St Mary's Calne News Sheet 8

S. MARY'S SCHOOL NEWS-SHEET, July 1922—July 1923.

Much has happened since our last number, and we feel that a very definite step forward has been taken in the life of the School. For in July we kept the School Jubilee, and celebrated the fiftieth year of our existence in the happiest way possible. As we look back on it we feel we were indeed fortunate in the wonderfully happy day, and that it must mean an inspiration to the life of the School. The Jubilee Buildings, opened on jubilee day by Lady Lansdpwne, remain as a permanent memorial of the occasion. It was indeed delightful to have with us our Visitor, the Bishop of Salisbury, Lady Lansdowne, and Miss Douglas, in addition to the large number of old members of the School, especially Miss Jones (Head Mistress 1877—1883) and Miss Dyas (Head Mistress 1887—1911.)

This number of the News-sheet is naturally a " Jubilee " number. Its publication has been delayed in order to include accounts of the Jubilee festivities.

The Jubilee.

The great event of the summer term of 1923—or rather of the whole year, was the celebration of the Jubilee. We were commemorating fifty years of the life of the school, fifty years spent partly on the Green, and partly up in the present buildings, and fifty years that were only made possible at all by the courage and faithfulness oif the Founders and of past members of the school.

We had been preparing for the festivities for weeks, and looking forward to them with great excitement; " before (or after) the Jubilee " had become a standard from which to date anything, and yet when it came at last it seemed to go faster than any Monday can ever have gone at S. Mary's before!

We began on Saturday by giving a performance of " Much Ado About Nothing" to anyone who chose to come from Calne, and several old girls arrived during the day. We spent Sunday fairly quietly, but managed to et an almost incredible amount of talking done in the ay—of course it consisted chiefly of reminiscenses. In the evening we were given a concert in the hall by some of the old girls, N. Samways, K. Brown and M. Hopkins, who recited.

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When we anxiously looked at the weather on Monday morning it was very bright, and we went down to Church at 12 a.m. in bright sunshine; the West End was reserved for old girls, we sat in the Nave, and the parents of present girls in the side aisles. The Bishop of Salisbury took the service—a most impressive one, arranged especially for us by the Archdeacon—and then preached on the most appropriate of texts, taken from a psalm we often sing in Chapel, " The Lord hath done great things for us already, whereof we rejoice."

In the afternoon the Bishop gave away the prizes, and then made a perfectly splendid speech, one really for us, and not for the benefit of the visitors. Speeches were also made by Miss Douglas, Miss Matthews, Mr. Dunne and the Archdeacon, who said how pleased he was to welcome the Bishop, Lady Lansdowne, Miss Dyas, Miss Jones, Miss Murray and Miss Douglas. Then we went out to the new Jubilee Buildings which Lady Lansdowne very kindly opened, after which the visitors saw over them and then had tea in the marquee while we dressed for the play, which, owing to a sudden change of weather unfortunately had to be indoors.

Altogether about eighty old girls had come back, old girls of every " generation," people who came to S. Mary's the very first term the school was opened, and some who only left at Easter. But neither actual events nor numbers were very important; the having such a gathering at all was what really mattered, and the spirit in which we met—" The secret none can utter " which it taught us. " Therefore praise we famous men, From whose bays we borrow— They that put aside to-day All the joy of their to-day, And with toil of their to-day Bought for us to-morrow."

Altogether the Jubilee gave us something to take away with us that we can never forget, something summed up in the conviction that whatever we did in our commemoration, it was not much ado about nothing, and the determination that it should not be merely a sentimental recalling of the past, but a fulfilment of the hope for the future given us on Monday morning. It was the torch that being handed down can lead us towards a centenary demanding even deeper thankfulness than we are bound to feel this year; the word was spoken, " and none that hear it, dare forget."

D. W. Urwick.

The following account of the Jubilee Commemoration Service is token from " The Wilts Gazette."

The proceedings commenced at noon with a service at the parish church, which was well attended. The surpliced choir was in attendance, and besides the Bishop of Salisbury there were present: Archdeacon Bodington, the Rev. A. L. Scott (Derry Hill, who acted as chaplain), and the Rev. W. Noble. The pupils of the school occupied the central part of the church. As they entered they were headed by three of the senior girls carrying the school banner, which rested against the central pillar during the service. All the girls wore the distinctive dress of the School, with panama hats, bearing the badge, and the few small boys belonging to the school accompanied the girls.

The service began with the hymn "O God, our help in ages past," sung as a processional, Mr. W. R. Pullein being at the organ, after which the Archdeacon said :— "We are met here to commemorate in humble thankfulness before Almighty God the fiftieth year of the life of our School of the Blessed Virgin Mary in this place, in faith and hope that He will accept this our work in the future as in the past, and help us to make the school ever more and more a place of sound learning, Christian education, and happy life.

"Let us pray for His grace and blessing."

Then followed the Lord's Prayer and Psalm xv., and Archdeacon Bodington read the lesson. The school hymn, "Consider the lilies," the music of which was composed

by Mr. Pullein, was sung, and the Commemoration ul Founders was said as follows:— "Let us remember with thanksgiving and honour before God, John Duncan, Penelope Frances Murray, Ellinor Gabriel, who by their joint works founded this school.

"Rest Eternal grant to them, O Lord, and may light perpetual shine upon them."

The hymn "May the Grace of Christ our Saviour" was sung kneeling, and the Bishop, entering the pulpit, said the bidding prayer.

The sermon was preached by the Bishop, who took his text from Psalm cxxvi., 3, "The Lord hath done great things for us." Having spoken of the message the passage conveyed—the song of joy and thankfulness,—the preacher asked was it not something to be thankful for that they had a school like St. Mary's in their midst? Thought they not that the world was enriched by such a school as

theirs—a sweet, purifying, influence on the turmoil of the waters of life; a world that needed its fresh, sweet, and purifying things. It was more than that ; it was a constructive force, was it not ? It must be a constructive force if the girls learned the lessons which they were taught there, because they were to be called in one way or another inevitably to positions of influence in the family or household or in society or in some profession to influence lives before them. It had not been at all easy for those who had devised and built and worked the school. The fifty years had not been all years of peaceful growth. There had been many struggles, turmoils and conflicts, and some of them had personal remembrances of what the conflicts had meant but there were brave hearts then, and souls ready to make the venture of faith. Seventeen years ago a great start was made and they ventured forth, and to-day they were to confess that once more God had fulfilled His promises. When He said, "O taste and see how gracious the Lord is ; blessed is the man who trusteth in Him," He spoke what he knew to be the truth. They had to-day a message of hope which they could pass on to the world, and surely the object of that service was to bear witness before the world that those who trusted in Him would find their feet on sure ground.

Addressing the girls, the Bishop said they would never suffer in their lives if they made a venture of faith in Christ's name; it would give them courage to go forward in their work. Progress did not necessarily mean expansion. Progress was a matter of quality and not quantity. It was quality that mattered, and it was that which they must keep before their minds. There were •three converging influences which would make for progress in the quality of the school. Thank God in our day we realised that the teaching profession was a cure of souls, and that the teacher was not out merely to turn out a good man or woman for business, but to have a purifying influence on the world. Teachers' lives were a great responsibility, because upon them lay the responsibility of making the atmosphere what it should be. The second converging influence to make up the quality of the school was the body of parents and old girls who formed, so to speak, the spectators. Very often schools were weak because there was discrepancy between the attitude of the parents and the attitude of the teachers. He was afraid it sometimes happened that a school was pulled

down from its ideal because the ideal of the parents was lower than that of the teachers. Parents did a terrible lot of mischief in dragging down the standard of the school. There were cases in which it seemed almost like a conflict for the soul of the child between parents and teachers. In the home there were influences which were not leaving the child happy; in the school there were good influences, and sometimes it happened—and he was speaking of what he knew—the influence of the home spoiled and neutralised the influence of the school. If a school was to be strong it was essential that parents and teachers should work together, and he appealed to the parents to work hand in glove with the teachers who were training the children, so to form one consolidating influence upon the child, and then its future was assured.

As to the former pupils, he said that the older the school grew the more power there was in the traditions of the school, because they remembered the mark the school laid upon them and the traditions they inherited, which helped so much to purify and characterise their own lives. They were also jealous for the traditions of the old school, and to keep it on the good foundation which they had helped to make. He was not sure that the girls were not the most important of the three converging influences, because there were things to be done in the school which they only could do. He impressed upon them that truth and honour were imperishable things. It was very easy to slip into dishonesty and falsehood. He warned them to be upright and true in all their dealings, to live and talk clean amongst one another. They must show there was such a thing as bad form and good form, and that it was in the latter they would live. Purify and continually raise the standard and ideals of the school.

Let that day live in their memony and may the words of praise and thanks live with it. "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits."

Then followed the hymn, "Praise my soul, the King of Heaven," and after prayers for the past and present members of the school, the Bishop gave the Blessing. Afterwards the choir advanced to the altar steps and sang the Te Deum as a solemn act of thanksgiving to Almighty God for so mercifully preserving the life of the school, and the service concluded.

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The liishop's Address at the Prize Giving was (dso reported, as follows, in " The Wilts Gazette."

