School Notes

DENIS HIRST

Denis joined the School in September, 1964, having taught for seven years in the state system, sandwiching two years in administration (Assistant Education Officer) between the two spells of teaching. He is a Leeds University languages graduate and also holds a P.G.C.E. from the same university, with a specialisation in Advanced Physical Education. This latter piece of information will surprise no one who knows Denis, who describes himself as 'a fitness fanatic'. Whilst at Leeds he represented the university at rugby and was also chosen to play rugby for the Universities Athletics Union.

It was Denis' intention to retire at the end of the Summer Term; unfortunately a heart attack supervened during the Easter holidays and he was unable to be with us during his final term. However, it was good to see him at a number of functions towards the end of the Summer Term and we hope that his recovery continues steadily over the next few months.

Denis was first appointed to teach French and Latin. Five years later, in September, 1969 he took over as Head of Modern Languages, having served for a year as the School's first Assistant Careers Master and during his three-year attachment to the Grove as Assistant Housemaster. In April, 1985 he was appointed Housemaster of The Rise. In his wry way Denis says that he greatly valued taking over the House in April, as it gave him and Joyce a term's run-in before being fully launched into the routine of a full year; as he says his enforced early retirement gives the same advantage to their successors!

During his twenty-seven years in the School Denis was involved in a wide range of other activities. In addition to his teaching duties in St. Peter's, he also taught in St. Olave's School for a number of years. Some of his activities included: taking charge of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Expeditions, sailing instruction on the River Ouse, giving climbing instruction to members of the C.C.F. in the Lake District, accompanying mountaineering expeditions in Britain and running skiing holidays in France, Austria and Switzerland. Finally, throughout most of his career, Denis was a rugby coach.

During his career Denis saw language teaching develop through C.S.E. to 16+ and G.C.S.E. He resisted moves to minimise and even eliminate literature from Vlth form syllabuses. He approved the increased weighting given to oral and comprehension work at all levels, but is proud to have adhered to the principles of rigour and accuracy in the face of what he refers to as 'first' and 'approximation' tendencies. In connection with his teaching, Denis produced (and acted in) a number of French plays — classical and Theatre of the Absurd. He instigated the re-modelling of Rooms G, SI and S2 for language teaching — Room G was irreverently labelled 'Hirst's Padded Cell' by a colleague!

Denis was secretary of the Senior Common Room for some five years and, as his successor in that onerous post, I am very pleased to have the opportunity to wish Denis and Joyce many happy years of retirement on behalf of their colleagues and friends in St. Peter's School. K. G. Coulthard

DAVID CROOK

David joined the staff of St. Peter's in September 1985 and in his five years here he played a full and active role. In the formroom he was a first-class French teacher both with the sixth form and with the younger age group, with the bright and the less bright pupils. He organised trips to the Loire Valley and accompanied ski trips. He ran the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and co-ordinated the School's Clubs and Societies. As a games coach he ran Under 15 and Under 14 rugger teams and helped with the squash and Under 15 cricket. After being an assistant in The Rise he took over as Housemaster of Clifton, a House which he ran with a mixture of firmness, understanding and good humour. David was a much-liked, respected and fully involved member of the Common Room. He will be greatly missed; our loss is very much Durham's gain. Our thanks and very best wishes to him and also to Debbie, whom he married in August. D. Kirby

When Miggy Biller left in the Summer Term of 1988, the School was extremely lucky, so late in the year, to obtain the expert advice of Margaret Hudson, who was moving north from Palmers sixth form in Grays, Essex.

Margaret quickly made her mark in the School. She proved to be a first-class teacher, who was conscientious and always willing to help anybody who was having difficulty in understanding a particular topic in mathematics. As a colleague in the Maths Department, nothing was too much trouble and she was ever ready to make valuable contributions at department meetings.

She added greatly to the quality of life in the School, with her cheerful smile and willingness to take on any job which would directly help the students. As assistant in Grove she had a ready ear for anyone who had a problem, and, not surprisingly, she quickly became involved in the School Community Service group. In the short time she has been in the School, the number involved has doubled and the service has been extended; the visits to concerts, plays, church services and the termly party in the School have been particularly enjoyed. Just to fill in her time, she has run an 'aerobics in water' class, and helped with the fifth form expeditions for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme!

