How Lee Church of England Primary School celebrated their anniversary on the 12th July 1984

On the 12th of July 1984 there was a parade with pupils, teachers and clergy dressed in period costume which celebrated the 150th Anniversary of Lee Church of England Primary School.

The event was written about in the local newspaper...

Back in '84 someone told my mother that if she asked nicely, The Mercury would let her have copies of the photos they took. In the photo below (I'm the boy in the middle) and you can see that a list of "Rules for Teachers" has been framed. I'm not sure how genuine this amusing artifact is, but it is interesting to think how much the lives of teachers have changed.

The Rules for Teachers 1872

1) Teachers each day will fill lamps, trim the wicks and clean chimneys. 2) Each morning teacher will bring a bucket of water and a scuttle of coal for the days session. 3) Make your pens carefully. You may whittle nibs to the individual taste of the pupils. 4) Men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purposes, or two evenings a week if they attend church regularly. 5) After ten hours in school, the teachers may spend the remaining time reading the Bible or any other good books. 6) Women teachers who marry or engage is unseemly conduct will be dismissed. 7) Every teacher should lay aside from each pay a goodly sum of his earnings for his benefit during his declining years so he will not become a burden on society. 8) Any teacher who smokes, uses liquor in any form, frequents pool or public halls, or gets shaved in a barber shop will give good reason to suspect his worth, intention, integrity and honesty.

The newspaper clipping mentions ex Lee C of E pupil Colin Moynihan showing up. Lord Moynihan studied Philosophy at Oxford, was Minister for Sport in Thatcher's government and later worked for Tate & Lyle.

Despite his many achievements, Lord Moynihan is not Lee C of E's most famous pupil, sadly that honour goes to Richard Reid.