The High School for Building Magazine Volume 1 - 1956
Head Master's Foreword
Here, at last, is the School's first Magazine - not so full of power and shot as it might be, but off to a good start, and promising to grow in size and interest.
For this first issue a lot of the work has had to be done by the Staff, though we are grateful to Sub-Editor Alan Whitehead for chasing around for your contributions.
Remember that a School Magazine should be produced by the scholars for the scholars, so it you have anything to say, here is your chance to say it, and to see yourself in print. Don't worry if your spelling, or English, or poetry, or sketches are not perfect - it, would surprise me very much if they were.' The Editors will look after those small details, provided your effort is sincere, and there will be no detention for mistakes. So start thinking up your ideas now for the next issue.
The very name ‘Cornerstone’ should be encouragement for you. It is from a parable in the Bible in which it was said “The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner” One interpretation of this is that many people with ideas and abilities different from their fellows, have been persecuted and penalized in their time, but have later been hailed as prophets of good, and leaders of men. It is appropriate to you boys, who did not succeed in your earlier attempts in the scholarship examinations, but have the opportunity in this school, of proving that you have the ability to make your mark in the world. Many of your predecessors have found the scholarship ability is not everything, and that the industrial world awards high marks for the more personal qualities of perseverance, integrity and ambition.
So go for it!
School news and notes
The school year began well after a summer of excellent weather, and the boys in attendance numbered 129.
The new entrants were given customary salutation for a day; some appeared bewildered, others apprehensive, and not a few, consoled themselves with visions of how they would eventually welcome others in their turn.
The school year 1954-5 had been quite satisfactory. In the academic field A Carline, G.A. Hall and D. R. Porter had successfully sat the new Technical G.C.E. exam in Mathematics, and these three, with R.A. Ingham and P Leonard were admitted into the Diploma Course, to join the ranks of the very privileged.
The two first year forms of 1955-6 were well balanced, there being almost no distinction between their average abilities. This was not the case with the second year forms, however, though 2A has been a very pleasant form to teach. Some of the second year boys have already obtained jobs and left school, and others are awaiting the results of interviews. Almost everybody has some employment within immediate reach. A few are electing to return to school next year to earn recognition for entry into semi-professional work, or the Diploma Course.
Next year we should have good results, as some of the juniors are keen and active. These boys should remember that in the not so distant future there will be keener competition for employment, and those who have proved themselves will ensure preferment.
Our third year boys will have left the school on our returning in September, but a few of them are expected to enter the Senior Department, namely C. Harrold, P Voase and A. H, Whitehead, if they make the grade in the present examinations. At the time of writing they are busy with Term Exams and the General Certificate of Education. Entrants in the latter exam are as follows, and we wish them all success:
English - E Harrold, A. H. Whitehead, R Russell
Maths - E Harrold, P Voase, A. H, Whitehead
Science - E Harrold, P. Voase, A.H. Whitehead
Handicraft - S Dugdall, J.R. Dennis, M. J. Wilcox
Art - R Russell
It should be of interest to note that four of our old scholars, W. Barron, B. Thompson, P Towes and J. Ward were awarded the National Diploma in Building on completion of their course, and all have been placed in good situations with local firms of Builders and Civil Engineers.
Two school clubs have been formed this year, and appear to have been successful. The Table Tennis Club had the difficulty of too many members for the solitary table, but this trouble may be overcome. The late opening of the coarse fishing season (June 14th) did not permit too much activity amongst our anglers, but report is received of success so far, principally in a junior who landed more than 40 perch in one week from a local park pond! It was suggested that it was possibly one small fish repeatedly caught, but there is some doubt about this. An Angling Trophy was hinted at, but that bait is still on the hook.
Individual sportsmen of note include E. Harrold who has done very well in athletics, and of those who left last year B. Petch, the swimmer, and J. Magson, the goalkeeper. These boys deserve praise for the way they have carried their success without ever becoming top heavy, and for their exceptional tolerance of the smaller fry.
The school has broadened its curriculum, Art being an accepted subject for all years and the third year boys take surveying.
The musical ability of the school is not excellent, the voices of most boys being very unstable, wavering between manhood and youth with frequent changes of key, in spite of able accompaniment by our pianist, S. Steels, who has performed his duties admirably throughout the year, without much encouragement or reward.
The term was earlier marred by news of the death of Clifford Greaves, who left the school at Xmas. He had a cycle accident near North Bridge and died almost immediately afterwards. It was to his memory that the boys very generously contributed towards flowers for his funeral, and sent their sympathies to his parents.
