NOTICEBOARD
The British in Nord-Rhein Westphalia - Exhibition in the Landtag, Düsseldorf 4th May - 2nd June 2019
see poster by clicking here
Unfortunately for one month only - this exhibition is an enlargement, literally and geographically, of ''Briten in Westphalen' that some of us enjoyed in Gutersloh's museum last June. Your web-master has uploaded pictures from this precurser exhibition to 'gallery'. I wonder if we can find a way of hosting the exhibition in UK sometime?
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BFG Schools Closing Celebration Concert - 22 June 2019
Brenda Titley and Johanna Murphy [MoD schools] have written to committee members from Bielefeld:
Dear All
We are writing to let you know that there is an open invitation to the Closing Celebration Concert of BFG schools, taking place on Saturday 22 June 2019. You may well already know about this, but we were keen to spread the word as we know that you may wish to attend. Access is restricted and requires a completed application form, which we have attached. [the link to this form is at end of letter - please note deadline for return of 29 April 2019]
The concert will celebrate the many years of British schooling in Bielefeld, Gutersloh, Paderborn and Sennelager, including the Music Centre. Children from across all six schools and Music Centre students will be taking part, and this event is being co-ordinated by the Music Service. The attached form outlines the events before, during and after the closing ceremony.
If you do decide that you are coming, please can we ask you to send your completed forms to the email address listed at the foot of the attached form: kcn.closureevent@modschools.org
Due to the recent migration of our internet system, we have been unable to access previous email addresses. Please therefore, can we ask you to forward this open invitation to anyone that you know may want to attend and have contact details for. Thank you.
With very best wishes
Johanna and Brenda
Brenda Titley
Senior Inspector Adviser/Deputy Principal MOD Schools
registration_form_closure_weekend.docx
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A Song for MoD Schools .... SCE ..... BFES?
Dave Reeves, Consortium Music Teacher for MoD Schools in Germany, has contacted your webmaster:
Dave is working on song for a children's choir to sing at the Gutersloh Music Centre Final Concert in June. He writes: I don't think many students or staff will fully appreciate the scale of the BFES/SCEA/SCS operation over the last 70 years and I want the song to bring that history to life. I have some ideas for projecting on a big screen, maps showing disappearing schools, maybe a few photographs etc. I've already written to Walter asking for information as I want to name towns and schools in the lyrics.
I am inviting Heads, colleagues, etc to contribute words and ideas for lyrics - not promising to use them but its all stimuli. You yourself will remember asking me to write something for Ark's opening (your webmaster does indeed, it was brilliant and the whole new school singing together made the event so special) .... this made a great memory, of which I have many from my 32 years since arriving at Haig in Jan '87!!
So if you have any thoughts which might help me or want to put my request out further I'll be pleased to receive all suggestions.
Kind regards,
David
(Dave can be contacted on dave.reeves@modschools.org .... or via the webmaster)
10th January 2019
Stop press - 23 April - Dave's song is now ready ...... more in next update
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BFES Member is awarded MBE!
Barbara Arrandale has been awarded an MBE in the 2019 New Year's Honours list for "services to the community in Hasland Derbyshire".
Your web-master has no more information at present, but meanwhile .... congratulations! Barbara and Phil Arrandale were the principal staff at Toucan School, Belize, for many years - where Phil was HT, retiring early in the 2000s. Your web-master has very fond memories of visiting in 1998 and 1999 and of Barbara's indefatigable energy and enthusiasm for the school and Belize. If Hasland benefits from only a fraction of that, then the MBE is richly deserved!
11th January 2019
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17th March 2019
Hugh Ritchie [membership secretary] writes [17th March 2019]:
It is with some sadness that I have to report to you the recent passing of Ian Gregson, who spent 30 years of his life involved with the education of service children overseas. Between 1967 and 1997, Ian was 'stationed' in Lippstadt, Berlin, Munster, Wickwrath and Rheindahlen and during that time must have worked with a number of our members.
