THIS week’s Looking Back delves into the memories of Weymouth resident Esmee Nicholls.

She has kindly sent us in a number of photographs of her school days.

She sent in a cutting from the Dorset Echo, back when it was the Dorset Daily Echo, on Saturday March 31, 1956.

The cutting shows a photo of a school trip from the Convent of the Sacred Hearts including their Headmistress Madame Aquinas and PE teacher Miss Smith about to board a train on their way to Paris for a school trip. (Mrs Nicholls is the fourth pupil from the right.)

A write-up in the paper the next evening reads: “Yesterday evening a party of 24 pupils and two mistresses from the Convent of the Sacred Hearts, Weymouth, left for a 12 day holiday in Paris.

“The party left Weymouth station at 6.30 and made the Channel crossing via Southampton to Le Harve.

“While in Paris they will be guests of the Convent des Sacres Coeures, Paris, which is the Mother House of the congregation in Paris.

“Judging from the party’s itinerary, all members should have a most enjoyable and enlightening tour. Their programme includes visits to nearly all the main places of interest in Paris such as the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and the Cathedral of Notre Dame.

“The party will also spend one day visiting Versailles and will take a boat trip on the River Seine before returning to Weymouth on April 7.”

A wonderful itinerary indeed and one much enjoyed by the students as can be seen from the photographs.

Mrs Nicholls informs us that on the trip to the Louvre a picture was taken of the Mona Lisa covertly by Headmistress Madame Aquinas under her cape habit.

The group posed for a photo by the Eiffel Tower and Mrs Nicholls said that while on a visit to the palace grounds she believes they may have even bumped into the President’s wife Madame Coty and their grandson.

Madame Coty posed for a photograph with the girls.

Other photos show the Convent of the Sacred Hearst annual trip to Bournemouth hard court tennis championships and a fantastic picture from the school Christmas Concert in around 1958, which was performed at the Pavilion in Weymouth.

The group can be seen crouching around a cauldron. (Mrs Nicholls is third from the left in the front.)

Going back further there are also some pictures from Mrs Nicholls time at St Augustine’s School, including a Christmas show from around 1955.

Mrs Nicholls said: “My brother Terry Reeves is fourth from the right and I recognise Angela Smith nee Harris and Estella Byrne.”

There’s also a picture from a St Patrick’s night concert in around 1950 featuring on the left Jackie Hilledge (who may possibly now be in Canada), Norman Page in the centre and Mrs Nicholls is on the right.

The final picture shows the St Patrick’s night show again. Mrs Nicholls is wearing the dungarees. She said that Aideen Shooter was with her. Aideen went on to run several businesses in Weymouth, Mrs Nicholls said, including a fish and chip shop.

And who remembers Miss Weavers Ballet Dance School in St Paul’s Hall on Abbotsbury Road? Mrs Nicholls is pictured here with a class, on the extreme left.

The final picture is of Sidney Hall during the VE Day party. Can you spot yourself?

Mrs Nicholls said she is the fifth from the right on the third row from the back.

DO you have information about any of the photographs mentioned or do you know a local resident from days gone by who Looking Back should feature? If so get in touch with Joanna Davis on 01305 830973 or email joanna.davis@dorsetecho.co.uk