Headmaster's Notes 06
(1961-62)

AT Speech Day in October, I was able to review the achievements of the first generation of Saint Nicholas boys -- the 1955 entry - and it was a proud privilege to speak not only of their considerable academic success, but of how they have established a reputation for high standards on the sports field, notably in rugby, athletics and Cross-country.

The first XV deserve congratulation for an excellent record throughout the season, the senior athletes retained the Saint Nicholas Trophy and also won the Middlesex Grammar Schools Championship: the senior cross-country team were again second in the County Championship. Perusal of the games section of this magazine will show that success was by no means limited to the senior age group.

This year's 'A' level results included 25 distinctions and four State Scholarships were gained, while S. J. Glen and J. H. Weaver are to be congratulated on winning open awards to the University of Nottingham — they are, in fact, the first boys of the School to achieve this distinction. The number of boys who took up places in October, 1962 at establishments for advanced education was 40, of whom 21 had university places. For a new school this was no mean achievement, especially when one considers the fierce competition for places, and there is every prospect that we shall improve upon it.

We must also congratulate C.F.R. Van Kampen on winning an Associated Board Scholarship for 'cello at the Royal Academy of Music and on his place in the National Youth Orchestra - in the summer of 1961 he took part in the concert tour to Russia; likewise T. B. Hyde (1955-61) on gaining the diploma of Associate of the Royal College of Music for piano playing.

In March last, writing my notes for the previous issue of the magazine, I was rash enough to state that the new common room was nearing completion. Few projects can have been beset with more delays and frustrations, but I am happy to say that the building is now finished and that we await only the formalities of handing over. The Parents' Association deserve the heartfelt thanks of the School for their far-sightedness in sponsoring this project, and I should like to place on record our gratitude to the parents, and especially to Mr J. N. Wall, A.R.I.B.A., who designed the building and supervised its construction, and to Messrs. F. W. Sharpe and T. H. Wakeling for making their professional services so freely available to the Association.

At Easter Mr. J. G. Lee, a founder-member of the Staff, left to become a lecturer in Physical Education at Didsbury Training College, Manchester. Mr. Lee came to this, his first teaching post, in September, 1955, direct from his training at Loughborough College of Physical Education, and found a school of 190 junior boys with no playing field of its own. Mr. Lee's assets were a splendid gymnasium, the ungrudging support of his colleagues, the enthusiasm of the boys and his own determination to succeed. He did not look for quick results, but he sought rather to inculcate a right attitude in his pupils. At the same time he was singularly successful in obtaining fixtures with local schools. By 1959, when the school had a fifth form, the rugby and athletics teams were already meeting with some success - and all this had been accomplished before the school playing field was available.

The successes of 1961-2, Mr. Lee's last year here and the seventh Year of the school's life, are a fitting tribute to his work. It is our hope that he will be equally happy and successful in his new post. His place during the summer term was taken by Mr. J. Turley, who is now studying Physical Education at Loughborough.

The following members of the Staff left in July, 1962: Dr. J. Dewar, who is now teaching at Archbishop Holgate's School, York: Mr. D. C. Owen, to become Head of the History Department at the City of Bath Boys' School; Mr. A. Fletcher, to Yeovil Grammar School: Mr. D. Proudman, to Middlesbrough Technical College Mr. B. Tilbrook has gone to The Bourne School, Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, on a two-year engagement. The School wishes them all happiness and success in their new appointments.

The School welcomes the following, who joined the Staff in September, 1962: Mr. C. Asher, B.A.(Leeds), to teach French; Mr. J. R. Balson, B.Sc. (Exeter), to teach Chemistry: Mr. M. R. Dunsmore, M.A. (Sheffield), to teach History: Mr. G. Dye, A.T.C. (London), to teach Art: Mr. A. L. Williams, B.A. (Leeds), to teach Physical Education and Economics. We also welcome M. Jacques Laroche, French Assistant, and Herr Heinz Ricke, German Assistant.

The team of Her Majesty's Inspectors, who carried out a full inspection of the School last February, reported very favourably on the work and the activities which they saw. This, together with the successes recorded in this issue of the magazine, is a challenge to us all to do everything in our power to maintain and even to improve the high standards reached this year.