Bruce Owen who lives in New Zealand was reminded of the days he spent as a pupil at Donnington School in Oxford.

He came across online the picture above we published nine years ago of a second-year class from 1952 and spotted himself in it.

He writes: “I recently discovered your 2015 article and photograph about the school and nearly fell over when I realised the boy in the middle row, fifth from the right, in the jazzy jersey was me! I’ve never seen it.

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“I realised I had subsequently been at Magdalen College School with another boy in the picture - Richard Warnock. As a result, we have made connections and been able to share details of our days at Magdalen.

“I noticed that after your article appeared, someone who remembered my name wrote in. Interesting! I thought you might like to know that your article is still producing results.”

As we recalled, the school in Cornwallis Road opened in 1936 with 74 boys and 58 girls and the first headmaster was Charles Hart, who stayed for 25 years.

He was a guest at the school when it celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1986, but its most famous pupil, comedian Ronnie Barker, who grew up in Church Cowley Road, was unable to attend.

The school celebrated the anniversary with its own trip down memory lane, treating former pupils to an exhibition of pictures and other memorabilia and a stage revue based on its history.

Much of the groundwork for the exhibition and revue was done by deputy head Joan Ankers and teacher Rosanne Butler, who researched the school’s past.

Mr Hart, the first head, must have been amused as he watched Robert Brown, 12, play him on stage!

The school featured many times in the news over the years, with choral and orchestral concerts, stage productions, May Day celebrations, fancy dress parades, charity walks, art and craft exhibitions and much more.

In 1974, pupils faced probably their biggest challenge when they sponsored headteacher Raymond Miller to give up smoking for a day.

They said they would help buy a seat for the playground if he observed No Smoking Day.

Mr Miller, who smoked a dozen cigarettes a day, plus three pipes and an occasional cigar, promised to do so, but fell short of vowing to give up for good. He said: “I will try and reduce the amount I smoke.”

The 1952 photograph, sent in by former pupil Mick Laverty, now of Stratfield Road, Kidlington, was followed by the one below taken at the 1986 50th anniversary celebrations.

(Image: Oxford Mail) It came from Sue Hallett, nee Rice, of Florence Park Road, Cowley, whose son Daniel is seen holding the MG sign.

She recalled: “The children were dressed in 1930s outfits. My family were among the first to attend Donnington School and I remember Charles Hart, the first head, with fondness. At every Christmas party, he would go outside the hall while an item was hidden in a hide-and-seek.

“He always, to the great delight and booing of pupils, cheated and peeked through the windows. On his return, we shouted ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ until he found the item.”

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.