Cardinal Wiseman School and the Nuns

Hi, I am trying to find some information out for my mum about Cardinal Wiseman School. When she attended she was taught by nuns. Can anyone remember the names? It would be between 1967-1971. And if anyone has photos that would be great!

Hi, I was at Cardinal Wiseman approx 1964-69. I remember Sister Teresa was the head. There was Sister Joan who taught science with her singing method of remembering chemical symbols. Sister Francis taught English and art and was a very gentle soul. Sister Mary Joan had her hand in at maths and was much stricter. I will have a ponder to remember some more. Wonder if I knew your mum

My sister was at Cardinal Wiseman during the mid sixties and even now at the age of sixty she can't bear the thought of the place, it was so traumatic. She remembers that many of the nuns were cruel, going far beyond the bounds of strictness and they held sway over the other teachers who might have had a less severe attitude. In my sister's opinion they were obsessed by rules and were quick to punish even the most trivial transgression. Maybe she only remembers the worst ones.

Sorry to hear about your sister's unpleasant memories of her school years Walrus. The sisters at St. Joseph's Convent were saints and very fair when it came to discipline. My memories of my years there were most enjoyable.

These Cardinal Wiseman girls are waiting for a coach in Pool Meadow to take them to Buckingham Palace in 1971. The Britannia/De Vere Hotel is under construction behind them with the new cathedral visible behind that. Buckingham Palace Outing 1971 Another view of the coach party

Girls Grammar = Sr Teresa (Black Tess), Sr Mary (Maths), Sr Joan (Chemistry). Many stories on the Friends Reunited site. Pack of witches, they were, although academic reputation of school was top notch.

I was at CWG - 1968-75. The nuns were struggling against the changes in society at the time - bless them. I remember the Monday after a typical 70s weekend of drinking, other illegalities and non-stop dancing (me, not the nuns!) Sister Francis Clare said in assembly - 'I know about teenage life girls - I know there are places where people jive!' Oh dear. The other nuns were, if I remember: Sr Joan - mad as a hatter - Chemistry Sr Mary - permanently handing out 'Order Marks' - Maths Sr Teresa - small but lethal - Grammar School Headmistress Sr Frances Clare - Headmistress - see above Sr Elizabeth - a darling - Biology and 40 years later I can still remember the digestive tract in great detail! Sr Mildred - a saint - RE Sr Margaret - another Saint - Domestic Science Sr Frances - delightful - RE (I believe she left the St Paul's order and rumour had it she married an ex-priest) The Grammar School had a very good academic reputation, but I don't think it had much to do with the nuns to be honest, it was thanks to inspirational teachers such as Mrs Silver - English - the best teacher ever Mrs Porter - Maths Mrs Goldsmith & Miss Cooper - French Mrs Davis - History Mrs Evans - Geography Miss Sharman - Games Mrs Thackray - Art Mrs Lister - Latin Miss Baxter - Physics Miss Holden - Deputy Head Now, how is it that I remember these women from so long ago and can't remember where I've just put my car keys! Hope that helps!

Hello 1J1968 & welcome to our Historic Coventry forum. Thank you for that detailed inventory. ps How about the hook that you hang your keys on?

Hi, I went to Cardinal Wiseman from when it first opened and I must agree the nuns were cruel. You were seen and not heard or you would get the cane. But saying that it never did me any harm. I also went to St Mary's.

Hi all, I went to Cardinal Wiseman Girls, the Secondary school, leaving in 1965. I have just been looking through some of my books which I saved and have rediscovered in the cupboard. It reminded me how much I enjoyed being at the school. The nuns were strict but many of them and the lay staff had a great sense of humour. I remember it as a time of learning and fun. Our teacher, Sister Agnes was a fantastic English teacher. I understand she had a first at Cambridge! Our science teacher, sister Maria, brought in some bulls eyes for biology and as she cut into one it flew off the table and bounced to the back of the classroom. Half the class screamed and ran out, one fainted and the rest of us watched fascinated! They also encouraged my creative interest in puppets and allowed me to develop a play and show It one lunchtime. The only slight negative is that due to the times we weren't made aware that university was an option. Warwick Uni was so close but I didn't get there until I was in my thirties. The staff I remember were Sister Coleman, Head, Miss Wilson who became Mrs Thornton our PE teacher, Miss Short games. Miss Jowett, music,. We had a great French teacher but can't recall her name. The prefects were the middle line of discipline and were well respected. I would never have called any of the staff cruel and never experienced corporal punishment in the school and with my sense of humour and the practical jokes I got away with I must have tried their patience if anyone did. I really enjoyed my education there. Edited by member, 7th May 2014 10:32 pm

Wonderful to hear all the old teachers' names - brings back good memories of school life in Cov.

I was at Cardinal Wiseman Grammar from 1961 until 1966. I have good memories especially when we had a trip to Paris. Names of teachers who came with us are blurred but I do remember Miss Holden.

I attended during the same years as your mum, by the time my sister attended about six yrs later all the nuns had for some reason changed their names. I loved science and Sister Maria was our form teacher one year, she was a bit of a tartar and had a habit of calling girls out for ‘having the backbone of a jellyfish’ or ‘you are rotten to the core’ thankfully I avoided this accolade ha ha, the French teacher was lovely always was complaining about the short bits of chalk as she would break her nails on the blackboard She was Miss Cooper Edited by member, 8th Mar 2018 9:58 am