Finchley Catholic High School 1972

[marshall555100]

Sidfords mum went BALLISTIC - it was true as night follows day - letters home Sids parents seeing Szem.

[hiberniboy]

I heard that was a load of cobblers about Sidford and Dunleavy!

[Thevulturefly]

Vinnie McGovern 81-85 is currently wearing an electronic tag - don't know what its for but its for but its a shame it was'nt fitted earlier!!

OH THE GOOD PEOPLE OF KENSAL GREEN!

WHERE ARE YOUR CAR STEREOS!

[marshall555100]

And Julian Peel 82-87 got a Police caution a few years later for indently exposing himself on Hamp Heath LOL

[marshall555100]

And in Aug '86 Gary Dunleavy and Andrew Sidford were dragged up to Szems office for fiddling around with each other behind the Tennis Courts.

We needed a few girls around the place!

[feckham7]

Anyone remember barbieri, beyers, buckle, child, collins,coradi, curran, dixon, ducker, fanning, fox, gabrielczyk, gillespie, haran, hornsby, kelly, kirby, kwiechin, lynch, mazzoni, mesquita, milligan, mcgreevy, mcknight, o'brien, olivier, o'sullivan, pearson, rasmusen, sloan, somerscales, stevens, weber, whelan, woods. 1G 2R etc You guys still around? 

[TheMeesterAl]

Did some time there. Watching that gave me the fear. Better now ha ha

[MrTobytwirl]

BTW

"Stinks" had an interest in little boys that went a lot further than pulling their hair. It would be more accurate to say he ruffled and carressed the hair of his favourite boy in the class, at least that's what I constantly saw during chemistry lessons and that is just what he did publicly. Some older brothers of a little boy who told his brother what happened during "private lessons" in his room in the "White House" cornered him somewhere and gave him a beating.

[nlondonrools]

Anyone remember the story about Dennis "Shag" O'Shea kicking a school inspector up the arse as from behind he thought the bloke was a scruffy sixth former! Legend,they should have cloned him and sent him in to sort out today's ill-disciplined schools!

[ArtyEffem]

@nlondonrools I remember Frank Hayes relating that 'Stinks' Stevenson used to like pulling boys by the hair, until one day he picked on the wrong boy and the whole lot came away in his hand. The boy was bald and wore a wig.

[ArtyEffem]

1.02 - The hooded cyclist is Aldo Gaggiotti.

1.54.- The lanky boy bouncing a ball at the bottom of the screen ~ Michael McCarthy.

2.05 - Can anyone identify the trespassing purple virgin?

2.16 - The black boy waving his hand in the air at centre left ~ Gus Udo.

6.00 - Boy in blue raincoat ~ John Schmidt, who can still be sighted locally on his pushbike.

[ArtyEffem]

@vamborooolz If Leon Perdoni reads of his own death decades ago, the shock could kill him. Somebody said he was teaching at QE Girls in Barnet a few years ago.

[vamborooolz]

@ArtyEffem

Thank you for setting the record straight about Leon. I was informed by an old boy several years ago but it seems that it was a case of mistaken identity.,,(hopefully). Haha, you've cheered me up.

[ray3mondo]

Towards the end there is a brief shot of a lad in glasses wearing a blue overcoat. That is John Schmidt. He was in my year at Finchley, but in another class. I think he was Thomas More and I was John Fisher (that's how we called the classes in those days). We started in September 1972 so this video must have been taken very shortly afterwards. I'm probably in the lower school playground somewhere playing football or queuing for wine gums at the tuck shop. Top, top video.

[RShahProductions]

Damn I go to this school now and if you showed me this video most of it would just feel like deja vu (-the unforms!) !! Only dude that's still there from this time is Mr. Keenan, and thats only around the library though!!

[voxbox500]

And in Sept '80 Brenda Szczebiot arrived to teach Geography and under-age sex to her pupils - Grrrrrrrrr!