Head Master's Foreword
Here, at last, is the School's first Magazine - not so full of power and shot as it might be, but off to a good start, and promising to grow in size and interest.
For this first issue a lot of the work has had to be done by the Staff, though we are grateful to Sub-Editor Alan Whitehead for chasing around for your contributions.
Remember that a School Magazine should be produced by the scholars for the scholars, so it you have anything to say, here is your chance to say it, and to see yourself in print. Don't worry if your spelling, or English, or poetry, or sketches are not perfect - it, would surprise me very much if they were.' The Editors will look after those small details, provided your effort is sincere, and there will be no detention for mistakes. So start thinking up your ideas now for the next issue.
The very name ‘Cornerstone’ should be encouragement for you. It is from a parable in the Bible in which it was said “The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner” One interpretation of this is that many people with ideas and abilities different from their fellows, have been persecuted and penalized in their time, but have later been hailed as prophets of good, and leaders of men. It is appropriate to you boys, who did not succeed in your earlier attempts in the scholarship examinations, but have the opportunity in this school, of proving that you have the ability to make your mark in the world. Many of your predecessors have found the scholarship ability is not everything, and that the industrial world awards high marks for the more personal qualities of perseverance, integrity and ambition.
So go for it!
School news and notes
The school year began well after a summer of excellent weather, and the boys in attendance numbered 129.
The new entrants were given customary salutation for a day; some appeared bewildered, others apprehensive, and not a few, consoled themselves with visions of how they would eventually welcome others in their turn.
The school year 1954-5 had been quite satisfactory. In the academic field A Carline, G.A. Hall and D. R. Porter had successfully sat the new Technical G.C.E. exam in Mathematics, and these three, with R.A. Ingham and P Leonard were admitted into the Diploma Course, to join the ranks of the very privileged.
The two first year forms of 1955-6 were well balanced, there being almost no distinction between their average abilities. This was not the case with the second year forms, however, though 2A has been a very pleasant form to teach. Some of the second year boys have already obtained jobs and left school, and others are awaiting the results of interviews. Almost everybody has some employment within immediate reach. A few are electing to return to school next year to earn recognition for entry into semi-professional work, or the Diploma Course.
Next year we should have good results, as some of the juniors are keen and active. These boys should remember that in the not so distant future there will be keener competition for employment, and those who have proved themselves will ensure preferment.
Our third year boys will have left the school on our returning in September, but a few of them are expected to enter the Senior Department, namely C. Harrold, P Voase and A. H, Whitehead, if they make the grade in the present examinations. At the time of writing they are busy with Term Exams and the General Certificate of Education. Entrants in the latter exam are as follows, and we wish them all success:
English - E Harrold, A. H. Whitehead, R Russell
Maths - E Harrold, P Voase, A. H, Whitehead
Science - E Harrold, P. Voase, A.H. Whitehead
Handicraft - S Dugdall, J.R. Dennis, M. J. Wilcox
Art - R Russell
It should be of interest to note that four of our old scholars, W. Barron, B. Thompson, P Towes and J. Ward were awarded the National Diploma in Building on completion of their course, and all have been placed in good situations with local firms of Builders and Civil Engineers.
Two school clubs have been formed this year, and appear to have been successful. The Table Tennis Club had the difficulty of too many members for the solitary table, but this trouble may be overcome. The late opening of the coarse fishing season (June 14th) did not permit too much activity amongst our anglers, but report is received of success so far, principally in a junior who landed more than 40 perch in one week from a local park pond! It was suggested that it was possibly one small fish repeatedly caught, but there is some doubt about this. An Angling Trophy was hinted at, but that bait is still on the hook.
Individual sportsmen of note include E. Harrold who has done very well in athletics, and of those who left last year B. Petch, the swimmer, and J. Magson, the goalkeeper. These boys deserve praise for the way they have carried their success without ever becoming top heavy, and for their exceptional tolerance of the smaller fry.
The school has broadened its curriculum, Art being an accepted subject for all years and the third year boys take surveying.
The musical ability of the school is not excellent, the voices of most boys being very unstable, wavering between manhood and youth with frequent changes of key, in spite of able accompaniment by our pianist, S. Steels, who has performed his duties admirably throughout the year, without much encouragement or reward.
The term was earlier marred by news of the death of Clifford Greaves, who left the school at Xmas. He had a cycle accident near North Bridge and died almost immediately afterwards. It was to his memory that the boys very generously contributed towards flowers for his funeral, and sent their sympathies to his parents.
SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
