Oct 1956

THE JUNIOR SCHOOL The time to write these notes has come round even more quickly than usual, it seems, but happily most items of news are mentioned in detail elsewhere, and there is little to say except that once more we have had an eventful term.

We welcome Mr. D. P. Johnston to the staff. Already he has proved himself to be a most useful and energetic member, and we hope that he will settle down to a long and successful stay with us.

For the first time this term, the Choir have blossomed forth in bright red cassocks and dazzling white surplices. The general effect has been most striking. They have also had an outing all to themselves, when the town of Scarborough received them, we hope with joy. We have had two special services, on Ascension Day and on St. Peter's Day. As the former occurred so very near to the start of the term, we did not mark it with a holiday, but a half holiday was given on St. Peter's Day, when all the boarders braved the rigours of the coast. We also had a holiday on Whit Monday, preparing ourselves for the strenuous events on Whit Tuesday, when a most successful atheltics meeting was held. Mrs. Headlam kindly presented the spoons to the individual winners and the Shield to Ainsty.

Throughout the term we have been plagued with the odd case of mumps, and our cricket fixtures have been somewhat curtailed. As we did not have a particularly successful season, this may have been a blessing in disguise, but we finished much better than we started, winning two matches and giving the fathers a run for their money.

Unfortunately both Miss Mason and Miss Gibson fell foul of the plague, but they recovered before the end of the term.

As usual, boys were permitted to attend the Yorkshire Show on one of the three days. Since it always comes just close to the start of examinations, we can obviously not give permission for all and sundry to go there whenever they wish, and one afternoon instead of games seems a reasonable and fair ration.

Our end of term festivities were held in fine weather, and our Speech Day on 25th July was a marked success. Sir Lumley Dodsworth presented the prizes, and gave us a short and enlightened speech which all enjoyed. The various exhibitions surpassed, if anything, their usual high standard, and particular mention must be made of the Science Exhibition. The boys themselves explained the various experiments with impressive clarity, and showed that all their instruction had not been in vain.

The Swimming Sports were held on the 26th, and the prizes and Shield were presented by Mrs. Cooper. The highlight of the occasion was the manner in which N. J. Smith collected his array of spoons.

As a quick change artist, he is remarkable, and, when he was a little late in arriving for the third time, he very nearly had to collect his spoon from the bottom of the baths. As by this time he was completely clad, he would then have had practice in undressing as well as dressing. For the first time, boarders were allowed home immediately after the Swimming Sports, thereby saving parents a second journey on the morrow.

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