended the school between 1960 and 1966 – Read Mike’s full account

“Harvest festival was such an exciting time, I also loved making the Christmas decorations for the hall, the school nativity plays, putting cards in the Christmas post box. I loved our visits to the school pond to study wildlife, when we learnt about other countries and historical eras (e.g: Victorian) and got to dress up. When studying South America we had a cocktail making competition & dressed in beachwear. Best years of my life & to this day I still refer to the knowledge I learnt at school.”
Shazlin Chowdhury, Ex pupil, left 1995

“I remember sitting under the beautiful willow tree in summer, the boys kicking the girls off the climbing frame! Going down to the river Cole to look at plants and wildlife, playing with bouncy balls, playing British Bull Dog, acting out the video to Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ at lunchtime, jumping off the benches to ‘Fame’ by Irene Cara at the school discos (whilst wearing Ra Ra skirts or peddle pushers and deely boppers), autumn fayres, Mrs Cox being strict! Getting told off for talking at lunchtime by Mrs Canning. The wonderful Mrs Lisserman (baking biscuits with her), going back for work experience when I was 15/16 (making tea for everyone and using my the label maker)!! Mr Crystalls ghost stories at Patterdale Hall. Making papier-mache puppets (I made a green witch and only got rid of it a few years ago during a house move). Having recorder lessons in the W wing mobile classroom. Singing ‘We are Sailing’ by Rod Stewart in class for a performance. The school’s Golden Jubilee celebrations and so many more!!”
Christine Bailey (nee Cornock), Ex pupil, left 1986

“Mr Crystal used to tell us off for sneezing in class!! I also remember Mr Edwards in assembly making us do finger exercises. I have no idea why!!!”
Claire Boyes (Nee Claire Glynn), Ex pupil, left 1999

“Being dragged kicking and screaming into reception class. And then in between… The old willow tree. Ink wells. Mr Chrystall’s stories. Being cast as Jonah in the class assembly and telling a packed classroom “I’m not going to vinegar.” The clock in the hall. SRA. The Jolly Postman. Project Kingfisher. Lee Hendrie being mobbed. The animal man. Uncle JR. The trip to Minworth Sewage Farm. Mobiles strung up at Christmas. The music trolley. Colour-change red noses. Pogs. Euro 96. Achievement awards on Fridays. I got hairy teeth. Mr Edwards’ musical exercises. Rounders matches. The recorder. Running under the parachute. Bin-to-bin. Stechford Cascades. The TSB Book Awards. Bugsy Malone. Being dragged kicking and screaming to secondary school!”
David Irwin Ex pupil, left 1998

“Patterdale and woodland trips. The willow tree in the junior playground. Cleaning out the fish tank in reception. Painting a Mural on the wall near the staff room. Joseph and the technicolour dream coat and production of Alice in wonderland.”
Lisa Green (neeBartlett) Ex pupil, left 1990

“I think I am one of the few members of staff who absolutely loved the Christmas productions, a personal favourite of mine being ‘We’re Going on a Special Hunt’ for the reception classes.

I remember the walls being built in the reception class and the excitement of being able to have ‘corners’ as before that we were all in one big shared space!

I remember feeling extremely proud of the talent shown by the children of Colebourne who took part in the end of year musical celebration as part of the consortium – the first year at the Birmingham Hippodrome where the dancers performed a Michael Jackson Medley and the following year at the REP Theatre when they performed ‘Uptown Funk’. Not forgetting of course, a very special one-off performance from a very talented Year 1 child (Eshaal ) who won the hearts of all audience members by being the youngest performer to absolutely smash a solo piece as ‘Matilda’ – such a little person on such a huge stage!

Of course a personal highlight has got to be being a part of the first group of teachers to take part in the talent show in ‘Peckett’s People’ performing Cheryl Cole’s ‘Fight for this love’ . Sam Votier, Ex Teacher, 2009-2015

“I remember a old road roller turned up we took it to pieces and painted it pre health and safety I think it was named marmaduke. The autumn fairs were brill buying other people’s cast offs trying to get that metal hoop along the looped wire without sounding the bell. I enjoyed going there – brill!” David Jones, Ex Pupil, left 1975

The full accounts of those with extracts can be found here:

My Memories of Stechford Road School from 1948 – 1950 by Margaret Birkett

My Memories of School 1960 – 1966 by Mike Whitmore

(Updated – March 2017)