THE PETERITE Vol. XXXVIII
FEBRUARY.
N, , . 311
1946
EDITORIAL. It is gratifying to observe that the end of hostilities has given an almost instantaneous filip to the activities of the Old Peterite Club. It was found possible to hold a Dinner and Meeting in London, in November, the first since the beginning of the war. A full report will be found elsewhere in our pages. We would draw attention, too, to the proposal to found an Old Peterite Masonic Lodge. The suggestion should be widely welcomed, and we hope that the project will go forward. Both the Dean of York, as Chairman of the Governors, and the Headmaster were able to attend the Dinner, and the occasion revealed the keenest enthusiasm for the School and its future among all those present. It is a commonplace that the well-being of a school depends largely on the interest which it can inspire in its Old Boys ; but, in our own case, the fact was never truer than it is to-day, when, at this turning point in the history of English Education, we have set ourselves to justify our choice of independence by a bold policy of expansion and development. The tide of our affairs is certainly at the flood, and our resolution can be strengthened beyond measure by the practical support of Old Peterites and other well-wishers. In this connection the Memorandum, printed in this issue, on our building plans and the general School policy to which they are related is of supreme importance and should be of great interest. The survey, which defines clearly the objectives at which we are aiming, is a model of succinct and direct exposition, and its publication is timely. The authorities have, we believe, shown their wisdom in choosing the present moment to make known these details of their programme for the future. We are glad to note, and doubtless most of our readers will share the view, that no expansion is contemplated beyond the limits of what may be defined as a " small " school that is, a school which can be controlled directly by the Headmaster and a central administration. Apart from the.fact that it would probably be unwise to plan too ambitiously on the basis of 'the present insistent demand for " independent " education, we should be reluctant indeed to sacrifice anything of that intimate unity which is not the least of the advantages enjoyed by schools such as ours. If aspirants for admission continue to be plentiful, let us insist on quality and not quantity. ;
The admirably-conceived building programme cannot, of course, be put into immediate effect and must conform with the development of national building as a whole. But it is bound to be costly : and we understand that a building fund is to be opened and an appeal launched when the appropriate time arrives. Already, as was recorded in our last number, it has been decided that the diningroom block would be a suitable Memorial to the Old Peterites who gave their lives in the war ; and we feel confident that, when it is appreciated that largescale rebuilding is essential to the future well-being of the School, a general appeal will meet with a ready response. One of the most satisfying features of the past term was the success of the 1st XV. A season which included victories over Ampleforth, Worksop, Giggleswick and Bradford is one of which we may justly feel proud. Shepherd, one of the most inspiring captains we have had in recent years, and Mr. J. R.
