Editorial

THE KN IGHT OF THE M 1NSTER The late Dr Alan Richardson, K. B. E. , with Jesse Green, M. B. E. , thcn Clerk of the Works to the Minster, and Dr Bernard Fielden, o. B. E. , F. S.A. , F. R. S.A. A. A. , R. I. B. A. , Surveyor of the Fabric.

man was unable to open a bank account until he had been 'accepted by the computer'. Will the examining computer reject some candidate because his name is too long or too short, or because he didn't number the pages of his script?

It was Oliver Wendell Holmes who wrote of a new adding machine in about 1859 that it was 'too stupid to make a blunder'.

What will happen when we appeal to the Chief Examining Computer for special consideration for the candidate who entered the Physics exam with a temperature? Instead of the sympathy and helpfulness of an Exam Board Secretary, will the unerringly stupid computer thump and whirr to produce an immediate and coldly logical answer: 'The candidate was not authorised to enter the Physics exam with a temperature; this must therefore be classed as an unauthorised aid and the candidate is disqualified'?

Perhaps the computer is one of those 'things that go bump in the night' from which the old Cornish litany asks for our deliverance. At any rate the computer has made us appreciate that examiners, though they may be inquisitive, are sympathetic, and that though they are sometimes fallible, they are that much the more human.

The whole concept of examinations has begun to come into question, particularly their part in influencing the future of so many people; and there is naturally argument about the validity of the new 0 level system in which almost nobody fails. But if one's future is likely to be influenced more and more by computerised exams, then perhaps it is as well that those exams should be made of less importance so that human judgement can again play a bigger part in assessing the human qualities that no computer can so far penetrate. `Progress is lovely, isn't it?' said Lenina in 'Brave new world', trying to reassure herself in that stark society where 'the Predestinators whistled as they worked'. But, as Professor Joad would no doubt have replied: `It depends what you mean by progress.'

The Editor wishes to thank the many contributors to The Peterite and would welcome correspondence and articles of general interest from Peterites past and present.

SCHOOL NOTES

1974-75

The Very Reverend Alan Richardson, K.B.E., M.A., D.D., Dean of York, died suddenly on 23rd February, 1975. We welcomed him here on many occasions as our Chairman of Governors, and we offer our deep sympathy to Mrs Richardson. An appreciation of Dr Richardson appears in this edition.

The new Archbishop of York, The Most Reverend Stuart Blanch, was enthroned in York Minster on 25th February. We offer our good wishes to him and his family.

It has been announced that the new Dean of York is to be Canon Ronald Jasper, D.D., Archdeacon of Westminster. He is to take up his appointment on 10th October.

Mr P. M. Nixon and Mr P. G. Wise left at the end of the Summer Term to take up new appointments; and Mr R. D. Wilkoff has returned to California after his exchange year with us. * * *

We welcome two new masters: Mr D. J. Butler, B.sc. (Aston) to teach Physics; and Mr D. J. Hughes, B.A. (York) to teach English. * * *

We congratulate the following on gaining Awards at Oxford or C,ambridge: J. P. H. Harrison, Open Scholarship in Classics at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge; P. N. Withers, Open Scholarship in Maths at Trinity College, Cambridge, to read Engineering; D. R. Chester, Open Exhibition in Natural Sciences at New College, Oxford, to read Physics; W. J. Clappison, Hastings Scholarship at The Queen's College, Oxford, to read P.P.E.; R. D. Long, Hastings Scholarship at The Queen's College, Oxford, to read Classics.

The following gained places: J. J. Beadle, Oriel College, Oxford, for Classics; J. E. Cresswell, Lincoln College, Oxford, for P.P.E.; C. J. Smith, St John's College, Cambridge, for Medicine; B. R. Terry, St John's College, Oxford, for Botany; T. J. Ward, Corpus Christi College, Oxford, for P.P.E.

* * *

On 16th September Major J. R. Chapman, M.B.E., of the Green Howards, gave a talk on the expedition to Mount Roraima, South Africa.

* * * The Athletic Sports were held on 5th October. * * * There was a Conference for Heads of Prep. Schools on 12th October. * * * The poet, Miss Patricia Beer visited the School on 30th October

The Drama Society gave a production called "Sea Fury" on 1st and 2nd November.

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Common Entrance was from I I th to 14th November. * * *

On St Cecilia's Day, 22nd November, Choral Evensong was followed by supper and a concert.

York Symphony Orchestra gave a concert in Hall on 23rd November. * * *

"A Man for All Seasons" by Robert Bolt was produced in Hall on 5th, 6th and 7th December. A review of the production appears in this edition.

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On 9th December forty teen-agers from St. John's School for the Deaf, Boston Spa, spent a Social Evening, including "It's a Knock-out", in the Sports Centre, organised by The Manor.

The Christmas Term ended with a Carol Service on 15th December. * * *

On 19th January the Choir and School took their traditional part in the Epiphany Service in York Minster. * * *

The Inter-House Cross Country for the Goodburn Cup was run on 10th February. The same evening there was an informal performance in Hall of Beethoven's Choral Symphony by the York Symphony Orchestra and an augmented York Musical Society. * * *

Common Entrance was from 17th to 19th February. * * *

On 23rd February the religious play "The Three Old Men" was_ performed in Chapel.

The Bishop of Selby took the Confirmation Service and celebrated Communion for the newly confirmed on 8th March. * * *

The Science Exhibition was opened by Professor M. Williamson, of the University of York, on 21st March; the Exhibition continued the next day; a review of it appears in this edition. * * *

The Easter Term ended on 22nd March after a Passion Service, the Science Exhibition and a Gathering for parents of Vth Formers. * * *

On Good Friday, 28th March, some members of the School took part in the United Service in York Minster, arranged by the York Council of Churches. The Passion Reading from St Mark was by the Headmaster and Mr C. E. Field with Vincent Feeney, Alistair Barron and Nigel Denison.

On 30th April a lecture was given to Lower VI by Canon Peter Schneider, of St George's Cathedral, Jerusalem, on the Christian presence in the Holy Land.

* * * The Boat Club Dance was held in Hall on 10th May.

On 13th May a number of students from Doncaster College of Education visited us.

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The Choir took part in the R.S.C.M. Choir Festival in Ripon Cathedral on 15th May.

The Scholarship Examination was from 19th to 21st May.

There was a Poetry/Folk evening in the Drama Centre on 21st and 22nd May. Some of the poems read are published in this edition.

Parents of Lower VI boys came to meet the masters on 23rd May.

The Annual Inspection of the CCF was on 3rd June. The Inspecting Officer was Captain F. N. Buckler, Royal Navy, Assistant Chief of Staff (Admin.) to the Commander-in-Chief Fleet. Captain Buckler is an Old Peterite, and he was joined for the Inspection by Wing Commander D. E. Warren, R.A.F., the School's official R.A.F. Old Boy. * * *

Common Entrance was from 9th to 1 1 th May.

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On 29th June the School took part in a joint Service with St Olave's in the Minster for St Peter's Day.

On 5th July the Presentation of Duke of Edinburgh Awards in Hall included a Gold Award to P. M. Brooker who has written about his activity for the Award in this edition. * * *

There was a VIth Form Conference at York University on 7th July.

Commemoration took a different form this year, the Commemoration Service being on Saturday, 12th July, when the Commemoration Sermon was preached by Rev. Canon D. V. Hewitt, m.A. (0.P.). The term ended in the afternoon.