The Bishop, in an address, said he must begin by congratulating them on the extraordinarily healthy condition in which the girls found themselves. Physically, they were extraordinarily well. He had never found that girls were less able to make noises than boys; he rather thought they beat the boys sometimes, and he thought they had great possibilities (laughter). He congratulated them on so great an. advance in the academic profession ; they were soaring high and he was glad to hear it, although they knew academic distinction was not the real secret of life. It was character, but at the same time academic distinction was something worth having.

He was in the position of not having a prize once; at least the examiners did not know their business (laughter). But getting the prizes did not so much matter; it was work and life generally that paid. He was addressing a very heterogeneous audience. There were distinguished visitors, but he should leave them out.

There were parents; he could see a few men, and it he judged by the fixed melancholy on their faces they were the parents of some of the girls (laughter). He should ignore them, and speak to those who mattered. He did not suppose there ever was a time when it was so true to say that the future of England was in the hands of the boys and girls. In our day the prestige of the boys and girl's had advanced at the cost of the prestige of old age in a way that had not been know for generations past.

Of course there was a certain pang of regret, and he knew the Archdeacon shared it, because they did not like their prestige to be destroyed (laughter), but it was nevertheless true to say that since the war the fortunes of the world had passed into the hands of the young men and women, and his word to them was to take life seriously. If they did that, then there was nothing they would not be able to do. If they wanted to get the best fun out of life, to enjoy life, and taste the real wine of life then they would take life seriously. There were two kinds of life. There were a great many people who thought the only way to taste life was to enjoy themselves and have a good time; there were others who thought the best way to enjoy life was to try and do their duty. If they took the first chance they would go into society and would meet hundreds of girls whose one idea of life is to enjoy themselves, who would say, "I went to four balls last

week; I am going to the country to a house party, to play tennis, and have dancing ; then to Goodwood, and yachting at Cowes, and then for some deer stalking in Scotland." It was quite true that a person like that got a great deal out of life. It reminded him of his days as an undergraduate, when he used to eat crfime brulee (burnt toffee) with a tremendous lot of cream. They used to eat it until they absolutely became sick (laughter). That was what was going to happen to those girls over their pleasure. If they enjoyed themselves only, there would come a time when enjoyment would become absolutely sick, because selfishness would revenge itself upon them.

The truth was if they wanted to enjoy life and have fun, they would try to do their duty. It was only when they realised that life was not their own, and that they must do something to make the world a better place, that they would be in the position to taste the sweets of life. He impressed upon them to take life seriously, because it was only by so doing that they would find what life really was. The speaker enlarged upon this theme, giving the pupils some useful advice, and placed three phrases before them as a uide in life—aim high, fight shy, keep nigh. They got igh ideals set before them in the school. When they went into the world, they would find any number of people without high ideals, but the best thing they could do was to hold on to the ideals they had learnt, and be loyal to their school. Loyality to the school did not mean coming to prize day or giving £1 to an extension, but holding on to the high ideals they had set before them, even in the midst of people who had not learnt those ideals.

As to fighting shy, there was so much evil in the world to pull them down that they must fight shy of that, also there were people they must fight shy of. As to keeping nigh, they learnt in that School in Whom lay all their hope, joy and strength. He came from Heaven to die for them, and it was He who asked them to keep honour to Him.

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The following account of the Jubilee appeared in the " North Wilts Church Magazine." " Impressions are all that can be given : A full account was published by the Wiltshire newspapers at the time.

Perhaps what made the deepest impression upon all who took part in it was the atmosphere of joy and happiness, based, I think, on a sort of spiritual contact-that pervaded

the whole gathering. We were conscious of many mercies, and we knew that all was well, and we were very thankful. It was really this that made the special service in Church to be what it was, yet nothing could have been greater on the occasion than the Bishop's words to us, though his speech in the afternoon in the School Hall was equally great. Two things will especially abide with us.

One was his remarks upon the gain to the school in discipline and atmosphere from adversity and suffering in the past. The other was his warning, given with much humour, of the truth of the old saying that the way to attain happiness is to avoid seeking it, and that the race for pleasure, though it will undeniably give a good time for a time, in the end and before very long, brings only sickness.

The School Communion next morning, in which past and present girls and mistresses shared, was beautiful and touching. As to the lighter episodes, though the rain came on as it so often has done in our great Church festivals, and drove the play actors indoors, this was no great loss as the children were better heard. As the Archdeacon said, the school is a Christian school and that is why it knew how to laugh so merrily."

E. J. B. The following old members of the school were present at the Jubilee:— Miss Jones, Miss Dyas, Miss Little, Miss Abdy, Miss Bailey, K. Barton, M. Bigwood, K. Blair, R. Bray (Boys), K. Bridges, C. Baker, K. Brown, B. Clark, J. Clark, M. Cole, D. Crokat, M. Crokat, A. Frayling, L. Frayling, E. Prior-Fry (Anstey), M. Godfrey, D. Godfrey, J. Gould, F. Gunning, A. Gunning, E. Gunning (Simmonds), M. Gosnell (Daniell), K. Harding, PI. Hewett, L. Heath, N. Highmore, M. Hopkins, E. Hollis, S. Howard-Jones, D. Joy, (Maundrell), M. Joyce, F. Keevil, A. Keevil, (Godfrey), M. Koopman (Heath), W. Lumsden, P. Mapstone, M. Margesson, G. Miflin, D. Morrison, M. Maundrell (Godwin), M. G. Maundrell, V. Newcomb, D. Owen (Hobbs), M. Orchard, N. Perkins, G. Pinniger, D. Pinniger, G. Pullein, K. Prevost, M. Rawlings, A. Rawlings, P. Rudler, E. Reason, E. Rutherford, A. Rutherford, A. Roynon, E. Slqper (Daniell), N. Sam ways, B. Skyrme, E. Spackman (Bridges), E. Toop, R. Young (Bicknell), L. Vines (Pearce), R. Vines (Buckeridge), A. Vines, D. Wild, M. Wild.

" Much Ado About Nothing."

If any reader of these lines knows of a pleasanter way to spend a Summer afternoon than by sitting in a garden and watching a play, the writer would be glad to hear from him. My recollections go back to " A Midsummer Night's Dream," with Mendelssohn's music, in an Eton garden in 1886—shall I ever forget the entry of Bottom and his Satellites to ' The Clowns' March ' ?—and comes down through various performances of 'As You Like It' in College gardens to the ' Rhesus' of last month in the rounds of New College, and finally to ' Much Ado ' at . Mary's School, Calne, on Saturday, 21st July, a performance which will take its place in the perspective as not the least delightful.

Many factors combine to make up the pleasure. The charm of an English garden at Midsummer—so satisfying to eye and ear, and in some cases so deliciously incongruous.

Messina, Athens, Troy, Verona—they all come out alike.

And that is as it should be. The Athenianness of Athens is not of the essence of the Play. Rambler roses and chaffinches do just as well as stone-pines and hoopoes— in fact, better, because they all help out the delightful feeling of illusion. Sententious words of wordly wisdom on youthful lips, strong limbs trying to ape the palsied tremblings of old-age, the humours of English rustics mingling unabashed with the courtly phrase of foreign dukes, the inconsequent and improbable plots, the obvious eavesdroppers, hidden only to themselves, the brave and gallant romance of it all, combine to form a whole that is irresistibly attractive.

The programme tells us much, but one important person is left in modest obscurity—the stage-manager— and yet the success of Saturday's performance owes much to her unrecorded labours. I take my hat off to her.

Acting in the open-air, with the sun in your face, is not easy. Words easily become inaudible, fidgeting hands obtrusive, an awkwardness of movement or gesture conspicuous. That there was so little of these reflects great credit on someone. To go through the caste and apportion due reward of praise would take too long, and those who had the less important parts fitted them so well that they would probably have shone if Fate had alloted them the leading roles.

Beatrice was admirable and entered into the part irresistibly. Benedick, and all the other performers of male parts, did bravely. They could not do more. Don

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John did his best to look and be a villain : it is no discredit to say that the illusion was not complete. And the Prince, why does not someone write ,a paper on Shakespeare's Princes and Dukes ? So fatherly, so urbane—even when exposed to most tedious prolixity—so generous in their bestowal of daughters and nieces on unworthy and inadeuate suitors. Hero melted our hearts. Why did Don ohn treat her so abominably ? It is inexplicable. Claudio " plans to marry " her, forsooth ! He should have sunk into the earth for very shame at his presumption. And then Dogberry and his posse. Immortal rustics! What were they doing at Messina ? Let Shakespeare answer, if he can. Blessings on the happy thought that sent them there. We have loved them, ever since we first made their acquaintance. And now we love them better than ever. And then there were the Dancers—hovering about like white butterflies. What were they doing ? They were wholly delightful, anyhow.

Need butterflies justify their existence ? Let us be thankful for them, and ask no more foolish questions. There was music, too, for them to hover to, and most delicious music. I have only one grievance—there was not enough of it. If S. Mary's School will some day give us ' The Midsummer Night's Dream' with Mendlessohn's music, and will let me come and see it, I am sure they will enjoy it: I know I shall.

J.M.L.

