List of ex-pupils from De La Salle College, Sheffield

Surnames S to Z

These are all ex-pupils from De La Salle, Scott Road, Sheffield.

S 

Surname at school: Sandham

First name: Leslie Michael

Years attended: 1954-60

E-mail address: lmsandham@netscapeonline.co.uk

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests:

Any other information:

Surname at school: Sandler

First name: David

Years attended: 1967-74

E-mail address: darvydarvy@aol.com

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests:

Any other information:

Surname at school: Shea

First name: Sean

Years attended: 1961-68

E-mail address: sean.shea@lineone.net

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests: Owls. Beer. Wine. Music. Badminton. Food.

Any other information:

Married (Twice!) - 3 children, Kevin, Rory and Anna. Now living in the North West.

Surname at school: Shea

First name: Tom

Years attended: 1958-63

E-mail address: tomhartshea@hotmail.com

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests: music, dance, literature, philosophy

Any other information:

Retired after 13 years as head of a primary school. Married with 2 children. A lot of my energy now goes into supporting Rudolf Steiner Education.

Surname at school: Shelton

First name: John

Years attended: 1958-65

E-mail address: john@sheltonj.freeserve.co.uk

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests: theatre, cycling, travel, swimming, reading

Any other information:

My info is that, on leaving sixth form:

• I got a degree in Chemistry from Loughborough
• Failed to get a PhD from Sheffield Poly
• Then worked in the Pharmaceutical Industry in the US, France and Italy, but mainly in the South of England.
• I'm now a consultant and a QP (meaningful only if you are in Pharmaceuticals!)
• Married with two grown up daughters, both now at University studying Biology
• Have taken root in Sussex, but visit Yorkshire on a regular basis, so could perhaps fit in with any reunions

Surname at school: Shelton

First name: Mark

Years attended: 1976-79

E-Mail address: m.a.shelton@sheffield.ac.uk

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests: Outdoors, walking, cycling, fishing.  About to start a part-time degree course at Sheffield University - Social and Political studies.  Power to the people.

Any other information:

Left school 1979, the last pupils to attend.  Used to have lessons along with Trenton Wiggan, David Frain, Stephen Hunt, Osbourne Woodhouse, Paul Hunt Martin and Paul Franks to name but a few.  Remember Mr Glaze (English), Strapper Grant (Chemistry and the strap).  I've been married since I was 19 to Sharron and we have a son named Sam.  Left school and became a joiner with the council, went self-employed in 1987, was almost killed in 1990 in a car accident and recovered - took an easier job, porter at the university, chilled ever since.

Surname at school: Sidney

First name: Richard

Years attended: 1959-64

E-Mail address: rgsidney@fish.co.uk

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests: Is this a job interview?  Oh alright, gardening and travelling the world to help people.

Any other information:

After serving 5 years 1959 to 1964 I joined the army and served another 14 years, at least the second stint was a piece of cake after DLS.  My thanks for that lengthy career advice I received.  Was it two or three minutes?  Subsequently I must have been in my late thirties before I went through the adolescent stage.  What joys those years held for me.  Amass amartis Imust, Sam you could have given me more than 4%.   I fared no better in French thanks Bro Xavier 8% (he started going on the sun bed, dyed his hair and now plays pro football).  Mr Foley, what a guy!   He could belt you in physics, chemistry, scripture and maths.  Bro Gregory just belted you in maths, after all 11 year old boys should know and understand algebraic equations.  Capt. Wall thrashed me with a huge off-white pump for laughing.  Nearly every one of the learned brethren, except Mr Greensmith (art teacher) clouted me.  But there was still excitement in his class, the caretaker once burst into the class and warmed Frank Bonds ear, excuse me he says but he called me a name out of the window.  Was Dickens alive then?  I played in the rugby team and we even got thrashed at that.  Mothers would ask how did you do today son.  Just got beat 38-0.  Oh not that bad then better than last week.  Many years have past but I still don't know the point of cross-country running.  Perhaps it was to remind us what misery was like.  Who were these people who got gold stars, in fact who were the people who got more than three stars?  One term I was doing so well I was invited back on a Saturday and that was in the first week.  Can you imagine how miffed I was when I found out Charlie Robinson had been invited the day before, still we were both invited by Bro Cyril to have our seats warmed after assembly.  I was offered the same privilege when I wore a pair of winkle pickers, I think that may have been a touch of jealousy.  What fun it was to hurl apple cores or snowballs or worse at the group huddled around the tuck shop window.  To take the caps of 1st years and hit them with the peak; well it had happened to you.  (Character building you know?)  That period of education prepared me for life as I set forth armed with a 'O' level in Geography and a credit plus in Religious Studies but that's another story.  PS I know how Jesus (the statue by the school entrance) lost his arm.

