I do recognise Mr Frayman who, I think, taught science until Ben Kershner arrived.

I was one of the first form intake of 11-year-olds in 1959 and have many happy memories of my seven years there.

From shopping for my purple blazer, purple skirt and much-hated jockey hat at Seltser's on Cheetham Village, (now the Halifax) to becoming head girl from 1965 to 1966, I can recall that I loved school and was a bit of a swot.

King David High class of 1960 at the end of the first year in the new school. Left is head Harold Linton

I did not love the hat, which was stuffed into my satchel once outside the gates, only to be spotted by a prefect, who insisted I replace it or write 100 lines. The hat went back on.

The late headmaster, Harold Linton, told my parents I was "a bit wild". Hence, it was a miracle that I became a prefect, never mind head girl.

That was a gross exaggeration as I was simply full of high spirits. However, there was a heated debate about my suitability and moral fibre for leadership.

I was very pleased that I was adjudged to be on a par with my friends. I then progressed to improving the uniform for the sixth form. That was probably my first act of leadership.

Senior King David High School pupils in 1966 with head teacher Harold Linton (right)

I really enjoyed singing in the choir (we performed at the official open day in 1961) and having major speaking parts at the highly praised mock sedarim. I can say that KD High helped me realise my potential and encouraged me to become a rounded individual.

The late Betty Linton taught us the songs for the "mock seder" and I later taught them to my own children.

My fondness for school was, of course, due to the dedication of my teachers; Mr Baker, who was my form teacher throughout, taught French, Hebrew, English Language and Literature; Miss Rose, who taught history until succeeded by Mr Hertzog; the late Mrs Blaukopf, who inspired in me a lifelong love of Shakespeare; the late Mr Pereira, who taught Hebrew; Mrs Cohen, who led the choir and taught me the discipline needed when performing; Mrs Friesner, who developed my love of the natural world.

There was also Mrs Moscovitch, who taught us Israeli songs and dancing.

I did not excel at either needlework or domestic science, being too impatient to listen, then achieving disastrous results. Very few of my unburnt offerings made it home, where my mother tutted and fed them to the birds.

The rock cakes, however, were a success, but the lemon curd turned green and was binned.

I earned the reputation as the girl who disabled three sewing machines during one school year.

KIDS' STUFF: Jews' School infant class of 1948. Back row: Arnold Forrester, Clive Weller, Eunice Semp, Rica Pliskin, Estelle ?, Keith Appleby, Victor Stone, Murray Schwalbe. Second row: Jeffrey Taylor, Peter Fogel, Peter Nissenbaum, Eric Greenberg, Eric Nevitsky, Alan Mendel, Jack Edwards, ? Lawrence Bertfield, Michael Galley. Front: Janice Goldman, Jacqueline Levine, Barbara Frumin, Marilyn Lewis, Barbara Clark, Joan Herman, Sonia Blaskie (Blake), Valerie Wexler

The result was that the gorgeous creation that was a summer blouse in a glazed cotton adorned with overblown pink roses (Butterick pattern number 3015) had to be finished by hand.

With much enthusiasm I tried it on and it was lovely, but I was trapped in it and required two friends to release me.

The only garments I produced were an apron and hair band to wear in domestic science. However, as I spent so many lessons in disgrace outside the domestic science room. they were virtually unused.

Two very sad events were the deaths of Mr Weinstock , who taught art and that of my friend of 10 years, Carole Clyne.

Carole was my partner in crime, especially in domestic science. The only crimes were giggling and fiddling with the equipment whilst the teacher was talking. We were constantly threatened with being expelled, except I was the one sent outside.

I recall the school trip to Paris in 1960, led by Mr Baker, Miss Rose and Mr Pereira. That was my first trip abroad and I still remember my first taste of artichokes in olive oil.

On my return to Paris, I fondly remembered my first ascent of the Eiffel Tower, the trip down the Seine and all the magic that is Paris. I still didn't manage to see the Mona Lisa, but I did return to Versailles, where lessons about the Sun King came to life.

SPICK AND SPAN IN 1955. Back row: Marilyn Preger, ??, ? Caplan, ??, Beryl Tarrant. Second row: Teacher Miss Rubinstein (Mrs Stone), ??, Dempsey, Janice Quint, Raymond Sacaloff, Jacqueline Levine, Carl Freeman, Janet Bookbinder, Phillip Tray, ??, Klass, ??, ? Joseph, Maureen Block. Front: Stuart Ash, Rica Pliskin, Jeffrey Lazarus, Eunice Semp, Norman Bookbinder, Isabel Matus, Eric Greenberg, Ruth Sherman, ??, Irene Caplan, Abe Shlmofsky

I can't imagine now what I actually thought the Renaissance was and how it was connected to the fall of Constantinople, but at least more than 40 years on I can say I have seen some of the great art works and can often answer questions at quiz evenings about obscure related facts.

I think I must have learned every word of every book for the set texts, plus a few well-chosen quotes for good measure.

I just did not realise that Pride and Prejudice was a love story full of unrequited love and smouldering passion, until I was much older. Still, in a class of giggling teenagers, we had to keep to the facts, examine the characters, (omitting the love angle) and study the plot.

Imagine if we had seen the Colin Firth version in 1963!

FIRST CLASS: The first pupils to arrive at Wilton Polygon from the Jews' School, Waterloo Road, in 1956, with teacher Mr Kramer, headmaster David Roland and head of Hebrew Rabbi Gershon Wulwick. Are you on the picture? Email newsdesk@jewishtelegraph.com

It was the same with the Mayor of Casterbridge; the love angle was seen as secondary to the plot. In fact it is central and, having seen the film version, I understood why it was played down.

Another highlight for me was when the late Elsie Tanner and her 'son' Dennis came to host a charity fashion evening. Being only 5ft 1in , I was too small to be a model so I gave the vote of thanks and received a kiss from Elsie and Dennis. I have dined out on that for many years.

When I went into the sixth form, some girls did a post-GCE typing course to help improve their job prospects.

They always seemed to be enjoying themselves, tapping away to the William Tell Overture. I cannot listen to that piece without wondering why they did it to music. I have tried typing whilst humming it, but it does not improve my typing.

I was very happy at KD High School and may now be inspired to write a book.

I should have gone to those typing classes though, because at this rate I will be well into old age before completing it!

Denise Stallman (nee Hardman),
26 Fairway,
Prestwich.