The Queen’s School (Rheindahlen )Association
REUNION NEWS
REUNION 2009
The 2009 reunion did take place on the 19th September as planned. Although 42 people had stated their intention of attending there were six late cancellations leaving some 36 attendees.
A few members came early and took advantage of the “tea & scones” while catching up on “gossip” since the last reunion. A table had been set aside for displaying memorabilia and
Sally had arranged for the display of some photographs. There was a lot of interest in copies of the school magazine from the 50’s and 60’s and Stephen Harris had photocopied some of these and arranged for each attendee to have copies. The buffet was opened about 7 o’clock by which time most members were becoming hungry and the food was well received by those present both for its quality and the quantity. There was still a lot left at the end of the evening!
At the suggestion of Peter Williams several speakers were asked to give a short five minute account of their time at Queen’s School. Peter started with an account of his days as the school was opened in 1955. He related how the pupils had to attend lessons in the Army education accommodation until the new school buildings were opened. Interestingly one teacher he recalls was John Stallwood who was still there some ten years later. Brian Airey talked about the early 1960’s and, in particular, gave an account of a trip to Israel led by Padre Sellars. Linda Hunt also spoke about her time during this period before Sue Farmer spoke about the oft forgotten “Lower School”. Sue was one of those who experienced both the lower and the upper school while many of us did not remain in the area long enough. There followed an unusual account of his time at Queen’s by Stuart Smith who did not seem to have the same fond memories of the school as others who spoke. Paul Sieloff gave an account of the school in the 70’s before Lindsey Gwynne and Karen Oates gave their impressions of the school in 1975-
The talks prompted others to relate memories and also helped recall names of people we knew but had possibly forgotten -
The general view at the end of the evening was that another reunion should take place in Rheindahlen before the school closes and the committee would keep in touch with the school’s head teacher to try to arrange a suitable date to coincide with a function at the present school to mark the school’s closing.
More photos from the 2009 Reunion:
