Here is a copy of the May 1943 school magazine, which results from a visit in August 2003 by Paul Graham (JRGS 1959-66) and the late Nick Goy (JRGS 1963-70) to the Local Studies Library and Croydon Archives. Each of the images are offered as individual JPEG files. Click here to access a version of the 1943 magazine as a continuous document. [Warning: It is a large file.]

  Paul Graham writes: I think that the Alumni will find the editorial on page 1 and page 2 particularly revealing. This magazine is the first to be published for over three years and details the history of the school during the darkest days of the war. It confirms that the Croydon site was only closed for a few months in 1939-40, and has a fascinating story to tell of the journeys to Shoreham-by-Sea in Sussex and Woking in Surrey of those pupils whose parents accepted the evacuation from London. It would be interesting to find out if the temporary homes of the school are still standing.

  The only teachers named are the head teacher Mr. McLeod and a deputy Mr. Strick, who is also mentioned in the school log book recently posted on the website. Another, Mr. Manning, is recorded as being on war service. He returned to John Ruskin afterwards. There is, sadly, a too-long list on page 12 and page 13 of some of those who died on active service, and a lot of the articles and poetry from pupils reflect their own experiences of wartime.

  Lastly, on the back cover, is confirmation that Hewitt's the school outfitters had indeed been there since time immemorial... 1866 anyway. We should secure a photograph of the shop in its heyday for the website. Perhaps there is one in Croydon Archives?
 As John Byford, (JRGS 1959-66) confirms: "Hewitt's is going strong. It remains in the same place in Church Street and still sells uniforms for most of the schools in Croydon. Hasn't changed much inside either by all accounts."

Click here to access a version of the 1943 magazine as a continuous document. [Warning: It is a large file.]