Kent: Former St Augustine's pupils and teachers celebrate 150th anniversary

1893 Football 1st

A special reunion will take place in the grounds St Augustine's Abbey, Ramsgate this Saturday, 12 September. Former pupils and teachers will gather in the grounds of the former Catholic College to celebrate the 150th year of its foundation. Some of those attending were at the school before the Second World War.

A special Mass will be held at St Augustine's church at 12 noon to celebrate anniversary and especially to remember the school's headmaster for 30 years, Fr Bernard Waldron, who died earlier this year. The reunion will take place in the Abbey Grounds afterwards.

An exhibition of copies of photographs and documents over the College's history will go on display at St Augustine's church from Saturday and will remain there until the end of September.

The school was founded in 1865 by Benedictine Monks and apart from the interruptions of two world wars, remained there until 1971, when it moved to the former Les Oiseaux Convent School buildings in Westgate on Sea. The College closed down in 1995, with many pupils at the time going on to complete their education at the Ursuline College.

The first lessons at the school took place in Pugin's School Room at St Augustine's church in Ramsgate before moving into St Gregory's next door to the Monastery. The first pupil to be recorded in the register was Peter Paul Pugin, youngest son of famous architect, Augustus Welby Pugin. The school moved to Hemingford Grey, Huntingdonshire during the Second World War but later returned to Ramsgate and taking over Pugin's Grange and St Edward's buildings.

Andrew Sharp, Secretary of the Old Augustinians Society said: "We are very excited to be holding this event in Ramsgate, which was home to the School
for most of its history. Although the school closed down in 1995, the former pupils and teachers have kept in touch which is a testament to the inclusive culture that grew out of the school and the friendships that have remained over many years."

Any former pupils or teachers at the school who would like to attend the reunion this Saturday should contact Andrew Sharp email: oldaugustinians@gmail.com