School News

And what of the present members of the School? Much of the contents of a school magazine must be already known to them, and, much as we all enjoy reading our own name in print, that is not one of the objects of the magazine. However, the activities of societies, the report from our adopted ship, the information on careers and even, in some years, a precis of the speech by the gentleman presenting the prizes can all be of interest and value. For the contributors, too, it is valuable experience to produce a readable, interesting and lively article, sailing confidently between the rocks of dull mediocrity and facetious superficiality—and to read the result in print ! The repeatedly solicited correspondence could also be of interest to the School and at the same time make the magazine a sounding-board for School opinion, instead of only the Editor's !

Mrs. B. L. Brittain, whose son's Memorial Essay Prize is presented each year, has kindly offered to the School Library thirty standard works on History and Classics. We are most grateful to her for this valuable gift. * * *

Work began on the extension of the Dining Hall and Kitchens before the end of term and they should be ready for use in September. Two new Squash Courts are to be built on part of the garden behind Alcuin House and will be ready by October. * * *

Three student masters, Mr. D. R. Grayson, Mr. D. M. Mee and Mr. K. C. Woodhead, joined the staff for the term and gave valuable help in their respective spheres. * * *

The School Concert was held on 3rd March, when many of the School musicians and singers were able to make full use of the Memorial Hall. A criticism appears elsewhere in the magazine. * x *

At the end of term two Houses put on their own productions in the Hall : Queen's perpetrated a nineteenth century melodrama, "Black-ey'd Susan", in which about 60 out of the 71 boys in the House were involved; the play was produced by D. J. Wightman and, as the result of a silver collection, £8 were sent to the Cheshire Home at Alne. School House produced another edition of their "Folies", a lighthearted and, in some cases, spontaneous entertainment very fitting for the last night of term. * * *

P. H. Sykes is to be congratulated on passing the Regular Corn! missions Board for entry to the R.M.A., Sandhurst, and also for taking full advantage of his Flying Scholarship by obtaining his civil licen during the holidays.