O.R. Stories

No Business Like Snow Business

Ena Harrop (neé Lopez)

The Queen's Visit in 2003 by mum of pupil Teo Grimshaw (at school 2003-2018)

 

MUN Then and Now

The International Model United Nations started at RRS in 1981, and goes from strength to strength. Read More.

Geology Field Trip Over the Years

Ben White (at school 1992-1997): Old Russellian, Harvey Jones interviewed Ben in 2015 whilst in Year 13

 

MUN Then and Now

The International Model United Nations started at RRS in 1981, and goes from strength to strength. Read More.

Storm Devastation

We had many funny stories from our request for photos and memories of the great storm of 1987.

The photos here show the total devastation to the school site, including the Coach House, the Beech Wood, West Pitch and Coombe Lane. What was the Beech Wood, was later to become the new swimming pool so at least some good came from the storm!

 

MUN Then and Now

The International Model United Nations started at RRS in 1981, and goes from strength to strength. Read More.

Phil Reynolds - Geology Field Trip to Devon 1976

Andy Rogers

Speech Day 1973

Bradford Machilla

PHOTOS FROM THE QUEEN'S VISIT IN 1979, COURTESY OF JON SAMPSON, CAN BE FOUND HERE:    https://www.flickr.com/photos/81414720@N02/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/81414720@N02/

Timmy Garrett (at school 1972-1977)

Noreen Scott Morrison

Harvey Jones (former student) interviewed Noreen for the school Newspaper 'R' in an article titled 'Where 'r' they now' Click here for article.

Steve Woods (at school 1959-1971)

Norman Scott-Morrison (at school 1959-1967)

Harvey Jones (former student) interviewed Norman during his visit for the School Newspaper.

Click here for the article.

A Hard Fought Ship

Elaine Cotterell n ée Campbell (1954-1961)

Elaine very kindly sent us her article, originally written for an Old Russellian magazine. This is her account of life at Russell Hill for the girls in the 1950s Click here to view.

Jonathan Buckle (1954-1961)

Jonathan has kindly provided us with his amusing account of school life at Russell Hill in the 1950s which he calls "Within the Purley Gates"

Visit by Princess Elizabeth 1952

Despatches

Roger Thomas (50-58) writes that he was "impressed" (excuse me, I'd like to read that again) by "Despatches" in the last Newsletter. Bill Forster (48-58), Colin Barrable (51-56), Dr John Harrison (47-58) were all his classmates and news of "longer-term" ORs such as Tony Ford (47-48) was also good to read. "Any news of Chris Hirtes (51-58)?" he asks. Roger and his brother Alan have developed their own hotel (www.peninsulabeachresort.com) in the bliss of Bali where they both spend most of the year. An OR refugees returning from England's cricket debacle down under would have found happier times staying chez Roger. But he is coming to the OR Reunion this year to catch up with his contemporaries then.

Alan Mounce (1947-1953)

West Country Reunions by Elaine Campbell (1954-1961)

School Life in 1950 by Richard Dadson (1947-1955)

Then and Now

McGill re Tombo

Heather Lovell

The School Rules published in 1945 have been kindly donated to our Archive from Chris Gough (1951-1955)

Gwilym Trevor Hamer - Science Teacher 1940s

Nigel Offer (1946-1952)

Derick Charles Smith (1938-1944)

Stuart Adams (1946-1950)

Then and Now

V.E. Day 1945

Ballards Days by Pat (Bruno) Bygate (1946-1951)

Roger Fletcher (at school 1942-1949) and Buckingham Palace. The full article by Roger can be found here.

Margaret Carden née Butler (1938-1948)

My Russell Hill schooldays were eventful - never dull. I began them in 1937, as a seven year old, at Hope Morley House. I remember being particularly enthralled with Hope Morley's  wonderful day room, with its large rocking horse and dolls house. Classes were small and our education formal, but we also found time to acquire such practical skills as knitting. Miss Bird was head teacher of the kindergarten and she ensured our early school life was both enjoyable and calm. It was a pleasant introduction to what was to be a long association with the school. Read More...

Gerald Hood (1930-1938)

The History of the Chapel Angels

Kathleen May Vaughan - A Victorian, but only just!

Frances May Richards

Britain from Above: There is a new site just launched showing 1919 – 1953  Aerofilms. Published by the English Heritage and the Royal Commission for Historic Monuments of Scotland and Wales, there are some excellent images. A search for Croydon reveals 44 hits, mostly in the south of the borough though we are sure more will be added. There are some good aerial views of Ballards estate about 1920.

Have a look. 

BRITAIN FROM ABOVE

1910s

Neil Barbour's Memoirs (at school 1916-1925)

Neil Barbour's Photo Board

Kathleen May Vaughan - A Victorian, but only just!

Frances May Richards

Frederick Herbert Edmund VAUGHAN (at school 1913-1921)

Nicola Hayek - great niece of Philip - has very kindly put together his biography for us.

Please see her article here