Surname at school: Sixsmith

First name: Bernard

Years attended: 1944-51

E-Mail address:

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests:

Any other information:

A piece of sad news for anyone who knew Barney.  He died (cancer) on Monday 28 January 2002 in St Giles Hospice, Lichfield. Barney was at DLSC, Scott Road, from 1944 to 1951.  He was the father of Jane Sixsmith, the well-known English hockey international. May he rest in peace.

Surname at school: Sliwinski

First name: Stefan

Years attended: 1968-71

E-Mail address: stefan@sliwinski.force9/co.uk

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests:

Any other information:

Left in 3rd form in 1971 but am still living in Sheffield.

Surname at school: Smedley

First name: Michael

Years attended: 1971-78

E-Mail address: mike.smedley@manx.net

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests: Darts, Painting, Running.

Any other information:

Left DLSC having scraped 3 'A' Levels and did a degree in Metallurgy at Sheffield Poly.  Couldn't get a job so retrained in IT and worked at Salford University before moving to the Isle of Man in 2000 where I work in the IT department of betinternet.com.  Widowed with 1 step-daughter.  Still follow the Spireites !

Surname at school: Smith

First name: Edward

Years attended: 1958-65

E-mail address: baronted4459068@aol.com

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests: Bridge, sailing, photography, computing, hill walking.

Any other information:

I left DLS in 1965 and went to Hopwood for 3 years of teachers training.  I then did a year's VSO in Guyana, South America.  I came back and taught in a wide variety of schools including a few years teaching in Private schools. I tried every age range I could in the hopes of finding a school or age group which I actually liked.  After many years of searching I tried the computer industry and had a year and a half as an analyst programmer with a computer company in Cumbria.  This meant I could finish work and go trout fishing or hill walking in the summer evenings. This period was one of the happiest of my life but the company went bankrupt in 1982. After 5 months on the dole I was forced back to teaching, but this time tried further education and found I enjoyed it.  Although I could never get along with children I found I could teach mature students.  In 1997 I became deaf and got early retirement with a worthwhile deal which I would not have had if I worked to 60. Have since been working in accountancy for Hays Accountancy Personnel. Have had to give that up this year owing to a severe mitral valve problem.  Basically the blood in my heart flows backwards as well as forwards.  I hope to get a new valve and get back to things like sailing and hill wallking again.  It is inevitable that memories of DLS include the beatings which were administered on a fairly regular basis.  I did however choose beatings as a more desirable option than doing PE.  A slippering was over in seconds, but PE involved horrible things like vaulting over boxes.  If I tried to run I had flat feet, no wind and the coordination of a disabled octopus.  My main regret about the frequent canings and slipperings is that I grew up to hate things like maths, and it was in later life that I grew to love maths.  I find I miss the friendships I had at De La Salle and unfortunately there are not many people I remember on this web site.  In particular are any of the bridge friends around from the sixth form of 1963/65?   We were taught to play in physics classes and played bridge at every opportunity ever after. I look forward to hearing from old friends wherever they may be

Surname at school: Smith

First name: John

Years attended: 1935-39

E-mail address: johnsmith@britpost.com

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests:

Any other information:

Surname at school: Smith

First name: Kevin

Years attended: 1963-70

E-mail address: kevin_smith@valley-hill.freeserve.co.uk

Web Page URL: http://www.valley-hill.freeserve.co.uk

Personal Interests: running, walking, boozing, computer stuff.

Any other information:

Single, not working.  Live in Sheffield (Crosspool).  Recently completed a psychology degree with the Open University.  KIRKMAN rules, OK? 

Surname at school: Smith

First name: Paul

Years attended: 1962-69

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests: Golf, most sports (spectating only!)

Any other information:

After leaving school I joined Barclays Bank and stayed with them for the best part of 30 years.  Much of my career was spent in training of one kind or another and I spent my last 5 years with them as Head of Training for Barclays Bank of Zambia.  Took voluntary redundancy in 1998 and now am a self employed driving instructor.  I live in Louth, Lincs and have been married for almost 25 years.  2 children, girl just about to start final year at Uni, boy just about to start his last year at school.  Vivid memory is of Pierce Foley playing a drum solo on the back of some poor wretch's head for not being able to define a circle or some other trivial "offence".