Full details of his funeral, which took place 4th April in Margate, are to be found here:
https://www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/funeral-notices/17-03-2019-ian-gregson/
Regards,
Hugh Ritchie
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Michael Back - a former Headteacher of Gloucester School Hohne, died on the 3rd February 2019 - aged 88. Michael's funeral was held on 5th March - Kenrick Jones, our chairman represented the BFES Association.
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Don Friswell, a former Head of Haig School has recently died at the age of 90. Don was initially stationed at Paderborn First School from 1963 - 65 and then went on to be Head Teacher at Haig School in Gutersloh from 1965 - 75. He was also an active member of the Mansergh Players in Gutersloh.
A thanksgiving service was held in North London at St Mary The Virgin Church, Hadley Green Road, Barnet, EN5 5PZ at 1.00pm on Tuesday 5th February. Tea was served afterwards at the Old Manor Golf Club, Barnet, EN5 4QN where cars can also be parked before walking to the nearby church.
Messages of condolence can be sent to:
Anne Fitzpatrick
10 Park Gate Avenue
Hadley Wood
EN4 0NR.
Hugh Ritchie
(Membership secretary)
29 January 2019
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News was received on Boxing Day that Robin Cox has died. Your webmaster has no more information at present, but understands that Robin had been poorly for some time. I met him briefly in 1998, at Loccum, as he retired as Area Officer in Cyprus. I understand he lived in Worcester after leaving SCEA and SCE. His name and supportive reputation was already known to me in Wiltshire before I joined SCE and I look forward to being able to provide more detail about Robin in due course.
11th January 2019
Hugh Ritchie has sent more information 15th January (thank you, Hugh)
It is with some sadness that I have to inform you of the recent passing of Robin Cox, who has been a member of the Association for almost 20 years. Robin served in Singapore, Hong Kong, Hemer, JHQ Rheindahlen and Cyprus. His wife Jane pre-deceased him a few years ago.
Should you wish to send your condolences to the family, please do so by post – the address is:
The Cox Family,
Westmoor Farmhouse,
Westmoor,
Mansel Lacy,
Hereford
HR4 7HN
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Nolan Clamp died on 6th December. Nolan was a past-president of our association and Chief Executive of both British Forces Education Service (BFES) and Service Children's Schools (SCS). He served a total of 25 years in these roles (BFES 1976-1981 & SCS 1982-1991).
Nolan's funeral took place on 30th November in Beccles, Suffolk. The BFES-SCEA Association was represented by Mike and Fran Bennett. Mike writes:
Fran and I attended the funeral. It was a heartwarming occasion despite the sad circumstance. The sun shone and Mr C’s family were so welcoming, greeting us all outside the Crematorium in such a way that we did not feel like mourners, rather celebrators of a well lived life - which is, of course what everyone wanted.
The service lasted for an hour with a slide show of photos on wall mounted screens, and nostalgic tributes revealing much I did not know, but also emphasising that which we already knew; his dignity and dedication to his family, and those others he cared for, the children and staff of BFES.
Jeff Harris, another of our members. lived in the area and kept in touch with Nolan and also attended the funeral.
A fuller obituary and appreciation appears in Newsletter 42.
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News of the death of Steve Jorgensen was received at the beginning of November.
Mike Chislett – SCE Inspector Adviser 1998-2016 writes:
Stephen John Jorgensen, ,OBE, joined Service Children's Education in 2005 as headteacher of Akrotiri Primary School in Cyprus. Steve's previous post was headteacher of Prescot Primary School, Knowsley, Merseyside. While head of Prescot he had been awarded an OBE in 's New Year's Honours List for services to education.
