Lost and Found: Former Student Reunited with 1975 Exercise Book Discovered in School Drawer!

In a heartwarming twist of fate, a piece of school history has been returned to its rightful owner after nearly five decades. An exercise book, with work dated in 1975 was recently unearthed at Humphry Davy School, tucked in the back of a drawer in Room 31. The book, filled with neat handwriting and beautiful labelled sketches, belonged to then student Sean Morris.

The book was found by our current history teacher, Mr Morgan, who was organising his classroom over half term. Among faded paper and outdated textbooks, he found the exercise book - its beige cover worn but still intact, with "Sean Morris, Roman Studies, 2P" written on the front in blue ink.

"I could tell this wasn't just any exercise book," Mr Morgan said, "It was filled with such dedication and detail that I felt it deserved to be returned."

With the help of the Facebook group ‘Humphry Davy Grammar School for boys and girls’ our Deputy Headteacher, Mrs Oliver, managed to track down Sean, who still lives close by. Many of the alumni involved in tracking Sean down commented that he was surely in trouble or detention for his homework being this late!!

Sean was stunned to be contacted and commented, "slightly worried by your 'beautifully presented' comment regarding the book though, and I'm beginning to wonder if my name has somehow appeared on the front of somebody else's exercise book!"

In a small gathering arranged by Mrs Oliver, Sean returned to Humphry Davy School on Wednesday 13th November, where he was presented with his long-lost exercise book! Sean was thrilled to see his youthful handwriting and even some old assessments he had forgotten about.

For Sean, the rediscovered exercise book and tour of the school brought back vivid memories of his teenage years, and especially his fond memories of being in ‘P’ form (for Penzance).

"I had a fantastic morning trying to recall all the different rooms, blocks, stories and teachers. There were certainly a few 'ghost faces' appearing in my head during our walk-around!", said Sean, who added, "I was so very impressed with the sheer enthusiasm and love for the school and the students that you and all the staff we met displayed."

The story of Sean’s exercise book has touched not only him and the school staff but also current and past students. "It's like a glimpse into the past," said one student. "It reminds us that our time here matters and that maybe one day, someone will find our things and remember us too."

The discovery has also sparked a new trend of digging through the school's storage cupboards in search of other artefacts! Furthermore, we are now keen to look at opening up our school next year so more former students can take a walk down memory lane and share their memories.