The High School for Building Magazine Volume 2 - 1957
Head Master's Foreword
It gives me a great deal of pleasure to introduce the second issue of our School Magazine. Unfortunately, Mr. Morrison, your chief editor, has been confined to hospital for the best part of three weeks, and as a consequence of his absence, and the extra work thrown upon your teachers, it has been a race against time to produce the Magazine for your delectation before the School closes for the summer holidays. But as always in the High School for Building, we have succeeded, if only by a short head. I know you will all join me in wishing Mr. Morrison a speedy return to robust health. I am now looking forward to a bright lad from next year’s second or third form, to take over some of the responsibility and pleasure of editorship next session, so if any of you have ideas for improving “Cornerstone” here is your chance to do it, and at the same time obtain very valuable experience in this kind of work. As before, the staff will ‘vet’ the spelling and English - a duty which I regret to say is evidently very necessary.
The past year has been one of steady if not spectacular progress. Our present third form has done very good work, even if it hasn’t all the virtues listed in a later article. I am hoping for a high proportion of successes from these alleged ‘Big-heads”, in the G.C.E. Examinations and in the qualifying examinations for the Diploma Course in the College. I would also like to report how pleased the staff are with the work of the present 1A, and to say that we are encouraged to look forward to even better work from them as form 2A and 3A in the next two years.
The outstanding event this year was of course the winning of the Schools’ Football Cup, but this is well covered elsewhere in this magazine and I will not enlarge upon it further. Another outstanding event was the inauguration, by Mr. Martin, of the new “Tuck Shop”. I am certain that this, together with the excellent mid-day meals now provided in the School, will increase your muscular power and, I hope, your brain power.
Elsewhere you will see a list of notable successes by boys of the School, but you will no doubt be pleased to learn also of achievements this year by boys who were in our School not long ago. E. Harrold, who earned a place in the full time Diploma Course in Building last year, represented Hull in the Yorkshire Schools’ Athletics Meeting at Keighley in June last, and came third in his track event, and was also in the Relay team which won first place. D. Bedden , A. Broekhuizen, P.M. Helmsing, G. Pointez, and R. Frankish were awarded the National Diploma in Building, and have obtained good appointments as Surveyors and Civil Engineers. A. Jackson, who already possesses the Diploma and Higher National Certificate, was awarded the Hyman Marks prize, for the highest marks in the First Professional Examination of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
The Table Tennis Club appears to be thriving on its new table in room three, and by the time we go to press will have completed its first organised competition. The new Film Club too is now under way, and should develop into a strong, entertaining and instructive feature of the School, with meetings of increasing frequency and interest.
Only one item mars the general picture of progress, and that is the increasing tendency towards garish clothes. I must emphasize that luminous socks, loud and sloppy jackets, plimsoles and “beetle crushers”, however pleasant to the wearer during hours of recreation, are not appropriate for school wear, and damage to reputation of the School in the City. I trust this mention is sufficient for any boys, and their parents, who have pride in themselves and the School.
The school curriculum is constantly under examination with a view to improvement, and it is gratifying to note the increasing number of boys aiming at G.C.E. Examinations in ever widening fields. Do not forget these examinations are quite still, but by no means beyond many of you if you are prepared to put in the extra work. There is one GCE examination however, which I am sure we shall never attain, and that is music. We owe a debt of gratitude to Stuart Steels, for having valiantly kept himself and his piano in tune throughout the year, against overwhelming odds!
This term we have to say goodbye to our good friend and teacher, Mr. Bray, who has been in the School since its beginning in 1943, and has now reached the age of retirement. He has rendered yeoman service throughout this period, and we can recall days during the War when the only wood available for teaching was firewood. Some of you may not know that hw still suffers from wounds sustained in the 1914-18 War, and if he has cuffed you when you have tried his temper you can be sure that you fully deserved it.
There has been no more willing worker in the School than Mr. Bray, and we all wish him happiness in his well-earned retirement. I am sure he will not rest, but will find some other outlet for his remarkable energy.
May I wish success to all the boys who are also leaving us this Term - I shall see many of you again in senior College classes. To the others of you who are due to return in September - have a good holiday, and come back refreshed and anxious to do credit to yourselves and the High School for Building in the ensuing months.
A Holiday at Holmpton by S. Dunhill (3A)
In January Mr. Martin first thought of taking the Third year to Holmpton Hall for a Study Holiday, one of the objects being to study for our GCE Examinations. In due course all arrangements were made and seven boys decided to take advantage of the offer.