Steve was headteacher of Akrotiri School from 2005 until 2009, when he took retirement. His four year tenure covered a challenging period for this large primary school. This included considerable Ofsted monitoring and building and commissioning a completely new 8 class Foundation Stage. I was privileged to work closely with Steve during this time through many highs and some lows. Steve's integrity and sense of humour remained intact in the busiest and hardest times. Steve continued living in Cyprus after retirement from Service Children's Education (SCE), making his home in the village of Prastio. It is understood that Steve died in hospital in Limassol after a short and serious illness, following an otherwise routine operation. The funeral took place in UK, with Steve's ashes being returned to Cyprus.
Steve is survived by his wife Jill, who was also a former Merseyside headteacher. I shall remember both for their generous hospitality, appreciation of humanity and a great sense of humour.
(Mike Chislett, March 2019)
To place messages on the noticeboard, please send them to Mike Chislett, the Website Manager for inclusion.
(go to home/contact us for website contact forms)
Scroll down for request from Bristol University for help with oral history project on BAOR 1945-2000
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Membership form and General Data Protection Important reminder to all members - if you have not yet done so - please complete the form found here - and wing it off ASAP to Hugh and Christine Ritchie, our joint membership secretaries. We need your positive GDPR consent in order to comply with 2018's data Protection regulations. Hugh and Christine have written to members who have not replied (by 18 July) .... 'On the 25th May the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) became law across Europe, and we, as an organisation, are required to abide by the law. What this means is that we require your explicit permission to hold information about you in our secure database. A proforma was sent out on the 24th May, but to date we do not seem to have received a response to this important document from you. I have attached the document to this e-mail for ease of reference. Should you not have access to a printer, all is not lost! Please just send a reply e-mail to bfes.scememb@gmail.com, copying the wording giving permission from the bottom of the document, and also including the information requested on the form' Thanks! 
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Children from military families can move schools frequently ......
Tom Nielsen-Marsh spotted this BBC item (27June 2018), reporting on the Children's Commissioner's recent observations on children from military families ....
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-44613922
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Children from military families can move schools frequently ......
Tom Nielsen-Marsh spotted this BBC item (27June 2018), reporting on the Children's Commissioner's recent observations on children from military families ....
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-44613922
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Special Notices - Vale
Bob Parkin
Your web-master has received news that one of our members, Bob Parkin, died in York on 5th August 2018. I understand that Bob was 91 and had been in ill health for some time. Bob's funeral was in York on 22 August.
Arthur Peters
Jeff Harris has passed on news to BFES Committee of the death of Arthur Peters in December. Arthur taught at Mountbatten School, Malaysia, before moving to Germany where he taught at Sir John Mogg School, Detmold, St George's School, Rheindahlen, becoming headteacher at St Barbara's School, Wulfen.
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John Tate
John Tate, formerly headteacher in Hong Kong and Germany, died in January after a long illness. John's funeral took place on Monday 12th February 2018 at the South Downs Natural Burial Site in Petersfield, Hampshire. BFES-SCEA Association member Bill Gillespie gave a eulogy on behalf of the association. John was a previous chairman of BFES-SCEA Association and an appreciation of John's contribution and leadership appears in Newsletter 39.
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Posted!
Posted! is Ark School's 2013 sculpture that now graces a corner of woodland at The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. A small and very informal dedication, ribbon cutting and naming ceremony took place on Sunday 8th April, 2018. Four ex-Ark students and their families joined in, along with Mike and Sue Chislett and Jimmy Caldwell.
Click here Posted! for more information on the sculpture.
Association Newsletter
We are always looking for newsworthy items to include in the Association's Newsletter. If you have any photos, articles, memories, news of forthcoming mini re-unions or reports of re-unions that have taken place, or of any other items of news, and you think it would be of interest to other Association members, please send them to Tom Nielson-Marsh our Association Newsletter Editor at the following address:-
bfes_scea_newsletter@yahoo.co.uk
bfes_scea_newsletter@yahoo.co.uk
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Bristol University research .... 'Oral History of BAOR 1945-2000'
Dr Grace Huxford, lecturer in British History at the University of Bristol has contacted us (February 2018) ....
