As you drive towards the main campus of Falmouth University sharp modernist buildings fill the skyline. This once grand private estate has now been a place of learning and education for more than 70 years. Since Tremough Convent School closed its doors in 1998 however the old buildings have mostly been swallowed up by new development and forgotten.
The Les Filles de le Croix
The Les Filles de le Croix, a religious order founded in France in 1641, bought Tremough from the Longfield family in June 1943. Alongside their service to God, their mission was to provide girls with the same educational opportunities as boys.
Sister Augustine, one of Tremough’s last surviving Sisters, always felt that teaching was her special calling. “I just loved it, the Sisters were well trained you see and very dedicated.”
When the school opened rationing was at its height and it only succeeded through the sheer determination and resourcefulness of the Sisters and the formidable Mother Patricia.
Transforming the former mansion of Tremough House into a functioning school was a mammoth task. The grand bedrooms were converting into classrooms, the ballroom into the chapel and the old stable block was made into the first dormitories.
When the first pupils arrived rationing meant feeding them was a challenge. The Sisters established orchards, greenhouses and vegetable gardens and soon the school had a constant supply of fresh produce. This tradition of ‘grow-your-own’ for the school dinner table continued into the 1980s, although it seems it was not always popular with the girls.
“The school lunches were terrible” says Stephanie Paddy who attended Tremough from 1958. “I remember being served beetroot which they grew in the walled garden, Sister Vincent tried to make me eat it by saying it would make my cheeks nice and rosy, I have a dislike of beetroot even now.”
Another former pupil Lesley Treloar joined the school as a day girl, cycling from the nearby village of Mabe. “Rhubarb deserts used to feature an awful lot because the grounds were pretty much covered by it, I have hated rhubarb ever since.”
The food aside, the school was an instant success. The Falmouth Packet reported in September 1944 that several of the girls had won national awards and that Tremough was welcoming more pupils than ever. That success continued throughout the school’s lifetime.
“There were small classes you see” Sister Augustine tells me with pride, “I could take girls out for a one to one help, I was quite good at that”.
Lesley thinks that being a Tremough girl certainly opened doors for her in job interviews. “I believe I had a great education. They were strict for sure and didn’t stand any nonsense but it wasn’t unkind . . . I can remember [they] just taught you a lot of respect for your elders and authority, which is not a bad thing . . . it has shaped me into a strong character.”
Much of the school day was structured around the Catholic faith, the girls recited the ‘Hail Mary’ throughout the day, regularly visited statues of saints found in the grounds to pray and were expected to wear hats and gloves at all times.
Sister Augustine, originally from Ireland, entered her religious life at just 16 and puts the strictness down to the Sister’s own educations “It comes from our background I suppose as Irish Catholics we were kind of strict but we certainly did the best we possibly could for the girls, everything was for them.”
Sister Augustine smiles as she tells me about the girls swimming on hot days in the ornamental pond in the Italian garden. “It was fun here for the girls, they did have a lot of freedom too.”
The school eventually closed when many of the Sisters became too old to teach and funding dried up. The last 6 remaining Sisters now live together in Bethany House, Falmouth and still work enthusiastically in the community.
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Did you go to Tremough? My cousin went there in the 60s and I went there with my sister in the 70s. When I left in 1980 it was still going strong.
No I didn’t actually I went to the Duchy Grammar in Carnon Downs 🙂
I joined in 89 and my most fondest memory was candle lit prayer groups on the front stair with Sisters Thomas and Rose. I was by no means religious but being so young and far from home I found them very comforting
I was there 1955-1958.
Claire Beauchamp? You were planning to be a violinist? I think maybe we overlapped in your last year and my first? We were in Lower fourth together I think?
Tremough was my first school in 1959. I was only there for one year as dad was in the Navy, but yo never forget your first teacher do you? Mine was Sister Vincent who had rosy red cheeks. I remember the little swimming pool and the chickens, and the lovely views across the valley. I still have a photo of me in my tartan skirt, blazer & beret.
I remember sister Vincent.. and Sister Martina and sister Eugenie..