One Wednesday seven boys set out from different places either on foot or bicycle or in one case by ‘car’ to go to Holmpton. Four of us, Hull boys, met on Hedon Road to start our journey, but on reaching Hedon we stopped to mend a puncture before continuing. About three miles from Holmpton the chain on the same cycle broke. By this time we felt like telling ‘Sandy’, who owned the machine, to deposit it on the nearest dump. When we eventually arrived we found the rest were already there.
After dumping our kit Mr. Martin introduced us to our host, who was called Peter and sported a flourishing ginger moustache. The next event was the cooking of tea on either calor gas or paraffin stove. After a most excellent self-prepared meal (burnt toast and soggy beans) we set out to explore the grounds. To the left of the house we found a lovely large slimy pond and this became the centre of activity for some of us. We formed the idea of an aerial runway from the top of one tree to the bottom of another at the other side of the pond. The idea was to slide down the rope with the aid of a pulley. After much preparation the runway was ready for use. ‘Sandy’ elected himself as the one who should try it first. After he successfully come down, Jones climbed the tree and prepared for his descent. He took off perfectly and then as he was about three quarters of the way down and just as he was saying “Isn’t is smashing?” the rope broke. The next thing we knew a green slimy creature was crawling out of the pond moaning “I’ve lost my watch”. After Mr. Martin had half fallen in looking for it, it was found still on Jones’ are up near his elbow.
That night after supper, which was at about 10.30 p.m., we sat round a roaring fire telling jokes and stories or “singing”. It was then that Peter told us about the ghosts that haunt the Hall, especially the ginger haired man who supposedly visited our dormitory each night. Very much later, just as we were trying to get to sleep, we heard a clanking of chains coming down the dark corridor. Suddenly the light came on and there in the doorway stood Mr. Martin banging two surveying chains together. Up to Saturday time just flew by and there seemed little time to study, but most of us helped Mr. Sugdon when he came down to survey the grounds.
Only once did two of our number attempt swimming in the sea but this was given up after three or four minutes.
On Saturday tea-time ranks were depleted b7y the departure of Sid and ‘Sandy’ but those who stayed spent a very hectic night at Withernsea.
Actually nothing ran as we planned it but everyone had a marvelous time and if we didn’t learn GCE details we learnt a great deal in the art of living together.
Head Master's Foreword
It gives me a great deal of pleasure to introduce the second issue of our School Magazine. Unfortunately, Mr. Morrison, your chief editor, has been confined to hospital for the best part of three weeks, and as a consequence of his absence, and the extra work thrown upon your teachers, it has been a race against time to produce the Magazine for your delectation before the School closes for the summer holidays. But as always in the High School for Building, we have succeeded, if only by a short head. I know you will all join me in wishing Mr. Morrison a speedy return to robust health. I am now looking forward to a bright lad from next year’s second or third form, to take over some of the responsibility and pleasure of editorship next session, so if any of you have ideas for improving “Cornerstone” here is your chance to do it, and at the same time obtain very valuable experience in this kind of work. As before, the staff will ‘vet’ the spelling and English - a duty which I regret to say is evidently very necessary.
The past year has been one of steady if not spectacular progress. Our present third form has done very good work, even if it hasn’t all the virtues listed in a later article. I am hoping for a high proportion of successes from these alleged ‘Big-heads”, in the G.C.E. Examinations and in the qualifying examinations for the Diploma Course in the College. I would also like to report how pleased the staff are with the work of the present 1A, and to say that we are encouraged to look forward to even better work from them as form 2A and 3A in the next two years.
The outstanding event this year was of course the winning of the Schools’ Football Cup, but this is well covered elsewhere in this magazine and I will not enlarge upon it further. Another outstanding event was the inauguration, by Mr. Martin, of the new “Tuck Shop”. I am certain that this, together with the excellent mid-day meals now provided in the School, will increase your muscular power and, I hope, your brain power.
Elsewhere you will see a list of notable successes by boys of the School, but you will no doubt be pleased to learn also of achievements this year by boys who were in our School not long ago. E. Harrold, who earned a place in the full time Diploma Course in Building last year, represented Hull in the Yorkshire Schools’ Athletics Meeting at Keighley in June last, and came third in his track event, and was also in the Relay team which won first place. D. Bedden , A. Broekhuizen, P.M. Helmsing, G. Pointez, and R. Frankish were awarded the National Diploma in Building, and have obtained good appointments as Surveyors and Civil Engineers. A. Jackson, who already possesses the Diploma and Higher National Certificate, was awarded the Hyman Marks prize, for the highest marks in the First Professional Examination of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
The Table Tennis Club appears to be thriving on its new table in room three, and by the time we go to press will have completed its first organised competition. The new Film Club too is now under way, and should develop into a strong, entertaining and instructive feature of the School, with meetings of increasing frequency and interest.
