School Notes

In any case, "all must have prizes" presents a contradiction in terms. A prize means a mark of distinction, and if the trend to equality means sweeping away distinction then prizes must go too. But there must still come times when choices will have to be made between two or more people for one job, and when creative ability must be allowed to show itself and to receive its due reward. In short, there will always be some "more equal than others" unless the computer takes over from the thinker, and the machine from the craftsman as well as from the un- skilled worker, with the result that man will become the commonest and most prolific form of vegetation, blissfully untroubled by inspiration or., ambition, by frustration or by failure.

Here without shame we seek to encourage excellence; prizes are competed for, not in the spirit of the rat-race but because we still like to give generous applause for achievement and for prowess. In the same spirit we are beginning, in this magazine, to publish original creative work of high standard, so that the individual may have the chance to share his ability with us all, and that we may take pride in the creative work of our community.

We welcome five new masters. Mr. M. Dawson, from St. John's College, York, has taken charge of the Workshop; Mr. D. R. Du Croz, B.A., from Trinity College, Cambridge, is teaching History; Mr. S. G I'Anson, B.Sc., from the University of Sussex, is teaching Mathematics; Mr. A. J. Leng, B.A., from Durham, teaches French; and Mr. T. Tiffany, from St. Luke's College, Exeter, is in charge of Swimming and taking P.E. We hope they will all enjoy their time at St. Peter's.

In the Sanatorium Miss P. Ellis, S.R.N., R.C.N., has become Sister-in-charge, and we wish her success and enjoyment.

Congratulations to J. C. W. Williams on the Award of a Hastings Exhibition in Classics at The Queen's College, Oxford, and to the following on gaining places as shown: A. P. R. Dean, Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, (Natural Science); S. Foster, Wadham College, Oxford, (Physics); J. D. Harrison, St. Peter's College, Oxford, (Geology); G. Hodgson, Emmanuel College, Cambridge, (Law). * * *

We would like to share the pleasure of Mr. and Mrs. Coulthard as we congratulate their daughter, Alison, on the award of the Nuffield Scholarship for Science at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, after only four terms in the Sixth Form of Queen Anne Grammar School.

The Athletic Sports were held on October 3rd, some events taking place a few days earlier. In this first Athletics season in the Autumn instead of the Easter Term, E. R. Walker established new School records in the Mile, the Half-Mile and the Quarter-Mile; a notable achievement by any standard, and perhaps historic as we move into decimalisation. Queen's won the Athletics Shield, and Dronfield the Standards cup. * * *

An Army Engineering exhibition was given on September 30th. * * *

On October 7th Professor C. A. W. Manning, of the South African Society, gave a lecture on South Africa. * * *

A Conference for Head Masters of Preparatory Schools was held on October 10th and 11th.

In the House Music Competition on October 22nd, Temple won the singing, and Queen's the instrumental section. * * *

On October 24th there was a coffee party for parents of IVth Form boys to meet the masters; after this the School dispersed for the half term holiday until 1st November. * * *

The Secretary of the Public Schools Appointments Bureau made his main visit on 3rd November, but because of the large number of boys wishing to see him, he came again at the end of term. * * *

Brother Andrew Paul, from Florida, a member of the Order of St. Francis at Alnmouth, visited the School from 17th to 21st November. * * * "The Crucible", by Arthur Miller, was produced by Queen Anne Grammar School, with many St. Peter's boys helping both on the stage and behind the scenes, on November 19th, 20th and 21st. A review of the play will be found in this issue. * *

On 26th November a Literary Brains Trust, arranged by W. H. Smith & Son was held in the Memorial Hall. Members of the School asked the questions, and boys and girls from other schools came as guests. The Chairman was David Holloway, Literary Editor of the Daily Telegraph. The panel was formed by: Kenneth Young, political and literary adviser to Beaverbrook Newspapers, former Editor of the Yorkshire Post, and a noted biographer; Laurence Meynell, whose books include novels and books for children; Arthur Wise, the York author; and Geoffrey Cotterell, who has nine publications. The questions were good and the answers generally full; certainly none came away from the meeting with any illusion that writing is an easy profession.

The School Play, "Peer Gynt" was performed on December 3rd, 4t1 and 5th. A review will be found in this issue. This time Queen Ann Grammar School girls came to take part in our play, and no doubt thi happy partnership will continue.

The last event of the Term was the Carol Service on December 13th All found this to be a splendid and moving act of worship. * * *

The Cinema Club has suffered from the unreasonable behaviour of a few spoiling the enjoyment of the rest; it became necessary to regulate the seating and attendance at the popular Sunday evening films, but it is hoped that regulations can be relaxed when members of the Club, which means in effect almost every boarder, treat the occasion in a proper way and leave the Hall scrupulously tidy.

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As York enters its nineteen-hundredth anniversary year, we note that some with direct connections with the School have already become involved in the occasion. The special York plate produced by Wedgwood has on it an inscription composed by Mr. P. G. Croft: "Quae Eboraci acta sunt, ea quoque in Britannia". Among contributors to a new book on York, about to be published by the Herald Printers, are the Very Revd. the Dean of York, Dr. Alan Richardson (Chairman of the Governors), the Chancellor, Canon R. Cant (Governor), Mr. J. Dronfield and Mr. D. G. Cummin. The book, which is being produced under the control of Mr. W. Smith (a School Governor), will be about a thousand pages, and extensively illustrated, with many colour plates. * * *

A concert will be performed in Chapel on February 13th, at 7.0 p.m. to inaugurate the Choir Stalls built as a memorial to the late Kenneth Rhodes. The Stalls will be dedicated during Commemoration.

The Easter Term will end on Sunday, March 21st.

We congratulate Alderman R. Scruton, J.P., the Leader of York City Council, on being chosen to be Lord Mayor for the Civic Year 1971-72. * * *

CAFETERIA SYSTEM

The introduction of the cafeteria system this term, after a few initial difficulties, has been very successful from many points of view. Entry is through the small dining hall into the kitchen where all the food and 1 equipment is collected at the same time. Breakfast usually takes 10 minutes, as does supper, but lunch requires 15 minutes. Used equipment and waste food are disposed of in special containers near the exit to the monkey cage. More use can be made of the lunch period into which Choir practices, music lessons etc. can now be fitted. The general behaviour has improved greatly and the absence of formal lining up 4