'Our Space’ aims to build a complete picture of the school community: from past pupils, to delivery drivers, from governors to belly dancers! Images and measurements will be collected using a specially constructed photo booth, the ‘Our Space’ card or this website.

Sculptor Will Nash and photographer Anthony Carr, will then turn this information into new artworks, one of which will be installed in the school grounds in March.

Progress will be regularly updated here, and at Will's online sketchbook

Tuesday 26 June 2007

Memory Bank

Do you have a memory or story about Willingdon Community School you would like to share? We hope to build an online memory bank, to compliment the visual picture of the school community that is being created by artists Will Nash and Anthony Carr. Your contributions will be available through this site for others to read.

It is really easy to add your memory or story -

1.Click on 'comment' link underneath this post, this will take you to a new page.
2.Type your story in the box labelled 'leave your comment'.
3.You will be asked to type in the letters you see on screen, this is to ensure our site is not deliberately damaged.
4.If you would like to be contacted about the project, including future exhibitions, please sign in. Your details will not be shared with anyone else. If you would prefer to keep your identity secret, please chose the 'anonymous' option.

All the comments are moderated. This means someone from the project team will read them, to ensure there is no inappropriate content, before posting them on the internet. This may take a few days, so keep checking back to see yours appear.

If you have any questions, please email Marina Castledine: mcastledine@willingdon.e-sussex.sch.uk

Further Memories of the school from current students can be read on the Our Space Story Competition pages

Competition Prize Winners
Further Entries

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

In the past I have contributed to a Drama Project in the Hearing Impaired Unit, helping a deaf student achieve GCSE Drama.
I also gave mime and mask workshops for the After School Drama Club, including the same deaf student.
In 2000/1 two other drama students took part in our Round Robin Theatre production and tour of "Pow-Wow" and more recently Round Robin performed "On The Wing" in the Drama studio and conducted a workshop for GCSE drama students.
Pat Keysell - Compass Community Arts

Anonymous said...

In my first year at Willingdon I had a fire in my room. It was not long after the start of a year 11 lesson when I was told 'there is a fire under the desk'. When I looked there was a sheet of flame. All students had to leave and one of them was delighted to be asked to legitimately press the fire bell. The fire was not serious but left quite a mess.

Anonymous said...

Teaching martial arts has been a pleasure due to the amazing friendliness and support of everyone at Wilingdon Community School- espcially Andy Webb. Setting up your own business is daunting enough as it is, and your help has been invaluable. A huge thanks also to the cleaners who make it a safe place for the children! Thanks for all your hard work and I look forward to working with the school next term!
With Respect, Miss Fisher

kathryn said...

Here are a few of the Stories that have been collected in the post box over the summer.

"An interesting time spent as governor, during the early years of independent management. I was involved with personnel, premises as well as taking a special interest in geography teaching. At the age of 50 years, I tried to make a come back as a basketball player, whilst playing for staff versus pupils. Lacking fitness, I struggled, and now content myself with refereeing."
Former Governor and Parent

"Damage to school in 1987 hurricane. Students who did make it to school that morning helping to catch the rabbits that had escaped that night. Willingdon really did become “Willingdon Community School” that day. We learnt about many feelings that day concern for other people, shock, community spirit, destruction, rebuilding to name but a few all at the tender age of 13."
Former Student

"I remember our epic journey to North Wales for our geology/geography field trip 1987. We were all crammed into an ancient yellow minibus with our luggage piled high around our ears (no seat belts in those days!) With a top speed of around 49 miles per hour (downhill), it took a tortuous 9 hours! At one point we had to pull over on the motorway to mend a puncture. The week in Wales turned out to be a fantastic experience!"
Former Student

"In recent times I’ve been lucky enough to be amongst the first to see and hear about exciting and innovative arts projects at the school in my capacity as a journalist - but my alternative memory is of playing Stoolball in the playing field two years ago. I dropped a catch, batted really badly and my sister was hit in the face fielding a ball….but I think we won – so in one way at least it is a warm memory."
Wider Community

"I am a passionate arsenal fan! In 2006 arsenal were in the Champion’s League final in Paris. Our head is a Spurs supporter and he agreed to authorise leave for me to go to the final if I could get tickets ( not allowed in term time usually)…….generously?.......sorry no! He wanted me to be there when Arsenal lost their dream!! And he was right!......we lost! I write this so students can read about the ‘human’ side to teachers!! x"
Teacher

"Have been here for over 20 years now I have many stories to tell but the one that stands out is the great storm of ‘87. Oct 16th 1987. Arriving at the school I saw damage everywhere smashed windows parts of roof in the playground etc. So for the next few days myself and the other caretakers (J Stanley) were clearing up the rubbish, removing debris from the school building and as there were holes in the Gym roof moping up the gym of water by sending the water down the stairs to save the gym floor and the rooms below from being flooded. I have a certificate of recognition for my efforts hanging in my office, which was presented to me in front of the whole school."
Support Staff

"In my first term at the school as Headteacher I was invited to go in the lead group on the sponsored walk. It was a foggy morning on the downs and on our was to butts brow my group were so lost that we never made the first checkpoint and in the end walked 12 miles rather than the planned 10. An inauspicious start as a Headteacher!!"
Staff

"One evening on a hot and--------night we were industriously involved in upholstering techniques. Unexpectedly the coffee-break bell started ringing, again and again. So absorbed were we in our activities that no one wanted a break. We carried on. Later we saw groups of people outside and realised that it was the fire bell…
….but we are all still here unsinged!!"
Adult Education Student