Headmaster's Notes 09
(1966)

The tenth anniversary of the opening of the School in September 1955 has come and gone. Justifiable pride in what has been achieved in this first decade is, however, tempered by uncertainty about the future.

Those who are planning secondary reorganisation obviously sincerely believe that they can, in the words of Circular 10/65 from The Department of Education and Science, "preserve all that is valuable in grammar school education" and, in the words of a circular from the Chief Education Officer of the Borough "extend the opportunities open to all children". In an area where the level of education in all types of school is already high, these aims are unlikely to be achieved by any makeshift scheme. It will therefore be the duty of all concerned to consider the plans put forward both critically and constructively.

By the death last autumn of Mr. Harold James, Headmaster of Northwood Secondary School, this School has lost a good friend, and the Borough, a headmaster of distinction. Northwood has been a pioneer Modern School with its extended courses and G.C.E. successes. We offer our good wishes to the acting Headmistress, Mrs. Packham.

An encouraging feature of the activities of the School is the scheme of voluntary service organised by the senior boys. Groups of boys now pay regular visits to St. Michael's School and St. Vincent's Hospital, while others do shopping and household chores for old people. I hope that future years will see an extension of these efforts.

Last autumn's revue in aid of "Freedom from Hunger" was financially the most successful to date and raised £160. As impressive as this result were the smooth organisation and responsible bearing al all concerned. It was a pleasure to see so many young people working with a purpose and at the same time so obviously enjoying themselves. It was a happy thought, too, to put on an additional performance - slightly adapted - for an audience of old people.