(Grace writes) ....I hope you don’t mind me getting in touch, but I wanted to tell you about an exciting new research project I’m running and ask if anyone from the BFES-SCEA-Association might like to be involved.
I am currently running a project called ‘Living on a Cold War Frontier: An Oral History of the British Army of the Rhine (1945-2000)’ and would like to speak to people who lived and worked on British military bases in Germany.
Given the importance of teachers and support staff on bases in Germany and their perhaps slightly different experiences to service personnel, I would really like to speak to anyone who has memories of living and working on military bases in Germany from your membership. I think educationalists’ experiences are a very important part of the social history of base communities and would really like to include this aspect of base life in my research.
If any of your members are willing and would have the time to speak with me, then I would conduct one-on-one or group interviews at a time and place to suit them or via Skype if they prefer. The interviews would be recorded (audio only) and transcribed, and would be used as the basis of my academic research. I would provide each interviewee with a fuller information sheet on the project as well as a ‘consent form’ where they can specify any conditions e.g. anonymity. I would also send out a list of questions in advance of the interviews, outlining the sorts of questions that I would ask. Interviews are completely voluntary and participants may share as much as they wish.
All aspects of the project have been approved by the Research Ethics Committee here at the University of Bristol and the project is funded by the British Academy.
If you are interested, I’m very happy for this email either to be circulated to your membership as you see fit or to provide you with an advertisement for circulation. I’m also more than happy to discuss this over the telephone if you prefer. There’s more information about me and my project on my staff page here. If you would like any other information or to discuss further, please feel free to email or ring me on the number below. I’d be very grateful for any time any of your members can spare to share their stories with me.
Many thanks and all best wishes Grace Dr Grace Huxford Lecturer in 19th/20th Century British History Historical Studies Department University of Bristol B46, 13 Woodland Road Bristol, BS8 1TB Telephone: +44 117 3317 079
Email
grace.huxford@bristol.ac.uk
Bristol University research .... 'Oral History of BAOR 1945-2000'
Dr Grace Huxford, lecturer in British History at the University of Bristol has contacted us (February 2018) ....
(Grace writes) ....I hope you don’t mind me getting in touch, but I wanted to tell you about an exciting new research project I’m running and ask if anyone from the BFES-SCEA-Association might like to be involved.
I am currently running a project called ‘Living on a Cold War Frontier: An Oral History of the British Army of the Rhine (1945-2000)’ and would like to speak to people who lived and worked on British military bases in Germany.
Given the importance of teachers and support staff on bases in Germany and their perhaps slightly different experiences to service personnel, I would really like to speak to anyone who has memories of living and working on military bases in Germany from your membership. I think educationalists’ experiences are a very important part of the social history of base communities and would really like to include this aspect of base life in my research.
If any of your members are willing and would have the time to speak with me, then I would conduct one-on-one or group interviews at a time and place to suit them or via Skype if they prefer. The interviews would be recorded (audio only) and transcribed, and would be used as the basis of my academic research. I would provide each interviewee with a fuller information sheet on the project as well as a ‘consent form’ where they can specify any conditions e.g. anonymity. I would also send out a list of questions in advance of the interviews, outlining the sorts of questions that I would ask. Interviews are completely voluntary and participants may share as much as they wish.
All aspects of the project have been approved by the Research Ethics Committee here at the University of Bristol and the project is funded by the British Academy.
If you are interested, I’m very happy for this email either to be circulated to your membership as you see fit or to provide you with an advertisement for circulation. I’m also more than happy to discuss this over the telephone if you prefer. There’s more information about me and my project on my staff page here. If you would like any other information or to discuss further, please feel free to email or ring me on the number below. I’d be very grateful for any time any of your members can spare to share their stories with me.
