Headmaster's Notes 07
(1963-64)

It is encouraging to note that the high standards of achievement recorded in 1961-62 have been more than maintained during the past year, and that the auguries for 1963-64 are also favourable.

Changes in the grading of the Advanced Level examination make exact comparison difficult, as does the abolition of State Scholarships. However the 43 marks at Grade "A" and the seven distinctions in "Special" papers are extremely good by any standards. In 1962-63 we were successful for the first time in obtaining awards at the older universities, Open Exhibitions being won by M. Stevenson at Queen's College, Oxford, in History and by M. Wilson at St. Catherine's College, Oxford, in Social Studies. They have been followed this year by S. Margutti, with a Michael Ashcroft Scholarship in Mathematics to Magdalen College, Oxford: RMA Dunn, with a Wraxall Scholarship in Natural Science to Oriel College, Oxford; P. Hayward, with an Exhibition in Natural Sciences to Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and R. Wilson with an Exhibition in History to Keble College, Oxford. The School congratulates them most warmly. C. F. van Kampen, now reading Mathematics at King's College, Cambridge, is first cellist in the National Youth Orchestra.

Two old boys have won distinctions. D. Clive, the first boy of the school to enter a university, has obtained first class honours in Chemistry and the Edmund White Prize for Organic Chemistry at Imperial College, London; D. Lloyd, reading English at Christ's College, Cambridge, has won the Calverley Prize, no mean achievement, since Lloyd was in his first year and the prize can be competed for by any English or Classics student at the college.

Achievements in the major games have been a little below those of the previous year, but were very good nevertheless, in the first term of the new year the records of the First and Second XV's and of the Cross-Country teams have been outstanding.

Before I record the more recent staff changes, I should like to make good an omission from the last issue of the magazine. Among those who left in July, 1962, was Mrs. A. L. Barnes, who had been giving most valuable help in the French Department since 1960. She is now teaching at Heathfield School, Harrow.

In December, 1962, Mr. B. D. Ridge left to become Head of the Mathematics Department at Abbotsfield School, Hillingdon, and in July, 1963, Mr. L. W. Baker moved to Holland Park School, Kensington, where he is in charge of the teaching of Divinity. They both joined the staff in 1950, and they have both made an outstanding contribution to the development of the school. To them, and to Mrs. Barnes, we wish all success and happiness in their new posts.

Nr. D. J. King, who had been Head of the Modern Language Department since 1961, left in December, 1983, to take a post sponsored by the Nuffield Foundation, the duties of which include the supervision of the teaching of modern languages in schools of all types in the East Riding of Yorkshire. At St. Nicholas he had initiated an experiment in the teaching of French at three local primtary schools, and I am sure that he will enjoy the challenge of his new duties. Our good wishes go with him.

During the spring and summer terms the school was fortunate in having the services of Mr. Wilgoose, the retired Headmaster of the Greenway School, Uxbridge, and of V. W. Bryant, now at Manchester University, to cover Mr. Ridge's timetable. The school is very grateful to them.

We are glad to welcome the following, who joined the staff in September, 1963: Mr. R Aird, B.Sc. (Eng.) (London), A.M.I.C.E., after several years in industry, to teach Mathematics; Mr. R. G. Clayton, B.A. (London), from Bishopshalt School, to teach French: Herr Jürgen Einhoff, German Assistant; Monsieur Michel Lamour, French Assistant. Mr. J. S. Kinsey succeeds Mr. King as Head of Modern Languages, while we welcome Mr. K. A. Emmans, B.A. (London) as Head of the French Department. Mr. Emmans comes to us, as Mr. King did, from Watford Grammar School.

Perhaps the most important step forward in the past year has been the opening of the new Junior Common Room, which came into use last January and which was formally opened in July by Mr. Richard Sharp, the England rugby captain, Numerous other schools have similar plans, and I am not infrequently asked about our J.C.R. by the Heads of other schools. I have no doubt that accommodation of this kind will in due course be provided for all Schools with a large number of pupils over 16 years of age: had it been decided to wait, several generations of St. Nicholas boys would have been the poorer, and I must again express our gratitude to successive committees of the Parents' Association and to parents in general for their support.

After so much talk today of the irresponsibility of young people. I have a particular pleasure in recording the work done during the year to help the underprivileged. In the autumn, a group of boys and girls from the two schools devised and produced an entertainment, as a result of which a cheque for more than £100 was sent to Freedom from Hunger. At Christmas, 1963, generous contributions from the whole school once more enabled us to send food parcels to aged people in the district, and also to entertain a number of children from two local Homes. These efforts were not made as a result of hints or directions from higher authority, but the idea came spontaneously from members of the school. I should like to make one suggestion, however. The needs of the aged ought not to be remembered only at Christmas. I am sure that there is great scope for practical help to the aged and lonely throughout the year. Perhaps, therefore, each form could keep in touch with those to whom they have sent parcels.