Old Salvatorians Association

1926 - 2001: SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SALVATORIAN COLLEGE

The Salvatorians came to Wealdstone in 1901 and in the following years devoted their time, energy and whatever little money was available, to establishing the parish dedicated to St Joseph. It was not until 1926 that the Community was large enough to consider the opening of a school and, on 20th September with Fr Cuthbert Smith SDS as Headmaster (1926-1937), thirteen boys were accepted as the first pupils. One of them describes this occasion in the following account: "One of our first lessons I recall was Latin, an entirely new and unknown subject as far as I was concerned, and then Tony Carter, very sure of himself, declined 'Mensa', I was immediately bewildered-he might as well have been reciting a Chinese limerick so far as I was concerned". "Owing to the fact that we played sport on Wednesday afternoons we had to attend school on Saturday mornings-what would the boys of today think of that?" Fr Brendan Keogh SDS who was in the Wealdstone Community, also wrote about the early days: "It was in that same September that the Grammar School opened. Of course, although obvious preparations for the building were strewn everywhere, there was no school. On the ground floor of the original house, looking out towards the road was a bay window, in the bay of which stood the altar of the community chapel. This altar and the other furniture had to be dismantled and removed upstairs to make way for the boys who were to be the nucleus of the new school. There in that tiny room a literal handful of boys began to make the history of the Salvatorian College. Their faces are still before me as I write, and the sound of their voices reciting Latin and German declensions in fancy still assails my ears" "In order to join the school building to the house, the gable wall and part of the roof had to be removed. It was just bad luck that the attic was thus left open to the sky and a very nice view of Kodak and Harrow School. Of course, every cloud has its silver lining, and October, like September was warm and dry. November was neither, and the best that can be said of December was that whilst never warm, it was not always wet" Months passed, pupils increased in number and the new building was completed. Before the second school year started the numbers had increased to about eighty, the first school magazine had been published and the Houses of Gabriel and Francis had been founded. The older Old Boys will remember, and the newer be surprised, that Gabriel's colour was gold and that of Francis an uninspiring brown. These colours remained until years later when two other Houses were founded, and Gabriel changed to Royal Blue, Francis to Gold, Campion to Red and Becket Purple. Shortages in the years following the war caused Becket to change to Green, purple dye being difficult to obtain. The years that followed were years of growth and change. The number of pupils grew and there was both a Preparatory School 8-11 years as well as a Senior School, 12-16 years. In 1942 a reinforced concrete hall was built to the rear of the school, which was to serve as an assembly hall and gymnasium. It was known as the Xavier Hall, after Fr Xavier Howard who was then headmaster (1937-1947). In order to meet the growing demand for places, further building was undertaken. Fr Thomas Hennessey came in 1947 as Headmaster and, in 1951, the new '51 block' as it was known, was blessed and opened by Cardinal Griffin. As the years passed, it was obvious that the buildings would need to be extended, especially as the decision was taken to move the College from the private fee-paying sector into the State Education System. Fr Thomas remained as Head until 1961, when he was succeeded by Fr Dominic Crilly SDS, who was to be the last Salvatorian Head. In February 1961, the College became a two entry Voluntary Aided Grammar School. The Prep School closed down and the building programme- completed in 1964-enabled the size of the College to be increased to three-form entry. The age range was now 11-18 years and the number of pupils on the roll was six hundred. Further changes in the local education system led to the College being forced to change its character when in 1977 the Sixth Form was moved to become part of St Dominic's Sixth Form College and the College became a 12-16 years Comprehensive. Fr Dominic retired in 1981 to be succeeded by Mr John Montgomery, the first lay Head Teacher. There were difficulties for a while, as the new system took shape, but the reputation of the Salvatorian College was well known and appreciated by parents. Mr John Montgomery retired in 1987 to be succeeded by Mr Kevin Wehrle. As the national education system changed, the College sought for and obtained Grant Maintained Status in 1993, which brought about, yet again, a change in the age of admission from 11-16 years. A change of Government brought about the demise of Grant Maintained Schools and in 1999 the College became, once again, a Voluntary Roman Catholic High School for boys. Mr Kevin Wehrle, who was to guide the fortunes of the College through these years of change retired in 1999 to be succeeded by Mr Andrew Graham, the present Head. As the College celebrates its 75th anniversary, all concerned look to the future with confidence. The past years have seen many changes and doubtless there will be more in the years ahead. The Salvatorian spirit has been present throughout these years, and the anniversary is a great tribute to those who have made this possible. Let us look forward to the next 25 years and the continuation of Fr Francis Jordan's hope: "That all may know the Saviour" This article appeared in the St Joseph's Parish, Wealdstone Booklet, "100 Years Centenary 1901-2001"