The John Fisher School
Encyclopedia
The John Fisher Old Boys Association (JFOBA) is an exclusive members club for past pupils and teachers of The John Fisher School in Purley, Surrey.
Membership of the Association is available to all former pupils of the John Fisher School and those members and former members of the School Staff who are invited to be Honorary Members.
Unlike some Old Boys' Networks JFOBA does not limit membership to those pupils who attended the school at a certain time (for example in one of its Grammar or Selective periods).
The Association regularly holds dinners, activity days and special masses.
, in 1929 at Duppas Hill
in Croydon, and moved in 1931 to its current premises in Peaks Hill, Purley. It is the only currently-open school named after Saint John Fisher that was founded before his canonization
in 1935. This is indicated by the absence of "Saint" from the school name.
At the start of the 1970s the John Fisher School was a diocesian grammar school
with an intake of fee-paying and non-fee-paying children. It had a small number of boarders until 1970 when a decision was made to end this facility.
In 1977 it became an all-ability comprehensive school maintained by the London Borough of Sutton
.
In 1992, following much discussion and a vote by parents, John Fisher was incorporated as a Grant Maintained School and operated a selection policy. Selection into the school was via an interview process involving candidates & their parents (to assess whether the boy and his family's ambitions and ethos were in harmony of those of the school) or by examination (for a minority of academic places). Also, a small amount of boys were selected on the basis of musical ability or for sporting promise. Despite the school selecting all of its pupils it was nominally comprehensive because not all boys were selected purely on academic ability. GM Catholic schools that examined candidates & interviewed potential pupils & their parents were often controversial.
In September 1999, the school stopped all forms of selection and became a voluntary-aided comprehensive school once more. In 2003, John Fisher School became a specialist sports college and construction began on a £
1.2 million sports hall opened by Sir Bobby Robson.
1981-1993 Mr Terence King ++
1993-2005 Mr Robin Gregory
2005-2006 Mr Pat Liddiard (Acting Headmaster)
2006- Mr Mark Scully
It was home to The Faith Club; that used to meet there every Friday afternoon for philosophical discussion. The Faith movement was formed in 1972 and works towards fostering the Catholic faith and spiritual life of many people, especially through youth events and various publications.
Faith currently meets in the sixth-form buildings and continues to thrive; playing an important role in the religious character of the school. Many of its former members have gone on to become priests, sacristans & even bishops. (Ref http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/2007/01/john-fisher-faith-group.html)
The school's U15s reached the final of The Daily Mail Cup in 2000/2001 season (http://www.schoolsrugby.co.uk/tnt_DailyMailArchive3.asp)
John Fisher enjoys a healthy rugby rivalry with Whitgift School
; a public school in South Croydon. Matches are hotly contested and often close. The teams regularly meet in the final rounds of The Daily Mail Cup. Other notable rivalries include The London Oratory School and Dulwich College.
Finals Down The Years
2009 St Joseph's Festival Final John Fisher 15-8 Bedford School
2008 National Schools Sevens Final Sedbergh School 19-0 John Fisher
2000/2001 U15 DMC Final Epsom College 17-12 John Fisher
1999 Junior Schools Festival Final Dwr-y-Felin 17-12 John Fisher
1999 National Schools Sevens Final Stonyhurst 19-12 John Fisher
1998 National Schools Sevens Final John Fisher 24-5 Millfield (Fisher win the title back to back)
1997 National Schools Sevens Final John Fisher 28-24 Durham School
1976 Junior Schools Festival Final Dulwich College 6-4 John Fisher
Honours
De La Salle Cup Winners '09
National Schools Sevens Open Champions '97 & '98
National Schools Sevens Open Finalists '99 & '08
National Schools Sevens Junior Festival Finalists '76 & '99
U15 Daily Mail Cup Runners-Up 2000/2001
World Rugby Magazine's Team of the Month May 2009
Evening Standard's Team of the Year 2009
Membership of the Association is available to all former pupils of the John Fisher School and those members and former members of the School Staff who are invited to be Honorary Members.
Unlike some Old Boys' Networks JFOBA does not limit membership to those pupils who attended the school at a certain time (for example in one of its Grammar or Selective periods).
The Association regularly holds dinners, activity days and special masses.
History
The John Fisher School was founded by Peter Emmanuel Amigo, Archbishop of SouthwarkArchbishop of Southwark
The Archbishop of Southwark is the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark in England. As such he is the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Province of Southwark....
