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I was a teacher at
Churchill School from 1972-79. It was my first teaching post,
and in my first year I taught RE. I then went on to teach maths
(which was the subject I had trained in). I became
Teacher/Leader and ran the Youth Wing.
I married Tony Harmer who was also a teacher at the School (now
divorced and reverted to my maiden name).
I had a fantastic form group for 5 years and also taught them
maths.
I have very fond memories of Churchill, pupils and staff. My
lasting memories are the shows which I put on - in fact there is
a picture in your gallery from on of my shows - 'Joseph and the
Amazing Colour Dreamcoat' - isn't that topical! Other
productions - 'Godspell' which I did twice. The first one was
performed for one night only on Friday 13th July 1973. We
changed the name and called it 'Prepare Ye the Way'. This show
changed my life but you are not interested in my autobiography!
I remember the cleaner refusing to do my classroom because she
thought the production was blasphemous! Audrey Brewer played the
piano and uncle Arthur (Arthur Samson) over saw the lighting,
closing his eyes in mock horror! It was such fun, a little risky
but I remember all the pupils with such fondness - it was very
special.
'Prepare ~Ye the Way' was followed a year later with 'Joseph and
the Technicolour Dreamcoat', then 2 years later by 'A Chorus
Line'. (renamed 'Audition'). By now the Youth Club was involved
and we were running for 3 nights. The final performances of the
productions included dinner in cabaret style - no mean feat of
operation, including bringing trolley loads of cutlery and
crockery from the canteen. Becoming more adventurous we wrote
our own musical '1983', based on George Orwell's book 1984.
Finally we did another production of 'Godspell'. The productions
involved much blood sweat and tears from everyone but they were
a fantastic experience and thank you to everyone who contributed
to them, staff and pupils.
I am also very proud of the fact that I organised the float and
won the Westerham Gala (1974 I think).
Churchill School was a very special community and I congratulate
you on organising the website and activities and keeping it
alive. I remember very pupils by name in my later career but I
remember very clearly many of the pupils at Churchill - the
good, the bad and the outrageous!
What happened to me - well I went on to the top of my career and
then by a fluke met up with Caroline Webster, stalwart and
performer in many of the shows, we have now have our own company
'Dramatic Media' and write and produce drama films for education
- you can see that the power of drama in education has never
left me!
I would love to hear from any one who was involved in the shows
- I have photos of the winning Gala float and the shows, too
many for the website. If there is enough interest how about
doing a 'shows reunited' and include an exhibition of photos?
I hope this is of some interest.
Best wishes
Carol Laslett
julie@dramaticmedia.net
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