Plashet School

Since 1932, the school has only been used by females; it was known as the East Ham Grammar School until 1972 and then the Plashet School.
Many people will therefore be surprised to learn that I was one of the few lads who attended this school for a little time to receive an education.
The majority of Grammar school students were relocated from London to Swindon for the boys and Kidlington for the girls during the summer of 1939.
The first bombs were dropped on East Ham during the night of September 7, 1940.
To prepare the older kids for the matriculation examination (for 16-year-olds), which would take place in the summer of 1942, a decision was taken to open the school for regular lessons for both boys and girls.
We were instructed by Mistresses and a few older or physically unfit Masters throughout this time.
A barrage balloon that was moored close to the tennis courts during this time served as a unique feature of the school to deter German aircraft from dive bombing.
Although we are now fewer in number and all in our late 70s compared to the about 100 lads who once attended this Girls' School, I am certain that we all cherish the recollection of this brief period in our school careers.
She seemed old to me, and I couldn't help but notice the horrible scar that ran across her forehead. It was said that this scar was the result of her being trapped in the library during an air attack.
She was rigid and unreasonable, but I must admit that I have good memories of her.
She had a lot of personality.
EHGS 1957–1963 Maxine Bonner (née Steinberg).
I attended on September 21st, 1943, after returning from the evacuation.
When I go at old pictures, the ones of our pantomime from sixth grade constantly amaze me.
As far as I can recall, it was largely positively received.
Many folks have the opportunity to participate in activities outside of their regular schoolwork and try something new or unusual.
Could you tell us about the drama that goes on in the current Plashet School?
Do school plays still exist?
What kids do in this fashion today would be interesting to know.
Additionally, their musical endeavours, as we once held a yearly music festival.
We undoubtedly had observers from the London Institute of Education on numerous occasions, so the School Council, which Miss Mitchell introduced, must have been among the first fully operational school councils.
The system was fantastic in many aspects and proved to be a good place to practise public speaking.
They believed that following the rules was the staff's job and that they should be free to focus on their academic work.
After 36 years of giving lectures and instructing Art & Design, I've officially retired.
At the time, Plashet County Secondary School was where I attended school and served as Head Girl.
A school's ethos and spirit must be created by people, and Miss Carter, the first Head, and her staff succeeded in doing just that.
The imposing Miss Carter demanded the best of you, and you felt honor-bound to meet her expectations.
She was also incredibly generous to me personally; I recall her lending me a number of her own books just before I started acting school.
Plashet School's 6th Form and special needs class gave it a genuinely all-encompassing personality.
In Miss Potter's choir and music lessons, the value of the arts was made clear.
This early experience contributed to my belief in the importance of the arts and drama, in particular as a humanising force, working as a team and respecting the thoughts, feelings and ideas of others.
I would like to acknowledge the continued good work that Mrs Nasir and her staff are achieving and their belief in the importance of education for young women.
Congratulations on your 50th anniversary and here's to Plashet's continued success.
Excerpts from a speech made by Sue McGoun at the 2004 Reunion to mark the 50th anniversary of Plashet County Secondary School.