St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Eltham, 1928-1983 inclusive
Scope and Contents note
Sub-series consists of material acquired and accumulated by Reverend Mother of Bermondsey Congregation, and the Sisters at Eltham, in relation to St Mary's Catholic Primary School: a minute book of Managers meetings; building and maintenance records; history and anniversary memorabilia.
Dates
- Creation: 1928-1983 inclusive
Conditions Governing Access note
As a private archive, access to the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy Archive requires application to the Archivist and approval by the Institute's Leadership Team. Where items are closed for access, this is indicated at the appropriate level.
Biographical/Historical note
St Mary's was opened on 17 April 1928 by the Sisters of Mercy in Back Lane, Eltham, as an elementary school for 186 children. The great need for a school in Eltham was soon made abundantly clear by the large numbers seeking admission. Records show that there were 449 children on roll in March 1934 and by September that number had risen to 494.
During the Second World War (1939-1945) the school was evacuated to Ashford in Kent and then Wales, while the building was requisitioned for use as the HQ of the Eltham Rescue Service as a Rest Centre. St Mary's was re-opened in 1940, to provide for children who had been returned home, with 16 children present for the morning sessions and 3 for the afternoons. Normality was only resumed when peace prevailed in 1945.
St Thomas More Secondary School was opened in 1964, at which point St Mary's ceased to be an 'all age' school (one of the last in London to be re-organised) and started to cater exclusively for the 5-11 age range.
In 1984 the school moved from the original Victorian building on the High Street in Eltham to its current home on Glenure Road, London SE9, a converted country house. The staff and pupils moved in September 1984 and the official opening by Bishop Charles Henderson took place on 03 May 1985.
In 1993, following the retirement of Sister Carmel, the Sisters of Mercy ended their long and fruitful years of service to St. Mary's School and the first lay Head was appointed. The school continues to flourish and provide an excellent, Catholic education for the children of the area.
See St Mary's RC Primary School website http://www.stmaryrc.org.uk/History/History-of-St-Marys-School/ [accessed 01 November 2010 by K. Johnston].
Full Extent
3 box
Language of Materials
From the Sub-Fonds: English
Repository Details
Part of the Bermondsey Convent of Mercy Repository