I often think about incidents that took place at Xaverian College in the 1960s, and St Anne’s Prep School in the 1950s. My father and his brother as well as my own, all attended Xaverian. This site is about my experiences at Xaverian College, Victoria Park in the Sixties, as well as St Anne’s Preparatory School, Fallowfield which was also run by the Xaverian Brothers and acted as a feeder school for the grammar school. I hope it is an affectionate look but I will try and be as accurate as I can. These schools were set up by a Catholic order of brothers, based in the U.S., the Xaverian Brothers.
Although I left in 1965 with two ‘O’ Levels, (too ashamed to collect myself!), I think many of the experiences I had rather than the academic achievements I missed, have stood me in good stead over the years. I have now retired after careers in printing followed by Further Education which I left after several years as a software developer.
I hope to give a flavour of the education system in the Fifties and Sixties as well as some of the events which influenced my life over the following years.
Robert Cummings – St Anne’s Prep – 1957-59, Xaverian College 1959-65
Xaverian College Manchester was, until the 1970s, a grant maintained grammar school. It had been one since it first moved to Victoria Park in 1903. This site is devoted to the grammar school history and has no connection with the present college, housed in the same premises. Xaverian changed to a very successful mixed Sixth Form College and continues to prosper.
The site aims to preserve the character and events of its previous incarnation with an emphasis on the Sixties as there are still (one hopes) many of the former pupils still alive, retired with time on their hands enough to search the site out! If you have any memories of that time, in any capacity, please register and then share your views and experiences on the forum.
I went to Xaverian College, Victoria Park from 1960 to 1965. My father had also trod the same path roughly between 1925 and 1931. He always told me he had left with his School Certificate but as he left to become an apprentice compositor (as did I) I can’t imagine he did a whole lot better than I did.
My father had an elder brother who was my namesake – Robert Cummings – who made the leap from solid working class background to English teacher in a grammar school near Hull, thus demonstrating that social mobility did exist before the Second World War. Oh, and he fought in that against the Japanese in Burma. The only Xaverian story about him that I remember my father telling me was that he had been a prefect who had seen my father, his brother, jump up and pull at a tree branch on the way to school. He reported my father who was caned by the redoubtable Brother Martin as a result. There was still an element of resentment sixty years later. According to my father’s account, Brother Martin had a selection of canes, each with a different thickness and chose an appropriate one based on what criteria I know not.
Robert Cummings must have been quite clever as he won the prize medal displayed below. The engraving reads: ‘Pro Scholae Fidelitate’ R.G Cummings. Translated by Google, this appears as: ‘For Schools Fidelity’. What does that mean? I have no idea unless ‘well done for grassing your brother! This was awarded some time in the 1920s.
Hi. My brother was at Xaverian College from Oct 1950 to July 1955. I remember Brother Martin’s name mentioned often. My brother was in the Edmund (? spelling) house. Anybody in your group who also attended during those years?
I’m enjoying this. I recognise most of the staff names mentioned.
I recall woodwork in the room above the cricket pavillion. I never got much beyond a dove tailed halving joint. I recall Brother Hugh – then Headmaster coming in and referring to us rather patronisingly as “the artisans”.
This is from this document https://www.claphamoldxaverianarchive.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/East-Africa-Xaverian-Story.pdf wh ich is a mine of information about the whole Xaverian franchise. It weven mentions the Manchester branch. Colonialism gets a bad press these days but it is easy to admire the dedication of the members of the order over the years.
I see you mention Brother Justin. He was the Form Master for 3(s) in Ward Hall, and I liked him. I’ could not find more about him – not mentioned in the menology. Howver since the coming of AI – searches have changed, for the better sometimes, and I found this piece. which mentions him. I was right about the Mzedi mission and it was in Nyasaland (now Malawi). I now know his surname was Corrigan.
The plan was for the Brothers to leave for Nyasaland immediately at the close of the English
school year in July. Brother Henry was replaced by Brother Justin (Corrigan) in June.