We thank Margaret for all she has done for the School, and we wish her and Pete, whom she married in the summer of 1989, every happiness in the future. G. M. Shuttleworth

SCHOOL APPOINTMENTS

Heads of School:

Rebecca Ingledew, Christopher Rowland

Heads of House: Clifton: Dronfield: Grove: Manor: Queen's: The Rise: School: Temple: Edward Savage Rebecca Ingledew James Butler Simon Powell Lawrence Patton Simon Davies Christopher Rowland Simon Gildener

Additional Monitors:

Paul Carvosso, Charlotte Cranston, Adam Dean, Sally Hamilton, James Harding, Gareth Kay, Tifanny Richards, James Rigby.

Captain of Rugby: Captain of Cricket: Captain of Tennis:

Jason Morris James Rigby Simon Powell

INTERNAL STAFF APPOINTMENTS

Mr. R. H. Hubbard: Mr. D. M. Paterson:

Mr. B. Allen: Mr. D. J. Watkinson: Rev. S. C. Harvey: Head of Careers Department Head of Geography Department Head of Science Housemaster of The Rise Housemaster of Clifton

This term we said goodbye to four members of the Common Room. Denis Hirst retires after twenty-six years in the School; David Crook leaves after five years to join the staff at Durham School; Margaret Holt and Julia Stanley leave after too short a stay with us. We were very pleased to know that David is to be married between leaving us and joining Durham and we wish him and Debbie all happiness in their new home as we thank all four leavers for their contribution to the life of the S.C.R.

Ten new members of the teaching staff joined us in September. David Watkinson took over as Head of Mathematics, David Morris as Head of Physics and Elizabeth Wymer came to teach Politics. Jeremy Boardman joined the Physics Department, Arthur EllisDavies and David Spencer the Mathematics Department, Matthew Grant the Languages Department, Chris Hall the Art Department, Richard Wallace the C.D.T. Department, while Julia Stanley joined us to teach a frightening combination of English, History and Religious Studies. During the year Jeremy Boardman was married and we wish him and his wife well as they endeavour to reconcile the demands of teaching and police work — perhaps they are often very similar!

The S.C.R. sports correspondent reports another busy year, with activities of varying success! In September the staff produced teams in basketball, squash, football and rugby (seven-a-side) and provided members of the hockey and tennis teams, all taking part in the Old Peterite weekend. Late in the Christmas Term the staff entered the St. Peter's seven's tournament which included teams from Liverpool, Newcastle, York and Lancaster.

As usual, in the Easter Term, there was a fine staff turnout in the President's team which played hockey against the 1st XI and the staff was also involved in an interesting game of basketball against the School.

The summer weather prevented all the 'Scoundrels' cricket matches being played. However, we did manage to play the Old Boys, the leavers, Ashville staff, Ampleforth staff and an entirely St. Peter's team — results: 1 win, 3 defeats and 1 draw.

Staff rowing has taken off again with many Thursday outings. This led to a challenge row against a York ladies' crew — I am told that the result will not be recorded! Much five-a-side football has been played throughout the year, with the fitter members of the staff playing the pupils once a week, and the less competitive simply 'kicking each other' on other occasions.

K. G Coulthard

NEW STAFF

In September 1990 we welcomed the following new members of staff:

Mr. Clive Hodsdon: Miss Jacqueline Finney: Mr. Robert Jeffs: Mr. John Shaw: Mrs. Susan Watkinson: Head of Modern Languages Mathematics History and English Modern Languages Religious Studies

James Butler has gained a place on a prestigious sixweek course at Manchester Youth Theatre, studying stage construction and lighting. This is a considerable achievement and a just reward for all the hard work he has put in behind the scenes for St. Peter's productions. He looks set for a bright future.

BARRY DANIEL AWARDS

This year awards for adventurous travel have been made to five pupils. Charles Barlow is visiting Indian schools this autumn. Stephen Harry man was selected by the British School Exploring Society for its expedition to Spitzbergen this summer. Alexandra Holley is travelling to Mexico where she plans to teach English in an orphanage. Alice Holmes is hoping to teach in a school in India before going on to University. And Roger Sangwin received an award for his World Challenge expedition to the Himalayas. Congratulations to all of the above. The Peterite editorial team would be delighted to receive accounts of their experiences.

ENTERPRISING ARTISTS

It has long been thought that the School in the past has not made full use of its history and traditions. As may already have been noticed we have begun a collection of portraits and photographs of distinguished Old Peterites. This posed problems with the one who is, rightly or wrongly, our best known old pupil. Some years ago what is thought to be the only portrait of Guy Fawkes painted from life was sold at Sotheby's. The purchaser kindly sent us a photograph of the painting, and an enlargement of this has been displayed near the old library.

