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The first Headmaster - Father Cuthbert Smith, now a young octogenarian, has sent the following few brief reminiscences from his sick bed –
“I think the best that I can do is to write a sort of little history of the beginnings. The building which is now part of the new wing was not finished in time for the school to commence at the advertised date of September 18th, 1926. As there were only 14 applicants for admission we began with one form in a room in the house, which was formerly the domestic chapel. Most of the boys were eleven years old and most came from the Sacred Heart convent. A few of them were non-Catholics. With myself there were Fr. Charles and Mr. Edwin Rose B.A. The usual subjects were taught and we shared the work between us. As most of the boys were convent trained we had a very good type of boy - children whose parents could afford to give them a Secondary education.
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Notice of the death of Fr. Cuthbert
was received on July 10,
after going to press.He was in his 82nd year and
the 36th year of his priesthood.
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By Christmas the school was ready for occupation. In January we had 29 pupils and by Easter we had 50. Each term the number grew and we were soon hard pressed for space. The Community refectory was first commandeered and later a large room that had been the Novitiate for the Society. The lay staff was increased by the addition of Messrs. Wilson, McCue and Wakeford. Fr. Howard (not then ordained) took over the physical training and gymnastic work. I well remember the first display in the Harrow Weald Memorial Hall and what a success it was. A yearly play was then introduced - the first was "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The following year the school produced the "Knight of the Burning Pestle" for the late Father Osmund's Silver Jubilee in the Kodak Hall. We had an excellent music master in Mr. Rose, who played the organ and trained the choir. The staff were loyal and gave of their best, which is why, on looking back I cannot remember any real difficulties. Examinations were always a worry, but if you care to look through the results you will agree that there were times when we had nothing to be ashamed of.
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