Manchester Xaverian in the Sixties
Life in a Manchester Catholic grammar school
Xaverian College – School Orchestra 1959 CONDUCTOR: MR SELLARS If anyone was a member of the orchestra or knew any of them and would like to share their memories, please email me at the above address 1st Violins: W. Usher, D. Howell, D Denholm, M. Brown, M. Livesey, M Duncan, O, Sleightholme 2nd Violins: J. … Read more
Thanks to Frank Lennon, we now know that the correct name for Xaverian Head Boys was ‘School Captain’. As a result of his information I have updated the list. This must be authentic as Frank himself was a School Captain! Barry Staniforth – circa 1960 Mike Watts 1960 – 61 John Moynihan 1961-62 David Ansbro … Read more
Thanks to Phil Blinkhorn for his amazing memory dredge, the level of detail is stunning. I was on the junior trip and remember Phil and his brother from that time. The mystery departure of Bro Finbar is solved for once and for all and can only admire Phil’s gumption for managing a quick snog with the … Read more
Mr Lackey taught me geography at Xaverian and it was no small feat to actually get me a GCE ‘o’ level as a result. He was an intelligent mentor and had the key to success in exams. His particular method was to produce mnemonics for all the facts that we would need to regurgitate to be successful in … Read more
Having been a teacher myself, I’m not over keen on criticising others in my profession, but as the victim of the inadequacies apparent in the staff at Xavs in the 60s, I feel in a position to objectively pass comment. The recruitment policy, if there was one, was to play ultra safe… no women, no … Read more
A few years ago I visited Xaverian College with a couple of colleagues to view one of their student data systems – this was when I was developing IT systems in Further Education. The department we were visiting was in the Mayfield building at the far end of what used to be the cricket field … Read more
I knew a couple of students who were expelled from Xaverian and at least one from the prep school. The boy who quietly disappeared from St Anne’s had a name similar to Morensky and was the son of the chemist who had a shop on Wilmslow Road. This boy had a head which was definitely … Read more
At the age of 14 or 15, our class had to take part in a ‘Retreat’. For those of you who have never taken part in one, I can’t be very helpful in describing what one was. I think it was a time for prayer and reflection, although for the life of me I can’t … Read more
Now this might sound a bit odd at first glance but I can assure you it’s true – another side to the enigmatic Brother Cyril Birtles. Brother Cyril occasionally took my class for music. There was an old piano in the conservatory attached to the back of St Anne’s Prep. We would gather round the piano … Read more
My parents decided it would be a good idea to join the Parents/Teachers Association. I have no idea what the motivation was but for several years my mum ran the White Elephant Stall both at the Christmas Fair and the Summer Fete that were held annually. The Christmas Fair was held in the gymnasium, the Summer … Read more