[ArtyEffem]

@voxbox500 "And in Sept '80 Brenda Szczebiot arrived to teach Geography and under-age sex to her pupils"

Would you care to elaborate?

[voxbox500]

@ArtyEffem In Sept.1980 Brenda Doyle (from 1984 szczebiot) arrive and used to sit on the desk indecently exposing herself to pupils. She used to give her favourite pupils "private tuition" ie under age sex.

[ArtyEffem]

@voxbox500 I may have begun to believe this were it not for the other ludicrous claims you've made. A teacher called Brenda Szczebiot is easily found via Google. If it is the same person then it's only a matter of time before she sees your allegations and decides upon a course of action.

I promise to wave from the public gallery.

[voxbox500]

@ArtyEffem It is the same person and the internet is more or less anonymous-I feel safe and sound thanks. "Top of the morning Seumus, begorrah+thanks for the craic!"

[voxbox500]

@ArtyEffem A lot of the kids did HATE Britain and SUPPORTED I.R.A. terrorism - you cant deny it!

[ArtyEffem]

@voxbox500 in my time I never heard a word to suggest that and any of the Irish contingent who felt that way would have been wise to keep quiet.

Of course in later years with falling induction standards, things were bound to degenerate.

[voxbox500]

@ArtyEffem "The Irish Contingent" 81-88made up about 60% of the School and they were VERY vocal about their feelings-the Local Police used to HATE FCHS: "where are yougoing? Why are you out of School? We;re watching you lot!"

[ArtyEffem]

@vamborooolz So when and where exactly are these assaults ( for that is what they are ) supposed to have taken place?

[VicarageGarden]

@ArtyEffem I dont know the exact dates (she was as sly as a fox!) but "private tuition" took place at regular intervals between 81-86. Rumours leaked out and the Police would sometimes park a car at one of the gates in an attempt to dissuade her from driving a pupil home.

[voxbox500]

A certificate in Brit hating was a requirement for entry to FCHS

Bomb making was taught from year 1 upwards

Hungerstriking lessons were compulsory

Smearing faeces on cell walls was taught by the Art Dept.

Biting the hand that feeds was the Schools speciality.

[voxbox500]

Gaelic was taught from year 1 onwards.

Spuds were grown on the Green adjacent to the Playground.

Methylated spirits was given to the older boys.

Lessons in rough sleeping were given to all years.

[voxbox500]

Thx for info but wheres Frank Cormack?

[ArtyEffem]

I'm sure many will remember the film "How to murder your teacher" circa '74, starring a boy called Gibbons. Ironically the teachers murdered were among the few who didn't actually need it.

I remember Pete Keenan gets poisoned in the canteen, Judy Peel dies in an archery 'accident' after being lured to the school field, and Doc Ward gets blown-up by a booby-trapped bible.

Who has it now?

[PrioryOrchard]

Don't remember the name of the guy in the black collar, but he was a French teacher ... Frank Hayes (Geography Teacher) is the yanker in question.

[voxbox500]

@PrioryOrchard Thx for info but wheres Frank Cormack?

[voxbox500]

Whos the young male teacher at 2:35 with the thick fur collar? Whos the teacher with the dark suit and key/chain hanging off his belt yanking that kid by the ear at 4:26-27?

[ArtyEffem]

@voxbox500

Wearing the chain is Frank Hayes, alleged teacher of geography. The chain was connected to his wallet, the story being that he was advised to wear it in Panama (I think) due to the proliferation of pickpockets.

[PrioryOrchard]

That was the infamous Dennis O'Shea (English Teacher) who took virtually any opportunity to box your ears. I was never taught by him ... just reprimanded.

I assume he retired at some stage in the late seventies.

[MrTobytwirl]

@PrioryOrchard

Oh yes, I remember Mr O'Shea only too vividly. The man was clearly deranged, and not in a nice way. 11 year-old boys do not "deserve" to be battered by hulking wild-eyed psychopaths. I hope and believe that such a man would not be allowed within a mile of a classroom today.