I was there for 4 years.. beautiful place it was…
I walked up the driveway every morning from penryn bus stop.. past all the beautiful rhodedendrons..
Such memories..
Jan
Fascinating article – one of my ancestors (Barwis, I think) started a school there in the 1700’s possibly? They had a school in Penair House, Penzance, and then moved to Tremough. Visited Tremough about 20 yrs ago, and was very kindly shown around by the nuns there.
Really enjoyed reading this, lovely post
I love the mandatory gloves. I remember wearing them to dancing school, going downtown shopping and on airplanes!
Beth, more info for you
…. just heard this from my friend and boarder Deborah Bent…. “article was very interesting. We actually said the Angelus at 12 noon and 6pm, was this mistaken for Hail Marys? Do you remember how Sister Margaret Mary and sister Martina would offer lessons up to God when it was more important to teach English than the RE on the timetable? And if we heard an ambulance siren we offered up a prayer for those inside. I still do that now even though I am not particularly religious.”
My sister and brother inlaw Veronica and Michael Bojko lived in a cottage in the grounds near the convents chickens. Mike was one of the gardeners. His children went to the school. Due to Ill health he had to leave . I remember sister Martina. On Easter Sunday she would bring small Easter eggs there was always some for me. I also remember the dog called Cora. She was a dulux type.
I remember beautiful Cora the Old English Sheep dog she was there in the 60’s. When she died there were no more dogs
Hi yes…I remember sister Martina… sister Eugene… sister Vincent..
I had to wear my uniform and Panama hat and gloves and blazer and thick tights and lace up shoes..
Caught in town with an ice cream wearing my uniform…I was disgraced at assembly for that
Jan
I must have been there at the same time as yourself around 1958-60 as I remember all 3 nuns especially Sister Eugene who used to go very red in the face when angry! One of my best friends was Lynn Slack and a French girl namely Edwige Do you know if any of them are still alive?
Nicola Watkins-Davies
Hello Nicola! I remember you, I think you were from St Mawes? And I think I remember that you had shiny, dark hair and were very slim and pretty. I was quite jealous! I think you used to be good friends with Clare Graham. I don’t know anything about Edwige, but I am still in regular contact with Lynne Slack, who is now Lynne Phillips. She is very much alive and well and lives in a golfing community in Spain most of the time. I am also in regular contact with Liz Gear, now Liz Hanley, who still lives in Coverack! I now live in Vermont in the northern U.S. with my husband of 47 years.
I remember our revolting school meals. Spam and soft crisps for Christmas meal, stale cornflakes and no pudds (the best thing about any of the meals) on feast days. “Fly pie” and “jelly babies” in the poor sausages.
I wasn’t a Catholic nor religious (still not), so attending Mass and benediction was a necessary chore. However I remember a new girl arriving who played the guitar and sang brilliantly – it changed everything as we were able to sing uplifting hymns/songs!
Not sure where the ‘small classes’ were?! We were 30 in a class and usually stretched across all abilities for majority of lessons which was a challenge for some.
I think the discipline was good as it enabled us to push the boundaries so was character building. I didn’t like injustices – nor lies, which some nuns displayed traits.
The best thing about the school was the friendships I forged and still have 35+ years after leaving.
I left around 1980-81.
Hi are you Lisa I’m Sarah also left in 81
Nice article but I’m sure they were still teaching in 1993. And closed the doors later…possibly 1999 after the governor’s took over!
I must be the only one who loved the school dinners! I loved the sausages, lasagne and doughnuts and I really loved the bread and jam the boarders got at the end of the school day. I have to agree though – I didn’t like the beetroot at all and still don’t today! (Pupil in the 80’s)
Lasagne?? Doughnuts?? Are we talking about the same school :-/
I used to teach there under the formidable Mother Francis, followed by M.Eugene.
Beetroot was definitely served at the teachers lunches too!
Hello Barbara
I was at Tremough as a boarder between 1967-69 when Mother Francis was headmistress. I remember being one of the few pupils left at the school during the holidays and she called me into her office and gave me a lecture about the importance of education and going to university. I’ve never forgotten it. So here I am in Australia many years later, teaching Anthropology students at a University. Maybe this was all before your time, but I do remember Mother Francis very well.
