Bernard Higgins' Own Personal  Memories of St John Fisher JMI

Although many years have passed since my retirement as headteacher of St. John Fisher School, whenever I meet either past pupils, their parents or governors so many happy memories come flooding back to me. I was indeed most surprised to receive a request from one of our past  pupils, Ben Brophy recently for a written contribution to the St John 
Fisher web-site. So here it is:
 
St John Fisher School opened in 1965 and in the months prior to the  opening of the School I received an enormous amount of practical help  and support from Our School governors, prospective parents and staff  as well as the parish clergy and this seemed to set a pattern of  continuous unstinting support from all those involved with the School  throughout my twenty four years.

Yet another early and lasting memory was in meeting the parents for the first time. The grave responsibilities of being a headteacher  were forcefully brought home to me when on Opening Day, the parents  placed their children into my care with so much trust and confidence I knew then that the first priority of myself and my staff must be not only to ensure their safety while in our care, but also for we the staff to create the right atmosphere in which to nurture them in a truly all-round sense towards their potential. 

The 'Founder pupils' who entered the School in September 1965 covered  an age range of 5 to 9 year olds grouped into two Infant two Lower  junior classes. This proved to be an ideal solution to help the  children cope with moving into a new school.

After settling into my new position as headteacher I quickly became   aware of the peripheral role and influence I had with the classes  compared to the role I had as headteacher in my previous School. I  thus decided to take much of my paper work home with me in the  evenings and to delegate to our highly competent and ever supportive  School secretary, Mrs Kinsella and out outstanding lady deputy heads.  Then I began to thoroughly enjoy my role in the School. This involved  supporting the teachers in and out of the classroom which helped me  to relate to the full age range of the pupils.

During this time I  became aware of the manner in which the influence of the teachers  ensured that the pupils matured as they came to the end of each year  and by the way they developed strong, long lasting friendship  patterns. The children made us so proud of them by the example, support and encouragement they gave not only to their own classmates but also to the younger children which made it so sad for us to say goodbye on their last day in their life as part of the family of St John Fisher School.

Over the twenty four years at St John Fisher School it was a  privilege to work alongside so many dedicated teachers. Their  combined talents and attributes offered a rich and caring environment in which they boosted our children's self image and nurtured them on their way towards self-fulfillment in a happy, industrious  atmosphere. All the schools in which I had previously taught rarely  involved the Infants with the Juniors in any way.

In an attempt to  bring about more cohesiveness throughout the full age range, both  Infants and Juniors were thoroughly involved in our House System.  This appeared to bring about a bonding of the full age range,  witnessed, in particular, on our separate sports days when both Infants and Juniors cheered on their fellow House mates from other classes.

While teaching in Manchester, I was responsible for my class  on a two year basis and during that time I certainly enjoyed developing a sense of humour in my pupils, so important in their make  up. There is no doubt that our teachers also enjoyed their role in  this respect. I frequently witnessed them in the staff room entertaining one another by relating anecdotes which had caused mirth and laughter amongst the children.

Proof of the fact that our non-teaching staff were also considered to be an integral part of our School life was because many of them were our very own supportive  parents who contributed in a manner which went far beyond the call of  duty. I am so pleased that this web-site created by Ben offers the opportunity for past-pupils and parents to express their appreciation of those most closely involved with the children, namely our teachers  and non teaching members of staff.

Both my staff and I much appreciated the involvement of parents, priests and governors in the life of the School particularly with  regard to the support they gave to the children in curricular  activities such as School and class Masses, assemblies, concerts, sports days, inter-school netball and soccer matches. Without doubt  all the dedicated work by our teachers, supported by the parents of  those children involved, made our annual 1st Communion Days both  meaningful and memorable. We also appreciated the way in which they  participated in the many fund-raising and social events which were  held at the School at regular intervals and run every year by our  P.T.A. committees. Thanks to this continuous support over the year as  we were able to turn St John Fisher into a community school, used  almost every evening by the parents in a variety of activities and as  a church centre on Sundays.

It would be a never ending task for me to recall here all my happy  memories of School events but whenever I speak to the pupils  themselves, they seem to agree unanimously that the happiest and most  memorable time they spent during their seven years at the School was  away from it,  ie,  it was the week spent during their last term on the Isle of Wight. They remembered this educational holiday included  visits to Osborne house, Carisbrooke Castle, The Needles, St. Catherine's Lighthouse, a study of coastal rock formation at Alum Bay  and a day out at an adventure playground. They also remember the  recreational  times on the beaches, playing crazy golf in the  evenings before retiring to the hotel for our evening quizzes, not forgetting to mention the last afternoon shopping for presents and  souvenirs for the  families back home, followed by the last night of  fun in the amusement arcade.