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DRAMATIS PERSONAE. DON PEDRO, prince of Arragon jf. K. Matthew DON JOHN, his brother K. a. Tench CLAUDIO, a young lord of Florence it. .]/. o. Jenkins BENEDICK, a young lord of Padua .]/. A. Hulbert LEONATO, governor of Messina A. Wood COMRADE 1 followers of Don John J. K. Hutaey BORACHIO j c. M. N. Cobb FRIAR FRANCIS A. M. <; Le Mesurier DOGBERRY, a constable D. )/'. Urwick VERGES, a headborough AT M. pisher A SEXTON Z. C. Martin HERO, daughter to Leonato M. A McKay BEATRICE, niece to Leonato E. M. L. ll'olfenden MARGARET j gentlewomen attending M. Hiscock URSULA J on Hero M. K. Lucas Messenger Watch Attendants, etc.

Scene—Messina.

Music BY EDWARD GERMAN

11 The [Slew Buildings.

The Jubilee Buildings are delightful; they stand at the top of the " old " kitchen garden, on the right as one goes to S. Prisca's, a very pleasing, bright bungalow building. The first thing that strikes one is the light cheerful effect they give, with their big windows, high cream walls, and white ceilings. There are three big rooms, the studio, science room and carpenter's shop, while a little wing at the end consists of music rooms. We were most happy in our architect, Mr. Bateman, and in the firm (Messrs. Syms) who worked so quickly and so well for us. To Mr. Culley we owe the ideal fittings in the science room, and the really delightful benches in the carpenter's shop. Such beautiful fittings ought to be a real inspiration. The carpentry classes are to add to the equipment; there is much yet of which we stand in need.

Those who have lived at S. Prisca's will be interested in hearing of a lamp post which now guides us there!

Another noticeable addition is our delightful little weather " pig." the gift of Mr. Bodinnar, which adorns the new buildings.

But the Jubilee Buildings are not the only sign of our growth as we have, this September, acquired Congresbury House, a beautiful old house on Market Hill. This provides excellent bedroom accommodation for eight girls and some of the staff. Mrs. Savory (Averil's mother) is in charge there, we extend her a hearty welcome and hope she will be very happy at S. Mary's.

There have been many minor improvements during the year: first and foremost we may place the new heating apparatus in the gymnasium and classrooms, and the new roof on the same building. We feel we shall now be warmer in winter, and cooler in summerâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a great consideration as those who have lived here will realise!

The Jubilee Building Fund which we opened in April reached ÂŁ220 by July. We are anxious to increase this as rapidly as possible, and are holding a Sale of Work in aid of it in November. We are most grateful to all who have so far helped us to raise the money.

There has been a great improvement in the playing fields this year, and the acquisition of an Atco Motor Mower has meant a great deal to us. We are hoping that all our games will improve. The trees and shrubs planted last year are doing well, and the whole appearance of the place is very different from what it was a year or two ago.

Early Days at S. Mary's One of the great interests in connection with our Jubilee was the receipt of so many letters and reminiscences from old girls We wish we had room to quote from them all. Miss Bessie Colson who was of the original seven girls writes as follows:â&#x20AC;&#x201D; " I remember the busy time of patient working and quiet influence of the Founders before the dream became a reality and S. Mary's began its career at the house on the Green, as a Church School. I was then thirteen years of age, and was very proud of the fact that my name was the first sent in to be received as a pupil, when the School should be ready to be opened. Many difficulties, and much opposition had to be faced, but anything that was taken in hand by Canon Duncan was always worth doing and came through successfully and at last S. Mary's reached its opening day in January, 1873. There were present at that opening the three founders â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Mrs. Murray, Miss Elinor Gabriel, Canon Duncan, and Miss Richardson, the first Head Mistress, and seven pupils.

The Vicar welcomed Miss Richardson, and presented each pupil to her by name, and then addressed the girls, putting before them their responsibility as being the leaders in a new venture on a small scale, which he hoped would be carried on by all concerned in it to a much larger scale. He then named the School, and after prayers he gave us his blessing, and the founders left us to Miss Richardson. Of course everything was very plain and simple throughout the house, and for a time there was only the one classroom, and no Chapel; prayers were said in the Head Mistress's sitting room. I do not think the School grew very fast as to numbers."

Another very early member of the school writes : " I believe I was one of S. Mary's earliest pupils. I left anold-fashioned boarding school, where I was intensely unhappy, and was delighted at the difference in tuition, for under such influence as that of Canon Duncan and others, I soon began to find interest in study. I found myself woefully deficient in English (attention having been given at the previous school chiefly to fancy work and " accomplishments.") I well remember how small I felt when Miss Richardson, then head Mistress, put me through my paces the first morning in Arithmetic, spelling, etc. Some others of the early pupils may remember she had a withering way of looking at you !

It is thinking a long way back, but they were happy

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days, and are always a joy to remember. I think there were only about three boarders then. I still have little sketches and paintings done under Mrs. Duncan's kind tuition, and I first learnt to appreciate Tennyson from Canon Duncan. My first dip into Shakespeare was made at S. Mary's. I remember being King Henry VIII at one " Breaking Up" (with a pillow for size), Marion Henley being the Queen; and also Bassanio, with Annie Henley as Shylock. I have nothing but affectionate memories of S. Mary's and everyone connected with it."

Mrs. Prangley (E. R. Heath): " I was at S. Mary's under Miss Jones, and we used to have the most delightful, to us at any rate, Shakespearean performances at Christmas " Breaking Up. " I remember Miss Culpin acting Petruchio, clothed in a long brown ulster, and Miss Jones as Katherine in her best grey silk frock! I remember once when I was Rosalind and my sister Orlando."

Miss Pells, who succeeded Miss Jones as Head Mistress, writes: " There were never more than forty pupils in my time and no boarders. I think our chief aim was to develope character, the girls being quite young, and the Cambridge Junior Local was our highest flight. Mrs. Murray and Miss Marion gave French lessons to the few who wished for them; Mrs. Duncan took a drawing class once a week, and the Vicar took a weekly class for Scripture. I loved the country round Calne, but I have never re-visited it since I left in 1886. I must not forget that once (only) we acted a Shakespeare play, or rather incidents from it.

Mrs. Koopman (Mabel Heath) writes :â&#x20AC;&#x201D; When I was asked to write something for the School Magazine about the early days of St. Mary's I said "Yes, of course, Miss Matthews" with the instinctive obedience to the word of the Head Mistress that never ceases to influence an "old girl," unless I suppose she in her turn becomes a "Head" Then I wandered round asking the old girls of my own time, and the older girls of the time before that to tell me anything they could remember of their St. Mary's school-days. Since then I have talked with one old girl who was actually present at the opening

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of the original St. Mary's on the Green. "What was your very first impression?" I asked her and she answered promptly "The smell of the new wooden desks and forms in the school room (there was only one)". The school originally consisted of about a dozen girls—she remembered most of their names, and the first headmistress was Miss Richardson, a strict disciplinarian with a strong sense of humour. The Vicar, the Rev. John Duncan, who looked upon St, Mary's as a beloved if sometimes refractory child, taught Scripture and Arithmetic and Mrs. Murray gave lessons in French.

Another old girl, a little before my own time, who was with Miss Jones, told me a charming story of Miss Ellinor Gabriel. In her very early days she—the old girl—had had her little knuckles well rapped by a pupil teacher at a music-lesson. Hearing her sobs, Miss Gabriel walked into the room and told the pupil-teacher that she must not forget that she was teaching "a very little girl", "I adored her ever afterwards for that" said the old girl.

She it was who reminded me of a horrible invention called "The Mark", a punishment that I had almost forgotten as it did not long survive my arrival at St. Mary's.

"The Mark" was a piece of light, shiny, flat wood, about six inches in length and two in breadth with the word "MARK" printed on it in black letters. At one end there was a hole through which was threaded a piece of pink tape. This badge of shame was handed to the first irl who spoke without permission to a schoolfellow uring school hours, and she in her turn could hand it to any other delinquent that she could catch sinning.

The curious part about this punishment was that the only girl who lost her conduct marks was the one wearing the odious "Mark" at the end of the day. Miss Pells was the chief influence of my own school days and to her I owe much, as it was she who taught me to love literature and poetry. I shall never forget those afternoons when while we sat at needlework, Miss Pells read and explained the works of Dickens, Tennyson, Longfellow, etc., or read with us the plays of Shakespeare. How we loved acting those plays at the annual Christmas party and how well we did them too! Often when watching a big London production I have felt grateful to Miss Pells for the way in which she taught me to appreciate the plays of Shakespeare when I was young. In those days the Vicar no longer taught arithmetic but held Scripture classes twice a week and Mrs. Duncan, whom we all adored for her

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sweetness and gentleness, gave us a drawing lesson every Thursday afternoon. French we were taught by Miss Murray and occasionally Mrs. Murray (of whom we were much in awe) took her place.

Shakespeare says "The evil that men do lives after them. ..." I proved this on the 23rd of last July. The incident that stuck in the memory of every old girl to whom I spoke resulted in a public apology made by me as Head girl on behalf of the school to Mrs. Murray, for stealing apples from her orchard. It was not really quite as bad as it sounds. At a tea party held in Mrs. Murray's garden at Castle House we had been given permission to eat the fallen apples and had picked some from the trees as well. I don't think we could have felt very guilty about it because we were all so perfectly happy until we were accused by the gardener of stealing!