Hi Rita
I started at Tremough in 1969 aged 4. My mum had just died and dad thought it would be a good place for me to be!
I remember Mother Francis, she was always so kind to me and gave me a boiled sweet every day.
I have been trying to find out some more about the convent and thought I had found out it was now a hotel, but that’s somewhere else. I have some memories but wasn’t sure of the exact location. I remember the pool very well.
I would love to hear from you or anyone else that can help me with my memories
Thank you Erica
Hi Erica, we were boarders together and we were in the blue angel dorm. I was 5 to your 4. You came to my home for my birthday party one June! Tremough is now part of the university(Tremough campus) I was Melanie Tonkin then.
Melanie Tonkin,
Sorry only just seen your message, and now it won’t let me reply directly to you. (sorry Rita)
That’s brilliant that you remember so much and how lovely that we were friends.
I have seen photos of the campus, how sad, I remember a calm, peaceful place, guess it’s not like that now!!
I hope you are well in these crazy times.
Thank you for replying and again sorry for the late reply. Take care, Erica x
I was a boarder there, and I remember Cora the Big Sheep Dog..
Swimming in the pool with the frogs, and making sure you kept your mouth shut incase you swallowed one !!!
I use to love going to the grotto.
Walking into town in crocodile with our gloves and hats on.
Our skirts had to touch the floor when kneeling down, anthing above was considered indecent !
Rice pudding, fab , Tabioca ugh.
Hi Val, I agree with all your comments and I remember you! Tremough was so formative, never to be forgotten
I remember Tremough in the late 1950s and 1960s. The Nuns sold the flowers to pupils. I was a day girl, the camillias were seven shillings and six pence a bunch, snowdrops one shilling. Sister Vincent, sister Eugene, Sister Gertrude, Sister Martina, Sister Carmel, Sister Aquinas were there at that time. After all these years I still remember all the girls names as well. I remember the cloak room as you came in and having to change from our out door shoes into our indoor shoes, lining up in the Hall before lunch to say the Angelus, and going to the Chapel after lunch. Does any one remember the Elocution Exams, and the parents days when they opened the Italian Gardens.
Also the wonderful wooden rocking horse, and soaking the willows for our basket weaving in the fish Pond.
Wonderful memories, thank you for sharing!
Hi Vanessa I was there for a short time in the late 1960s. I certainly remember changing into our indoor shoes and going down the steps to the classrooms, I jumped down them one day (disgraceful !) and slipped on the mat at the bottom of them and slid into the statue of Our Lady, knocked her off her pedestal where she smashed into many pieces !! My family and I would go to Sunday mass each week and Christmas midnight mass each year.
My mum who has recently passed was a boarder at tremough possibly 1950 to 1960 She was with her twin sister their names were Rosemary and Anne McMahon. She used to tell us stories of her time at St Claire and Tremough. Would love to see if anyone knew them.
I’m sorry to hear of your mum’s passing. I was at Tremough as a boarder from 1958-1963, and I remember Rosemary and Anne McMahon well. They arrived after I did, so maybe 1960? They were either identical twins, or looked very much alike, but I remember them as being very different in personality. I hope your aunt is doing well.
Lynne Metheny-Leib
I remember buying flowers, my Mum loved the camellias. I also remember picking blackcurrants in the walled garden.
I was wondering if any one could help me.During my time at Tremough, the pupils were encouraged to take Elecution Exams. There were two poems in my Exam Bambi and the second one was about Blue Bells, does any one remember them? Also can anyone remember which Elecution board was used, I believe it was the same board that Truro girls school used.
Vanessa, I believe it was RADA. I only did one elocution exam, in my first year there in Form Two, but can still recite the two speeches now! (Shakespeare’s King John, and The MIll on the Floss.)
My name was Caroline Jones, and I was a day girl from 1960 to 1966. The Board for Elocution was the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
Does anyone remember me?
Think I do did your parents have a camp site?
