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Mrs M. Richards, first school secretary
Throughout his many years as headmaster, Mr Holmes operated without a secretary. He would only have been willing to use clerical assistance if a man was employed. He asserted on more than one occasion that his school was no suitable place for a young woman, and especially as female clerical assistants were usually appointed at ages varying from 17 to 25 or 26. He still held this view in the post-war years, even though many female teachers had helped to keep the school running during the war.
Following the recommendation of HMIs that the headmaster would benefit from clerical assistance, Mrs M. Richards was appointed school secretary in July 1949 and commenced her duties in September. She remained at the school until 1958.
Teacher training and recruitment
The immediate national post-war shortage of teachers led to the introduction of an emergency teacher-training scheme, which saw many colleges established for the purpose of providing an intensive one-year training course for would-be teachers. Some of those appointed to St Gregory’s at this time, and later, had been trained under this scheme.
Among the staff appointed in the late 1940s were Mr Thomas Fitzpatrick (again), Mr René Travers, Mr Robert Berken, Mr Terence Sheridan, Mr James O’Malley, Mr Tony Smith, Mr Mike Peers and Mr Bernard Gorton, most of whom would give many years of loyalty and service to St Gregory’s and who would hold important posts. These were followed, in 1950, by Mr Denis Brannan and Mr Bernard Clough.
Mrs Clare Holmes, R.I.P.
Following a short illness, Mrs Holmes, wife of the headmaster, died in October 1949, aged 56. She had been on the staff since 1942. Among the mourners paying their respects at her Requiem Mass were a number of boys and staff.
Departure of Mr Rocca
Mr Ambrose Rocca resigned his post at St Gregory’s and took up his duties as headmaster of the all-age Holy Name School, Chorlton-on-Medlock, in November 1949.
Staff, 1940s
Among the staff who taught at the school in the 1940s were:
Ordnance Survey, 1950
Although published in 1950, this map of Ardwick shows the school and its surroundings as they appeared in the post-war years. Note the differences from the 1932 map. There are more open spaces as a consequence of slum clearance. The three houses at the eastern end of Ardwick Green North have been demolished, as have the properties along the west of Higher Ardwick. These open spaces would eventually be incorporated into the school’s extension towards the end of the 1950s. The Corporation Yard would also, eventually, become part of the schoolyard. Note also the absence of tramways, the last Manchester Corporation tram having had its final run in 1949. By 1949, a roundabout had been constructed at the intersection of the five main roads.
Plan of the school, post-war era
The Church Inn, Ardwick Green North, 1950
The church of St Thomas can be seen in the background. Both places were very busy in former times when many people lived in the district. The pub was a popular drinking place at lunchtimes for local businessmen and workers, as well as in the evenings when cinema and theatre-goers dropped in either before or after performances.
St Aloysius’ Church
Sited not far from the school, the church played a significant part in the lives of young Gregorians. Its parish priests included the following: Fr Henry Roche, 1907-40; Fr Herbert Bolger, 1940-44; Fr Charles O’Mahoney, 1944-49, and Fr. Joseph Houston from 1949. During the war a stick of bombs had fallen across the parish without loss of life.
Example of a pupil’s report, December 1950
Note the brevity of the report and almost complete absence of written comment. No positions in class are given for each subject. This format had probably existed for many years.
School trip, 1950
This photograph was donated by former pupil Graham Horner, who wrote:
“This was the first foreign trip after the war led by Mr René Travers with Messrs Smith, Brannan, Peers, Andrew, O’Brien etc. We stayed in a convent in Paris. Mixed years 1st to 5th forms. We left from London Road station.”
School trip, early 1950s
Staff includes Mr Fred Andrew, Mr Mike Peers and Mr Harry O’Brien.
Belle Vue Stadium
This photograph, which dates from the mid-1950s, features the opening ceremony of the All-England Schools Athletics Championships and shows aspects of Belle Vue Stadium which would have been familiar to Gregorians and thousands of other Manchester schoolchildren.
From 1947 until 1951, the school competed in the annual Manchester Schools’ sports which were held at Belle Vue usually in June or July. The school would close for the afternoon, thereby enabling both competitors and spectators to travel to the venue.
Mr Joseph Clark, R.I.P.
Affectionately known as “Jos” by the boys, Mr Clark died in January 1951 after being seriously ill for some time. He was 59.
End of an era
The resignation of the headmaster on 31st January 1951 brought the “Wilfrid Holmes era” to an end. Mr Ambrose Rocca, aged 40, replaced him as headmaster the following day. With the passing of Mr Clark and the resignation of Mr Holmes just days later, Mr Ted Corney was now the only remaining teacher from those whose service at the school had commenced in September 1923. Mr Holmes – who had been an exceptional visionary, educational leader and immensely hard-working head – was three weeks short of his 64th birthday at the time of his retirement.
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