A project was undertaken to provide a more suitable portrait, and in this we were lucky to have the skills of a local artist, Sue Ker, who lives in St. Mary's. Photographs, old prints and contemporary descriptions were studied, and the artist took great interest, reading several lives of Guy Fawkes in order to understand his character.

The final result was a splendid portrait of Guy with the old House of Lords in the background. There is great quality and skill in the picture — the eyes in particular showing that somewhat sad and slightly puzzled look — a questioning expression.

We are indeed grateful to Sue Ker for her great interest, help and artistry. We are also most grateful to the Committee of the Old Peterite Club who not only welcomed the idea but agreed to pay the cost. The final result can be seen above and postcards in full colour will also be available from the new library.

J. V. Mitchell

Congratulations to six Peterites who organised their own exhibition in the Senior Common Room at King's Manor. The pupils involved were Nick Birch, Marcus Mellor, Peter No well, Mark Pyrah, Joshua Rowe and Paul Simpson. St. Peter's was also strongly represented at the "York Schools Art" exhibition, held at the City Art Gallery.

Sir Peter Shepherd opening the new library on July 7th rightly paid tribute to all who had played any part in the reconstruction of one of the School's finest buildings into its new role as a dignified, tasteful and comfortable library. The architect, Martin Stancliffe and his deputy, Geoffrey Holland, carried out the planning stage to excellent effect, and the main contractors, William Birch & Sons, used the craftsmanship of many individuals to produce a most effective blend of ancient and modern. The woodwork of Messrs. Taylors of Harrogate gives a most pleasing overall effect.

Fittings, chairs and tables from the old library have been repaired and restored, once again Frank Maddison being called out of retirement to display his skills. The oak chairs presented by individuals in the thirties were restored by Old Peterite Adam Jackson, who also showed great interest and skill in crafting the six new oak chairs presented by the Friends of St. Peter's. Two other chairs have already been promised by individuals, but more are needed. If anyone would like to commemorate a firm or family connection with the School then their names could be carved on similar chairs at an overall cost of about £200. The librarian will give further details of this scheme to anyone interested.

So we now have a superb library, worthy of the School, and already proving to be a great asset. As visitors will have noticed, however, some of the books transferred from the old library are past their best, and mere are many empty shelves. Sir Peter Shepherd, with typical generosity, arranged for a most generous donation from a family trust to buy books which the library might otherwise not be able to afford. We are most grateful to him, and also to Dick and Buff Reid's kindness in providing the oak dedication plaque in the entrance.

Most of our readers will already have heard of the renewing of the custom of leavers and individuals presenting books to the library, and we look forward to receiving other gifts. If bookcases and shelves are being cleared, do please let us know. If the books are not suitable for library use they can be sold and the money used for other purchases.

The generosity of Old Peterites, parents, craftsmen and so many others has given the School a worthy building for future generations. Our gratitude goes to them and, to misquote famous words "If they seek a monument, look around."

J. V. Mitchell

At the end of the School year I shall be handing over the Careers Department into the capable hands of Dick Hubbard, who has been assisting for the past few years. During this year we were joined in the department by David Newman, while Gary Lawrence will also be assisting from next year. Already new ideas are being explored and there will obviously be developments in the fields of work shadowing and career experience. I hope that as many pupils as possible will take advantage of the opportunities on offer — over the last few years it has been disappointing that more members of the Lower Vlth Forms have not used the very fine opportunities available through the I.S.CO. Career Experience Course Scheme.

Once again, some thirty members of the Lower Vlth took part in an eight-week course run by Understanding Industry as part of the General Studies programme. We again held a successful Careers Forum on April 28th. As before this was mainly manned by Old Peterites and we are very grateful to them and to those other friends of the School who gave up their time willingly on a Saturday to talk to members of our fifth and lower sixth years. A list of those who attended, together with their specialisations, is given below. As always, the pupils found it a very helpful opportunity and our guests were peppered with questions, the best sort of compliment which can be paid in the circumstances.

Career Fields

Accountancy Applied Arts and Crafts Architecture Banking

Building Construction Building Management Building Surveying (and Quantity, Land

Hydrographic and Minerals

Surveying) Civil Aviation Computer Software Dentistry Engineering in Industry Estate Agency (and General Practice

Surveying) Farming Finance Hotel and Catering Industry Huddersfield Polytechnic/P . C A S. Industrial Management/Brewing Industrial Management/Own Business I.S.C.O. Law Mechanical Engineering/Engineering

Manufacture Medicine Merchant Banking Pharmaceutical Industry Sales and Marketing/Pharmaceuticals Theatre (Acting, Management, Opera) Town and Country Planning (and

Local Government/Civil Service) University Entry/U.CCA. Names J. E. H. Quickfall D. Reid R. Gardner Emma Davies ) Lisa Bennett ) C. T. Anelay P. W. Shepherd A. E. Lightly

I. T. Parkin J. Stone S. R. Dench E. Young J. C. Rounthwaite

E. P. Alton M. J. Kershaw M.J. Poynor Catherine Owens A. Powell J. P. Terry S. Maxwell-Scott D. W. Grice W. R. Ibberson (O.P.)