These are all the reminiscences I can get together from the old girls but I asked one of the first of the small boys who was admitted to St. Mary's (he is a man of 40 now) if he could remember something of his schooldays there. "Only that on our way to school my sister always bought me a penny bun at Miss Maslen's" he said.

The U. G. S. M. The most important part of the year's work was not work at all, but a very great pleasure. On November 8th Canon and Mrs. Veazy were both so very kind as to come down to see us. It is four years since we joined the mission, so that although Canon Veazy came then and first roused our interest in Camberwell, most of us up to now have only known him through his lettersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; always so encouraging and grateful for the smallest effort.

He gave us a very interesting and " eye-opening " lecture with slides in the afternoon, and his kindness in sparing us a day when he is so very busy should make anything we do seem worth while.

We kept S. Luke's day as a Health Festival in the way which we hope has become a tradition in the Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;by allotting a Chapel window to each form who decorated it with flowers and fruit and medical things, such as lint and Bovril, which were afterwards sent to the mission.

During the year, besides the usual jumble things and subscriptions, we also sent some materials for the mission people to make up into garments for their sale, and ordered

16

some provisions for it with what money we had in hand— cheese, butter, potatoes, fruit, anything in fact which we hoped would sell.

D. W. Urwick, (School Secretary )

U. G. S. M. (Old Girls' Branch.)

There are now thirty-eight members of the Old Girls' Branch of the Mission, eleven having joined since last year. The following paid their subscriptions this spring, K. Brown, M. Smith, F. Keevil, V. Newcomb, G. Hamilton-Jackson, F. Farnfield, M. Joyce, M. Margesson, B. Lutener, M. Wood, K. Stone, N. Samways, J. Gould, M. Trask, V. Bailey, S. Randolph, D. Morrison.

The subscriptions amounted to £2 Os. 6d. of which 3s. was spent on postage, making a balance of £1 17s. 6d. which was sent to the Treasurer. May I say that membership fioea emphatically entail a subscription and that ten members seemed to forget that this year: of these two were abroad but all the others were reminded in March.

It would be a great help, and would keep down expenses considerably, if members would send their subscriptions

by March 25th, and not wait for the nevitable postcard; which ought to be unnecessary. If members wish to resign I can send in their names at any time but if not will they please try to be prompt with their subscriptions.

If members would take in the report of the settlement (which is only eight-pence a year) they would find, I think, that their subscription is not merely a few shillings lost to them but something which is counted on to keep that wonderful work in Camberwell from collapsing from lack of funds.

D. Morrison, 4, Westwood Road, Southampton.

It is rather distressing to find so many defaulters, eight out of thirty-eight is a sadly big proportion. Please, old girls, remember your promise to support the U.G.S.M. E. M. M.

17

Tuesday Offertories.

Summer Term 1922.

EXPENDITURE.

RECEIPTS. d.

Term's Subscriptions toU.G.S.M. Proceeds of Sports ...

Offertories

2 7 6 1 17 6 8 12 74

£

Term's Subscriptions ... toU.G.S.M. Fresh Air Fund ...

U.G.S.M. Settlement U.M.C.A. ...

Postage ...

*• d.

2 7 6 18 1 6 2 0 5

6 44 0 0 9

17

£12 17 74

OFFERTORIES. September 1922 to July 1923.

U.G.S.M. Terms' Subscriptions Tuesday Offertories

/ s. d.

7 10 0 29 14 6

£37

4 6

U.G.S.M. /Terms' Subscriptions Materials ... \ Fruit ...

Fresh A i r Fund . . .

I Postage a n d Carriage Scholarship ...

Dovercourt School U.M.C.A. ...

Waifs and Strays ...

Casterton School ...

China Mission ...

Church Flowers ...

Wreath (Armistice Day) Diocesan Fund ...

Building Fund ...

£ s. d.

7 10 0 1 19 10 3 10 0 1 2 1 1 2 9 2 2 0 2 8 6 6 12 0 15 0 1 1 0 5 0 10 0 8 0 6 1 0 1 17 4

£37

4 6

News of Old Girls.

The following girls left the School in July 1922:— Jean Sorsbie (came 1918 3 Head girl 1921-22) is now at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, reading English.

Elisabeth Kitson (came 1919, 3 Form VI 1922) has been living with her cousin in Leeds, and attending the High School. She went up to Girton College, Cambridge, for the Entrance Examination, and passed, in March, She hopes she may obtain a vacancy next year.

Marguerite Smith (came 19I0 3 ) has been teaching in a School near Malmesbury. She entered Salisbury Training College in September.

18 2

Peggy Buck (came 1920 )has had a year in Paris and is to go abroad this autumn to join her parents in Trinidad.

Marion Hopkins (1918 3) has also had a year in Paris : she is now at home.

Violet Newcomb (came 1919 3) has been at home since leaving School, very busy with various parish and other duties.

Joyce and Leonore Cooke (came 1921 !) are living in Bedford and are both at the High School. Joyce has just obtained the Cambridge School certificate, with Honours.

Nancy Cooper (came 1916 3) has had a year as assistant games' mistress at Parson's Mead, Ashtead. She has now gone to Bedford Physical Training College.

Sybil Howard-Jones (came 1918 3) is at home, and so are Phyllis and Muriel, who both left school last Easter.

Pamela Waddilove (came 1919 2 ) is nursing at Queen Mary's Hospital, Carshalton.

Katharine Prevost (came 1920 *) left School at Easter: she is living at home and is taking a course of Domestic Science.

The following left School this July : Myfanwy Jenkins (came 1918 3 Head Girl 1922-1923) and Eileen Wolfenden (came 1914, 3 Prefect 1922) have both gone to Bedford Physical Training College Doreen Urwick (came 1919, 3 Prefect 1921) has gone to Holloway College, to read for English Honours.

Katharine Matthew (came 1921. 3 Prefect 1922) is training at S. Mary's College, Lancaster Gate, as she hopes to take up private teaching.

Margery Hulbert (came 1917 2 Prefect 1923) and Eleanora Tench (came 1919 2 Prefect 1923) are also at S. Mary's College, training for Kindergarten teaching.

Margaret Merrett (came 1917 2 Prefect 1922) is at home.

Gladys Burnett (came 1920 3 Prefect 1923) is working at home.

Christine Lutener (came 1920 2) is to be at home for the present.

Dorothy Kenrick (came 1920 3) is now at the Godolphin School, as a day girl.

Meriel Charsley (came 1920 2) is at home and is working with a governess.

One of the great interests of our Jubilee year is that we have had more news than usual of our old girls.

Dorothy Sainsbury went in February, 1921 to a post as

19

Mistress in the Girls' High School, Belize, where she is now Vice-Principal, and is at present in charge of the School, during the Principal's furlough in England.

Besides this she does a great deal of work outside the School, managing, among other things, a " Sunday School by post," which is much appreciated by people who are so far from any Church. In some places, in the absence of a clergyman, she has held services and given addresses, and we have heard from Dr. Macklem of the Church Imperial Club what invaluable work she is doing.

Rose and Lilian Pegler live in Chicago. Lilian is the superintendent under the U.S.A. Government of all the work done for the Soldiers and Sailors in the three States of Michigan, Winconsin, and Illinois.

Rose lives with her. Both are fully trained nurses and served during the War. Amy E. J. Baker (Mrs. Crawford) in an authoress. She has written several novels, including " The Moon Flower."

Margaret Boodle is married, and lives at Brompton. She is still teaching.

Adelaide Milstead has taught for many years in the Infant School, at Yiewsley, Middlesex.

A whole colony of Buckeridges and Neates are settled in Western Australia. Doris Stuart is in Adelaide Mary and Kathleen Harding are teaching at home, Middleton, Dursley. Mary is a gold medallist of the Royal Academy, L.R.A M. A.R.C.M. Elsie Toop has finished her training at the Bristol Royal Infirmary.

Edith Smith is in Hong-Kong, acting as Secretary to Lady Stubbs, the wife of the Governor. She came home with Lady Stubbs last year, and sailed for Hong-Kong in January.

Florence Barton's address is now Hucclecote, Bramshott Chase, Hindhead, Surrey.

Alice M. Barton, who for some years past has had a small Preparatory School for girls, has moved into larger premises, and started a class for boys as well. Her address is still Kingsbury, Alderley Edge, Cheshire.

L. Katharine Barton has worked for eighteen months with mentally defective children, and is now nursing the insane at Camberwell House Mental Hospital, where she hopes to remain for three years, and to qualify for the Medico Psychological certificate. Her address is 32, Peckham Road, Camberwell, S.E. 5.

20

Kathleen and Joan Beach are both nursing at Queen Mary's Hospital, Carshalton, where Kathleen represents her hospital in the tennis team.

Mary Margesson has gone this autumn to S. Mary's College, Lancaster Gate, to train in Kindergarten work.

Mary Gould is teaching Domestic Science in Ynsddu, Monmouthshire, : Jo has been training in Commercial Secretarial work at Cardiff University.

Everal de Jersey gave her first recital in the ^Eolian Hall in May. She came to play to the school on June 14th.

Doris Haughton-James (Ballard) is now living in Gloucester. Her husband's health would not permit his keeping on the Farm where they had been living in Devonshire. It was very nice to see Doris in September as she was passing through Calne.