Vanessa, I cannot remember the poems, but the board with the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art – I was Caroline Jones
I think this is the Bluebells poem you mean, I remember doing it for elocution too!
https://www.poetrynook.com/poem/bluebells
Did anyone come from Kerris Vean & remember the annual “Shows” at the Princess Pavilion?I was only there from 1948-52 but remember many of the girls & several of the Sisters! And have some v funny photos of us as sailors, flower fairies, mermaids etc!
I don’t remember the shows at the Princess Pavillion, but I do remember the shows the Nuns and pupils put on in the gym of the upper school. The older girls done a very good piece on the charge of the light brigade, the younger girls were dancing as bee’s, lovely costumes.
It would be lovely if you could post the photos.
Contemporaries at Kerris Vean were… Jenny Adlington, Angela Kelly, Valerie Dabbs, … did any of them go on to Tremough? I was only there for a term but have been searching for Kerris Vean, which seems to have been airbrushed from history!
Also Jacqui Dell, Janet Martin, Susan Swift… but all at Kerris Vean, so you may not know any of them? Esp as this was 1948!!
I have never heard of Kerris Vean, could you tell me more about it please? The Tremough girls in the 1960s were, Anita, Margret and Carmen Smuda,from Penryn. Caroline and Elizabeth Taylor from Mabe.Moira Barnes, Paddy Banks, and Susan Bagnell from Truro. Donnet Fairbank from St Mawes. Linda Bailey from Falmouth. Jenifer and Susan Hurbert from the Norway Inn,. Loveday and Chloe House. Mary White, Judith Polkinghorn from Restronget. We also had 3 boys until they were 10yrs old, Jamie and Martin Biscoe, Dr Biscoes son’s. There was also a young man from Falmouth called Hingston.
I recognise some of the names you mention here, my memory isn’t brilliant but I do remember going to Carmen’s birthday party in Penryn. I was friends with Alison Tyler, Catherine Attlee and Susan Spring. I came from Redruth and our school bus was an old London taxi, about 8 of us used to bounce around in the back before seat belts, taking a convuluted route collecting everyone going to Tremough. I was Alison Randall then. I must have loved Tremough as I remember begging my parents to stay on as a boarder when our family moved to South London
Gloria Kelly, Alison Roberts, the Symonds twins, Angela Lovett, the Simmonds twins. Sister Margaret Mary, Mother Francis, Sister Aquiinas, Sister Martina. Loveday House, Carmed Smuda.
Hi,I was Jackie Dell, now Jackie Greenwood, living in New Zealand with 2nd husband. I’ve only just found this website. I was at St Teresa’s School, now Penmere Manor Hotel, from 1949, then on to Tremough until 1960, when I transferred to Falmouth County High School for Girls. I remember you Judith, especially when you broke your leg! I remember a few others, Janet Martin and her sister Carol, Susan Swift, and others. I remember Sister Martina, Sister Eugene, Sister Vincent and others. Does anyone know who Sr Martina married? I believe she still lives in Cornwall (though she would be about 90 now I guess!)
Kerris Vean was the Primary department in immediate post war years, I think… with many of the sisters who later ended up at Tremough, from a quick look at their FB page… Sr Eugene & so on..
It was in a house once belonging to the Fox family & now part of Falmouth Univ, on Woodlane… & I think the nuns not there for very long as Falmouth School of Art moved in there… even “local historians” I’ve contacted are struggling to find trace of it!! However that was about 70 yrs ago now… so hardly surprising!! I left Cornwall 60 yrs ago, so this is all long distance searching… but maybe one day I’ll find someone who remembers it!!
Many thanks for that, I’ve never heard of it. In my time the primary School was upstairs in the Main house, there were 3 class rooms, the reception was Sister Vincent, who passsed you to Sister Carmel, then on to another Sister whose name escapes me, then to Sister Aquinas whose class room was downstairs next to the Italian gardens and swimming pool. My family are from the penryn, Falmouth area, I will see if I can make some inquiries for you. I remember Sister Eugene she was still there in the 1960s, she taught at the upper school for the Senior girl’s.
Hello Judith. I only recently became aware of this forum.
