A former Southend student who left the town with plans of travelling to Australia with her family is trying to trace her favourite teachers.

Pat Lewis, now a grandmother, was a student at St Bernard's Convent School, in Westcliff, when her parents Harry and Joan Sharpe decided to start a new life Down Under with their 11 children almost 50 years ago.

Fourteen-year-old Pat gave friends and teachers a forwarding address in Australia - but lost contact with them all when her father decided to accept a job as an aircraft fitter at Armstrong Vickers in Swindon instead.

She is now trying to get back in touch with her teachers Miss Brown, Miss Edwards, Miss Johnson and Miss Haynes, and returned to Southend this week to ask the school for help.

She said: "They are going to investigate. I am very hopeful that something will come of it and that the teachers will be found."

If you know the teachers, call the Echo on 01702 321145.

Published Wednesday August 25, 2004

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