Helen Tench is teaching games, gymnastics and dancing at Channing House School, Highgate.

Gretchen Ellis is still teaching at Wellesley House, Broadstairs.

Frances Farnfield has begun to train as a nurse at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton.

Averil Savory came to help as Matron last Autumn Term.

She is now Matron at the Junior House, S. Ives School.

Bexhill.

Barbara Isaacs is still keeping house for her Father in Jamaica. She hopes to go next year to Denmark, to train in Physical work.

Kathleen and Betty Stone are now living at Valetta, Temple Ewell, Dover, as their Father gave up his practice in the spring. Kathleen is engaged to be married. Betty goes to a day school in Dover.

Janet Hollis is at home, Nora is at S. Mary's College, Durham, where Miss Donaldson is Principal. She is reading for Classical Honours.

Barbara Skyrme left the Slade School in July and will be at home for the present, attending the Art School in Salisbury.

Nora Samways has just won an open scholarship for Violin playing at the Royal Academy. She is studying Violin with Professor Rowsbey Woof, and is in the junior orchestra " which is exceedingly lucky for a first term." She also has a professor for her second study, piano, and has been put straight up to Harmony, instead of having to go through the Elements classes, so considers herself extremely fortunate.

21

Gwendoline Croft is living at home : Christine is teaching some children.

Margery Parker is living at home, in France. We hope to see her this autumn.

Vera Bailey is living at home, and is teaching gymnastics, dancing and games.

Peggy Jenkins is nurse to two children in Basutoland.

Eileen Marsh is training for teaching at the Diocesan College, Brighton.

Monica Wood is just beginning her third year at Gloucester School of Domestic Science. She has been elected Senior Student.

Susan Randolph is still teaching music at Taverham Hall, Norwich. Margaret has the post of Governess to the little daughter of the Head Master of Harrow. Several other little girls share her lessons, and one is already entered at S. Mary's School!

We have had visits during the year from Helen Tench, Jean Sorsbie, Dorothy Morrison, Nora Hollis, Mary Gould, Pamela Waddilove, Mary Margesson and Susan Randolph, besides all those who came to the Re-union and to the Jubilee.

Miss Abdy has also paid us two visits, and Miss Rountree came in July. We were very glad to see Miss Bailey at the Jubilee as she had not been here for so long.

Miss Gutteridge we saw at Easter: it was a great disappointment she could not come to the Jubilee.

The Old Girls' Reunion.

July 28â&#x20AC;&#x201D;31, 1922.

This was a most delightful three days: a full account written by old girls present was sent round to those who could not come, so that we need not say much here.

The following were present: Miss Abdy, Miss Evelyn Smith, V. Bailey, K. Brown, D. Crokat, M. Crokat, D. Capewell (Clayton), G. Croft, R. Davy, F. Farnfield, J. Gould, M. Joyce, J. Hollis, N. Hollis, G. HamiltonJackson. A. Hathaway, O. Kendall, W. Lumsden, M. Margesson, D. Morrison, M. Orchard, M. Randolph, P. Rudler, N. Samways, B. Skyrme, K. Stone, P. Trousdell, M. Wood. On the Saturday we were joined by the Archdeacon, Mr. Dunne, B. Clark, M. Cole, V. Gunning, M. Larcombe (Gunning), N. Smith and F. Keevil. All

22

the present VI. and leaving girls also stayed for the weekend.

An Old Girl who was present writes.—" Any list of events leaves unsaid what a splendid atmosphere there was about it all; how everybody brought their new interests, and, so to speak, " shared them round" by finding out what other people were doing. We came away reeling that it was a pull up, and a push forward in every way, and we hope that this great week-end is the first milestone of many on a long road."

BIRTH.

BlitTHlLL. On January 27th, 1928, to Mr- and Mrs. F. E. Birthill (Mary Bnssell) a son, John William Estcourfc.

HANDS. On Dec. 3rd, 1922, at " Hatches " West Chiltington, Sussex, to Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Hands (Alice Toop) a daughter, Elizabeth Ann Alice.

MARRIAGES.

WILSON—RAINES. On December 15bh, 1922, Captain C. A. Wilson to Daphne Baines, in Rawalpindi.

OWEN—HOBBS. On August 14th, 1922, at the Parish Church, Chippenham, by the Rev. W. A. Congcion, Gerald Seaton, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Owen, of Stapleton Road. Bristol, to Dorothy Mary, daughter of Captain and Mrs G. N. Hobbs, of Harden's, Chippenham.

HARGREAVES—BADCOCK. On August 21sfc, 1928, at St. Mary's Church, Taunton, Major A. J. G. Hargreaves, 18th Light Infantry, to Rhoda Joyce, elder daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel and Mrs. G. H. Badcock, of Holway, Taunton.

R. I. P. BRIDGES. On May 81st, 1928, at Foochow, South China, of typhoid fever, Frances Emily Bridges, (second daughter of the late John Bridges, of Rough Leaze, Calne,) while working as a trained nurse under the Church of England Zenana Missionary Society.

23

School List, July, 1923.

R. I).

E. K.

M. O Jenkins W. II r wick M. L. Wolfeiiden E. Matthew

FORM Came 1918 3 1919 3 1914 3 1921 3

VI. E. M. Merrett I. C. Martin Z. M. Inder

G. H. Burnett M. A. Hulbert M. A. McKay E. B. Tench

UPPER V. 1920 3 M. Hiscock 1917 2 K. M. Stiles 1919 1 M. E. Lucas 1919 2

A. B. Chambers N. M. Fisher

V. PARALLEL. 1920 3 C. M. Lutener 1921 2 B. F. Ridley

A. Wood R. F. Evans

LOWER V. 1921 3 G D. Beale 1922 1

E. M. M. Bodinnar F. M. Bartletc J. Collard A. F. Pocock M. E. Smith M. F. Hopkins

UPPER 1915 3 1920 2 1917 3 1917 3 1916 2 1920 2

J. E. Hussey K, M. Charsley M. M. F. Fraser

IV. PARALLEL. 1915 3 K. M. Gill 1920 2 F. M. Legh Smith 1921 1

H. E. West E. Wood P. M. Gee G. M. Turner M. E. Vischer A. A. Le Mesurier

LOWER 1919 1 1920 2 1917 2 1921 2 1921 3 1922 2

IV. A. C. M. Kestell-Cornish Z. B. Egerton R. E. Price H. M. Wood M. E. L. Taylor

IS. I. R. Telling M. M. Charley J. C. Williams

LOWER 1918 3 1920 3 1915 3

IV. B. G. E. Pocock I. M Rawlins P. M. Brentnall

J. Ferguson Y. M. Bartlett G. M. Dixou E. M. A, Maundreli W. J. Aldrick J. M. Cole

IV. r>. M. Kenrick C. M. N. Cobb A. M. G. Le Mesurier E. U. Robins L. M. Kirby K. M. Kendall

FORM III. 1922 2 H. M. Hussey 1920 2 M. M. Joy 1916 22 S. E. Tench 1917 P. M. Target!

1916 l B. M. Thompson 1916 3

Came 1917 2 1922 2 1921 3

1917 3 1919 2 1921 2

1920 2 1922 3 1921 3

1920 3 1921 2 1921 3 1922 2 1922 3 1923 2 1922 1 1922 1

1922 3 1922 3 1922 3

19223 1923 1

1917 3 1920 1 1922 3 1918 3 1922 1 1922 3 1921 1 1923 2

24

G. E. Gee J. L. Parry N. M. Cole M. R Heath P. F. Aldrick P. L. Dixon

FORM II. 19172 F.Z.Joy 1918 2 K. L. Cullingham 1918 3 I). M Osinaii-Jones 19172 V.R.Taylor 1918 2 S L. Ferguson 1919 2 (J. M. Gale

19223 1922 3 1922 3 19231 1923 2 1923 2

P. J. Young W. D. Parry R. G. L. Heath G. R. H. Cole C. K. Gunning P. B. Heath F. J. G. Keevil J. D. Vines

S. PRISCA'S. 1920 3 F. C. Roynon 19192 F T. S. Heath 1930 3 A. N. C. Churchill 1921 1 E. F. Gunning 1921 2 K. M. Gough 1921 2 K M. Trow 1921 2 R. Q. Wheeler 1921 3 C. D. M. Churchill

1921 3 19221 1922 2 1922 2 1922 3 1922 3 1922 3 1923 «

Staff.

RESIDENT— Miss ALEXANDER (Senior Mistress) French Miss GROVER, Science, Gardening Miss WILLIAMS, Domestic Science Miss DAMANT, Matron Miss CLARKE, Kindergarten Miss JENNINGS, Music Miss STEVENS-GDILLE, Mathematics Miss WILMOTT, Games, Gymnastics, Dancing Miss GIBSON, Classics Miss HALES, English Miss SYMONDS, Music NON-RESIDENT— W. R. PULLEIN, ESQ. Music ALGERNON SALTER, ESQ. Violoncello E. A. A. HATHERLEY, ESQ. Drawing J. HADDON, ESQ. Science MR. CULLEY Carpentry MR. C. GUNNING Plumbing

1915 3 1915 3 1918 i 1918 a 1921 3 1921 3 1921 3 1921 3 1922 3 1922 3 1923 1

We were very sorry to say good-bye to Miss WihnoU, who bad done much for us as Games' Mistress, in J u l y .

