“We absolutely love the school. It’s a very special place”
Alison Heavisides pictured at St Cecilia’s Catholic Infant School in Tuebrook(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Three generations of a Liverpool family said a school “shaped them into the people they are today”. Alison Heavisides, 58, has worked as an admin officer at St Cecilia’s Catholic Primary School infants in Tuebrook for 20 years.
However, before she stepped into her role as a staff member, she and her brother Andrew Tilley attended what was then the junior school as pupils in the 70s.
She now works alongside her daughter, Emilia Heavisides, 23, who works part time with her in the school office after she attended as a pupil alongside her brother Sam Heavisides and her husband Steve Heavisides, 65, who became the school’s site manager in 2021.
Alison told the ECHO: “I loved being in school. I loved reading and writing and I made so many lovely friends that I’m still in contact with today. It was just a lovely community and a great part of mine and my brother’s childhood.
Alison Heavisides on her first day of school.(Image: Alison Heavisides)
“There was one teacher I was a bit scared of called Mrs Bickerstaffe because I was rubbish at fractions. I was terrified of her.”
Alison’s late dad, Alan Tilley, was also a pupil at the school in 1945. She said the school has “vastly changed” since her dad attended.
She said: “It wasn’t like it was now. There were no separate infants and juniors, it just went from junior to senior when my dad was a pupil. The junior school is still exactly the same now though.
Alison Heavisides brother, Andrew Tilley.(Image: Alison Heavisides)
“My dad passed away in 2020 but he used to tell me that the teachers were allowed to smoke in the school then, but it was very strict when it came to religious education and they had to learn things by rote.
“They’d test you on a Monday morning to see if you’d attended church on the Sunday, asking about what the priest wore.
Alison Heavisides pictured at St Cecilia’s Catholic Infant School in Tuebrook.(Image: Liverpool Echo)
“He was also terrified of one teacher, Mr Jack, who was very strict with his punishments with the cane.”
When Alison returned to the school for her career she said certain parts of the building brought memories flooding back.
She said: “Returning to the junior school site and walking up the grey stone steps to the upper floor brings back so many memories of my time as a pupil there.
“If you were lucky enough to be chosen as milk monitor, part of your job was to go to the headteacher’s office on the top floor, which was very daunting back then. It’s now classrooms.
Alison Heavisides dad Alan Tilley.(Image: Alison Heavisides)
“Now I’m the first point of contact at the school. There’s a lot of generations of people who have returned to the school with their children and then their grandchildren. Even a couple of the teacher’s children have attended so it’s a proper family affair.
“It was special having my children start at the school I attended, it felt familiar and I knew they’d get a great education. It’s amazing how many other parents were also past pupils and that I recognised from my time there.
Alison Heavisides’ son Sam Heavisides on his first day of nursery.(Image: Alison Heavisides)
“Also over the years we’ve had some wonderful and supportive Headteachers, Mrs Meg Buckley, Mrs Philippa Agate and now our new head Mrs Suzanne Hurst.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time here and it’s amazing to see that Emilia now loves her job too. She fits in really well with the other members of staff. It’s a lovely working relationship.
Steve Heavisides, site manager at St Cecilia’s Catholic Primary School.(Image: Alison Heavisides)
“St Cecilia’s has been and still is a massive part of mine and my family’s lives.
“Educationally and pastorally it has shaped us into the people we are today. It’s provided us with a strong work ethic, good morals and the life skills personally and professionally to help us navigate through life.
“St Cecilia’s feels like a part of our family. We absolutely love the school. It’s a very special place.”