29th August 2025

Matt Eastley

There’s only two Steve Jarvises…

Recently Steve Jarvis, who joined St Mary’s in 1977, had a birthday (59th as you asked) so it seemed timely to share this photograph taken at last year’s Centenary reunion.

 It shows Steve Jarvis (left, 1977 vintage) shaking hands with Steve Jarvis (right) who started at the school exactly ten years earlier in 1967. (See, I was concentrating during those Maths lessons in the huts with Mr Mike Parle).

 Steve (1977 version) was one of the great eccentrics of that year and, though enduring a bit of old-fashioned schoolboy ribbing at times, turned into a popular and lovable member of the year.

 I’m delighted to say he’s still a bit eccentric but we love him for it and he’s a popular presence at any reunion.

 Steve (1967 version) is the son of legendary drama master Adrian Jarvis and an equally excellent bloke.

 St Mary’s was lucky to have two fine fellows with the same name.

 All together now, to the tune of The Sandpipers 1966 hit Guantanemera: 

“Two Steve Jarvises….there’s only two Steve Jarvises…..two Steve Jarrrrr-vis-es….there’s only two Steve Jarrr-vis..es”