With a week and a half to go before the departure date, disaster struck. Nathanael went to see
the doctor for a last check-up before leaving. He had earlier undergone an operation but all had
assumed that this would cause no difficulties. The doctor pronounced him “absolutely unfit for
life in Africa” and refused to give him the necessary medical clearance. A new superior had to
be found immediately. This was Brother Joseph (Booth), at that time the headmaster at
Clapham College. Under British law, a headmaster could not be withdrawn without giving at
least four months notice to the education authorities. Thus, the earliest Brother Joseph could
leave would be the following December. All the bookings had to be changed and a Montfort
Father would have to remain at the school to assist Brothers Godfried and Justin until Joseph
could arrive. They sailed August 12 on the Braemar Castle just after the General Council had
officially turned over control of any missions in Nyasaland to the English province. Joseph left to
join them that December after a sendoff from Clapham which most of the English province
attended
There is mention of a Brother Osmund – who taught Geography in an idiosyncratic way, and a Brother Amandus who I recall vaguely was American and played basket ball in the Ward Hall playground.
David, this is fascinating. I know a fair deal about the Brothers history but am quite vague about the ‘Nyasaland’ mission. I know that Brother Godric remained very keen on getting the English province more involved in Africa. (He taught at Xavs in Manchester in the early 1960s and became Provincial in succession to Brother David.) Perhaps the biggest tragedy was the death of Brother Joseph, reportedly killed by lightning in Nyasaland.
Judging by the details in your piece, you must have started at Xaverian in about 1955. Brother Amandus was in Manchester in 1955-56 and taught, at least part of the time, at the Prep. He had a magnificent crew cut!
How do everybody. Was at Xaverian 1952-1958(had to repeat a year) Memories include Bro Aidrian, Josh Price (English) Bro Justin, Jock Burns Physics) Bro Stephen Bro Pius Chuck Sellars (Music) Bro Martin and Bro David(headmasters) Bud Abbott Nelly Brierley Bro Pat Bro Dennis (Groundsman) Harry Plank (Woodwork) Percy Wheeler Pug Diamond/Pop Eaton/Ernie Mallon /Geoff Hitler Finan (The Drinking Party)
Principal lessons learned from those heady days Never Give Up and Nil Carborundum. I did eventually succeed in becoming a contributor to society(I Think) I can now Hear Bro Stephen saying “what right have you to think Boy”
Thanks Mike.
Harry Plank – woodwork – really?!!
Bob Cummings
Harry Plank was the only name I knew him by. he was recruited to teach woodwork and had his workshop/classroom above the cricket pavilion. Regards Mike
When I went to the school in 1956, the woodwork teacher was a Mr Porter. (I’m not sure if he was a Harry). In my second year I chose woodwork over art. I was useless at the latter and disliked the former. In fact I managed to spend the whole year making one unsatisfactory joint very, very slowly. I spent more time pretending to make sure that the heater in the workshop on the top floor of the pavilion was in good order rather that tending to my woodwork project. I was not the only pupil who exasperated poor Mr Porter who spent much of the time looking as though he might explode. Even the fact that a few of the boys did good work did not do much to calm him down.
Robert, great site, thanks for setting it up! Konrad Swolkien is my brother (he just posted a comment). We are both from Whalley Range in Manchester, he now lives in Poland, I in México. I went to St Anne’s, left in 1967 then to Xavs 1967-73, then to University, remember just about all the teachers from then, I did none of the trips but did play football for Barlow at St Annes (do not remember the names of the Houses at Xavs), my contemporaries were Anthony Berry (from Glossop), Rory Nolan, many more whose names I do not recall
Hello Adam. Geoff Tierney (Xavs 1966-73) here and coming late to this website. I also live in Mexico – in Mexico City. Where are you? We are probably the only two Xaverian alumni here…but you never know.
Remember ‘em all: Cahill was tough but great,Archdeacon knew his stuff,Jock Burns OK, Crotty confused and Sellers…..what can one say?
I was at Xavierian from 1963 to 1970. I wonder if anyone remembers me John Welsh.
Teachers I remember include Jock Burns, Mr Crotty, Brother Cahill, Mr Sellers, Mr Archdeacon and others.
Is that John Welsh from St Annes Opensh
No unfortunately. St Anne’s Ashton – under -Lyne.
John, I sat next to you in Upper 3D which was our first year at Xaverian. Mr Baron was our form teacher, commonly referred to as Yogi. Brother Ignatius was in charge of the year group.
I attended Xaverian from 1952 to 1957 having attended St Mary’s primary school in Glossop. I recall several of the teacher’s mentioned including Brother Martin who I think retired as head master in about 1954 and was replaced by Brother David. I also remember Mr (Tom) Arklass, maths teacher and Mr Diamond who taught Latin and used to have a glass at lunch time.
More than one pint I fear. Thanks Tony.
Is this wonderful website still active?