She bus been succeeded by Miss Montgomery, of Bedford Physical Training College.

25

School Calendar.

1922 Sept. 21—Beginning of term.

Meeting in the Town Hall . D r . Wheeler and others on the work of the Shantung Christian University.

Oct. 2—Lecture. The Rev. F. J. Evans, on the work of the U.M.C.A. ,, 18—U.G.S.M. Health Festival. ,, 28—Net Ball match at Tytherton. S. Mary's won 44-10.

Hallow'een Party giv^n by Form V. ,, 30—Lecture in Town Hall. Mrs. Philip Snowden, ''Through Bolshevik Russia."

Nov. 3—Half Term Holiday. Book Party.

4—Net Ball match, " The Dragons v The Victims."

Trial " Wrinch v Jennings." ,, 6—Expeditions to Oxford and Bath. ,, 8—Informal Conference between parents of Day Girls and the Staff. ,, 9—Visit from Canon and Mrs. Veazey. Address on U.G.S.M. ,, 11—Maidless Day. Two minutes' silence.

Net Ball match. School House beat the Colonies 20—16. ,, 13—The Archdeacon took a party up the Church Tower.

18—Lacrosse match. School House beat the Colonies 7-6. ,, 26—Lacrosse match. S. Mary's beaten by Royal School 10-5. ,, 29—Net Ball match. Junior Boarders beat Day Girls 15-14. ,, 30—Recital of Old English Church Music.

Dec. 1—Prize Day. ,, 4—Lecture in the Town Hall. Captain Donisthorpe on "The Romance of Wireless '' 8—Oxford Higher Local 9—Net Ball Cup match. Royal School beat S. Mary's 26-7 ,, 11—Cambridge School Examination Tschaikowsky Concert ,, 13—Calne Musical Society Entertainment ,, 15—S. Prisca's Party and Entertainment ,, 18—Competition for Shakespeare Cup Mark Reading. Carols. Tea and Speeches 1923 Jan. 23—Beginning of Term ,, 29—Exhibition of Holiday Hand Work Feb. 3—Miss Alexander and Form VI " At Home " to the School ., 7—Recital in Town Hall. Ernest Denny ,, 9—"Almanzer and Imogen." Opera composed and produced by Form V. ,, 16—Miss Dorothy Green's readings "Romeo and Juliet" ,, 17— ,, ,, ,, ,, "Macbeth" 19— ,, ,, ,, ,, "Much Ado about Nothing" Feb. 24—Maidless Day ,, 26—Lecture on his work in Nigeria by the Rev. J. McKay ,, 28—S. Prisca's Entertainment for " Save the Children Fund " March 5—Half holiday, Lantern Lecture on League of Nations by Miss Matthews 9—Lecture in the Town Hall. Lieut.-Col. Pottinger on The Conquest of Mount Everest. ,, 10—Drill competition versus Godolphin School, St. Mary's won 75—60. Lecture on Charlotte Bront£ by the Archdeacon.

26 Mar. 24—Art Lecture by Mr. Hatherley. Net Ball Match, Royal School beat St, Mary's 27—10.

April 1—Easter Day. „ 3—Form Drill Competition. Cup won by Form VI „ 4—A party went to Bath to see Baynton's Company in •• Mucii Ado about Nothing '' Calne Musical Society Sacred Concert 5—Miss Hill's Lecture on The First Folio ,, 6—Beethoven Concert 7—Day Girls'Party ,, 9—Mark Reading May 9—Beginning of term „ 10—Ascension Day ,, 16—Lecture. Miss Sophia Sturge, on the work of Reconstruction in Europe ,, 24—Empire Day. Messages of the King and Queen on the Gramaphone Missionary Exhibition at Heddington ,, 26—Tennis match. S. Mary's beat Tytherton 49-35 June 1—Laying of Foundation Stones of Jubilee Buildings ,, 2—A party to Bath to see Lena Ashwell players in " The Rivals " ,, 4—Lecture by Dr. Wheeler on his work in China „ 9—Cricket match. S. Mary's " A " Team beat Royal School II ,, 12—A party to a Missionary Sale at Chippenham. Address by the Bishop of Pretoria ., 13—Entertainment by Upper IV in aid of Building Fund ,, 14—Everal de Jersey's Pianoforte Recital ,, 15—Half term holiday. " Cinderella " ,, 16—Sports and Cricket match ,. 18 —Expedition to Savernake and Marlborough ,, 19—Lecture by Mr. Bateman on the new buildings ,, 21—Tennis match. Staff v School ,, 23—Maidless Day Form Tennis matches ,, 30 Haymaking at Highlands Tennis match v the Royal School at Bath. S. Mary's beaten 17-48 July 7 Cricket match v Trowbridge High School, at home. S. Mary's won 80-15 ,, 9 -League of Nations' Union, Meeting in the School Garden.

Address by Mr. E. Everett Reid ,, 12 Miss Alexander's picnic to the leaving Prefects ,, 14—Tennis match v Trowbridge High School, at Trowbridge.

S. Mary's won 36-19 ,, 21—" Much Ado " in the School Garden ,, 23 —Jubilee Day ,, 26 Miss Matthews took the leaving Prefects to Marlborough where we were most hospitably entertained by Mrs. Brentnall and taken over the College by the Rev. J. M. Lupton 28 - Cricket match : " Leaving " v " Staying " " Leaving " won ,, 29 - Schubert Concert ,, 30 Mark Reading

27

Examinations

1922—1923.

PRESENT GIRLS. Kesteven Major Scholarship (French, Latin, English) £120 a year for 3 years—J. Sorsbie Royal Holloway College Scholarship and Entrance Examination— D, W. Urwick Oxford Higher Local, English First Class Honours), Latin and French (Third Class)—D. W. Urwick Cambridge Senior Local, July 1922, M. E. de L. Smith (Distinction in Hygiene).

December, 1922— G. H. Burnett M. A. Hulbert Z. M. Inder R. M. O. Jenkins M. E. Lucas (Distinction in French) I. C. Martin K. E. Matthew (Distinction in Hygiene) M. A. McKay R. M. Stiles E. B. Tench Incorporated Institute of Hygiene—Certificates.

A. B. Chambers N. M. Fisher R. M. O. Jenkins K. E. Matthew E. B. Tench E. M. L. Wolfenden OLD GIRLS. V. D. Bailey. First Class Diploma, Liverpool Physical Training College M. I. Randolph. Cambridge Teachers' Diploma P. Rudler. Horticultural Diploma, University College, Reading N. K. Samways. Open Scholarship, Violin Playing, R.A.M. H. M. Tench, Diploma Bedford Physical Training College. Diploma Chartered Society of Massage and Medical Gymnastics PRIZE LIST 1923.

FORM vi. HEAD OF THE SCHOOL igiven by the Archdeacon of Wilts) R. M. O. Jenkins DIVINITY, (given by His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury) K. E. Matthew ENGLISH, Igiven by A. M. Dunne, Esq., K. C.) D. W. Urwick FORM UPPER v. (awarded on the results of the Senior Cambridge Examination) FORM PRIZE, (given by Mrs. Dunne) M. A. McKay LATIN AND FRENCH (given by J. F. Bodinnar, Esq.) M. E. Lucas MATHEMATICS (given by Miss Stevens-Guille) Z. M. Inder GENERAL IMPROVEMENT, (given by Miss Alexander) E. B. Tench

28 FORM FORM FORM FORM

v PARALLEL, (given by Miss Murray) N. M. Fisher LOWER v Not awarded UPPER IV i given by Miss Hales) A. M. C. Le Mesurier LOWER iv (given by Mrs. Bodington) A. A. Le Mesurier (given by Mrs. H. G. Harris) M. E. Vischer, H. E. West FORM in. Not awarded FORM n. (given by Mrs. Telling) F. L. Cullingbam, G. E. Gee Music, Senior (given by W. R. Pullein, Esq.) M. A. Me Kay Junior (given by Miss Jennings' J. M. Cole NEEDLEWORK, Middle School (given by Mrs. . J. M. Harris) F. M. Bartlett Lower School 'given by Mrs. Pinchin) W. J. Aldrick HYGIENE, (given by Miss Williams K. E. Matthew Civics AND CURRENT EVENTS, (given by Dr. and Mrs. Ede) K. E. Matthew NATURE STUDY, -given by the Head Mistress) J. L. Parry GARDENING, (given by Mrs. Dudley Matthews) N. M. Fisher CARPENTRY, (given by Mr. Culley) Z. M. Inder HANDWORK, (given by Miss Clarke) N. M. Cole SHAKESPEARE (given by the Head Mistress) E. M. L. Wolfenden PHYSICAL WORK, (given by Miss Wilmot^ R. M. O. Jenkins FRANCIS GABRIEL SCHOLARSHIPS. A. M. C. Le Mesurier A. A. Le Mesurier A. F. Pocock J. M. Cole SCHOOL LEAVING SCHOLARSHIP (£40 for 3 years) D. W. Urwick

Games.