Many thanks and all best wishes Grace Dr Grace Huxford Lecturer in 19th/20th Century British History Historical Studies Department University of Bristol B46, 13 Woodland Road Bristol, BS8 1TB Telephone: +44 117 3317 079
grace.huxford@bristol.ac.uk
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Mick Cully
Queens/Windsor School: Team, I attended Queens School from 1971 to 1974 and it left a massive mark on me to the point of despair at the recent closing of both Windsor and JHQ. In my time of Queens and Kent rivalry, three nearby RAF bases and thousands on JHQ, did we ever see this coming? Anyway, through your website, an open 'Thank you' to all the staff that endured my lack of attention; including Miss Gooch who 20 years later taught my daughter and my careers master Mr Lord who steered me from being a roadie for Led Zeppelin to becoming a Major in the Australian Army. Thank you all and good luck with all your futures.
Mick Cully Email mick.cully@defence.gov.au
Queens/Windsor School: Team, I attended Queens School from 1971 to 1974 and it left a massive mark on me to the point of despair at the recent closing of both Windsor and JHQ. In my time of Queens and Kent rivalry, three nearby RAF bases and thousands on JHQ, did we ever see this coming? Anyway, through your website, an open 'Thank you' to all the staff that endured my lack of attention; including Miss Gooch who 20 years later taught my daughter and my careers master Mr Lord who steered me from being a roadie for Led Zeppelin to becoming a Major in the Australian Army. Thank you all and good luck with all your futures.
Mick Cully Email mick.cully@defence.gov.au
Can you help?
We have some photographs that have been donated to our archives which are held in the London University Institute of Education archive department. Unfortunately we do not have the names to identify all of the staff in the photos. Do you recognise anybody whose name is missing? If so would you supply the information to Walter Lewis or Mike Chislett using the contact form below. Thanking you in anticipation! There are more incomplete namings elsewhere on this web-site - please add or correct anything you can.
We have some photographs that have been donated to our archives which are held in the London University Institute of Education archive department. Unfortunately we do not have the names to identify all of the staff in the photos. Do you recognise anybody whose name is missing? If so would you supply the information to Walter Lewis or Mike Chislett using the contact form below. Thanking you in anticipation! There are more incomplete namings elsewhere on this web-site - please add or correct anything you can.
Staff at Victoria Primary School 1982
Back Row: Beryl Metcalf, Sandy Hall,?,?,?,Monica Jakamovic,
2nd Row: ?,?,Sheila Robinson,? ,Marsha Utal,?
Front Row (L to R); Ann Berresford (Head of Infants), ?, Mike Metcalf, Wally Lewis (Acting Head), ?
Back Row: Beryl Metcalf, Sandy Hall,?,?,?,Monica Jakamovic,
2nd Row: ?,?,Sheila Robinson,? ,Marsha Utal,?
Front Row (L to R); Ann Berresford (Head of Infants), ?, Mike Metcalf, Wally Lewis (Acting Head), ?
Staff at Victoria Primary School 1984
Back Row: ?,?,Sandie Hall,Beryl Metcalf,?, Anne Berresford (Head of Infants);
2nd Row: Fran ..,Jan Pierson,Sheila Robinson, Marsh Utal, Susan Lee, Monica Jakamovitc;
Front Row: (L to R) Barbara..,(School Secretary), Tony Wilkins (Head), Jan Young, Walter Lewis (Wally) Deputy Head, ?
Back Row: ?,?,Sandie Hall,Beryl Metcalf,?, Anne Berresford (Head of Infants);
2nd Row: Fran ..,Jan Pierson,Sheila Robinson, Marsh Utal, Susan Lee, Monica Jakamovitc;
Front Row: (L to R) Barbara..,(School Secretary), Tony Wilkins (Head), Jan Young, Walter Lewis (Wally) Deputy Head, ?
Memories!
