David McAuliffe 1958 to 1965 (pupil) and 1979 to 1988 (teacher)

David McAuliffe is one of a handful of St Mary’s boys who later returned to the school as a teacher. The others include Michael Lynch who was at the school in the 1950s and returned as a History teacher in the 60s. History was also the subject taught by 1963 joiner Richard Gordon who taught in the mid 70s. The late Vincent Bunce, who started at St Mary’s in 1969, returned to St Mary’s and St Joseph’s in the early 1980s.

David came from Gravesend and played a number of leading roles in the annual school play. Oddly enough, because he was one of the tallest boys in the year, he was usually given female roles (below)

After leaving St Mary’s in 1965, David decided he wanted to try for the priesthood and, instead of going to university, he joined The Marists.

After spending a few years studying for the priesthood at Paignton in Devon, David decided it wasn’t for him so left and did a music degree in London before going into teaching.

After teaching in Hertfordshire, he saw the advert for the teaching job at Sidcup, applied and got it, replacing the popular Fr Clive Birch who had been asked to become director of the shrine at Walsingham.

David joined the school in September 1979 at the beginning of the amalgamation and was the first music master to benefit from the purpose-built new music room in the school extension.

After leaving St Mary’s and St Joseph’s in 1988 he got a job teaching in Sussex and moved to Brighton. After giving up teaching, he worked for Citizens’ Advice before retiring.

David is married with two grown up children.