Old friends hope for first reunion in 50 years at closing school

A 62-year-old man from Ireland is organising a reunion with his old school friends after more than 50 years.

Michael Murray, 62, from Cork, was hoping to meet his old classmates and school friends at St Francesca Cabrini Primary School in Forest Hill Road, Honor Oak in October.

It was announced in December that the school will close in September due to a funding gap caused by falling pupil admissions. 

The school’s trustees, The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, also announced it would be leaving the school and withdrawing its sponsorship to help with missions in Ethiopia and Uganda.

Mr Murray said: “The key aspect of the ‘reunion’ is to see the dear old school one last time before it is either knocked down or converted.

“I recently met two of my old classmates for the first time in 50 years and we’re largely the same save for so many life stories. 

“We recalled two classes of 37 pupils each year and named 55 of them and loads of teachers.”

Mr Murray’s fondest memories of his school years, from 1965 to 1972, include playing for the school football team with his friends which took them across South London, as well as some “great naps in the Wendy House in Sister Julia’s class”.

He specifically remembers having very strong friendships.

He said: “When I left in July 1972 my parents wanted me to go to St Joseph’s Academy in Blackheath as my brother had joined the year before.

“All my friends were going on to Peckham and Dulwich schools, so my world was over.

“This was very upsetting at the time and I wonder if that was a key reason I never really took to St Joseph’s Academy.”

The group of 10 are currently keeping in contact through a WhatsApp group chat. Mr Murray said if they cannot make it into the school the group will head to the nearby Watson’s Telegraph pub.

In a statement posted on the school’s website about the closure, Anna Strappelli, chairwoman of governors and the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, wrote: “It has been a difficult and a sad time as the school has served the local Catholic community for over 100 years.

“The children are uppermost in our considerations and the change in demographics and the reduced demand for places will mean less funding and so the school will not be able to provide the high standard of education the children should be offered and they could receive at other schools.”

St Francesca Cabrini Primary school has been approached for comment.

Pictured top: School friends Alex Chambers, Michael Murray, Steven Sharkey and Joseph Cooney taking part in a gym session, Michael Murray, Steven Sharkey and John Quinn from the leaving class of 1972 during a catch-up in February (Pictures: Michael Murray)