I wonder if you might be interested in this article for your newsletter/website? Another perspective… This year, we travelled to Malvern to spend Christmas with my parents, Bill and Janet Bowen. One of the rituals is for me to read all the newsletters they receive, from friends and family I knew in my youth but no longer keep in touch with myself. A copy of the bfes-sce-assocation newsletter is usually included in the pile of letters and this year, I got to thinking about my memories as a child growing up in BFG. I attended Cornwall School, Dortmund from 1984-1988 and Windsor School, Rheindahlen from 1988-1990. Among those teachers who left their mark on me (in a good way!) are Mr Griffiths, my first form and music teacher whose wise words “never take a painkiller unless you know the cause of the pain” I find myself repeating to my own children now. Mrs Marshall (maths) who tortured my 12 year-old brain with formulas for finding how many paving slabs of different shapes would be needed to surround a pool. Little did she know how useful that would prove to be – we now own a campsite and often have to re-tile pools, terrasses and washblocks! Mrs Taylor who courageously took it upon herself to explain to a group of mildly embarrassed third formers just why this newly-discovered disease AIDS was such a threat and why gay men were particularly at risk. The inspirational Mr Gibson who taught us to look up and question everything. And Miss Moreton, Food and Nutrition, who seemed to hate me and put me down in class, but that only inspired me to work hard and prove her wrong. Of all the subjects I studied at school, I think this is the one which has been the most useful – in our every day family life, and also in running a busy campsite restaurant! We were the first year to take the newly-introduced GCSE exam and even then, we were aware that the BFES was doing everything possible to make sure we were as prepared as our UK counterparts. But it’s only now, looking back, that I really appreciate the experiences and opportunities of those SCS days. The excellent music weekends organised by Bob Steele. Ski-trips. Sports Day at Rote Erde, Dortmund, and even in our own school, the bewildering array of sports equipment and teaching on offer. The old crates of buses which nonetheless got us to school, whatever the weather. So different from today when our kids buses seem to be cancelled at the slightest threat of frost! And then to Windsor school where I was to spend 2 years happily growing up within a safe environment with strict rules in place, but one step away from parental authority. A good compromise – we’d like to find a similar set up for our own teenagers! And what memories!! Coming home from school and piling into the Naafi next door for a Dairy Milk and bar of soap. Even today, the smell of Palmolive transports me back instantly. Sneaking into the dining room after USOC discos for chocolate spread and butter on toast – a whole tub of Nutella devoured in an evening. Imagine the calories... Watching the Berlin wall coming down, eating kiwis at roll call. My first serious romance and heartbreak when it all ended. Hockey tournaments and in particular, playing against an army team who had a dustbin of Harvey Wallbanger as their mascot … and feeling the consequences the next morning. A toe in the water playing keyboards with a ‘rock’ band, writing a Christmas panto for the boarding house … a tradition I continue today, producing the Christmas show for our village in France. Painting bookcases in a local school, participating in a youth parliament .. so many diverse experiences! But at 18, the world was mine to discover and I essentially left home, taking a gap year in France before heading to Southampton and a degree in French, without giving a second thought to the life I was leaving behind. Now, over 20 years later, I find I miss so many aspects of that lifestyle. Spotting black and white number plates in the queues for the ferry on the first day of the school holidays. The Naafi. Popping into Roemond for a spot of shopping. The Christmas markets. The Salvation Army and Military Bands – such fabulous concerts. BFBS radio (it’s so nice to hear Richard Allinson sitting in for various presenters on Radio 2). Dad’s school fete. Garden Parties. New Year’s Eve in the Officer’s mess. Curry lunches… I recently watched a programme about Gareth Malone and the Military Wives and it dawned on me that I can’t actually be a military wife. That spirit of togetherness and belonging which so marked my adolescence still goes on, but without me being part of it. I was surprised to realise how sad I was. Growing up in Germany was a wonderful opportunity and I’m grateful to have been able to experience it.
Thanks BFES-SCE! You did a good job!