I was at the Prep from ‘65 to ‘68 and then Main School through to ‘75. (My brothers Andrew and Stephen before me and my father Tom before the War!)
Lots of memories and some photos from the Prep. It’s now Covid 19 Lockdonw, so there is plenty of time to reflect about the whole of one’s life so far!
Paul
Sorry about the delay in approving your post – for some reason the site didn’t notify me. Yes, the site is still alive and well. Please feel free to add any memories you might have by sending them direct to me at bob.cummings@rpmail.uk and I will add them.
Bob
I think I was in the same year as you – I was at St.Annes from 67-68 and Victoria Park 1968-73 – I am fairly sure I am in one of the photos as I can name quite a few of the kids in it and think I recognise myself.
Peter. Did you and I used to compete with each other in the long run we used to do at the Prep? Out on the road, along the railway line etc and back around the playing field?
I am going to try to send Bob a photo or two to upload.
Peter Doyle
I believe that I was in the same class as you. Which photo are you referring to? I haven’t seen any pictures of our class.
Just to let everyone know but this Friday a number of us from Xaverian 1972-79 are meeting up at the Fletcher Moss pub in central Didsbury at c 17:30
In may cases it will be the first time in 40 years that we have met.
There is an open invite so please come along.
I think I remember you Peter as all those teachers were min e. I am pretty sure we all played in the same football team and won a couple of trophies , other names I remember Chris Doyle, Sean Ring, joe cox, Richard Barker ( still my good mate) , Mark Buckley etc. Happy days as I remember them
Hi Pete,
You may have been thinking of my younger brother Giovanni who was in the same football team as the guys you mentioned.
Sadly I never made the football team.
Hi again Peter.
Remember Brother Robert (French teacher years 1 and 2)
Brother Anthony – religion
Mr Arklass – Maths
Mr Newton – PE
MR Blackburn – football guru coach
People in my year (3 classes to a year)
Pete & Steve Schofield
Phil Bowker
Greg Whelan
Malcolm o Connor
Conrad Swalkion
Michael Porter
Paul Benson
James Doheny
Michael Vickers
List goes on & on
Hi Mike,
You butchered my name a bit, but thanks for remembering me!
A few other names to add to the list:
Mike Brady
Tim Sellers
Mark Sloyan
Stan Kucharczyk
Anthony Jutrzenka
Good times. I hope you’re well.
I have very fond memories of your uncle and indeed your great uncle.
My late father Pietro made a number of suits for them.
He was always a stylish and dapper dresser and, from memory, also had some very nice cars including a green NSU.
Mr Chisnall was my uncle. He went on to be headteacher at St Bede’s prep after St Anne’s closed. I was at St Anne’s from 1961-1964 and after at Xavs. MIke Chisnall
Later we had:
Brother Mario
Mr Delahunty (Headmaster)
Mr Hoy
Mr Chisnall (always had nice cars!)
Pleasant surprise to come across this Bob. I think we were contemporaries as I remember Price from Glossop struggling at Xaverian – as I did actually. I was a Longsight boy and I found Xaverian very daunting initially after my cosy primary school St Roberts. I made 2 very good friends at Xaverian – Jim Gillligan who also attended the Prep school – and Clive Jones. I’m pleased to say we remain very good friends to this day.
Regarding Br Finbar I remember thinking he was a bit ‘dodgy’ after leaving Ward Hall be he was inspirational in the first year in getting me to come to grips with Latin which I excelled at. Unfortunately Pug Diamond soon rid me of and linguistic confidence in L4.1 and the subject was soon dropped.
Phil
I do remember you and Jim Gillian. Am I right in thinking he became a headmaster? Good Times – seem to remember we shared a similar sense of humour. So good to know we have survived! If you have any anecdotes please either post them to this site or email me direct.
Regards
Bob
Hi Bob
Jim Gilligan did become a head. Despite years in IT I have created two similar entries – the other one is in Forums. Can you delete one of them?
Phil
Ha! Not just me then! I will email you directly soon. I think Jim may well have known my brother, Bernard.
Bob
A couple of memories from the Rome trip in 1963: a number of us were so bored on the rail trip in Italy that we put the heating in our compartment at full blast (at the height of Summer) and then competed to see who would be first to leave the compartment. I can’t remember who lost!
On a more serious note. Brother Chad came along as infirmarian. Just before the Pope (Paul II at his first public audience) came near us, one of the lads felt faint. Brother Chad took him out for some air and missed his only chance to see the Pope. I will always remember this truly Christian act.
|It’s good to have a positive anecdote about one of the Xaverian Brothers. They were all human, of course, good, bad and indifferent. I just hope the lad wasn’t faint as a result of the heating being turned up!
