Greenhill Grammar school, Oldham

Page 18 of 21

continuityshield.gif

 

The Odyssey of Room 10

On the sixth of September returned we to school.
We had to, you see, this being the rule;
Nothing had changed during six weeks Vac,
We had no trouble finding our way back.

We were in good form; yes this was 4L.
There were Hill, Price and Pownall and others as well.
We come into battle with subjects obtuse,
Which we certainly hope will have good future use.

Mr. Thompson, our master, our leader and friend,
Will keep us in hand, directing our end,
To successes and triumphs when G.C.E. comes,
And maybe perhaps one or two future Dons.

With thirty-two scholars, six of them males,
The rest of them girls to tell us their tales,
So let us all listen each one to the other,
And grow up together like sister and brother.

We've made a good start everyone all,
We're keeping our eye and hand on the ball;
And ten months from now if we're still alive,
Our next epistle will be from form five.

 

 

The School

 

Many fellow students, I am sure, have come daily to this fine educational establishment for many years and have not noticed that they are privileged to walk in one of the gems of early twentieth century architecture.

Let us first take a look at one of the classrooms.  I take for an example Room 14.  As we enter, the first thing that strikes us is a shower of paint flaking from the walls.  The second outstanding feature of the room is the ceiling or rather lack of it, for in one corner there is a hole in the ceiling, giving a fine view of the roof construction.

It may be noticed that in every room there is a fireplace, the usefulness of which is not apparent, but on further examination it may be seen that these are put there by some insight of the architect to serve as ventilated waste-paper baskets.

Right at the very top of the school, or should I say at the peak of learning, stands a modern addition to the building.  It is the Cookery Room, sometimes referred to as the Temple because of the number of burnt offerings which are found there.  To be fair, however, it is usually the place from which issue delicious odours to tantalise those who partake of school dinners.

From the windows of the second floor a panoramic view is open to our eyes giving a sight of such historic gems as the gasworks on the hill, the Star Corn Mill and that dear friend, now alas no longer with us, the Central Mill.

There is also the latest extension, the males' ablutions which, while under construction, filled us with wonder and amazement.  How could it take so many men so long to build such a small place?

On reflection, however, it seems that this building we occupy is wasted on education.  Should it not be put to the service of the community and rebuilt as a grand two-storey Bingo Parlour?  A worthy place in society for such a fine building.

Edward Lees, 5 Sc.