SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER LAUNCH DAY DETAILS

 Planning for 1 October is in full swing; it promises to be an unforgettable day! There are two different events, 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 and seventies will all continue at the sports club. It’s sure to be an incredible trip down memory lane.

Response Required by 21 August

Regrettably, there is a limit to the numbers we can accommodate on 1 October, so we are giving priority for the book launch to old boys and staff who attended St Mary’s College and St Mary’s Grammar School prior to 1979 (some other special guests have been invited because of their connection to the school and the book). If available, tickets for just the evening social will be put on sale in September.

Old boys and staff can secure their book and place at the launch now by completing the response form with their requirements and sending payment by 21 August.

21 August is also the deadline for people other than old boys and staff to register their requirement for books and interest in the launch events.

Special Circumstances   

People are also using the form to let us know if they need to be accompanied or to give details of any 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, not all old boys will be able 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 misses out, you can: there is a line on the form for you to make a financial gift. Select your desired amount (£55 pays for the whole day for one old boy) 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 download, 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.

Spread the word

Feel free to let other St Mary’s old boys who you in touch with about the 1 October. It really will be a special occasion.

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 21 August, 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 and create a FAQ page on the website.

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