To Lance Liddle
So, Mr. Liddle, you wish to know whether any of the old Central School staff are still around? Well, here’s one who is still alive and kicking! Art Teaching was the game
Don Johnson is the name! Not to be confused with the American film star of “Miami Vice” fame. Being older, I had the name before him but he got all the money!
On the other hand, he never had the honour of being on the staff of Jarrow Central School, which I myself did, for eight years from the beginning of September 1948. I’ve always had a soft spot for Jarrow Central since then. All you little first years, now in your late 60’s and in honourable retirement, who started there on that same day should know that it was also the very first day of my teaching career and I couldn’t have started at a better school.
Never mind the advanced age of the building and the lack of amenities – it is the people in it who give a school its character. I will always remember the family atmosphere, the welcome I was given by Mr. Younson and his staff, and the many friends I made among teachers and pupils.
When, eight years later, I left to go to “that other place” in Field Terrace and later still to a very large comprehensive school, it was never quite the same.
Like hundreds of others, my later training and entry to the teaching profession had been delayed by World War II. So, in 1945, after six years service at sea, I had to go back to college and get myself qualified.
During my first term at Central School, when everything was new, I got the strong impression that nothing was as important as Christmas and the school parties. A lot of work went into the decoration of the school hall and I had many willing helpers.
I remember receiving a deputation of young ladies who invited me to their party – third year I think they were – and when I admitted to knowing nothing at all about dancing, their reply was “Don’t worry Sir, we’ll teach you!” And teach me they did, with perhaps a little help from Mr. Landells, during the dancing lessons leading up to the parties. Thanks to them, I was successfully introduced to the mysteries of the Bradford Barn Dance, the Dashing White Sergeant, the St. Bernard Waltz and several others. I enjoyed their party immensely, and subsequently a number of others.
There must have been a more serious side to the work though, because I still have records, after all these years, of the exam results that my best students obtained. In chronological order, John Ellison came first, although I only taught him for one year since he was in the fifth form during my first year. He was naturally gifted, did well and went on to Sunderland College of Art where he took a National Diploma before being accepted as a student at the Royal College of Art in London, where he achieved an even higher qualification.
Three years later, Peter Glover transferred to Sunderland College of Art and achieved his diploma, followed by Alan Williams and Charles Plant, who both achieved diplomas at Sunderland College of Art, Alan later becoming an Associate of the Royal College of Art after successfully completing his course there.
Others I can remember doing very well in their 5th year art exams were Leslie Hewitson, Pat Seago, Jean Hadden, Joan Francis (outstanding), John Hope, Colin Turnbull, Norman Woodhouse and Anne Ward. Joan Stalker, Billy Ullyart, Sheila Bell and Joan Andrewartha, too, were all outstanding. Brenda White wasn’t bad either, bless her!
During my last two years, Maureen Seago did very well, going on to train in a college of education as a specialist art teacher. Others who did well included Elizabeth Baker (who?), Elsie Dodds, Pat Fleming, Jean McIntosh (yes, her in Australia), Diane Blanche and Pamela Smith.
I’m well aware that there were others who achieved much and whose names are not recorded here. My humble apologies go to all of them.
Since, as in all schools, Art and Design is an optional subject, there were many of you with whom I did not come into contact during your later school years and who may scarcely remember me. Never mind – we were all part of a grand old school. I hope you have all had a share of success and good fortune during your lives and have experienced a lot more happiness than sadness.
Sincerely,
Don Johnson,
85 not out and still batting!
July 2005
Postscript for Elizabeth Baker.
Dear Elizabeth,
Thank you so much for being the only former pupil, so far, who has given me a special mention. And to think that it was all because of rhubarb that I received this honour! I’m thrilled to bits!
Mind you, sir is still going to give you one hundred lines next time he sees you, on the grounds that not once did you ever come to him and offer him a piece of your rhubarb. Shame!
Incidentally, I reckon you are due another hundred for skiving off to Australia without sir’s permission! I had no idea what had become of you, you bad girl.
Don
The photographs – sorry there aren’t more.
1. Joan Francis and Alan Williams in the Art Room at Jarrow Central School; sometime during the early 1950s.
2. Don Johnson out of school in the very early 1950s. As the proud father, I can assure you all that the baby had no connection with anyone at Jarrow Central, except me!
3. Trevor Craven. I can clearly remember Trevor at Jarrow Central as a schoolboy, but was not aware, until I read this piece from the Shields Gazette, that he had joined the Royal Navy.
(See Screen Show for photographs.)