FORMER FAIRFAX ACADEMY PUPILS IN VIP VISIT: Former Fairfax Academy pupils went back to their old school, after an appeal to find people featured in a 1980s news clipping.
The article, which was published in the now-closed Sutton Coldfield News in 1980, celebrated the school’s 21st birthday.
When an appeal went out to find the former students featured in the 43-year-old article, it was soon shared on social media.
And on Tuesday June 13, three ex-pupils returned to the Fairfax Road academy to meet principal Sean Castle and have a VIP tour of the site.
Richard Tilbrook, who was featured in the original article posing with a watering can, was joined by fellow former pupils Jeremy Payne and Elizabeth Wager.
The three former Fairfax Academy pupils reminisced about the teachers they shared, and saw first-hand how the school, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2019, has changed since they attended.
Richard, who attended between 1978 and 1984 and was head of Coventry House, said: “About 15 years ago my kids came across that old clipping, and they loved the fact that there was a picture of their dad as a teenager posing holding a watering can in a newspaper, and they never let me forget about it.
“I can’t go out in the garden without them checking I’ve got my watering can!”
He said it had been very interesting looking around the school, adding: “It was a much smaller school when I was here, and you were very personable with the teachers – and I think the school gave me a very good grounding, it gave you values that you took into later life.”
Jeremy, who attended between 1976 and 1982, was Deputy Head Boy and the head of Stratford House. He brought along his original blazer to the visit, which is decorated with the badges and awards that current-day students still aspire to earn.
He said: “It was fascinating looking around the school. I think that back then the school had its values, which you appreciated more as you advanced through the years – I wanted to be a prefect, for example, and everyone lived and breathed the house system.
Former Fairfax Academy pupils in VIP visit
“It’s good to see that that part of school life is still very important. It put me in good stead for future life.”
Elizabeth, who started at Fairfax in 1974, was a member of Warwick House, and remembered how important the house system was to the students.
“I remember that when you first came up into Fairfax you were told which house you would be in – either Warwick, Stratford, Kenilworth or Coventry – and then in your first year you went on a school trip to the place you represented.
“So, we went to Warwick Castle, and it instilled in us what the house system meant and made us want to compete and do our best.”
Richard said: “I remember the staff were very competitive too when I was at Fairfax!”
Former Fairfax Academy pupils toured school site
On their tour of the school site, the guests saw how Fairfax had changed. Areas that had been filled with temporary huts are now pleasant outside spaces, and what was an outdoor swimming pool is now the Diamond Suite, a multi-use indoor space.
Principal Sean Castle said: “The article from 1980 was fascinating, because it actually showed how the wide range of opportunities offered to students hasn’t changed at Fairfax since it was published.
“Meeting Richard, Jeremy and Elizabeth was wonderful because it confirmed that fact – they spoke about how their time at the school instilled the same values that we focus on today.
“It was also fascinating to hear their memories of the house system and the Eisteddfod, which again showed how some things haven’t changed at all.
“We want our students to leave Fairfax prepared for adult life, and with happy memories of their time here.
“It was very interesting to meet former pupils who clearly look back at their time at Fairfax fondly, and it was a privilege to show them around the school.”