Explore Your Archive Week: Paul Israel (QG 1987) Returns

As part of Explore Your Archive Week, Paul was invited back to re-live his memories as a boarder at Field House by School’s History Explorers Club. Paul joined the Junior School in September 1978 and went on to The Lodge in1981, before eventually becoming a day pupil and finishing in Queensgate. 

After reminiscing over House photographs, Paul began his tour in the Archive on the ground floor where he recalled sitting on his tuck box (holding all his most important possessions) and being told not to talk during assembly!  On the first floor he showed the pupils his dorm, looking out of the window to tell them about the ‘pen’ where he played five-a-side football and, inevitably, came away with a grazed knee.  As the memories returned, they also heard about the midnight feast attempts which were quickly thwarted by Master’s hearing the noise of Monster Munch crisps being opened.  Finishing on the top floor, Paul described how the room was divided into three small areas for the Assistant Masters and motherly Matron – hard to imagine nowadays.     

It was a great opportunity for current students to find out about School’s past, brought back to life so enthusiastically by Paul but also for him to revisit and see the Archives! 

Wanting to explore you archives? Please contact our Archivist at archives@highgateschool.org.uk. All are welcome!