St Mark’s Primary School, Mitcham

A Memory of Mitcham.

I grew up in Mitcham in the 1960s. Born in 1962, we lived in Tonstall Road, close to the level crossing by Eastfields school. I went to St Mark’s Primary School from 1967 to 1971.
I remember most of my teachers: Miss Holmes, Mrs Carmichael, Miss Edge, Mr Myers. The headmaster was Mr Waverley when I started, who was succeeded by Mr Freemantle, known as “Froggy” Freemantle.
I remember crates of warm milk in small glass bottles. The cloakroom, just behind the entrance lobby, with rows of coat pegs above wire mesh. Singing hymns in assembly. Being among a group of children chosen to learn to play the recorder, so that we could accompany hymns during assembly. In my last year at the school Mr Carter, the very enthusiastic music teacher, who played the trumpet. Singing in the school choir, including performances of songs from “The Pirates of Penzance” by Gilbert & Sulllivan.
Miss Edge was my teacher in my third year, in class J1 (which I think stood for Juniors class 1). She had moved to London from somewhere up North and spoke with a strange (to us) accent. I remember everyone looking at her uncomprehendingly when she asked us to put on our “pumps” for PE - meaning our plimsolls.
Mr Myers was my teacher in my final year, in class J3. He also came from up North, perhaps Durham? He was football mad and organised the school football team, which I somehow managed to get into. We played Gorringe Park Primary School twice, on Figges Marsh, and lost both times.

---

---