This Site Was Last Updated on Saturday, 28 October 2006

Site Owner - Stephen Smith

Remember Stuart Houchen

Stuart 1966

Stuart 2006

When did you attend Priory

1966 to 1967

What was your nickname?

Stu

How did you locate the Priory website?

Placed Priory School Jamaica into Google

Who were your most memorable teachers?

Mr Fred Seyd. Elderley Form and English teacher. Mrs Sloly, Art teacher, (most boys there then would remember her!!) Mr and Mrs Tansey, Mr Theobald, Mrs Wilson and the Bourkes. Mrs Bourke I think was the grand daughter of Sir Alexander Graham Bell or so the rumour went at the time!

Mr E.C. Theobald and Mrs. Cherry Sloly

Who were your best friends at Priory?

Tommy Pickens, Graham Brand, Jim Chorostecki, Philip Feanny, Colin Cairney   

Graham Brand, Jim Chorostecki and Philip Feanny

Who are you in touch with today?

No one

Who would you like to track down?

Tommy Pickens and Graham Brand

Tommy Pickens

What was the wildest thing you ever did at Priory?

Being a party to almost burning down the main old building. A friend, (Nameless) during one morning break was poking bits of lit paper into a knot hole in the interior wall of our classroom and being so old and dry, the timbers soon caught alight. The head boy, Roger Brand and one or two other seniors rushed in and axed the wall open and used an extinguisher on it. Henry Fowler was most gracious during the ensuing school assembly and inquest into the affair. I don't think any great punishment was meted out!

Roger Brand

Who was the craziest person during your time at Priory?

A chap called Tommy Pickens, an American lad. Maybe the most crazy I recall, possibly something to do with lit bits of burning paper. (Not that I would tell tales)!!

Where do you live and what do you do nowadays?

Hamilton New Zealand. I own and operate a small town Funeral Business in Cambridge, near Hamilton.

Tell us about any significant others

Married to Trish for 21 years and have two daughters, Laura aged 19 and Katie nearly 18.  Two ginger cats and a Jack Russell terrier named Vinnie

Tell us about your most unusual meeting with a Priory person

I discovered a near neighbour recently who was also a Priory student. Jean Newman (or Neuman) Was there about 1963 or 1964!

What do you think of the Priory Website?

I haven't explored it all yet but I think it's a fantastic site, I would love to be in touch with those I knew back then!

Click here to e-mail Stuart

© Stephen Smith 2006