I remember Kerris Vean very well. I was a pupil there as a small boy in about 1947 and my sisters went to
Tremough (Pat Howard & Sheila Howard). I went on to boarding school in Hereford. Still in touch with some
of the nuns in Torquay.
I am one of the Somerville girls there was three of us Janet Daphne and Agnes I remember Pat and Sheila and I think you came in the holidays 1950 -53, regards Daphneo
Thanks… I’ll keep watch for any further posts! Back in the day Sr Eugene was young & hot tempered & used regularly to “make me stand behind the blackboard”… where there were pinned Nature Notes for other classes… sparking my enduring interest in ornithology!! 🙂
Great article, but I don’t think it closed in 1993….I was a pupil there and finished my compulsory education there. In 93′ I would have been 12. I know Tremough went on for a few years after I left too…I think it closed closer to 99′. Many many fond and happy memories of my time there. So sad to see it today, with the old stable block and swimming pool demolished.
I was at Tremough from 1968 to 1974. In fact I’m in that picture, with all the hair, behind the teacher. Sister Eugene was Mother Eugene in my day, after Mother Francis retired. It was under Mother Eugene’s aegis that all the nuns memorably dyed their hair one weekend when we were away. I was Lorraine Senior then. I was always good at English, esepcially under Mrs Soper in the 6th Form, studied it at uni, and am now a novelist and editor.
Vanessa, I did one elocution exam in my first year there (Form Two); I had to do a piece from King John – ‘Must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes?’ and The Mill on the Floss: ‘ “Maggie, Maggie!'” exclaimed Mrs Tulliver, sitting stout and helpless wih the brushes on her lap.’ Never forgotten it!
Val, Cora was still there in my day too. I was a day girl until the Upper Sixth, when my parents moved from Penryn to Plymouth, and I had to board for the last two terms. I have memories of walking the dark school corridor to wake up the dormitories above the gym.
My Mother used to do the nun’s hair out of hours. She owned Pam’s People and Just Hair in Falmouth. My sister were Samantha and Amanda Crisp. I loved Tremough. Avril
I remember Kerris Vean as I lived not far from it in Falmouth. I also remember Mother Stanislaus,Sister Eugene, Sister Benedict, and Sister Aquinas with whom I remained friends for many years. I also remember some e of the pupils you mentioned,but all these were at Penmere before we amalgamated with Trem ough where Mother Bernard was Superior at thevtime. Contemporaries then were Anne Nichols Sonia Job Leo Marshsll, Juliana Tutchier and the Nichols Twins.i was Lyn Thomas in those days. Lyn
Lyn, I am almost sure you lived at the top of Killigrew, opposite All Saints church. I was Janet Seymour, 113 Killigrew.
I was at Tremough from 1964/65 till 1967 when my father was made redundant from Holman’s in Camborne, and we moved to South London.The description of Mother Francis as “formidable” particularly resonated with me as she caned me on the hand. My fault – to be walking upstairs while she was at the top of the stairs with a couple of prospective parents; I was wondering what to do, should I wait on the stairs for them to move or walk through and say “excuse me”. And you know the rest. I needed a book of Tremough etiquette! I asked my parents whether they were told of that incident and the answer was no. I don’t remember the food. My memory of the dining hall is of my left-handed self having my spoon moved silently to my right hand. I still eat correctly. And I hate beetroot, it taints everything else. I was Alison Randall back then
Hello, my name is Patricia Enright. I was a weekly boarder in the early 60’s . To this day I hate beetroot!!
Patricia, I remember you as a very little new girl who was so pretty and shy! I was then one of the older girls, and we didn’t have much to do with the “little ones” unless we were ill, and sent to have “supper with the babies” by Sr Gertrude at six instead of seven. It was a treat for us as the food was better, we though anyway!
Do you remedier Janet Seymour. I married a Norwegian, and live in OSLO.
Janet I do remember you! You were a say girl and lived at the top of the hill leading down towards Falmouth. I spent the day at your house more than once!