Paul
Thanks for this. You can either send me an email and I will create a new post for you, post your comments under the Your Experiences heading or, if you are familiar with WordPress, I could make you an author. Let me know which you would prefer
Regards
Bob
I’ll send you an email and you can put my post wherever you think fit.
Regards
Paul
Bob: I would like to post a few memories of St Annes’s and Xavs. How do I start a new thread?
I do remember the outside toilets – brownstone and as you say, very cold. Also the cloakroom situated in the basement under the sixth form block if my memory serves. Please send photos and more stories/anecdotes to my email address and I will give you your own page:
xavs@rpmail.uk
Bob
Sorry to lower the tone, but do you remember the toilets at Xavs were outside and freezing cold in winter. Hence the origin of the saying: A swinging chain is the sign of a warm seat.
I have a photo of some of us having breakfast in Paris (sent to me by Nodge Carnegie, I think). I have to figure out how to upload it, though. Also, I recognise a number of people in the St Anne’s group photo. I can’t figure out if one of them is me!
Hi Dale
It was Miss Eaton and she taught music at St Anne’s although I seem to remember it was mostly singing Irish ballads. Her brother was Alec Eaton, bursar (accountant?) at Xaverian who also taught me Maths O Level. He lived just along Wilbraham Rd, I believe, next to the synagogue. His best friend was ‘Pug’ Diamond who taught us Latin. They used to slip out at lunchtime for a glass of the black stuff.
Oh Mr Crotty – we were so cruel to him, but it all seemed to go over his head. Endless stories there.
Re recording of memories, we had a small reunion a few years back and it is astonishing how much more gets triggered when you share memories. We walked around the outside of Xavs and almost collapsed in laughter with some of the stories. I think a passing police car assumed we were all drunk.
And the school trip to Paris – I still have the scar inside my lip from a now famous actor, for singing in the shower in the dormitory and waking him up in the morning. You didn’t mess around with the prefects or their mates. The girls’ school who were also staying there were from Hull and it was probably out first experience of meeting girls – oh how innocent we were.
There was also a trip to Rome about which I remember little apart from how cheap the wine was and being blessed by the Pope.
Does anybody remember the annual school dances at Xavs? I remember The Defenders playing covers of Coasters songs (probably 1964).
Running out of time and space – there is so much more.
I will pass details of this website to another couple of old boys and hope they will enjoy it and add something. Thanks for starting it Robert – good job!
Cheers
John
Brilliant John. We have been in touch before of course. I remember that you were a good musician and I have many memories of your brother Barry who was good friends with my pal Fred. Don’t really remember you from the Paris trip but do remember the girls and the Le Twist club which was out of bounds for us twelve year olds. Please pass on the details of the site to anyone you think may be remotely interested.
Bob Cummings
Dale
Any photos you can send me will be uploaded to the site. The same goes for any memories you have. Email me at bcweb01@gmail.com
Bob
You have summarised memories of an important period of our development. I too went to St Anne’s and Xaverian and have many recollections – some good and some not so good. Do you recall the names of the teachers at the prep – apart that is from Brother Cyril.
I do Dale. I also remember the name Littler although not enough to put a face to your name unfortunately.
Other teachers included Mr McManus, Mr Quale and Mr Bernard Lackey. I will add a post soon expanding my memories of them.
Thanks for getting in touch and please spread the word if there is anyone else who you think might be interested.
I seem to remember a female teacher – Miss Heaton?
I have come across a couple of prep school group photos taken in the 1950s (probably 1957/1958). They include three of the teachers – including Mr Quale.
Miss Heaton = Miss Eaton , music teacher & sister of “Pop” Eaton – maths teacher , if memory serves ….
Dennis
Let’s see how good my memory is…You were in the same class as me, your dad was some kind of a scientist and you lived somewhere quite close to Xavs. I also remember you had some blues records – that’s about it!
Regards
Bob Cummings
Miss Eaton , if memory serves . Taught music at the Prep School .
Hi Robert,
I attended St Anne’s Prep and left in 1958 to go to Xaverian College
I left in 1963 and now live on the East Coast
Please email me sometime …I’ll send you my memories !
Thanks
Mike Ramsay
Cheers Mike – any contribution gratefully received. Please send a link to anyone else you think may be interested.
Regards
Bob Cummings