Only one item mars the general picture of progress, and that is the increasing tendency towards garish clothes. I must emphasize that luminous socks, loud and sloppy jackets, plimsoles and “beetle crushers”, however pleasant to the wearer during hours of recreation, are not appropriate for school wear, and damage to reputation of the School in the City. I trust this mention is sufficient for any boys, and their parents, who have pride in themselves and the School.
The school curriculum is constantly under examination with a view to improvement, and it is gratifying to note the increasing number of boys aiming at G.C.E. Examinations in ever widening fields. Do not forget these examinations are quite still, but by no means beyond many of you if you are prepared to put in the extra work. There is one GCE examination however, which I am sure we shall never attain, and that is music. We owe a debt of gratitude to Stuart Steels, for having valiantly kept himself and his piano in tune throughout the year, against overwhelming odds!
This term we have to say goodbye to our good friend and teacher, Mr. Bray, who has been in the School since its beginning in 1943, and has now reached the age of retirement. He has rendered yeoman service throughout this period, and we can recall days during the War when the only wood available for teaching was firewood. Some of you may not know that hw still suffers from wounds sustained in the 1914-18 War, and if he has cuffed you when you have tried his temper you can be sure that you fully deserved it.
There has been no more willing worker in the School than Mr. Bray, and we all wish him happiness in his well-earned retirement. I am sure he will not rest, but will find some other outlet for his remarkable energy.
May I wish success to all the boys who are also leaving us this Term - I shall see many of you again in senior College classes. To the others of you who are due to return in September - have a good holiday, and come back refreshed and anxious to do credit to yourselves and the High School for Building in the ensuing months.
A Holiday at Holmpton by S. Dunhill (3A)
In January Mr. Martin first thought of taking the Third year to Holmpton Hall for a Study Holiday, one of the objects being to study for our GCE Examinations. In due course all arrangements were made and seven boys decided to take advantage of the offer.
One Wednesday seven boys set out from different places either on foot or bicycle or in one case by ‘car’ to go to Holmpton. Four of us, Hull boys, met on Hedon Road to start our journey, but on reaching Hedon we stopped to mend a puncture before continuing. About three miles from Holmpton the chain on the same cycle broke. By this time we felt like telling ‘Sandy’, who owned the machine, to deposit it on the nearest dump. When we eventually arrived we found the rest were already there.
After dumping our kit Mr. Martin introduced us to our host, who was called Peter and sported a flourishing ginger moustache. The next event was the cooking of tea on either calor gas or paraffin stove. After a most excellent self-prepared meal (burnt toast and soggy beans) we set out to explore the grounds. To the left of the house we found a lovely large slimy pond and this became the centre of activity for some of us. We formed the idea of an aerial runway from the top of one tree to the bottom of another at the other side of the pond. The idea was to slide down the rope with the aid of a pulley. After much preparation the runway was ready for use. ‘Sandy’ elected himself as the one who should try it first. After he successfully come down, Jones climbed the tree and prepared for his descent. He took off perfectly and then as he was about three quarters of the way down and just as he was saying “Isn’t is smashing?” the rope broke. The next thing we knew a green slimy creature was crawling out of the pond moaning “I’ve lost my watch”. After Mr. Martin had half fallen in looking for it, it was found still on Jones’ are up near his elbow.
That night after supper, which was at about 10.30 p.m., we sat round a roaring fire telling jokes and stories or “singing”. It was then that Peter told us about the ghosts that haunt the Hall, especially the ginger haired man who supposedly visited our dormitory each night. Very much later, just as we were trying to get to sleep, we heard a clanking of chains coming down the dark corridor. Suddenly the light came on and there in the doorway stood Mr. Martin banging two surveying chains together. Up to Saturday time just flew by and there seemed little time to study, but most of us helped Mr. Sugdon when he came down to survey the grounds.
Only once did two of our number attempt swimming in the sea but this was given up after three or four minutes.
On Saturday tea-time ranks were depleted b7y the departure of Sid and ‘Sandy’ but those who stayed spent a very hectic night at Withernsea.
Actually nothing ran as we planned it but everyone had a marvelous time and if we didn’t learn GCE details we learnt a great deal in the art of living together.
SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
