GOETHALS in the 60's

LAST BEND

The article below was posted by JOHN KINGSLEY in 2002 on his Goethals website. It will bring back many memories and hopefully it will stir you to add your own recollection of the years you spent in GMS.



If you have read RICHARD JOHNSON's posting on the Blog, you will be doing the present generation of Goethalites a service by passing the "Baton"



GOETHALS MEMORIAL SCHOOL. KURSEONG

Our Alma Mater.
Some of the best years of our youth were perhaps spent here at GMS. Of course, at the time, the opinion may have been quite the opposite. Although we followed a strict academic regimen we seldom avoided the opportunity to participate in the occasional escapade brought about by our youthful exuberance. Those were the days when friendships bonded and together we would meet any new challenges that faced us.


There were no Tvs, or Vcr to occupy our time. There was so much to do with our free time that we seldom had the opportunity to feel bored! Fondly remembered are the picnics at 'Kettle Valley' and 'Constantia' our class walks through the woods to 'Roly Poly' and 'Red Cross', pausing to catch tadpoles with our handkerchiefs and to taste the delicious wild raspberries which grew in abundance all around us.


A Saturday out in the town, dressed in our school uniform and 'topee', to catch the latest 'Flick' was a highlight! The impromptu 'Sunshine holiday' and the 'Paper Chase' which followed, never failed to lead us through St. Helen's and Dow hill Schools, where we would pause for a while to catch our breath and get a glimpse of the girls.
The great songs of the 50's and 60's.. gosh, they still play them over the airwaves today !! The latest LP's were the most important ingredient at a party where Elvis, Cliff Richards and Connie Francis, Chubby Checkers and the Beatles would urge us onto the dance floor. 'Jail House Rock' - 'Evergreen Tree' - 'V-a-c-a-t-i-o-n' - 'The Twist' - 'A Hard Day's Night' - 'Hey Paula' - 'Tom Dooley' and 'It's Now Or Never', were some of our favourite songs. Yes, 'Those were the days my friend'.
We danced to the Waltz, the Fox Trot, the Jive, the Shake, Twist, Locomotion and the 'Cha cha cha'!
Our football, cricket and hockey matches with our friendly rivals from Victoria School and St. Mary's, Nursing and St. Paul's and St. Joseph's Schools, Darjeeling tested our skill and fine sportsmanship.
"1 - 2 - 3 - 4, Who are we for? 5 - 6 - 7 - 8, Who do we appreciate? GOETHALS, GOETHALS, GOETHALS!" would ring out over the hills.


The Annual Sports Day in October resembled a mini 'Olympics' event. With the School Band blaring out the wonderful marching tunes, the 5 House Teams, each sporting their team colours would march past the Pavilion where all the V.I.P's would be seated. The Drill Display would then take place and what a sight that was!!!!
Next would follow the athletic events and the awarding of the many cups and trophies. The day would end with a scrumptious dinner and a social with our friends from St. Helen's and Downhill and Victoria Schools.


Do you remember ?
The annual Class concerts, the School productions - "The Mikado", "Columbus In A-Merry-Key". The "bara khana" on Feast Days. The Circus comes to town. The "Tuck Shop". "The Roti Walla". The Crusaders and the Socialists. The Handball court. The 'Lal Jamun' trees. Sepoy Dhura. The School railway-siding. The black strap. The final 'BonFire' night. The pea- shooters. The Lengra mangoes. The bum-stingers. The Leaches.
The socials with the great gals from St. Helen's across the hill.
The whistle of the Toy Train as it disappeared behind the "Last Bend'.
Soccer matches with the International team from St. Mary's Novitiate College.
The monthly school 'Flicks'.


Cheers,
John Kingsley. Class of '62.