, in 1929 at Duppas Hill
Duppas Hill
Duppas Hill is a park, road and surrounding residential area in Waddon, near Croydon in Greater London . It is thought to be named after a family called 'Dubber' or 'Double'.Duppas Hill has a long history of sport and recreation...
in Croydon, and moved in 1931 to its current premises in Peaks Hill, Purley. It is the only currently-open school named after Saint John Fisher that was founded before his canonization
Canonization
Canonization is the act by which a Christian church declares a deceased person to be a saint, upon which declaration the person is included in the canon, or list, of recognized saints. Originally, individuals were recognized as saints without any formal process...
in 1935. This is indicated by the absence of "Saint" from the school name.
At the start of the 1970s the John Fisher School was a diocesian grammar school
Grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
with an intake of fee-paying and non-fee-paying children. It had a small number of boarders until 1970 when a decision was made to end this facility.
In 1977 it became an all-ability comprehensive school maintained by the London Borough of Sutton
London Borough of Sutton
The London Borough of Sutton is a London borough in South London, England and forms part of Outer London. It covers an area of and is the 80th largest local authority in England by population. It is one of the southernmost boroughs of London...
.
In 1992, following much discussion and a vote by parents, John Fisher was incorporated as a Grant Maintained School and operated a selection policy. Selection into the school was via an interview process involving candidates & their parents (to assess whether the boy and his family's ambitions and ethos were in harmony of those of the school) or by examination (for a minority of academic places). Also, a small amount of boys were selected on the basis of musical ability or for sporting promise. Despite the school selecting all of its pupils it was nominally comprehensive because not all boys were selected purely on academic ability. GM Catholic schools that examined candidates & interviewed potential pupils & their parents were often controversial.
In September 1999, the school stopped all forms of selection and became a voluntary-aided comprehensive school once more. In 2003, John Fisher School became a specialist sports college and construction began on a £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
1.2 million sports hall opened by Sir Bobby Robson.
Headmasters
(Prior to Terence King's appointment all Headmasters were Catholic priests) (http://www.johnfisher.sutton.sch.uk/htm/About%20us.htm)1981-1993 Mr Terence King ++
1993-2005 Mr Robin Gregory
2005-2006 Mr Pat Liddiard (Acting Headmaster)
2006- Mr Mark Scully
The John Fisher School Chapel
The school has its own chapel where Holy Mass is offered Sunday mornings throughout the year and certain weekdays during term time. Benediction, Stations of the cross and the Holy Rosary are fequently held there. The present school chaplain is Fr. James Clarke, an old boy of the school. Outside of term and on Sundays through the year the chapel is served by priests from St John The Baptist, Purley. The school's renowned chapel choir practice most evenings throughout the school year and before school most mornings. The school has always had a strong reputation for nurturing choristers and during the school's selective admissions stage some boys were selected for musical ability. The chapel choir compete in Local and National competitions; they have performed at the BBC proms.School Hymn
The John Fisher School has its own hymn; composed by Canon Byrne. (http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/2007/01/hymn-to-st-john-fisher.html)- Sharing Christ’s Priesthood, high honour, dread burden,
- Steadfast amid all its manifold cares,
- Friend of the poor, of the aged, the dying,
- Saint of the Priesthood, give ear to our prayers,
- And pray for us now.
- Patron of learning, enriching, ennobling,
- The home of the scholar, inspirer of youth;
- Through thy far vision, athwart the late ages,
- The lamp of true wisdom, the torchlight of truth.
- Illumine us now.
- Counsellor of State, ever tireless in service,
- Dauntless defender of faith without stain;
- Alone thou didst see and rebuke the first heralds
- Of heresy, liberty’s cloak – and its bane:
- O counsel us now.
- Alone of thy peers thou didst brook the displeasure
- Of King and his court, God’s law to proclaim;
- Loyal to England and Christ’s worthy vicar.
- Death found thee fearless, despising the shame.
- O strengthen us now.
- Gentle yet stern, like John the beloved,
- Aflame with the fire of the Baptist’s zeal;
- England’s own Chrysostom, Saint of the Priesthood,
- St John of England, before thee we kneel:
- O plead for us now.
