Family Memories Birmingham Handsworth

School Years

On my first day at school I was taken by my mother to Rookery Road Infants School. Boys and girls were seated in rows, each one higher than the other. I recall my introduction when the teacher said "Does any little girl know this little girl" those very words. I was recognised and seated beside a neighbour's small daughter. Another recollection was that of parents day when our class of very small girls sang and rocked our dollies to sleep. I do not remember much about our lessons. The musical side if the school was in the hands of Mr Knight and I can hear him admonishing us never to say "Goodnight Mr Knight". Little known to me that I should be the wife of a Mr Knight.

Every year the mother of Laurence Cates, the famous member of Captain Scott's Antarctic Expedition used to personally present twelve books for the most promising pupils of that year. In the middle of the floor of the hall there was always on special occasions like these, an artistic floral display. Our headmaster was very patriotic and pupils were selected on days of national importance to stand guard holding flags of the empire. I remember that our house wifery were held at a private house in nearby Dawson Road. Below is a photo of one of our school plays.

At the age of 11, I gained a pass for a Grammar school but I did not avail myself of this opportunity. However later at the age of 13 and a half a scholarship enabled me to go to Aston Commercial School with an annual grant of £10.