Sarah Scarratt
I wonder if you might be interested in this article for your newsletter/website? Another perspective… This year, we travelled to Malvern to spend Christmas with my parents, Bill and Janet Bowen. One of the rituals is for me to read all the newsletters they receive, from friends and family I knew in my youth but no longer keep in touch with myself. A copy of the bfes-sce-assocation newsletter is usually included in the pile of letters and this year, I got to thinking about my memories as a child growing up in BFG. I attended Cornwall School, Dortmund from 1984-1988 and Windsor School, Rheindahlen from 1988-1990. Among those teachers who left their mark on me (in a good way!) are Mr Griffiths, my first form and music teacher whose wise words “never take a painkiller unless you know the cause of the pain” I find myself repeating to my own children now. Mrs Marshall (maths) who tortured my 12 year-old brain with formulas for finding how many paving slabs of different shapes would be needed to surround a pool. Little did she know how useful that would prove to be – we now own a campsite and often have to re-tile pools, terrasses and washblocks! Mrs Taylor who courageously took it upon herself to explain to a group of mildly embarrassed third formers just why this newly-discovered disease AIDS was such a threat and why gay men were particularly at risk. The inspirational Mr Gibson who taught us to look up and question everything. And Miss Moreton, Food and Nutrition, who seemed to hate me and put me down in class, but that only inspired me to work hard and prove her wrong. Of all the subjects I studied at school, I think this is the one which has been the most useful – in our every day family life, and also in running a busy campsite restaurant! We were the first year to take the newly-introduced GCSE exam and even then, we were aware that the BFES was doing everything possible to make sure we were as prepared as our UK counterparts. But it’s only now, looking back, that I really appreciate the experiences and opportunities of those SCS days. The excellent music weekends organised by Bob Steele. Ski-trips. Sports Day at Rote Erde, Dortmund, and even in our own school, the bewildering array of sports equipment and teaching on offer. The old crates of buses which nonetheless got us to school, whatever the weather. So different from today when our kids buses seem to be cancelled at the slightest threat of frost! And then to Windsor school where I was to spend 2 years happily growing up within a safe environment with strict rules in place, but one step away from parental authority. A good compromise – we’d like to find a similar set up for our own teenagers! And what memories!! Coming home from school and piling into the Naafi next door for a Dairy Milk and bar of soap. Even today, the smell of Palmolive transports me back instantly. Sneaking into the dining room after USOC discos for chocolate spread and butter on toast – a whole tub of Nutella devoured in an evening. Imagine the calories... Watching the Berlin wall coming down, eating kiwis at roll call. My first serious romance and heartbreak when it all ended. Hockey tournaments and in particular, playing against an army team who had a dustbin of Harvey Wallbanger as their mascot … and feeling the consequences the next morning. A toe in the water playing keyboards with a ‘rock’ band, writing a Christmas panto for the boarding house … a tradition I continue today, producing the Christmas show for our village in France. Painting bookcases in a local school, participating in a youth parliament .. so many diverse experiences! But at 18, the world was mine to discover and I essentially left home, taking a gap year in France before heading to Southampton and a degree in French, without giving a second thought to the life I was leaving behind. Now, over 20 years later, I find I miss so many aspects of that lifestyle. Spotting black and white number plates in the queues for the ferry on the first day of the school holidays. The Naafi. Popping into Roemond for a spot of shopping. The Christmas markets. The Salvation Army and Military Bands – such fabulous concerts. BFBS radio (it’s so nice to hear Richard Allinson sitting in for various presenters on Radio 2). Dad’s school fete. Garden Parties. New Year’s Eve in the Officer’s mess. Curry lunches… I recently watched a programme about Gareth Malone and the Military Wives and it dawned on me that I can’t actually be a military wife. That spirit of togetherness and belonging which so marked my adolescence still goes on, but without me being part of it. I was surprised to realise how sad I was. Growing up in Germany was a wonderful opportunity and I’m grateful to have been able to experience it.
Thanks BFES-SCE! You did a good job!
Sarah Scarratt