Former pupils of Thomas Calton School in Peckham will gather for a special reunion on Saturday 20 September, from 2pm to 6pm, at the old upper school on Choumert Road near Rye Lane.
The event is being organised by Barry Winters and fellow ex-Caltonians, who came together last year to host their first reunion. The committee includes Barry, Alvin Brown, Yvonne Jackson and Ian (Squashy) Swoish, who all attended the school between 1971-1979.
The afternoon will include quizzes, games, food and refreshments, a tour of the old school, and live entertainment from south London stand-up comedian Junior Booker, who will be joined by a support act.
Thomas Calton had a lower school for ages 11 to 13 on Adys Road in East Dulwich, which is now home to St John’s & St Clement’s C of E Primary School. Students then moved to the upper school, on Choumert Road, between the ages of 14 to 16. Alumni include Chris Eubank Snr, before it was said he was expelled from the upper school.
The school closed in the late 1980s due to falling pupil numbers at the time. However, the lower building is still a school today and the upper school building is now the Thomas Calton Centre, an adult education centre.
The idea for a reunion grew when Barry decided to get in touch with his former secondary school classmates, including his old best friend, Ian ‘Squashy’ Swoish. The pair met up and reminisced about “the good old bad days at Thomas Calton”, floating the idea of a reunion.
Despite living in Sidcup now, Barry’s job as a surveyor means he covers much of South East London, so he often returns to Peckham. He had a job near Rye Lane last year, just round the corner from the upper school, and decided to take a trip to “the old place”.
The staff at the education centre were thrilled with his proposition for a reunion. Inspired, he decided to bring Caltonian’s back together.
At the funeral of former pupil David Watt, who sadly passed away in 2024, aged 63, Squashy helped to set the reunion in motion, connecting with other ex-Caltonians at the wake, inspiring them to “to go back to the old school and meet up with some of the old crowd.”
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The first reunion was a great success, with 60 attendees from differing years and classes. This year, Barry, Alvin, Yvonne and Squashy, who attended the school at the same time, have formed a dedicated committee, each taking on a different role to make the day a success.
“Last time we had Caltonians going back to the ’60s, we’re from the ’70s and there were some from the ’80s before the school was closed down,” Barry told us.
Reminiscing on his school days, Barry recalls an interesting school trip to the London Stock Exchange as part of a Thames Television (which was part ITV) programme called This Week. The episode focused on teachers’ pay and on their teacher Chris Eastwood.
Barry recalls watching the trading on the floor from the glass gallery, eating his packed lunch crisps on the steps of the Royal Exchange and being filmed in the classroom.
The ex-pupils now have a buzzing WhatsApp group and Facebook group and many live all over the world, from Spain to Jamaica and Australia.
“We want everyone who is able to to come for an afternoon of fun and mirth, to refresh memories and rekindle old friendships regardless of what year or class they were in.
“Bring your stories. Bring your laughs. Bring your Thomas Calton pride. Let’s make this reunion one to remember.”
Date: Saturday 20 September
Time: 2-6pm
Location: The Thomas Calton Centre, Choumert Road / Alpha St, SE15 4NX
Tickets: £23 early bird price, £25 on the day. The ticket price goes towards venue hire, food and drink and entertainment.
How to pay: Please send payment to:
Yvonne Jackson
Acc No: 85209694
Sort Code: 60-16-16
