Home
1929 - 1969
1970 - 1979
1980 - 1990
List of Pupils

Photo's
 

Headmasters of Tamar

1928 - 1931 Mr. Cook
1932 - 1940 Mr. Willcocks
1941 - 1942 Mr. Good
1942 - 1950 Mr. Ellis
1950 - 1951 Mr. Pearce
1951 - 1968 Mr. Robb
1968 - 1971 Dr. Rowe
1971 - 1973 Mr. Warren
1973 - 1985 Mr. Hill
1985 - 1990 Mr. Rose

 

Most Decorated Pupil

 

Lieutenant Philip Kenneth Edward Curtis V.C.

Awarded the V.C. (posthumously) 

by the Queen, in 1953

For Gallantry and Distinguished Service in Korea.(1951)

Philip Kenneth Edward Curtis

Lieutenant Curtis was born on 7 July 1926 at Devonport, Devon.

He was a member of The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, attached to the 1st Battalion, the Gloucestershire Regiment.

On 22-23 April 1951 near the Imjin River, Korea, during a heavy North Korea attack, No. 1 Platoon commanded by Lieutenant Curtis, was ordered to carry out a counter attack which was initially successful, but was eventually held up by heavy fire. The Lieutenant then ordered some of his men to give covering fire while he himself rushed the main position of resistance. In this charge he was severely wounded but he insisted on making a second attempt. During this second attempt, Lieutenant Curtis was killed within a few feet of his objective.

The VC awarded posthumously to Lieutenant Curtis was published in the London Gazette on 1 December 1953.

Lieutenant Curtis is buried in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery at Pusan, Korea.

 

  A Brief History of the School
1928 Johnson Terrace Boy's School, Keyham, reorganized as a Boy's Central School.
1933 Name changed to Tamar Central School.
1938 School moved to former Stoke Military Hospital.
1939 School returned to Johnson Terrace premises.
1941 Johnson Terrace building destroyed in the Blitz.
1941 Evacuation to Truro. Those remaining went to North Prospect School, thence to Emergency Central School, Cobourg Street. 
1945 Return from Truro to Mount Street Primary School.
1946 Moved from Mount Street to Durnford Street premises. Name changed to Tamar Secondary School.
1947 School split - Junior pupils transferred to Stoke Military Hospital thence to Ernesettle Transit School.
1956 Two sections of the School combined and moved back to Stoke Military Hospital.
1969 Four into Three Houses - Faraday, Kelvin, Maxwell and Newton - became Lynher, Tavy and Walkham.
1972 Introduction of Girls.
1981 Name changed to Tamar High School.
1990 School closed. The End of an Era!

 

Teachers of Tamar

Teachers in yellow were at the school during my time      1968 - 1972
Mr. A Allen Mr. G Henderson (Woodwork) Mr. Robb (Headmaster)
Mr. D Arrow (Metalwork) Mr. Hill Mr. Robinson
Rev. Cyril Atkinson (Music) Mr. Michael Horswill (History) Mr. Ray Rose
Mr. Barker Mr. Terry Keen Dr. Rowe (Headmaster)
Mrs. M. Barton Mr. 'Killer' Kelly (French) Mr. Ruberry (Biology)
Mr. Bennet (Chemistry/Physics) Mr. Kitt (English) Mrs. Ruberry (PE)
Mr. Carriou Mr. Lobb (Lab Tech) Mr. Sanders (Math's)
Mr. A. Chatting Mr. P Marsh Mr. Saunders
Mr. Stuart Cornie Mr. Martin (French) Mr William (Bill) Shawcross (Chem.)
Mr. Peter 'Bert' Cox (English) Mr. 'Peanuts' Mellor Mr. Smith (Math's)
Mrs. Helen Davies nee Moorhead (French) Mr. Merton (French) Mr. Spriggs
Mr. R Davies (Art) Mr. Dave Padfield (French) Mr. Stevenson (English)
Miss. Beryl Davis (Geography) Mr. Reggie Paige (English) Mrs. Stone (Needlework/Cookery)
Mr. 'Taff' Evans (PE) Mr. W. Parsons (Art, Math's & PT) Mr. Stribley (Geography/Music)
Mr. Jasper Ellis (Headmaster) Mr. Percy Pearce (Science) Mr. Tremaine (Commercial)
Ms. Elliott Mr. Bob Ponsford (PE) Mr. J Trennery (Math's)
Mr. Freeman Mrs. Ponsford nee Briers (Biology) Mr. Underwood
Mr. 'Benney' Goodman (PE) Mr. 'Daddy' Prior (Math's & Art) Mr. 'Bunny' Warren
Ms. Giles Mr. 'Pop' Rendall (Tech Drawing) Mr. Westmore (English/History)
Mr. Ernie Hands (Math's) Mr. Pat Ribbins (PE) Mr. 'Stiffy' Whitaker (Music, PT & Spanish)
Mr. David Hasdell (1972-1986) Mrs. Richards Mr. Wood

 

The School Song 

Our School has always had its home near Tamar’s riverside,

Where the Dockyard and the Navy use the Hamoaze deep and wide;

Thus our name and our tradition link us to the sea,

And, because we cherish both of these,

The best is yet to be!

In this City, newly built on Plymouth’s fames and ancient site,

Are schools both old and new, we meet and challenge with delight:

Games we play, and work we do with cheerful energy,

And, because we practice both of these,

The best is yet to be!

Not the books nor yet the buildings make a school that’s great and true,

But people such as teachers, parents, prefects, pupils do;

They create the characters we all desire to see,

And if then we strive to honour these,

The best is yet to be!