Pupils in S House at the Oxford Central Girls’ School received a stern rebuke for falling behind in the race to become top of the class.

As we have recalled, girls were divided into four houses – O, C, G, S after the school’s initials – and every year, battled to get the most points and beat their rivals.

In January 1947, S House was joint bottom with G with 68 points, behind O with 75 and C with 85.

The S House bulletin read: “This means that we are already behind and this fact must be remedied.

“Forms to try particularly hard are 1A and 4A. They must improve on their poor totals for the first week.

“At a recent meeting, the committee decided that points were most easily gained for good work (especially English), not talking, carrying milk crates and being generally helpful.

“Points are mainly lost for talking and carelessness. This must stop.

“S must be made to stand for swift service and sincerity and not for sleepiness and slovenliness.”

A copy of the bulletin was among memorabilia that former pupil Jean Dudley found in an old Players’ cigarette tin.

The tin also included the three Oxford Mail pictures published here of the school’s sports day in July 1948 and a programme for The Rebel Maid, presented by the school choir and dramatic society in July 1950.

The cast were Jean Barnard, Pauline Cleaver, Marie Seger, Irene Lenthall, Joan Walker, Jill Sturges, Iris Cox, Greta Payne, Jean Manins, Patricia Bond, Dorothy Adams, Pamela Venn and Daphne Bell.

The chorus was Elaine Lloyd, Lois Miles, Betty John, Mary Foster, Margaret Fisher, Patricia Dawson, Jean Faulder, Pamela Johns, Ann Potter, Angela Shaw, Sheila Morris, Rosemary Panting, Rita Whittle, Jean Dover, Audrey Holliday, Gillian Gray, Sheila Eden, Gillian Hirons, June Markwick and Crystal Fish.

The producers were Miss AW Haigh and Miss MA Babington and the accompanist was Christine Waple.

Also in the tin was a note from the headmistress saying that “Miss Alden will be very pleased to accept your kind invitation to a party on Wednesday” and addressed to the Wardens of Third Year, Central Girls’ School, Oxford.

Mrs Dudley, of Church Road, Great Milton, whose maiden name was Faulder, writes: “I have no recollection of Wardens’ Parties.

“I was warden in the third year, much to some amusement, as I was sometimes a disruptive element.

“I was a pupil from 1946-51 and enjoyed it very much, always considered a bookworm, which I still am.

“Miss Alden was a superb head, one of the old school, whom I admired and respected very much.

“I think she was a member of the local farming family.

“Many of us were sad when the school closed in New Inn Hall Street and moved to Headington under a new name.

“About 20 of us attend the reunion every year and meet for lunch at Christmas.”

Where are the actresses and choristers in The Rebel Maid now? Let me know.