[voxbox500]

Who's that bloke at 4:34-4:44 in the grey suit and glasses - idont remember him - i was there 81-88 -

[wrenrover]

Hey thanks for sharing this. I was at FCH from 73-78 and was at the small Prep school adjoining from 70-73. I think the guy at 2 mins33 was a student named Roman. We had Mr Hayes teach us History and Geography for the first 2 years, he would get us to read from a book while he took a nap. Bless him. Nobody could forget O'Shea (hands like bloody thunder) we always joked about him wearing his de-mob suit .

Anyone else have the misfortune of having to endure the St Albans Prep school?

[autoharp1000]

A surprise to come across this! I taught there 71-3. Dan Coughlan + Neil Kelly were highly supportive of us younger staff. Fond memories of long chats with Frank Hayes, Denis Schofield + John O'Halloran. Conn O'Halpin was an absolute gent and of course there was Pete Keenan.

Dave Smith (frustrated hippy + detention freak? Blimey)

[PrioryOrchard]

The film was shot in the Autumn of 1972 however I did not complete and show the film until 1973 ... the school at that time was definitely FCHS.

[WoodsideGranger]

OK, so the film was shot in 1972. But the brilliant "How Sweet to Be an Idiot" was not released till 1973. And I think the School at that time was actually called "Finchley Catholic Comprehensive". Not carping, just being a pedant (or trying to).

[jd7547]

As much brains as a dead ant!

[Wimpy8Kid8Production]

@WoodsideGranger i go to this skl and i know it used to be called finchley catholic grammar school...

[ArtyEffem]

The teacher in the black Morris Minor was a one-year wonder called Mr B Grahame, a northerner who taught geography.

The guy in the red mini traveller is John Haley, a metalwork teacher who left in '73 after we the third year reported him for not being one (More interested in restoring his Model T Ford).

The old boy in the bobble hat at 2:50 I think is Shenton the caretaker, who didn't think he was responsible for anything that didn't involve a bucket; "That's more than my job's werf mate!".

[PrioryOrchard]

@ArtyEffem

Thanks again for all the info ... Guy in the bobble hat is definitely the caretaker and you may be right about his name.

[tr5Sean]

Great video thanks for posting

Mr Hayes (Geography Master) arriving on his bike at 1.15

Me!!!! 2.17 in goal (as always) next to the steps up to St Albans Prep grey jumper blonde hair too long...... legs not long enough ............ ball over head (again)

John Clerkin 2.31 avoiding a cuffing from a friendly prefect!

Happy Days Teachers were never 'savage' just strict..... I never saw a beating handed out ....... or a pupil attacking a teacher unlike now

Sean Furlong '71 - '76

[PrioryOrchard]

@tr5Sean

Glad you enjoyed it ... many thanks for the extra information, really appreciated. The "friendly prefect" was Patrick (Paddy) Coyle ... a very nice guy in my year!!

[tr5Sean]

fdsf

[ray3mondo]

Thanks for posting this. It's pure video gold if you attended Finchley at the time. I started at Finchley as a first year in September 1972. A lot of these faces and places are very familiar.

[MrTobytwirl]

PS Unfortunately, in my humble opinion Mr O'shea sometimes meted out quite savage violence to children who had done nothing to deserve it at all.

[PrioryOrchard]

@MrTobytwirl

I agree with you about Dennis O'Shea ... I had my ears clapped at least once by him. In this film, Paul McCaffery is the hapless victim and this time ... I think he was innocent!!

JOB 67-74

[barney42bb]

@PrioryOrchard It was Tony McCaffery..and he always needed a good shoeing..as mischief and unpleasantness often started with him.He was a bully also.

[AnthonyMcCaffrey12]

AnthonyMcCaffrey. I don´t remember being that much of a bully, i must of been seing that you rmemember.....

a least i am using my own name here on youtube a.

