Welcome to the SSAT class of… series. We’re looking back at the past 27 years and paying tribute to some of our longest-serving member schools. We hope you enjoy the trip down memory lane and feel free to add your own memories in the comments below or via social media (remember to use #SSATClassOf)!
The year that was 1997…
Labour’s landslide victory
On 2nd May – led by 43 year-old Tony Blair – Labour sweep to a landslide victory in the general election. Blair would hold the position until his resignation in 2007.
Princess Diana laid to rest
The public funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, takes place on 6th September. The Princess had passed away seven days prior following a fatal car crash in Paris, France. Two thousand people attended the ceremony, with another 32 million watching on television.
ThrustSSC sets land speed record
Developed by Richard Noble, Glynne Bowsher, Ron Ayers and Jeremy Bliss, the British jet-propelled car becomes the first car to officially break the sound barrier. Set on 15th October, it hit 1,228 km/h (763 mph) – a record that still stands today.
Love shines a light
Katrina and the Waves, most famous for their 1985 hit Walking on Sunshine, make a triumphant comeback and triumph for Great Britain in the 1997 Eurovision Song Contest. Held in Dublin on 3rd May, it is the second time that the British win the contest on Irish soil.
Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong
Ending 155 years of British rule in Hong Kong, the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China took place on 1st July.
Titanic released
James Cameron’s epic romantic disaster film Titanic is released on 19th December. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, the film was the first ever to reach a worldwide gross of $1 billion. It remained the high-grossing film of all time until Cameron’s 2009 film Avatar.
Holyfield ear bite
Seven months after their previous fight in Las Vegas, Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson II square up again on 28th June at the MGM Grand Garden Area. Tyson is disqualified from the match after biting off part of Holyfield’s ear, has his boxing licence revoked, and is fined $3 million.
SSAT class of 1997
Schools to have joined SSAT in 1997, and still be part of the SSAT network, include:
- St John Plessington Catholic College
- Imberhorne School
- Thomas Tallis School
- Kirk Hallam Community Technology and Sports College
- Stantonbury Campus
- Wade Deacon High School
- St Matthew’s RC High School
- Parkside Federation Academies
- Lipson Co-operative Academy
- Brine Leas School
- Weald School
- Greenfield Community College
- Tor Bridge High
- St Clere’s School
- John F Kennedy Catholic School
- Stoke Newington School
- Whitworth Park School & Sixth Form College.
