Now open to post 1979 pupils!

We have had an excellent response to the book launch and social event from St Mary's old boys and we are now pleased to open the invitation to the 1 October book launch and evening social to everyone else. This means former pupils of St Joseph's Convent and anyone who joined St Mary and St Joseph’s after 1979 is very welcome to apply.

Evening social can now be booked separately

The evening social can now be booked separately, for those who can’t attend the afternoon. Use the response form to book.

While the book is mainly about St Mary's College and St Mary's Grammar School between 1924 and 1979, the full story of the amalgamation is told with several contributions from St Joseph's girls who made the switch from Abbey Wood to Sidcup.The years following the amalgamation are also told including the departure of Fr Graystone in 1981, the early stages of Terry Smith’s headship and several significant moments including triumph and events of deep sadness in the 1980s and beyond.

Response Required by 18 September

Please use the response form to secure your place at the book launch, the evening social or both. Or, if you can’t make it but would like a copy of the book, you can still order one for delivery (see below).There is a link to the form at the bottom of this page as well as wherever the words response form are mentioned! Responses are required by 18 September.

SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER LAUNCH DAY DETAILS
There are two different events on 1 October, an afternoon book launch at ‘the school’ followed by an evening social at Sidcup Sports Club. There is a charge for each - the only thing not included is the Sports Club bar! We aim to cover the costs of book production and to deliver a day which hopefully we will all remember with fondness for a very long time. If there is any surplus from the event it will be donated to a charity or charities which will be publicised in due course.

BOOK LAUNCH - £40
2pm – 5pm The old school premises
now Christ The King, St Mary’s, Chislehurst Road, Sidcup, DA14 6BE

Includes a copy of the book and a commemorative St Mary’s lapel badge, both of which you will receive on the day.
As part of the afternoon, you can enjoy a guided tour of parts of the building, old and new, a film of the school’s history through the ages accompanied by songs of the day, plus hundreds of photographs and other memorabilia which will be on display. There will be interviews with teachers and pupils and a couple of surprises! Of course, the focus will be catching up with many old friends and faces. You can also have our professional photographer - a St Mary’s old boy himself! - capture whatever you like for a lasting memento (digital photographs will be available online free of charge - prints may be ordered for a modest fee). Tea and coffee as well as a specially commissioned St Mary’s cake will be served.

EVENING SOCIAL - £15
5pm – 11pm Sidcup Sports Club in nearby Sydney Road, Sidcup, DA14 6RA

Includes supper (fish, fried chicken or halloumi, with chips)
A continuation of the day’s nostalgia, with a full bar to help the stories flow! The film, memorabilia display, photography studio and the music of our youth from the fifties, sixties, seventies and eighties will all continue at the sports club. It’s sure to be an incredible trip down memory lane.

Response Required by 18 September

Guest Places
If you would like to bring a guest, please indicate it on the response form. If there are spaces remaining on 18 September, we will allocate them on a first come-first served basis and let you know regarding payment.
A guest place at the book launch is £10, but does not include a book or badge.
A guest place at the evening social is £15 including food.

Special Circumstances
Please use the response form to let us know if you need to be accompanied or if you have mobility or other special requirements. The building is fully accessible and has a lift.

Help or be Helped
Don’t let money worries spoil the day
We are well aware that the cost of living is rising and that while they may love to, some old boys and girls may struggle to afford the 1 October festivities. We don’t want this to prevent anyone from attending. If you would like to extend a helping hand to make sure no old boy or girl misses out, you can: there is a line on the response form for you to make a financial gift. Select your desired amount (£55 pays for the whole day for one old boy or girl) to support those who would otherwise not be able to come. Any surplus from the ‘Help or be Helped’ initiative will be given to charity – details to follow.
If you would like to take advantage of a gifted ticket, please complete and return the response form. We will treat your enquiry in confidence and provide tickets for both events and a book and badge as gifted tickets become available.

Can’t make it?
If you are unable to join us on 1 October but would like to order book(s) or badge(s), please reply using the response form by 18 September, remembering to include your address. We will respond with a price including post and packing at cost.

Any questions?
If you have any questions, please use the response form to let us know. We will answer all questions as soon as we can.

Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible on 1 October.

response form