Comments for The Old Bournemouthians' Association

Comment on Jasper Dodds on film by Tony Wickham

Tony Wickham — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:14:31 +0000

I was at BSB from 63-70, and felt that many of the teachers in that era were both very knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects. However, they couldn’t really understand or cope with the youth of the sixties, who were probably less willing to accept the status quo than their predecessors. As a result, some teachers used fear and/or bullying more than was acceptable.

I doubt that Dodds had ever known different – he would probably have been dismissed today, either for all that fondling and touching, or for poor teaching standards.

I too witnessed a savage beating administered by Johnnie Walker in year 8, for a fairly innocuous remark by Steve Beck. Makes me shiver 45 years on. Passionate about art, but unacceptable anger problems.

There were, however, teachers who managed to actually communicate with you and “sell” you the subject. Tom Bircher, RJ Williams and David Hilliam spring to mind. I think the ethos of teaching in the school was definitely changing around the time I left (for the better).

Comment on Under 14 cricketers from 1944 by Under-14 footballers from 1944 | The Old Bournemouthians' Association

Under-14 footballers from 1944 | The Old Bournemouthians' Association — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 16:53:45 +0000

[...] up on his photo of 1944′s under-14 cricketers, Len James, who was at Bournemouth School between 1942 and 1947, has sent in this photograph of the [...]

Comment on Dr Michael Hirons by len james

len james — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 06:43:24 +0000

A couple of weeks have gone by, and no one from the late 1940′s seems to have been able to recall the missing names of the 1945 Under 14′s cricket team. I suppose they could all have passed on -but it wouldnot give me any great joy to be the only survivor

Comment on Jasper Dodds on film by andy kimber

andy kimber — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:47:54 +0000

derek,i wouldnt dispute your comments regarding johnny walker.Nevertheless,I was 18 inches from his prolonged and unprovoked assault of a classmate which was far worse than anything else i witnessed in my time there.

Comment on Jasper Dodds on film by Derek Clarke

Derek Clarke — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:23:59 +0000

Oh dear! Perhaps it’s a good thing we don’t all have the same opinions! I found Walker (Johnny, I assume) to be inspirational. As a mere scientist (Physics degree) he gave me an interest in art that I have to this day .As a classical music enthusiast I respected his ability in that area too. We had many friendly exchanges on the subject. And Percy? He taught me for 4 years and, although strict, his logical methods suited me perfectly and I’ve never regretted all those years of latin. No, their methods would be frowned upon now, but the world has changed and they can only be judged in the approaches of that era.
But Dodds was another matter. He totally failed to interest anyone in history.

Comment on Jasper Dodds on film by andy kimber

andy kimber — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:00:47 +0000

i am surprised that Len considered Dodds to be a good teacher.As derek clarke says,most of the lesson was a test on the latest homework!
it’s awful that violent unstable men like mccabe,walker(i was witness to his worst assault i ever saw in 1965),cushion and others were allowed to get away with their behaviour without anything being done. I guess we were all too young to speak out to anyone.

Comment on English Literature teacher by len james

len james — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 01:42:08 +0000

I remember Percy Cushion for one particular lesson on limericks. He gave us the first two lines as follows-
There once was a teacher called Cushion
Who’s aim was to find boys and ambush’m

I never did manage to complete it.

Comment on Jasper Dodds on film by Derek Clarke

Derek Clarke — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 17:29:44 +0000

I was at Bournemoth School from 1951-59 and loved almost every minute. Dodds was a low spot. Teaching consisting of a test on last lesson’s homework then setting the next homework. I dropped history as soon as possible and regret that I don’t have more knowledge of the subject. Frankly I think he had an inferiority complex and used his power over his unfortunate pupils as a form of compensation. Having been a teacher all my life the one thing he taught me was not to treat pupils like that! Ultimately I felt sorry for him

Comment on Jasper Dodds on film by len james

len james — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 01:57:03 +0000

The favourite trick of dear old Jasper was to sneak up behind a boy and pinch his ear really hard. But he was a damned good teacher

Comment on English Literature teacher by Jon Evans

Jon Evans — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:24:21 +0000

My father was at Bournemouth School 1941-46. The teacher he remembers for English Lit was a Mr (Percy) Cushion. Had the hugest saddle on his bike!
Other teachers he remembers are
Cousins – English or RE
Jasper Dodds – History
Lawrence – Maths
Venner – Chemistry
Pugh – PE
Laverick – PE
Miss Ball
Maggie Moulton – French
Knight – RE?

That’s it for now. No doubt more will come to him over the next few days. Hope that helps.