On Wednesday, the Development Team were delighted to host a Camberwell Drinks Party at the old school site. The event was a great success, with over 70 Old Wilsonians in attendance spanning an incredible 65 Wilson’s School leaving years! Tai (Y12) volunteered to take photographs on the night, and recounts his experience of the reunion below:

On the 20th of March, I had the privilege of attending an Old Wilsonians drinks evening held at the original school site in Camberwell.

Upon arrival, I was astounded to see the imposing building that stood before me, and the words Wilson’s School 1882 that were etched into the brickwork. As I entered through the main doors, I quickly bumped into two Old Wilsonians who told me their experience of being the last cohort to attend Wilson’s at the old school site before the move to Wallington in 1975.

The helpful Mr Straw and School Captain, Jerome, then showed me through the halls and up the staircase into the old hall. It was a surreal feeling to imagine that roughly 450 students would have been using the hall daily to have their assemblies. Looking up, I could see the words ‘Roll of Honour’, which had the same gold lettering that we have in our reception—the WW1 and WW2 memorial that remembers Wilsonians who perished. Soon after, I began taking photos and having conversations with a wide range of Old Wilsonians—some of the alumni I spoke to had only left a few years ago, whilst most had left before I was born! Despite these differences, everyone was interested in each other’s stories and experiences.

Speeches by Mr Edge, Mr Lissimore and the chair of the alumni network caused a sea of smiles and laughter. Overall, it was a great event that showed me how the Wilson’s community continues to thrive, even after your school days are finished!

Tai, Year Twelve