Each year all the pupils seemed to enjoy  every moment of the trip and it proved to be a fitting way of  rewarding each cohort of the School leavers for the contribution they  had made to the life of the School. It was also a special   opportunity for the children to cement the friendships they had made  with their fellow pupils during their time at St. John Fisher School  which I trust continued long after leaving the School.  Much as I  enjoyed participating in the Isle of Wight holidays I was always  relieved to hand all the children over to their parents after  arriving home safely and without any serious mishap.

All the staff who accompanied the classes over the years also thoroughly enjoyed the experience just as much as the children and considered it a  priviledge to be in the party.

I regret to mention that not all of my memories of life at St John Fisher were happy ones. Hearing of the death of several pupils, all in the prime of life and with so much to live for, came as  a great shock to me and certainly must have been a heavy cross for the  parents to carry for the rest of their lives. Losing those members of  staff who had worked alongside us for so many years was similar to  losing a family member.

It would not be possible, of course, for me to conclude these  reminiscences without a mention of the many successful School soccer teams who over the years won so many trophies.

I know that it has been claimed that I was somewhat fanatical about  my soccer-coaching activities and I can only explain my  determination  to help our teams to succeed by the fact that my  fellow coaches in Manchester predicted that I would never be able to muster up eleven good players per year down in a place like St.  Albans and would be back home by the end of the year. In the event it  was the many players themselves who not only proved them wrong but  also proved to be true sportsmen and just as skilful and successful as their Manchester counterparts. I certainly treasure the occasion,  just prior to my retirement, when two teams of pupils, some coming  from far afield to participate, played a surprise testimonial match  for me and then presented me with a special trophy.

When the fourth-year leavers made their final departure I used to  stand at the exit door to say goodbye, witnessing several of them  in  a tearful frame of mind while realizing  that they were all departing  to a variety of Secondary Schools and not to return in September.  

I  too experienced the same  feeling after having spent twenty four  years at the School. On departing on the final day I felt like the  old war horse being led out to grass. Nevertheless, at that time I  realised that the needs of the School were for a younger person to succeed me who would keep the best of the old and add a new  dimension. This and much more was achieved by my successors, who not  only enjoyed  great respect but also success and popularity during  their time at the School.

Much as my relatives urged me to return north, there was no way I could leave St John Fisher after we the staff, parents, governors,  priests and not least the children had together built up this strong  extended family unit, never to be achieved elsewhere.

I should like to express my sincere thanks to all the ex-St John Fisher boys and girls who were there along with me, helping to make  the years I spent there such happy fulfilling ones. I wish each and  every one of you, above all, good health together with success and  happiness throughout your adult life.

Finally, may I apologise to Ben for being so reluctant and unsupportive when he first suggested setting up this web-site. At  seventy-eight years of age I considered myself to be ancient history and happy to be so after so many years into retirement. However,  since the web site provides an opportunity to thank, equally, the many adults and past pupils who together, over the years, contributed  to providing a happy family atmosphere in which we could all thrive,  I am sure we are all truly grateful to Ben.

Bernard Higgins
(August 2007)

Bernard Higgins, by Mrs. (Maureen) Ringham :

Bernard is one of the warmest, kindest people I have had the privilege to know and work with.  He loved his school, St. John Fisher, and all the people associated with it.  He was a wonderful headteacher, full of enthusiasm for his pupils and projects.  Famous for his football, I remember as much the wood-work sessions in the dining-hall with  tools & sawdust everywhere; nowadays, probably a Health & Safety nightmare!  

He worked so unceasingly that I would beg him at times to slow down – he rarely did.

He used to say it was his privilege to be entrusted with the care of children.  And care he did. He would always tell parents that the best gift they could give their children was their time and he gave of his own unstintingly.

In his retirement Bernard is still giving his time wherever it is needed.  Apart from the organisations he supports he is always giving lifts to hospitals, visiting sick or bereaved friends; he is ever ready to help.

Bernard always sees the good in people.  He is so self-effacing that I hope these remembrances will show him how much he is loved and appreciated.  

Maureen Ringham (July 2007)

Mrs Ringham engrossed in her superb teaching