Faith Club & Takapuna
In 1948, 32 Peaks Hill or as it is otherwise known Takapuna was acquired and became a residence for staff & utilised for scholastic purposes.It was home to The Faith Club; that used to meet there every Friday afternoon for philosophical discussion. The Faith movement was formed in 1972 and works towards fostering the Catholic faith and spiritual life of many people, especially through youth events and various publications.
Faith currently meets in the sixth-form buildings and continues to thrive; playing an important role in the religious character of the school. Many of its former members have gone on to become priests, sacristans & even bishops. (Ref http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/2007/01/john-fisher-faith-group.html)
Rugby union
John Fisher has for many years been one of the top rugby schools in the country. The 7s team reached 3 consecutive national finals between 1997-1999 winning 2 and losing the '99 final against Stonyhurst. They also lost the 2008 final; being whitewashed 19-0 by Sedbergh School. (http://www.ns7.co.uk/tables.htm)The school's U15s reached the final of The Daily Mail Cup in 2000/2001 season (http://www.schoolsrugby.co.uk/tnt_DailyMailArchive3.asp)
John Fisher enjoys a healthy rugby rivalry with Whitgift School
Whitgift School
Whitgift School is an independent day school educating approximately 1,400 boys aged 10 to 18 in South Croydon, London in a parkland site.- History and grounds :...
; a public school in South Croydon. Matches are hotly contested and often close. The teams regularly meet in the final rounds of The Daily Mail Cup. Other notable rivalries include The London Oratory School and Dulwich College.
Finals Down The Years
2009 St Joseph's Festival Final John Fisher 15-8 Bedford School
2008 National Schools Sevens Final Sedbergh School 19-0 John Fisher
2000/2001 U15 DMC Final Epsom College 17-12 John Fisher
1999 Junior Schools Festival Final Dwr-y-Felin 17-12 John Fisher
1999 National Schools Sevens Final Stonyhurst 19-12 John Fisher
1998 National Schools Sevens Final John Fisher 24-5 Millfield (Fisher win the title back to back)
1997 National Schools Sevens Final John Fisher 28-24 Durham School
1976 Junior Schools Festival Final Dulwich College 6-4 John Fisher
Honours
De La Salle Cup Winners '09
National Schools Sevens Open Champions '97 & '98
National Schools Sevens Open Finalists '99 & '08
National Schools Sevens Junior Festival Finalists '76 & '99
U15 Daily Mail Cup Runners-Up 2000/2001
World Rugby Magazine's Team of the Month May 2009
Evening Standard's Team of the Year 2009
Controversies
Since the end of its selective admissions process the school has come under fire for "its controversial points admission system which favours children from families who are the most active in the church." The John Fisher School was investigated by the Office of the Schools Adjudicator (OSA) after complaints from a parent. Objections to the OSA included "governors could manipulate what was considered a bona fide parish activity to 'exclude those they do not wish to admit from the school'" and "that governors were using surnames to reject single parents". The OSA did not endorse the latter claim but made "the strongest recommendation" that the current system be scrapped. This is the second time the School's admission policy has been investigated by the OSA following complaints.Notable visitors and staff
- Benito MussoliniBenito MussoliniBenito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism....
visited the school before the outbreak of WW2 (A photograph hangs in the school library to this day) - Sir Bobby Robson opened the school's sixth form centre
- Sir Derek Enright MP taught Classics at the school between 1959-1967 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/obituary-derek-enright-1536905.html
- Dougray ScottDougray Scott-Early life:The son of Elma, a nurse, and Alan Scott, an actor and salesperson, Stephen Dougray Scott was born in Glenrothes, Fife and attended Auchmuty High School...
visited the school to promote the Acting and Film industries http://www.croydonguardian.co.uk/news/9033833.Hollywood_actor_leaves_pupils_starstruck_on_school_visit/
Clergy
- Bishop Howard Tripp Bishop of the Titular See of Newport and Auxiliary in Southwark http://www.rcsouthwark.co.uk/bishops.html
- Canon Peter Humfrey
Media and the arts
- Bill NighyBill NighyWilliam Francis "Bill" Nighy is an English actor and comedian. He worked in theatre and television before his first cinema role in 1981, and made his name in television with The Men's Room in 1991, in which he played the womanizer Prof...