Surname at school: Smith

First name: Peter

Years attended: 1972-77

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests:

Any other information:

Mildly curious about the whereabouts of my contemporaries... Anyone seen Joe Pickin, Paul Flanagan, Jes Finn, Chris Hall, Steve Ducey, John Presley, Paul Buffey to name but a few....?

Surname at school: Smith

First name: Shaun

Years attended: 1955-59

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests:

Any other information:

Left DLS in 1959 to train for diocesan priesthood at Ushaw college, Durham.   Ordained at St William's in Sheffield in 1968.   Parish priest at Sacred Heart, Hillsborough since 1996.

Surname at school: Southby

First name: Paul

Years attended: 1976-79

Web Page URL:

Surname at school: Southeran

First name: Alan

Years attended: 1957-62

Web Page URL:

Surname at school: Southern

First name: Karl

Years attended: 1973-78

Web Page URL: http://www.do-it.co.uk

Surname at school: Sowerby

First name: Richard

Years attended: 1959-66

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests: Dancing - computers - music (keyboard).  Used to play a lot of sport (hockey squash badminton) but now too creaky!!

Any other information:

Left De La Salle in 1966.  Took a 4 year course in Mechanical Engineering at Rugby (Lanchester Poly).   Joined CEGB based in Sheffield until 1977.   Then moved to Essex to work at Bradwell Power Station (Operations - currently Shift Charge Engineer).   I live in South Woodhan Ferrers.  I would love to hear from any of my "old" colleagues.  Scanning through the lists was unnerving and surprising, as I can't remember any names!!

Surname at school: Spencer

First name: Graham

Years attended: 1963-70

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests:

Any other information:

Surname at school: Stappard

First name: Alec

Years attended: 1941-46

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests: Divorced, living abroad - with two grown up children, son Taratoa, aged 34 born in New Zealand, married in UK,  Independent Film Director, with our first grandchild born December 21st. 01.  Daughter Mareti aged 26, born in United States, unmarried - manages large disco in Brighton.  Summer sports - walking (long distance) Winter Sports - skiing - all kinds and snowshoeing.  Enthusiastic jazz fan with limited knowledge.

Any other information:

Bicycle tours in 1944 with fellow pupils Roddis/Glenn/Mullins introduced me to YHA.  Summer work in France convinced me of benefits of living abroad, or at least out of Sheffield.  After 18 wasted months in National Service (RAEC) spent two years in Sweden including visit to Helsinki Olympics 1952 with Gordon Sugden.  End of 1952 emigrated to Canada for two years, working in the bush and rough-necking in the oil industry.  On to New Zealand for 12 years, where I met and married Hannah and attended Massey University.  With employment as a Sales Engineer for dairy machinery I travelled extensively - thus three years in Sydney, Australia, two years in UK, three years in Madison, Wisconsin, USA, four years in Munich, Germany, returning to England for children's education.  At age 52 I was made redundant and formed a small agency machinery sales company, again travelling world-wide, in 28 countries.  The politics of Mrs. Thatcher (remember her?) drove us to France in 1960.  Retired aged 69, now 71 years of age (March, 2002) I have lived in Haute-Savoie - France now for 12 years and intend to stay here, except for frequent visits to UK.

Surname at school: Stopforth

First name: Bob

Years attended: 1958-65

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests:

Any other information:

Surname at school: Strach

First name: Stas

Years attended: 1972-78

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests: Still doing a bit of running and tennis, but years of playing football has finally caught up with me.  Hopefully imminent surgery will give me a new lease of life.

Any other information:

Working for Vestel - UK which is a subsidiary of a Turkish company manufacturing consumer electronic products.  Got here following time spent with the Americans, French, Japanese and Germans in the consumer electronics industry.  Still keeping a healthy interest in Sheffield Wednesday and visit my mum in Sheff as often as I can.  Three daughters make this quite difficult on a regular basis though.

(details last edited 5/12/04)

Surname at school: Strickland

First name: John

Years attended: 1953-58

Web Page URL: http://www.the-doodlebugger.co.uk

Personal Interests: Scotch - my web-site - contacts with old friends.

Any other information:

Involved in Seismic Exploration for Oil for many years.

(details last edited 5/3/04)

Surname at school: Stuart

First name: Eric

Years attended: 1970-73

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests: Keeping the Peace.

Any other information:

I left De La Salle unexpectedly in the summer of 1973 when my parents divorced, forcing a move to Skegness in Lincolnshire.  After moving to Skegness Grammar School, I went on to be commissioned in the RAF and underwent pilot training but failed to make the grade.  I then joined the Met Police in London where I now serve as the Operations Sergeant for Hackney Borough, one of the busiest and most deprived in London.  I would love to hear from anyone who might recall me from my brief three years at DLS especially anyone who partook in the grand European Camping adventure of 1972 (I think).

