OUT OF THE
BOX
Newsletter For Old Boxhillians
ISSUE 03 | SPRING 2017
The Box Hill School Flag A familiar symbol through the ages
Y
ou are all familiar with the Box Hill School flag that flies proudly outside Dalewood House. But do you know the significance of the flag, its ‘rocket’ crest and the associated traditions? On Friday 3rd June 1966 a service was held to dedicate the original Box Hill School Flag. In glorious sunshine and in front of Dalewood House a brand new school flag was hoisted high up the flag pole. Once that first flag dedication service had been completed, the Headmaster Roy McComish and his wife Barbara left for Salem in Germany with
the new flag to attend the 80th Birthday celebrations of Dr Kurt Hahn (Founder of the Round Square Association). The new Box Hill School flag was proudly hung throughout that weekend in Salem alongside the flags of the seven other founding Round Square schools. It was at this service in 1966 that Roy McComish announced that, following the tradition at other Round Square schools, there would be a Box Hill School flag service at the start and end of every term. OB Edzard Grefe (1980 – 1984) remembers
“
It is the tradition that the flag is stored in the church as a symbol of protection and safety for all the pupils travelling all over the world during the holidays.”
From that moment on, the flag would be carried into St Michael’s Church by the Guardians for each of the flag dedication services Continued over page...
WHAT’S INSIDE FROM THE ARCHIVE The Box Hill School Flag P2
EVENTS Up and coming OB events and reunions.
PROFILES World renowned ventriloquist Paul Zerdin and Box Hill School Head of Art, Mike Coleman.
P7
P4 AND P10