IMAGES 'South Playground' (Kindly lent by Mr. Sparrow) Departures At Easter 1963 Miss Drayton, the Senior Mistress, retired. Miss Drayton was the last of Mr James' original colleagues at the school. She retired to Bournemouth. Mrs Pritchard was appointed in her place but she resigned in the summer of 1966 to be replaced by Miss Murielle Smith. At the end of the Autumn Term 1966, Mr James, the Headmaster, fell ill. Unhappily his illness proved to be fatal and on January 24 1967, he died peacefully in Hillingdon Hospital. A memorial service attended by a large number of pupils, old scholars, present and former staff and friends was held in the Methodist Church, Haven Green, Ealing on the 30th January. He had been the School's first Science teacher and had served as the School's Head for almost 20 years. The Old Scholars' Association commissioned Mr Bill Smith, a local artist of Oldfield Lane, to paint a portrait of Mr James as a memorial, feeling that whatever happened to Greenford Grammar School it would provide a link with the old school, The Association had at first wanted Mr Johnson, the School's former Art teacher who had painted Mr Withrington's portrait, to paint it but unfortunately he died the previous year. The portrait was presented to the School on July 5th 1968. In the Autumn of 1967 the school suffered another loss in that Mr Todd who had been Head Caretaker for a number of years died suddenly and was missed not only by the school but also by the Old Scholars with whose Functions he was a great help. Tragically the school lost one of its 6th Form when on Sunday, 27th January 1974 Melanie Greaves was knocked down by a ear in Lady Margaret Road and died of her injuries in Hammersmith Hospital on 5th February after doctors had fought for nine days to save her life. A number of staff left during this period but we can only mention a few: Mr J. Grieve for many years Head of Modern Languages and author of a number of books on German retired at Christmas 1969. The Old Scholars Association News Letter announced another departure: that stalwart of the woodwork room Charlie Sutcliffe retired in 1970 having served 25 years at the lathe it's 'one rule missing' no longer. In the summer of 1973, Mr Frank Sheldrake, the Deputy Headteacher, retired after twenty-nine years service to the school, Mr Fuller, Head of the Geography Department, was appointed as Deputy Head of the grammar school, to continue in September 1974 as Deputy Head of Greenford High School. The Old Scholars recorded the departure of yet another notable member of staff: Room 7 just won't seem the same any more as Mr Lockhart its inhabitant for many years left the school at the end of the summer term. He didn't want to go but his anti-Comprehensive views being what they are felt it the only honourable course of action to take. Many years ago he was quoted as saying 'If this school goes comprehensive I'll join London Transport.' Doubtless with their staff situation being what it is he would be welcome, but we all hope he soon finds another post as an English Master. Amongst the others who left or retired in August 1974 claiming they were not leaving the school but the school was leaving them was Mr H. T. R. G. Gardiner Head of Biology Department, Zoology and Field Studies who had been at the school, except for a short period, since 1958. In October 1972, Miss Thelma Dawson, School Secretary for twenty years resigned to become Administrative Assistant in the Education Office, and was replaced by Mrs Dorothy Ewins our present Secretary. Following Mr James' death in January 1967 Miss Murielle Smith BA was appointed as Acting Headmistress, Mr Sheldrake was appointed Acting Deputy Headmaster and Miss Strickley, Acting Senior Mistress. It was not until the end of the spring term the following year that the appointments were made permanent. Miss Smith's task was to be a difficult one as she was to manage the Gramnmr School through the traumas of the six years before its reorganisation while seeing to it that the education and activities of the pupils were unimpaired. page 63