Hello Patricia I remember you I was Loretta Hook
Hello my name is Gaye Fisher. My maiden name was Whitwam. I was a day pupil from around 1959. I left after the first year in the sixth for. I remember Mother Francis, Sister Eugene, Sister Aquinas and Sister Marina. I remember most of the girls in my class but not all their names. Hated the lunches which we used to pass over to the boarders who were always hungry. Felt sorry for them seeing the bread and jam for their tea. We were on the bus home to a lovely evening meal. I enjoyed my time there
hi, i was first a boarder when i was about 5(1969) ,i remember my best friend then was Erica Rice and I think we were the youngest weekly boarders there. i believe we were in the blue angel dormitory, in the main house i left after a couple of years and rejoined in 1975 until leaving in 1980 after O levels. i remember Mother Francis ,then mother Eugene,Sr Rose, Sr Ursula.and Sr Margaret Mary and i remember a pyrennean mountain dog called Bergere ! i am still friends with Sara T. 50 years on too ! lots of memories , beautiful old house. food was ok, i think we used to have sausages for breakfast on wednesdays ?
Hi
I also was a border from age 5. Jill Alcock .(1969-1981) Mother Eugene terrified me and used to hit you with her newspaper on top of your head as she walked by (this was not punishment just recognition ,but it still made you duck!!) Sr Rose was the kindest of nuns and used to mother us young borders . I still see her today and she is just the same lovely lady. Sr Maria who was the trend setter especially when hair was allowed to be seen poking out at the front of the veil, oh and of course the court shoes !!!
Such alot of memories beetroot is in there but it was the glut of tomatoes that appeared at every meal in so many different formats. As a boarder we had out tuck boxes which was a weekly treat .
I remember Berger trapping me in a cupboard as i was too scared to come out until one of the nuns rescued me .
I remember sister Eugene before she was mother..
She always scared me and was very strict..
We had potato pie lots of times for lunch..I remember the bell room and lining up there..
A grand old house.
We used to pray a lot…hail Mary’s and the Angeles .
So many memories.
Jan
Tremough closed to pupils in 1998. I was in year 6 at the school when it closed. It was a very sad day.
I have the best memories from my time there.
My Gran, Sylvia Jewell taught at the convent for a while. She taught needlework. Sister Eugine asked my Gran to alter the headress to make it less cumbersome…..possibly 60s to 70s. The nuns visited my Gran’s home in Western Place, Penryn. They used to go into the front room where they could safely remove the headress and alterations could commence. Sister Eugine paid a particular interest in my upbringing, and would enjoy seeing me in my pram when either my mum or Gran walked up to the convent. I can remember in the late 70s being invited to spend the afternoon at Tremough, by which time she was Mother Eugine. My sister came with me, and we were put with a girl, Claire Slade, who thought it was marvellous that we were allowed in Mother Eugine’s garden after supper. We spent time in some classes with Claire, and had supper of Cheese on Toast. Extremely fond memories, and if I think about it I can still see Claire’s face. It was so sad to learn, a number of years ago, that Tremough had closed. Now it is totally unrecogniseable, as is Penryn, sadly.
I was there as a small boy 1967 to 69? I remember Cora the dog (I think)Mother Francis defo and Sister Alloitius (?). Also a wasps nest/bee swarm in the head of the statue on the chapel. A trip to the grotto was a real treat.
Still cant eat beetroot. The smell of boiled cabbage? Simon Tilmouth
I was at Tremough as a boarder from about 1960-1964. My parents were in East Africa and I flew out once a year to see them in the summer holidays, but I had my Grandma and Aunts in Falmouth to see at other holidays. Mother Stanislaus was the superior when I started, then Mother Francis took over. I remember there were 14 Irish nuns: teachers (choir nuns) and domestic nuns who did laundry, cooking etc. . Sr Eugene taught maths, Sr Aquinas biology (any pages on reproduction were glued together!) Sr Martina took us for elocution and English, Sr Cecelia used to supervise play time in the gym after evening prayer, and was in charge of a dormitory. Boarders with me were Susan Mably, Carrie, Anna Coole, Pippa Tomlinson; Frances Flanagan, Marie Solamito etc. One night eight of us had a wonderful midnight feast in one of the private rooms, but we were all in such trouble with Mother Francis that our lives were hell for the rest of the term! By then my parents had left Africa and decided to move to Australia and I surprised them by agreeing to migrate with them, so had the rest of school and University in Western Australia! I had loved Tremough as it had become my home. The food was terrible, especially tough meat,and sardines on toast. But the desserts were okay. We had such fun in summer playing kick the can after supper. Mass and bendicton in the chapel were nice with the incense, and must have sown a seed of spirituality as I have ended up a librarian in theological libraries here in Melbourne. My cousin, Karen, was a day pupil after my time at Tremough, and in 2013, when I visited UK, we had a wonderful nostalgic trip together to Tremough, now a university. The old school is the Uni. admin. area, and looks just the same and we were allowed all over it. They said they had heard it was a school, and they were surprised to meet two ex-pupils! The swimming pool had reverted to a fish pond, the chapel is a conference room, and junior classrooms are lecturers’ offices. I am thrilled to find this blog, well done to everyone for keeping the memory of Tremough alive.
