I know it’s a cliche but tickets really are selling fast for the launch of ‘We Did Our Homework On the Bus’ at the school on 1 October.

Since launch details went out last week, we’ve received applications from all over the world with flights booked from the likes of Australia, New York, Gibraltar and Vietnam.

One of these is Bert Moniz who will be travelling from his home in Wilmington, Delaware to be at the launch.

Originally from Sidcup, Bert attended St Mary’s between 1954 and 1962 and was there during a period of seismic change which saw the old St Mary’s College win grammar status to become St Mary’s Grammar in 1957 and move to the new site on Chislehurst Road.

The site is now home to Christ the King St Mary Sixth Form College whose principal Camilla Crampton has been exceptionally helpful.

Bert now chairs a committee which has been pulled together to ensure everything runs smoothly and said: “I guess I’m what’s called an ex-patriate. Left Blighty in my twenties. Changed nationality twice, always earned enough to support my habits. But I’m also patriotic to values received growing up, wherever I landed: the microcosm called neighborhood, our relationships with scattered friends and family, and importantly St Mary’s.

“I’m also drawn to people and the vignettes produced by master storyteller, Matt Eastley. Having devoured the content of his website (“We did our homework…” what a title!), I’m eager to learn about our journeys after St Mary’s.

“On October 1st, I’m anticipating meeting old classmates, but I’m also expecting to be pleasantly surprised in conversations with the greater diaspora.”

So there you have it. If you get to the launch you’ll have a chance to meet Bert and countless other St Mary’s old boys, enjoy a special display of photographs of memorabilia, a film, plus interviews with teachers and pupils.

It will be followed by a social event at Sidcup Sports Club where a full bar will surely help the stories flow all night.

At the moment, places are being reserved for old boys of St Mary’s College and St Mary’s Grammar before 1979 only but we want everyone who wants to attend to be able to do so.

If you haven’t already got one, you can get an application form by emailing homeworkonthebus@gmail.com – initial applications are being asked for by 21 August.