(O.P.) (O.P.)

(O.P.) (O.P.) (O.P.)

(O.P.)

(O.P.) (O.P.) (O.P.)

(O.P.) (O.P.)

(O.P.) (O.P.)

M. W. Dronfield (O.P.) C. T. Brockbank (O.P.) A. Garbutt (O.P.) Phillipa Hutcheson — M. R. Wroe (O.P.) C. Clarke (O.P.)

H. Dean —

K. G. Coulthard Basic weather data for the three School terms:

September (part) October November December (part) January (part) February March (part) April (part) May June July (part)

TEMP Max. ' . "C Min. (air) 25.5 18 14 9.5 15.25 15 20 23.5 26.5 23 19 7 5 -2.45 -1.5 1.25 -2.25 -2.25 2.25 3.25 8 6.75 RAIN Total

mms. Ave. (daily) 9.2 54.1 31.1 26.1 60.85 72.45 8.8 0.25 14.9 102.8 16.5 0.34 1.74 1.04 1.86 1.96 2.58 0.4 0.03 0.49 3.43 0.68

The rainfall figures should be seen in relation to an average annual rainfall of about 650mms in York. This gives a daily average figure of 1.8mms; June's figure was clearly well beyond this, a fact which would not go unnoticed by the sports men and women in the School!

Christinas Term:

The School year began with a prolonged period of high pressure, with accompanying high daytime temperatures and mild nights. As the above figures show it was a dry month and this combination of factors carried the summer well into the term. October continued in the same vein, though night temperatures began to fall and we experienced a slight ground frost during the night of the 14th. The daily rainfall rose as compared with September, though nearly half the month's total fell during the halfterm break! November continued to be dry, though there were signs that we might be in for the hard winter that some experts have been predicting for some years. There was a cold spell lasting from the 4th to the 6th, with sharp ground frosts at night and a sub-zero air temperature during the middle night. The air temperature was still 0C at 8.30 a.m. on the 6th. A second cold spell was experienced towards the end of the month when there were six successive nights with a ground frost, the lowest -5°C, being recorded during the night of the 26th. The low temperatures were related to high pressures and clear skies and the days were sunny and dry. Most of the month's rain fell during the first half of the month, 15.6mms, half the month's total being recorded on the 8th. December had a number of cold nights and westerly winds brought showery conditions and overcast skies, though none of the snowfalls that were being predicted.

The pressures were again high when we returned in January, but began to fall as the term got under way. They fell below 1,000 millibars on the 23rd, reaching a minimum of 952 millibars at 14.30 hours on January 25th. This exceptionally low pressure was associated with a very deep depression, the centre of which passed very close to York. Gale damage was reported widely and we experienced a rainfall of 23.3mms during January 27th, associated with the Cold Front of the depression. A few ground frosts were recorded in January, but generally temperatures remained above the average for the time of year. February was quite an unsettled month, though the winter never really set in. Mainly westerly winds brought many showers; consequently there were few really dry days and skies were mainly cloudy. By contrast March was much drier and temperatures began to rise noticeably, particularly towards the end of term.

Summer Term:

We returned towards the end of April to high pressures, clear skies, hot days and cool nights, with a number of sharp ground frosts.

May continued in the same vein, the most memorably meteorological event being the electrical storm during the afternoon of May 9th. It was during this storm that the 1927 tower was struck by lightning, an event recorded elsewhere in this issue of The Peterite. By contrast with May, June was predominantly a cool, cloudy, windy, wet month, apart from one brief return to summer in the middle of the month. This was very much a reversal of our experience last year. The last few days of term at the beginning of July saw threatening clouds and strong winds which did not promise well for the last week of term. Miraculously the rain stopped just before the visit of the Duchess of Kent, though it did try to drizzle once or twice during the early part of the visit. Later the clouds parted and the sun shone, bringing very pleasant conditions; these continued into Friday. Commemoration Saturday started wet and gloomy, and though it looked as though it might dry up, the cricket match turned into a frustrating experience.

K. G. Coulthard