, actor - Michael Latham, influential documentary (Man Alive, Horizon etc.) film-maker
- Matthew Wright, journalist and television presenter
- Paul Conroy, Music Impressario http://www.appledore.talktalk.net/BEWF.htm
- Stefano HatfieldStefano HatfieldStefano Hatfield is a British newspaper and magazine editor. He is currently the editor of i, an offshoot of The Independent.He was educated at The John Fisher School and the University of Exeter. Hatfield previously edited The London Paper and Campaign.-References:...
, newspaper editor - Diarmuid Byron O'Connor, sculptor and artist
Science
- Professor Sir David Lane, Cancer research scientist http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20020825/ai_n12577744/
Military
- Commander Jim Suthers, World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
naval flier, involved in the capture of Enigma materials
Sports
- Michael Corcoran, former London Irish Rugby UnionRugby unionRugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player - Derry Coughlan, England U19, London Irish and Lansdowne Rugby UnionRugby unionRugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player - Sean Crowley, record-breaking (with Mike Nestor, below) and solo trans-Atlantic rower
- Mike Nestor, record-breaking (with Sean Crowley, above) trans-Atlantic rower
- Simon HuntSimon Hunt (rugby player)Simon Hunt is an English rugby union footballer currently centrally contracted to the England Sevens squad for the 2011-2012 IRB Sevens World Series.-Early Career:...
, England Sevens and Ebbw Vale Rugby UnionRugby unionRugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player - Ben Axten-Burrett, Harlequins RFC
- Mike Pointing, Harlequins Academy Rugby UnionRugby unionRugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player - Martyn RooneyMartyn RooneyMartyn Joseph Rooney is an English sprinter who specialises in the 400 metres event. He reached the 400 m final at the 2008 Summer Olympics and also finished fourth in the 4×400 metres relay. At the 2009 World Championships in Athletics he won a silver medal with the Great Britain relay team...
, Beijing Olympics Team GB 400m finalist - Paul SackeyPaul SackeyPaul Henry Sackey is an English rugby union footballer who currently plays at wing for Stade Français in the Top 14.As of 28 February 2009 he has 22 full England caps...
, EnglandEngland national rugby union teamThe England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
(21 caps), London WaspsLondon WaspsLondon Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. The men's first team, which forms London Wasps, was derived from Wasps Football Club who were formed in 1867 at the now defunct Eton and Middlesex Tavern in North London, at the turn of professionalism in 1999...
and RC ToulonnaisRC ToulonnaisRC Toulonnais is a French professional rugby union club based in Toulon in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur...
Rugby UnionRugby unionRugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player - George SkivingtonGeorge SkivingtonGeorge Skivington, born 3 December 1982 in Warrington, England is a rugby union player for Leicester Tigers in the Aviva Premiership. He plays as a lock....
, England Saxons and London WaspsLondon WaspsLondon Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. The men's first team, which forms London Wasps, was derived from Wasps Football Club who were formed in 1867 at the now defunct Eton and Middlesex Tavern in North London, at the turn of professionalism in 1999...
Rugby UnionRugby unionRugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player - Kyle TraynorKyle TraynorKyle Traynor is a Scottish rugby union player who plays at prop for Edinburgh and Scotland.-Biography:Traynor was born in Farnborough, London to Glaswegian parents and was educated at The John Fisher School...
, Scotland (three caps) and Edinburgh Rugby Club. Also Scotland U18, 19, 21 (captain) - Liam Brown, London WaspsLondon WaspsLondon Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. The men's first team, which forms London Wasps, was derived from Wasps Football Club who were formed in 1867 at the now defunct Eton and Middlesex Tavern in North London, at the turn of professionalism in 1999...
Rugby Union player http://www.wasps.co.uk/Playerdisplay.inkskip=0&season=02/03&squadno=3202&seasonl=&Playertype=P§ion=Home - TimTim MurtaghTim Murtagh is an English professional cricketer.Murtagh is a left-handed batsman and a right-arm fast-medium bowler. He first shone in the 2000 Under-19s World Cup. Though he is first and foremost a seam bowler, Murtagh has progressed with his batting, and has stepped in on many occasions to...
and Chris MurtaghChris MurtaghChristopher Paul Murtagh is an English cricketer who played for Surrey before being released in 2009. He is a right-handed batsman. Chris attended the selective The John Fisher School It was for Loughborough UCCE that he made his first-class debut in 2005, turning out for Surrey in some one-day...
, Professional cricket players