Memories of Brighton ‘Tech’, 1943 – 1945. By Valda Tibbits.
For continuing education beyond Sixth Grade at Elsternwick State School the choice was either Elwood High School or Brighton Technical School. So, having successfully undertaken the entrance examination I began my three years at Brighton Technical Girls’ School.
The school, formerly a lovely old home named Cora Lynn, in Cochrane Street, Brighton, was set in large gardens with spacious grounds on either side and at the rear. There were tennis courts, basketball courts, a hockey field, a large playground with shelter sheds, and a tuckshop.
Underground air raid shelters were constructed but thankfully were never needed. Beyond the boundary fence was the Brighton Technical Boys’ School where amongst other subjects boys were taught skills that would enable them to become the valued tradesmen of today.
The office of the Head Mistress, Miss F. A. Swan, was to the right of the entrance hall, Miss Bowden’s English room was to the left, and beyond were classrooms for Social Studies, Millinery, Dressmaking and Mothercraft. Two modern wings which had been added at the rear formed a courtyard and these housed Science, Art and Mathematics to the left and a very large kitchen and dining room to the right.
In these classrooms we learned to create and trim a hat, draft a pattern and sew a seam; we created clothes for ourselves and overalls to wear during cookery and horticulture classes. We also remade recycled army tunics into little garments for the children at Brighton Orphanage. At Cookery we learned practical skills such as correct table laying, cooking and serving a meal. Cornish pasties were a favourite. The huge kitchen contained several gas and electric cookers and there were sinks with pine draining boards which had to be cleaned with a scrubbing brush and sandsoap after each class. The fearsome Miss Dunne was in charge and woe betide anyone who talked during class! This was always my problem, for which Miss Dunne awarded me my one and only detention!
Uniforms were de rigueur and the day began with a flag raising ceremony, a hearty rendition of the national anthem, and an orderly procession to classrooms. Although it was wartime they were happy schooldays and I have always been grateful for the broad range of subjects and skills I learned.
It has been enjoyable reviving these memories and I hope former students and other readers will enjoy reading them.
The property now boasts a development of luxury homes known as St. James Park.
Source :
Brighton Historical Society Journal, pages 9 and 10.
Spring 2017. No. 181.
The school, formerly a lovely old home named Cora Lynn, in Cochrane Street, Brighton, was set in large gardens with spacious grounds on either side and at the rear. There were tennis courts, basketball courts, a hockey field, a large playground with shelter sheds, and a tuckshop.
Underground air raid shelters were constructed but thankfully were never needed. Beyond the boundary fence was the Brighton Technical Boys’ School where amongst other subjects boys were taught skills that would enable them to become the valued tradesmen of today.
The office of the Head Mistress, Miss F. A. Swan, was to the right of the entrance hall, Miss Bowden’s English room was to the left, and beyond were classrooms for Social Studies, Millinery, Dressmaking and Mothercraft. Two modern wings which had been added at the rear formed a courtyard and these housed Science, Art and Mathematics to the left and a very large kitchen and dining room to the right.
In these classrooms we learned to create and trim a hat, draft a pattern and sew a seam; we created clothes for ourselves and overalls to wear during cookery and horticulture classes. We also remade recycled army tunics into little garments for the children at Brighton Orphanage. At Cookery we learned practical skills such as correct table laying, cooking and serving a meal. Cornish pasties were a favourite. The huge kitchen contained several gas and electric cookers and there were sinks with pine draining boards which had to be cleaned with a scrubbing brush and sandsoap after each class. The fearsome Miss Dunne was in charge and woe betide anyone who talked during class! This was always my problem, for which Miss Dunne awarded me my one and only detention!
Uniforms were de rigueur and the day began with a flag raising ceremony, a hearty rendition of the national anthem, and an orderly procession to classrooms. Although it was wartime they were happy schooldays and I have always been grateful for the broad range of subjects and skills I learned.
It has been enjoyable reviving these memories and I hope former students and other readers will enjoy reading them.
The property now boasts a development of luxury homes known as St. James Park.
Source :
Brighton Historical Society Journal, pages 9 and 10.
Spring 2017. No. 181.