NET-BALL. The N e t - b a l l this season has not been up to the standard of last year, we were u n f o r t u n a t e in losing several good players i n c l u d i n g the captain, N. Cooper.

There has, however, been a marked improvement among the y o u n g e r ones, especially in shoot-ing and intercepting.

The matches have not been altogether successful and although we managed to bent Tytherton 44—10, we were not so lucky in the dip matches against The Royal School.

In both matches they were victorious, the goals being 26—7 in the first m a t c h , and 27—10 in the second.

The Form matches were played in the Easter term, . and after a hard fight resulted in the VI. Form w i n n i n g the Cup. M. Jenkins and E. Wolfenden won their colours.

M. Jenkins (Captain).

29 LACROSSE.

On the whole there has been a distinct improvement in this game throughout the school, people have at last realized the necessity of combining with each other if a goal is to he the result.

We only played one match this season, this was against the Royal School and resulted in a defeat for the school the goals being 10—5.

St. Prisca's and colonies were beaten in the house match by the school house.

Perhaps the result of matches would be better if in practices players would be more on the alert.

E. Wolfenden (Captain.)

CRICKET. Improvement in this game has been steady and a good standard has been reached, especially in the accuracy of throwing in.

A l t h o u g h the f i e l d i n g is neat and quick, bowling and bat.ting need constant care and thought. Our bowlers do not seem to realise the importance of changing the field about to s u i t the batting.

We have played two matches this term, winning both by a good margin.

The score against the Royal School was 97—53, a good victory as the team was playing with five substitutes.

R. Evans played well and made 24.

The m a t c h against Trowbridge High School was also a victory, and although we had the advantage over them of playing five days d u r i n g the week to their one, they are to be congratulated on their neat fielding.

M. Jenkins and E. Wolfenden won their colours.

M. Jenkins (Captain).

TENNIS. There has been a distinct improvement in this game since last summer except in our services, which are still notably erratic and need constant care and practice if they are to equal the standard of the rest of our play.

Since last summer many more people have taken up net-play with success. We have played four matches losing two and winning two.

Against the Royal School we lost; the score in games being 17—48. We defeated Tytherton, the games being 51—85. Against Trowbridge on their ground we won 86 games to 19. The Calne Ladies were victorious over us this year beating us by twelve games, the score being 37—49

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The f a l l o w i n g have represented the school in different matches, B. Woifenden, Z Inder, R. Evans, B. Ridley, R Stiles, L. Kirby, I). Urwick, M. McKay, B. Chambers.

In the f o r m tennis matches the VI f o r m won the cup, beating Upper IV in the f i n a l s 85â&#x20AC;&#x201D;17. M. Wolfenden and Z. I n d e r won t h e i r colours.

E. W o l f e n d e n (Captain).

Godolphin Drill Competition.

On March 10th, the Godolphin d r i l l team came over for the a n n u a l competition. Miss Starling, from D a r t f o r d Phsyical T r a i n i n g College was the j u d g e find a f t e r a very i n t e r e s t i n g competition f i n a l l y awarded the Cup to St. Mary's w i t h a percentage of 75, the G o d o l p h i n being second with 60 marks.

Our team won the toss, and chose to d r i l l second, the team consisted of M. Jenkins ( C a p t ) E. W o l f e n d e n , G B u r n e t t , M. Iliscock, J. C o l l a r d , L. K i r b y . Extract from Miss Starling's report. " Their movements were well fini.-.hed and, on the whole, very correct. The g i r l s worked i n t e l l i g ently and appeared to u n d e r s t a n d what they were w o r k i n g for. They are i n c l i n e d to be fidgety, and s h o u l d work v e r y hard to try and get more c o n t r o l in t h i s respect."

Form Drill Competition.

On A p r i l 3rd, the a n n u a l f o r m d r i l l competition took place. Miss Lingwood. f r o m Bath H i g h School, k i n d l y acted as j u d g e . The VI form won the f o r m Cup w i t h 78%, and the other forms followed in fairly close succession, IVa being second, and then V, IVb and p a r a l l e l s (bracketed) III, and II. The Sergeant's Cup was won by J. Collard who d r i l l e d IVa. Red stripes for good work d u r i n g the year were awarded to G. T u r n e r , B. West, M H. Jones, and Y. Bartlett.

"Green Stripes."

Badges have been awarded d u r i n g the year to V. Newcomb, J. Hussey, Marguerite Smith, and 111. Tench.

The Challenge picture was won in the S u m m e r 1922,

by Form VI, in the A u t u m n by Form III, and in the Lent term by Form V, and in the Summer by Forms V and II.

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The Visit to Oxford, November 6th,

1922.

The great event of the 19S22 A u t u m n Half term was the most ambitious of any we have had in the last few years, as we motored to Oxford—forty five miles ! The weather, on our arrival, was h a i d i y sympathetic, and the "dreaming spires" were almost hidden by the rain, but it really did not seem to matter in the least- We went straight to New College, (where the kindness of Mrs. Spooner was first shown in g i v i n g us a room where we could tidy up after the drive), and from there down as far as Magdalen Bridge- We went over Christchurch, from the Cathedral to the Dining Hali and Kitchens, and to St. Mary's Church—not up to the standard of Christchurch, we thought—and then over New College, which was evenmore beautiful.

After a very welcome and delicious tea, Miss Spooner took the trouble of showing us all over the College and the Warden's garden, and their most precious treasures, amongst them William of Wykeham's glove.

We had already met our old girls, D. Morrison and J. Sorsbie, who took us up to Lady Margaret Ball, and showed us the Chapel, library and their own rooms.

The sun came out every now and then, to show us what Oxford could look like, and when we left our minds were f u l l of Towers and Bridges, Cloisters and Chapels, Burne Jones' Windows, and Reynolds' Windows ; Wolsey, William of Wykeham, Raleigh and Matthew Arnold.

Altogether it was a wonderful day of course, as for most of us it was our first sight of Oxford, and although we managed to .see so much in the time it was all over far too soon.

D. W. Urwick.

Summer Half-Term

1923.

Why did the end of H a l f - t e r m come so quickly? The answer to this question is this—because everyone enjoyed themselves so much. This has been really true of this summer half-term ; every one of the twenty of us who stayed behind enjoyed the week-end immensely ; and a great deal of this enjoyment we owe to the Staff who gave up so much of their time to arranging things for us. Friday was rather wet, but the time was occupied with hasty preparations for an entertainment to be given in the evening. All were invited to tea in Gabriel to meet Archdeacon and Mrs. Conybeare "Cinderella" was presented by the

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Wet Day Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;so the placard run ; and in spite of the short time for rehearsing, all went successfully.

Saturday was a most energetic day ; some brave spirits played cricket at 7 3 0 a m . ; when mending was finished, cricket and tennis was again the morning's programme.

Miss Grover a,nd Miss Williams most k i n d l y arranged Sports for us in the afternoon ; The most amusing races were "The Old Fogies" and "The Wheelbarrow". In the evening a very thrilling cricket match was played, in which two of the Staff joined ; the end was most exciting.

Sunday was spent mostly in the garden, residing and writing letters. As Monday was inclined to be a wet day, the excursion to Bratton was cancelled, and, after a picnic lunch in odd corners of the school, we drove through Savernake Forest, returning to Maryborough for tea. The forest was perfect, and the outing made a glorious ending to a still more glorious week-end.

M. A. McKay.

Music 1922â&#x20AC;&#x201D;1923.

This has been a year of much interest. We began with a recital of English Church Music (dating from the 17th century to the present day) given by Mr. Pullein and an augmented choir in the Parish Church, which we all thoroughly enjoyed. Later in the term quite a large party motored to Bath to hear Sapelnikoff's Pianoforte recital.

Two interesting events this year were the Mendelssohn and Tschaikowsky concerts given by the school. We were all much impressed by Miss Jacobi's beautiful rendering of the Mendelssohn violin concerto, and Nancy Cooper's "O Rest in the Lord " Mr. Pullein has given us many musical treats this year. His organ recital, in which he was assisted by Miss Gertrude Winchester, was most enjoyable. Another time he very kindly explained to us some of the "Mysteries of the organ," in which we were much interested. On December 13th, a special singing class from the school took part in an entertainment given by the Calne Musical Society in the Picture House. St. Mary's, together with some of the girls from the Tytherton and County Schools sang songs and glees. The Musical Society gave Stanford's "Phaudrig Crohoore".

On the last day of term we had the usual carol singing after mark reading, when, among other items, the

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lower school sang a carol composed by Form III. We were very sorry to say goodbye to Miss Jacobi, who had been such a good friend to the school during the time she had taught our violin pupils.

In her place we welcome Miss Symonds, who is a resident mistress, and not only teaches violin, but also The first Musical helps with the pianoforte lessons. event of the Lent Term was a performance by Form V of Leigh Hunt's "Almanzor and Imogen", which has been set to music by M. McKay and A. Wood. This received a great ovation and delighted the whole school.

A new feature this term was a competition, in which prizes were given by Miss Matthews for the best played march, valse and hymn, and were awarded as follows :â&#x20AC;&#x201D; march R. Stiles, valse M. Hulbert, hymn (senior) M. McKay, (junior) M. Vischer, M. Joy. On March 14th, Miss Jenkins took a party to Bristol to hear the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Albert Coates and Dame Ethel Smyth. This was a great treat and we enjoyed every item of the programme, especially the "Parsifal" music, and the Beethoven aria sung by Florence Austral.