[ArtyEffem]

@AnthonyMcCaffrey12 You weren't a bully McCaffrey, you were an outright psychopath, the cause of which only you can know since the school had nothing to do with it.

[AnthonyMcCaffrey12]

@ArtyEffem: You´re anachronism! If you ever knew me, it could only have been untill we were 16, i.e. i was still a kid. Good God "man" get a life.

Tá tú ag caint go fóill mar gheall ar an IRA, a deir tú a lán de na páistí ghráin britian, b'fhéidir chuaigh tú, ach i dont aon duine cuimhneamh britian hating. Agus seo caite, ach ní a laghad, ní féidir liom cuimhneamh ort. Ní féidir leat a bheith déanta go bhfuil cuid mhaith den tuiscint ar dom. Faigh duit féin ar an saol ar mhaithe le Gods !!!!!

[barney42bb]

@PrioryOrchard

Mc Caffery was never innocent..and a mindless bully.

[voxbox500]

@barney42bb Teeanage boys are known to be unpleasant. It was 40 years ago for goodness sake!

[AnthonyMcCaffrey12]

@barney42bb I don´t think i was that much of a bully, even if i was, we were children. As you can see i´m using my "OWN" name.

[barney42bb]

@MrTobytwirl

He rarely did get it wrong...but when he did...you were in credit for next time you did mess up.

It never did us any harm...and we did not turn out like many of the knife/gun carrying scum from schools now.Teachers have their hands tied now..like all the establishments.

[MrTobytwirl]

@barney42bb

I'd be careful about saying "It never did US any harm" in that glib way about the use of physical violence against children. Anybody who attended Finchley Catholic Grammar School (as it then was) just a few years prior to the date of this film will recall other serious issues relating to the behaviour of one or two members of staff. My older brother warned me that it wasn't wise to become teacher's pet in a couple of classes.

[MrTobytwirl]

@MrTobytwirl

PS

It will be interesting to see if the above comment is deleted, as were several other posts, including my own. Denial, as they say, is not a river in Egypt.

[ArtyEffem]

@MrTobytwirl "My older brother warned me that it wasn't wise to become? teacher's pet in a couple? of classes."

Pausing randomly at 1.38, I ask myself: Who would have expected one of the school's buildings subsequently to be named after one of those teachers? Oh wait - I remember reading that he made large bequest to the school in his will.

At this school it seems money doesn't just talk - it generates amnesia.

Let's remember things the way they actually were, shall we?

[MrTobytwirl]

@ArtyEffem

By the time of this Youtube film the most blatantly abusive teachers had been quietly removed. Prior to that, during thereigns of Canon Parsons and Father Groves at least one teacher with an unhealthy penchant for little boys was quietly removed. The idea of "discipline" at this time was beating boys on the buttocks with a leather strap called the "tolley". Groves used to clearly enjoy this ritual. He would beat you in front of a mirror so that you could see the look on his face.

[ArtyEffem]

@MrTobytwirl The name 'Tolley' died out, but the implement survived subsequently known as 'The Strap' , possibly a corruption of 'strop' ( the leather strap used for honing cutthroat razors ), which it resembled and from which it may have been derived. /watch?v=liKYctpdjC4

[MrTobytwirl]

Blimey, this brings back memories. I left about a year before this just before the school went comprehensive.

Andy Martin 66-71

[barney42bb]

Halcyon days...clocked Mr Smith the music Master..and Dennis O'Shea meting out a good thick ear to some of the kids..that deserved it...unlike these days.

Steve Brockbank 71-77

[PrioryOrchard]

@barney42bb

Thanks for reminding me about Mr.Smith ... I'd forgotten his name as I was never taught by him.

John O'Brien 67-74

[barney42bb]

@PrioryOrchard

Smith was a frustrated hippy and detention freak.

[barney42bb]

@PrioryOrchard

He was a frustrated hippy and detention freak.