A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE FOR EX-COLLIS HEADMASTER (Photo Special)
The latest newsletter from Teddington’s Collis School highlighted the nostalgic return to the school of former headteacher Bill Booth, who retired in 1991 after 20 years.
It was his first visit since his retirement and comes close to him celebrating his 90th birthday.
He met up with many of pupils as well as visiting classrooms at the school in Fairfax Road.
He was invited by current Headteacher Kevin Hogston, who, upon learning of this significant milestone, made it his personal mission to track him down and extend an invitation to see how Collis has evolved.
During his visit, Mr Booth was astonished by how much the school had grown and changed over the years.
However, he was delighted to find that Collis still retains its unique sense of community. When asked to sum up the school in a few words, he responded simply: “Collis – the place to be.”
A Look Back at Bill Booth’s Time at Collis
- 1971 – Mr Bill Booth appointed as Headteacher.
- 1972 – Oversaw the move to the new school building on Fairfax Road.
- 1970s – Trevor Baylis, the renowned inventor, built the school’s swimming pool using galvanised steel. Mr Booth even learned to swim in the Collis pool!
- 1982 – Collis became a 1½ form entry primary school with new Infant and Nursery units added.
- 1991 – Mr Booth retired after 20 years of dedicated service to the school.
In an interesting twist of fate, Mr Booth began his teaching career at Sheringdale School in Southfields—the very same school where Mr Hogston started his first headship in 2011.
Under Mr Hogston’s leadership, Sheringdale progressed from ‘Good’ to ‘Outstanding’ in 2014 before he joined Collis in September 2015.
Collis has a rich history, and after Easter, will be launching a regular newsletter feature: Collis History—a chance to look back and celebrate the school’s past.