THE PETERITE Vol. XXXVII
MAY, 1945
No. 309
EDITORIAL. The last days of an eventful and successful term were spent in an atmosphere " grown electric " (to borrow Carlyle's expression) with the news of the triumphant crossing of the Rhine by the Allied armies. By the time these lines are in print the consummation of complete victory in the European war may well be dose at hand. We may rejoice indeed, when the hour of our final triumph strikes. A people which has emerged successfully from the deadly peril of 1940 and climbed painfully out of the valley of the shadow will be justified in temporary elation. But the underlying mood will be serious. With a ruined world to be rebuilt and the Pacific war still to be fought to its end, there can be no room for the supine satisfaction of 1918. The nation may breathe more easily, but it cannot relax. Tremendous tasks of reconstruction await us, and they will be no less exacting. We in St. Peter's will have our part to play in the years ahead. The structure of the English educational system has been profoundly altered by the Butler Act, and no school in the country remains unaffected by its provisions. The 1st April, 1945 (the day on which the Act came into force), was, as a " Times " special article put it, " D " Day for education, and, though the effects of the reforms may not be at once apparent, our schools must gird themselves to do their utmost in their allotted roles. The question of our own future has, of course, aroused widespread interest, and we heard with satisfaction the decision that St. Peter's will continue along the road of independence. We feel confident that the choice is the right one, and that it will be approved by every Old Peterite and by all who have the welfare of the School at heart. We believe wholeheartedly that the independent Public Schools can make an invaluable contribution to the education of the future, and we are no less confident that, as much by its robust vitality in the present as by the deep-rooted traditions of the past, the place of St. Peter's is in their ranks. Those who are au fait with all the implications of the decision will readily appreciate that it was not taken lightly, and will applaud the courage, and confidence of the Headmaster and Governing Body who made it. It is their belief that St. Peter's can best serve the educational needs of the time by combining a spirit of willing cooperation in the national policy with the sturdy independence which is our birthright. The step which has now been taken will prove important in the history of the School, and the difficulties should not be underestimated. It can only be justified by the most zealous and wholehearted efforts of everyone concerned. We are sure that the Headmaster and the Governors may confidently rely on the loyal and enthusiastic support of all of us. We shall begin the Summer Term with our accommodation difficulties somewhat eased by the availability of the two School House dormitories, which, out of use since the air-raid of 1942, have now been re-roofed and made habitable. One of the rooms will again be a dormitory and the other a School House common-room. There are other indications that the problem of adding to the School premises is being resolutely faced. To the gratification of all " Risites," a decision has been finally made that, like the fabled' Phoenix, a new Rise shall emerge from the ashes of the old ; and plans, to which effect will be given as soon as possible, have been exhibited to an interested 'School. The proposals, which admirably combine many of the old features of the house with some excellent innovations, have given especial satisfaction to those Risites who remember their pre-blitz home, and whose secret aspirations might well have been expressed (if the pun be permitted) in the Latin word " resurgam "— 1