Hello Siobhan I was Loretta Hook I remember you very well, I left a message on the the other Tremough Facebook page asking if anyone had heard from you, I wondered what had happened to you
Hello
I was a boarder from 1958-1963, when I had to return to the U.S. As the only American in the school, I was treated exactly the same as everyone else, after the first few weeks anyway! I remember taking the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts Elocution exams, as well as O levels, and how it seemed like all other life in the school was suspended during exam days. I still have my medals somewhere! I didn’t mind the rhubarb pud, but loathed the tapioca, which we called “frog’s spawn”. One day at lunch Sr Vincent overheard me say it “smelled like cat’s pee” and made me sit there half the afternoon until I ate it! Remember getting all dressed up for the Christmas party, having a lovely spread of party food, and dancing with each other in the gym? I am still in touch with Liz G and Lynne S, and would love to hear from others from my era! I have many, many fond memories, including taking my two young daughters to visit in about 1983. It seemed very much the same, including the uniforms, and they really wanted to attend, but I was certainly not sending them from the U.S.! I remember in particular Kelsay GH, Mary G, Sylvia and Vicky B, Michelle and Rowan MG, Vicky C, Christine K, Carolyn B, Jane T, Briony W, Sally L, Christine D, Diane P, Rosemary A
Hello everyone,
How wonderful to find a blog about Tremough. I was one of the (male!) pupils from Helston. I must have been at Tremough in the early ’60s. We used to be driven over every morning by a lady called Mrs Dinsdale who would pick us up near the Coronation Boating Lake in Helston. I remember lovely Cora the sheep dog who was bigger than I was, Sister Vincent (very strict with rosy cheeks), kind Sister Carmel, Belinda Ivy who sat next to me in class and used to pinch me while we were reciting the alphabet! I remember swimming in the ornamental pool and strangely I have had a life-long aversion to both beetroot and rhubarb. I never quite knew why…I do now! I remember going to my first confession and saying in a trembling voice. “Now, I tell my real sins.” This is what I had been told to say, so I did. My revelation was met with a long silence followed by a bemused absolution. I don’t think I quite understood what a sin was. Innocent days indeed!
Hi Lynne, I remember several of the girls you listed above. Tragically Rowan MG died in a car crash while we were at school, she would have been about 14 only. She was such a lovely person, and it shocked us all to lose her.Lovely to read all these memories of school and the nuns from so many years ago.
Hello Siobhan.Rowan was 16 when she died, at the time she was living in Shaldon near Teignmouth in Devon and I would sometimes stay with my mother who lived in Dawlish about 20 minutes away so saw her during the holidays too at the time. I remember it all happening, so shocking. Michelle very active in Tremough Facebook page and mentions Rowan often
Thank you Elizabeth for your article on Tremough.
I went to Tremough as a full border in January 1961 for a couple of terms. I was 8 years old. I remember the Garton twins Jane and ? and a very tall nun. SIster Francis perhaps. There was a wonderful fete and I won a white rabbit on the tombola. That is all I remember. O yes being made to eat all my swede with a one of the nuns watching me until I had finished… . Character building stuff!
Have any archives or photographs been salvaged. I would be interested to find my exact dates.