I need to start my story at Longfield Primary School in Pinner, where I started during the war.  The reason I start here is because it was the initial instituted system that appointed me a "dunce".  There were about 40 kids to a class and for reasons never made clear I was seated at the back of the classroom.  It was the chalk and blackboard era and I would have needed binoculars to read the scribble the teacher etched on the blackboard every day.  So I never learned anything.  Many occasions when I failed to answer teacher's question, I would end up standing in the corner with the dunce's hat on my head.  Not surprisingly I failed the eleven plus exam and at 12 years progressed to Headstone Secondary School.  This wasn't any better and the teacher emphasis changed to one of discipline.  I was 15 rising 16 when I heard about Blackwell and it was with great joy I was accepted into the advanced electrical engineering course.

From day one the atmosphere was "electric" if you'll excuse the pun.  I'd always been addressed as Eavis but at Blackwell I became "Mr. Eavis". All the teachers treated pupils with a respect, I'd never experienced that before and that was only the start of a completely new educational and life experience.

It never occurred to me at the time, but how was it that a "dunce" could suddenly complete laboratory reports, mathematical equations and metallurgy science.  I completed my two years achieving the School Leaving Certificate in nine subjects, seven with distinction, the Harrow Certificate in eight subjects and the Royal Society of Arts Technical Certificate in five subjects, all in credits.  Other achievements included appointment as Senior Prefect, Harrow Schools Athletics team and awarded School Colours for Athletics and Basketball.  Well, that would never have happened at Headstone.

I left Blackwell in July 1955 and was immediately accepted for an engineering apprenticeship with The British Thompson Houston Company based upon my engineering introduction at Blackwell.  During the next five years I worked my way through every section of the factory and drawing office and during day release attended technical college obtaining National Certificate in Electrical Engineering in both Ordinary and Advanced levels. In 1968 I was appointed as an Associate Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Technician Engineers - S J Eavis A.M.I.E.E.T.E. and subsequently appointed a Fellow.

I know this all sounds like me blowing my own trumpet but what I really want is to give credit to the foundational education set and achieved by H K Olphin and all his staff; otherwise I might still be a dunce.  Following a very interesting and diverse engineering career, I ended up in Australia as the Chief Engineer of an engineering company.  Now retired with my wife and grown up family, owning our own house and a self-funded superannuation fund to live comfortably, I am forever thankful to my old school for the start they gave me.

Sidney Eavis,   Blackwell 1953-55