Many of us were able to hear Spohr's "Last Judgement", and Mendelssohn's 42nd Psalm, which were given in the Parish Church by the Calne Musical Society, under the conductorship of Mr. Pullein, Our special composer chosen for this term was Beethoven, and on April 6th, the school gave a concert of some of his works, while in the summer term the composer chosen was Schubert.

One of the most delightful events this year was the visit of Everal de Jersey, an old girl, who is now a professional pianist in London. She gave us a pianoforte recital on June 14th, her programme consisting of two preludes and fugues by Bach, Air and Variations by Schubert, and a group of charming pieces by modern British composers followed by a small group of modern Russian masters. The time went all too quickly, and we are most grateful to Everal for giving us such an enjoyable hour.

In the Autumn Term great excitement was caused by the arrival of a gramophone for the school. It is an excellent instrument and is proving a great asset in the musical life of the school, and we are most grateful to the Governors, the Staff, and some of the old girls who so kindly helped us to buy it. We wish to thank the numerous kind friends who have provided us with the necessary records. We also wish to thank Colonel Prevost for his gift of four beautiful new music-stands which we greatly needed.

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Miss Dorothy Green's Visit.

When Miss Matthews told us that Miss Green was coming to read Shakespeare to us in the near future to speak colloquially, hardly any of us thought "it would come off" but what was our delight on Friday evening, Feb. 16th, when all our doubts were dispelled, and our wildest dreams realized, by the appearance on the stage of a charming figure in a green and gold evening frock, and we knew that the Miss Greenâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;hitherto only a nameâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;had become a reality.

It is hardly possible to think that the voice of a woman could carry one away quite out of the h u m d r u m of daily life and make unreal things real, people on the stage with so many different characters, all extremely alive, or dead, as the case may be, yet Miss Green accomplished this feat.

Shakespeare, with Miss Green's invaluable aid, has transplanted us to Verona, here in the sweetly scented air, we are surrounded by a crowd of picturesque Veronese, the air though sweet is stifling and throughout the whole play we felt this atmosphere, it almost throttles us when Juliet takes the drug that gives her death's mask.

The air is not so stifling in the well-known orchard scene ( it is cooler, and moon-light adds to the beauty and romance of the night, yet all through we feel with Romeo, the gloomy shadow of approaching doom, and we feel all right, for although "lovers tongues sound silver sweet by night" there is the thought that all this is but a dream, too flattering sweet to be substantial, and all too soon we find Borneo banished, and the miserable mistake he makes when he thinks Juliet dead, and so kills himself while she awakes to find the still warm body of her dead lover by her side, and in her turn dies.

This is pure tragedy with all its pathos and despair, and the next play we hear is tragedy, we are in the midst of blood, treachery, passionate jealousy and fierce loyalty, and all these sensations are produced in us by the same voice, that one minute is taking a weird, fiendish delight in the incantation over a bubbling cauldron, and then, it chokes out the haunting terror of a murderer, again it holds the peculiar tone of one who is in the midst of the horrors of a nightmare, and then it speaks in the innocent lisp of childhood.

Perhaps the most popular of Miss Green's readings was "Much Ado " the charming scene in the orchard where

85 Benedick overhears that Beatrice loves him, the way they both wage their merry war cannot but appeal to the listener Then, of course, in this play we get Dogberry, Shakespeare's s p l e n d i d creation, Dogberry who always says everyt h i n g the wrong way round and is such a d e l i g h t f u l fool.

As Miss Green told us, all through the play there is the spirit of y o u t h which dominates every thing, there are m o m e n t s of suspense but these are quite few in comparison w i t h the m a n y moments of irresponsible gaiety and fun that we have In her i endings Miss Green gave us an idea of what the word "Shakespeare" s h o u l d mean to us, Shakespeare cannot be confined w i t h i n books; lie is not dead but a living and vital reality, she t a u g h t us to feel t r e m e n d o u s l y sorry for those who cannot or w i l l not take the t r o u b l e to find out all about him and his plays, and s u r e l y to them we feel bound to m u r m u r u n d e r o u r breath, "You stocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things."

E. M. L. Wolfenden.

Miss Green's Visit.

Miss Green, of the New Shakespeare Company, arrived on February 16th to stay at St. Mary's, in time to give her first performance on the same evening.

The first play was "Romeo and Juliet" which most of us knew very well, and this made the excitement and anticipation even greater than they might have been.

Anyhow, the reality excelled our wildest dreams, and not even the littlest of us will be able to forget that evening, Miss Green held us breathless from the opening scene, until the tragic moment when Romeo, arrived at the tomb by chance and by the bitterest irony, at the moment of the appointment that was never made, dies by his own hand over the body of his beloved Juliet.

Nominally, Miss Green read the plays, but it was very different from most reading. She acted every part, and made us quite unconscious of the stage, even of herself and her magnificent dress, she really was the people for the moment, young Romeo, "head-over-ears" in love just with Rosaline and then with Juliet ; the dear old nurse; or Juliet, in an agony of imaginative foreboding as to the result of her drinking the Friar's potion.

On Saturday we heard what is perhaps the most terrible of all the tragedies:â&#x20AC;&#x201D; "Macbeth" followed on Monday by one of the most amusing of the comedies,

36

"Much Ado about Nothing". What some of us admired most about Miss Green's talent was the ease and rapidity with which she changed from being â&#x20AC;&#x201D;say, Dogberry to Beatrice, or from Lady Macbeth to the Old Porter. By her power she held us spell-bound for hours on end, that seemed like minutes. We should have felt dreadfully sorry when it was all over, had we not thought ourselves so lucky to have seen so much that we determined not to let that be the end at all. In other words she filled us all with the desire to go to Stratford and to see her act aga^in, or at all events to see some more of Shakespeare's plays.

The annual Shakespeare competition and the biannual school play have done a great deal towards making us know and love our national poet as we ought.

The lecture given by Sir Johnson Forbes Robertson, although a long time, ago was a great inspiration to those who were here for it. But this week we have all shared in one of the great events of the school year, and it has left us determined that it shall stimulate our dramatic efforts, and it has left us with the highest standard of perfection.

It would be impossible to describe or do justice to all that Miss Green taught us ; but after all, " the play's the thing," and she indeed proved to us that "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever."

D. W. Urwick.

The Library.

We have not; received so many new books for the Library this year. This is due partly to the fact that we have been obliged to spend a certain a m o u n t of our subscription money on h a v i n g old books re-bound, and p a r t l y to the newly acquired gramaphone for which some of the leaving girls have given records instead of g i v i n g library books. We are all the more g r a t e f u l to those who h a v e given us books.

We have been able to add another oak shelf in the Reference Library, but even this does not give us sufficient room when all the books are " in."

Luckily this only happens in the holidays, the many gaps in term time testifying to the large number of books which are always in circulation.

E. M. Alexander, (Librarian).

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Presents to the School.

Library Books—Miss Bwirig, A. Wood, Miss Yeatman, S. Randolph, Miss Hill, P- Waddilove, ,V. Newcomb, M. Margesson, Miss Grover, Miss Matthews, Miss Damant, Mr. R. Heath, Miss Wilmott, Miss Jennings, Mrs. Chambers, The Rev. A. B. Browne, Dr. Ede, J. Sorsbie, Miss Williams, C. M. Lutener.

Chapel Flowers—M. Smith, Miss Damant, Miss Grover, Miss Alexander, Miss Abdy, Miss Williams, the Day Girls.

Contributions to the Gramaphone—The Staff, The Girls who left in July, 1922.

Records—Miss Clarke, Miss Matthews (8), Mrs. Charley, Mrs. P. Keevil, Miss Grafer, Mrs. Hopkins (8), Form V, N. Samways, Miss Gibson, Miss Symonds.

Loan of Records—Mrs. Taylor.

Bulbs- Mrs. Telling.

Plants—Mr. Alexander.

Four Violin Stands—Colonel Prevost.

Honours Board—Mr. Culley.

Curtains for Hall—The School.

Horse, Spring Board and Form—The Governors.

Weather " Pig "—Mr. Bodinnar.

Old Girls' Badges.

The Old Girls' Badges, a small shield brooch in blue and white enamel, may be obtained at any time from Miss Matthews, the price (including postage) is 2/8.

School Postcards.

We have had published recently an excellent series of postcards. These show the school grounds, the big hall and the views of the school, nine in all. They are to be obtained (1/6 a packet) from Miss Stevens-Guille.

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Notice.

Subscriptions to the News Sheet should be sent to M. A. McKay, the Treasurer, as soon as possible. Bach copy costs 1/6. The News Sheet will, in f u t u r e , be published at the beginning of the A u t u m n Term, not, as hitherto, in July. Contributions and news of "Old Girls" for publication in the next number should be sent to the Editor before August 1st, 1924.

We have received, with thanks, Magazines from the Godolphin School, Salisbury ; Queen Margaret's School, Scarborough ; St. Margaret's School, Bushey ; St. Mary's and St. Anne, Abbots' Bromley ; St. Katharine's kieatherton Park, Tannton; Queen's College, Barbados; The Abbey School, Reading.