The Paston School / College
|
Since 1606, there has been a school on the same site in North Walsham, Norfolk to educate the .'..Norfolk Lads'.
Founded by Sir William Paston, of the Paston Letters family fame, the School has had many formats: A Fee based School (for boys) - feeding Cambridge A Free School (for boys) - feeding Universities A Boarding School (for boys) - with many Forces places A Grammar School (for boys) with a separate High School (for girls) A 6th Form College (for boys and girls) - combining both sites A Further Education College Site (for boys and girls) - part of Norwich City College In all guises, it continues to offer education to generations of Norfolk 'lads/lasses'. Its' registered pupil numbers has ranged from 40, to a current (estimated) 1000+. Its' alumni has included several notable historical names such as Tenison, Wharton and Hoste, and many who served and died in 2 wars. But the School is especially proud to celebrate that Horatio Nelson took some learning from the School to embark on his illustrious Naval career, culminating in victory for England at the Battle of Trafalgar, in 1805. It is this occasion, around the 21st October each year, that the Society of Old Pastonians uses as a call to re-unite and re-connect with friends from our cohort, or from across the eras. Whatever experience you had with the School / College, you will have some connection with the place, and its history. |
|
The Society of Old PastoniansThe Society was created in 1913, by the then Head Master, George Hare, who thought an alumni of the School would be useful for those that bonded together and for continuity, post School years.
Over the years, the Society has had its own annual magazine and many reunions, normally around Trafalgar Day, or Founders Day. Notable large ones being on the 400th Anniversary of the school founding, in October 2006 and the 200th Anniversary of Trafalgar in 2005. The Centenary year of 2013 added this website for Old Pastonians - a fitting 21st century addition, and a good communications tool. There is a separate (but supportive) Facebook group (HERE) which hosts social content. Anyone that attended Paston is an Old Pastonian and is welcome to join the Society and keep involved - mainly once a year. The Society will attempt to continue to support Paston, each other, and local good causes, and represent the legacy of the place. We hope you find this information useful. See the contact page or email us here: mailto:[email protected] "From good to better, everywhere" De Mieux En Mieux Pour Tout |
The School Song
|
Trafalgar Day Reunion Dinners, and AGMThe latest annual Trafalgar Dinner and reunion was 19th October 2024. See Reports on the Reunion dinner page and the Member AGM page.
The next will be 18th October 2025 - the 220th Anniversary of Trafalgar. |
...every man will do his best... |
|
Memorable School Dates
1st October 1606 Foundation Day (started 1604!)
21st October 1805 Battle of Trafalgar / Trafalgar Day 27th December 1913 Society of Old Pastonians founded 1st September 1984 Paston Sixth Form College created 21st October 2017 The next AGM and Trafalgar Day Dinner 29th December 2013 Centenary of the Society 1st December 2017 Merger with Norwich City College 21st March 2020 Global Covid-19 SARS-CoV-19 Pandemic 22nd October 2022 Trafalgar Dinners resumed (post covid) |
What you can find on this siteBrowse the tabs across the top to find basic (and detailed) information about the Society, School, College, Trafalgar Day and more. There is a page to Join SOP and to make a Centenary Donation. There are several forms to provide your updated contact details, any nice memorabilia (e.g. photos), feedback or just check-in with the Blog.
There is also a Members Section containing a bit more, for members, obviously. |
|