Old Sydneian Gregory Benjamin sent some memories of his time as a Grammar boy to the School Archives, to add to our collection. Below are some snippets and photos from his recollections. Greg’s grandfather, father and nephew also attended Sydney Grammar School.
Here for the archives and those who might be interested, some recollections and a collection of photographs, reports and certificates from my attendance at Sydney Grammar School, College Street, for eight years from 1969 to 1976. Also included is information on attendances by my grandfather Neil, my father Bruce, and my nephew John. With thanks to Bruce, the names of the four generations are recorded on the back of seat W17 in the underground auditorium, the funding of which included seat sponsorship.
- Neil Fernandez Benjamin - my grandfather (1901- 1971) age 69, Grammar: five years 1915-1919
- Bruce Neil Procter Benjamin - my father (1931 - 2018) age 86, Grammar: four years 1946-1949
- Gregory Bruce Benjamin - born in 1959, Grammar: eight years 1969-1976
- John Robert Marquard - my nephew, born in 1995, Grammar: six years 2008-2013
Given my grandfather and father were at Sydney Grammar School, from an early age I was enrolled to also attend. We lived about 9 kilometres north west of College Street in the suburb of Greenwich where I began at Greenwich Infants and Primary School from 1964 up to 4th Class in 1968. College Street in the City was a closer option than the Grammar Preparatory schools at Edgecliff or St Ives. I have memories of sitting the Entrance Exam in Grammar’s impressive Big School hall where my grandfather had his name on one board for the Wigram Allen Prize for Mathematics in 1919. On another board was my father’s name for the Junior Knox Prize in 1947.
Fortunately, I passed, though I believe some favour was given to family who had been there. In 1969 I began “Prep” Form, or 5th Class, in Mr Trimble’s class of 26 students. In 1970 I moved on to “R.U.” (Remove Upper) Form, or 6th Class, in Mr Blackborrow’s class of 30 students. The big change was in 1971 moving into Form I with about 180 students. The classes were ranked, A, B, C, D, E, and F. My marks gave entry to class Form 1C being a fair indication of my abilities and performance in the years to come.
My sporting life at Grammar began with two sports. The first was Rugby Union where in 1969 I played in the 10A team, and in 1970 the 11A team where we practised at Weigall, Rushcutters Bay. Our coach for both years was the strong affable personality of Mr Reg Billing from Edgecliff Preparatory School, who used to call me Benj.
During summer I played Cricket, a game at which I was just average. Apart from an occasional highlight I was neither a good batter or bowler. In 1969 I played in the 10A team, and in 1970 the 11A team. The coach for both years was Mr Peter Harwin from Edgecliff Preparatory School.
After these early halcyon days, from 1971 I was in Big School. Whilst I didn’t continue with the Cricket, for a period I did play Rugby. Getting older, I found the matches were too gruelling and prone to injury. To the disappointment of the Sports Master, I changed from Rugby to Basketball where after each Saturday I was less fatigued. After several years, I captained the First Basketball Team in 1976 and was awarded Colours.
Photo taken by my father during practice before a game
Mr Earle and Mint Pattie
Second Master of Geology and Geography was old and amiable Mr Fred Earle who was also Tutor master of Group 6. On the top floor of the Big School building, above where Headmaster Alistair Mackerras had his office, Mr Earle taught in an old room which had a hole in the ceiling. I had heard Mr Earle had a liking for chocolate Mint Patties. In a stunt which I heard was not the first time, I happened to be passing the room where he was teaching when one of the boys had gained access to the roof attic, and, to the amusement of the class, lowered a Mint Pattie tied on a string, down through the hole in the classroom roof. All for a good cause, I understand the boy escaped detention.
Tutor Group 9 and 16
In the mid to later years of being at Big School, each student was allocated to one of twenty Tutor groups. In addition to attending regular classes, the Tutor master was there to help guide you, as required, through school life. I was allocated to Group 9 whose Tutor master was conservative Mr Ross, being Senior Master and Classics master. In due course I became Group Secretary and Vice-Captain.
Many wanted to get into Group 16 whose Tutor master was Mr Kevin McCaskill, a History master. I was fortunate to be inspired by the energetic and entertaining Mr McCaskill for History in Form IIC. Group 16 gained a reputation for pushing the boundaries. Unlike anything that might happen in other groups, Kevin McCaskill organised for members of Group 16 to see the 1975 film “Tommy” being a fantasy drama featuring music by The Who and Elton John as The Pinball Wizard. For a period, Group 16 was located in the old Palladium building before it was demolished. During school holidays Group 16 members came into revamp their room, including one of the boys walking with painted feet across the ceiling. With the demise of the Palladium, Group 16 relocated to the penthouse room on the Science block where they had couches, ping pong tables, and acquired street signs.
Gregory’s later profession as a chartered accountant can be seen here in his analysis of Sydney Grammar School Results and his own.
Many thanks to Greg Benjamin (OS 1976) who sent the Archives an extensive file outlining his ‘recollections’ of being a Sydney Grammar School boy.
After leaving Grammar, Greg worked for many different commercial and chartered accounting firms, and he currently resides in Perth.