Surname at school: Sweeney

First name: Jim

Years attended: 1976 ish

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests: Watching football, drinking, holidays in Ireland.

Any other information:

Married with 3 kids; run my own business in Dronfield.

(details last edited 29/10/05)

Surname at school: Szczepanski

First name: Jan

Years attended: 1968-75

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests: The BLADES; music, history, travelling & computers.  Also proud to be of Polish descent!

Any other information:

I'm a Chartered Accountant, living in Wakefield.  Worked as a Financial Director over the last +10 years, mainly in local businesses.   Won't leave the area because of the Blades!  Oh, and the family don't want to move either.  Married 21 years, with 2 children (15, girl & 13, boy).  Got a Law degree (Warwick, 1978) and an MBA from The Bradford Management Centre (1999).

T 

Surname at school: Taylor

First name: Arnold

Years attended: 1946-52

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests: Used to be golf, cricket, reading (a lot of military history mainly) and bridge.  These days, as powers fail, it is watching golf and cricket, falling asleep when trying to read anything, but bridge I can still play!

Any other information:

After DLS and National Service I went up to Pembroke College, Oxford to read English.  After a hesitant start into the world of work (I managed a year or so on my bridge winnings!)  I eventually went into the business of educational assessment, spending most of my working life with examinations boards.  I took early retirement 13 years ago and have been a man of leisure ever since.  My wife, Sheila, and I have had three children, the youngest of whom - our dear son, Nicholas, - died of cancer a few years ago at the age of 26.  However, we have five grandchildren and life on the whole is good.

(details last edited 11/3/03)

Surname at school: Taylor

First name: David

Years attended: 1969-1974

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests: Playing Guitar, Boating, Rotherham United F.C., D.I.Y., etc.....

Any other information:

I married in 1985.  Have two children (17 and 15).  Own a manufacturing business based in Rotherham.  Living in Doncaster.  I'm afraid I need reminding of much of my school days !!!  Scary to think that I left almost 30 years ago.....

(details last edited 13/5/03)

Surname at school: Taylor

First name: John

Years attended: 1969-76

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests: Barnsley F.C.

Any other information:

Graduated from Leeds Uni in 1980.   Went to De La Salle Manchester to do my PGCE (where Brother Wilfrid was by then Principal).  Taught in Kent from 1981 to 1989 before a career change to accountancy.   Currently a Finance Manager at the BBC in Central London.   Married with 3 children.

Surname at school: Taylor

First name: Steve

Years attended: 1972-79

Web Page URL: http://www.peakbiomedical.co.uk

Personal Interests: I am married with three boys aged 10, 8 and 6 living on the edge of the Peak District National Park near Pott Shrigley.   I work from home with my wife.  Most of my time is spent taking one or other of the boys to football, Karate etc etc..

Any other information:

Surname at school: Thompson

First name: Joseph (Harry)

Years attended: 1935-39

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests: Golf, Football (The Owls), Cricket.

Any other information:

PLAYED FOR THE OLD BOYS 1947-1949.  Having left DLSC in 1939 studied Cost and Works Accountancy but in 1942 joined the Army and was commissioned into the Green Howards.  After the war continued to study accountancy and after 2 years on the Reserve joined the financial side of the Army (RAPC) in 1949.  In 1983 retired from the army and settled in Salisbury,Wiltshire where we have been very happy.  Married to Eleanor for 56 years.  We have three children.  Michael, (married with 5) is in the RAF, Pat married to Andrew Freemantle (with 4 daughters) and Peter not married .  He is in the Westminster Dragoon Guards.  If anyone remembers me would be very happy to hear from them.

Surname at school: Thornton

First name: David

Years attended: 1950-59

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests: All kinds of sport.

Any other information:

Surname at school: Toole

First name: Mike (nicknamed Seamus)

Years attended: 1959-65

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests: Horse Riding - when I get the chance.

Any other information:

Married to Simone, a lovely Dutch lady, a daughter aged 15 and a son 13.   Lived about 6 years in Holland and a couple in New York State.

Surname at school: Turner

First name: Chris

Years attended: 1964-70

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests:

Any other information:

Surname at school: Tuttle

First name: Anthony

Years attended: 1950-55

Web Page URL:

Personal Interests: Former school governor and Blades supporter, now interested in sea fishing and a Tranmere supporter.