The retirement of Mr. Hill at the end of the School year overshadowed all other events. Headmaster since 1927, he was regarded as an institution by those who spent a brief six or seven years in the School, and his leaving marks the end of an epoch. We wish him a long and happy retirement.
Our new Headmaster, A. N. Hamilton, Esq., M.A. (Oxon.), was previously Headmaster of Queen Mary's Grammar School, Walsall. During his teaching career, which was interrupted by six war-time years of distinguished commissioned service in the Army in various theatres of action, Mr. Hamilton has taken a keen and active interest in most aspects of school life. We offer him a sincere welcome and the promise of loyal support in his task of fostering the solid progress of the School.
There have been a number of other Staff changes during the year. Mr. Cole, who has been with the School since 1919, retired from teaching at Easter, and we wish him, too, a long and happy retirement. It is not altogether goodbye, for he has recently become the Honorary Secretary of the Old Hardyeans' Association.
Mr. Macowan, after a term at Rugby School, has now joined the Staff of an Ealing Grammar School as Senior History master. Our best wishes go with him, and it will not only be members of the Dramatic Society who will feel a little envious of his new School in its forthcoming dramatic productions, for productions there are bound to be. Hardye's School increased a little in stature with each play that Mr. Macowan produced.
Mr. Chandler has gone to Douglas High School in the Isle of Man, where his wife's family live. We wish him all success and happiness in his new post.
A special word of appreciation is due to Mr. Allsopp, who came to us straight from Oxford, where he read History and found time to play rugby football, cricket and tennis for his College. He relieved a Staff shortage, and has now gone to Alleyn's School. We wish him every success in his teaching career.
We welcome as our new Senior Chemistry master and a worthy successor to Mr. Cole, R. Barrass, Esq., D.F.C., M.A., F.G.S. He comes to us from Thorne Grammar School, Doncaster, where he was Chemistry master and Senior Science master. Mr. Barrass went into residence in 1939 in Downing College, Cambridge, as an Exhibitioner of the College and a State Scholar. Since that time he has served during the war as a pilot/observer in the Royal Artillery Air Observation Squadron, and was decorated for his services with the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war he spent a short period in Industry, returning to Cambridge in 1948, where he continued his studies with marked success.
From Wellingborough School comes M. Hughes, Esq., D.L.C., who is now Resident House Tutor at 'Heathcote.' He is taking Physical Education and Mathematics, and has taken over control of the Scout Troop, the latter a considerable undertaking, but one for which he is well fitted and which he fulfills with great enthusiasm.
We welcome two more scientists in G. Brookfield, Esq., B.Sc., (Lond.), and B. J. West, Esq., B.Sc., (Lond.). Mr. Brookfield, who was teaching as a Flying Officer in the R.A.F., is Resident House Tutor in South Walks House, teaches Biology, and is organising School Cross Country running. Mr. West, who comes to us from East Barnet Grammar School, teaches General Science, and both he and Mr. Brookfield do some Junior School work.
We are happy to have Mrs. Dutot with us again in the Junior School. It is reassuring to feel that in the event of a Mr. X appearing on the Time Table at any time, the duties of this mysterious gentleman will, no doubt, be fulfilled by Mrs. Dutot. Should she leave us again, we shall say an optimistic ' au revoir.'
On the 23rd July, the Old Boys' Day was held in fine weather! It was an enjoyable and memorable day, with presentations to Mr. Hill, a School cricket victory, dancing, and the dedication and presentation of the Hodges Memorial Desk, now in the School library. Col. Worrall, Vice-Chairman of the Governors, who formally accepted the desk on behalf of the School, commented upon the spirit of cooperation which exists between the School and the Old Hardyean's Association, and declared that it was essential to the success of any school.
Mr, Hill, whom Dr. James, High Master of Manchester Grammar School, described as "one of the wisest men in my profession," retired from the teaching profession at the end of the school year, with gifts both tangible and intangible, which must have brought a glow to his heart, and the rich satisfaction of receiving thanks for a job well done.
Mr. Hill has sent us the following message:-
"It is not the easiest of tasks to write yet another farewell message - in this issue of The Durnovarian - after those which you have heard from me amid the kindness and goodwill of everybody at the end of the Summer Term.
This must be forward-looking farewell for the present members of the School, for upon you and all who follow you its prosperity and usefulness will depend.
The School is well worth your pride and loyalty ; give something of you to it. Let your membership of it mean something to you and be worthy of it.
It is not an outmoded fashion to do a bit of hard work; do not measure time by the hour but by achievement; give a willing response to those who work hard for you.
If you will refuse to let your wishbone be where your backbone ought to be, my farewell wish to each of you will be fulfilled - the old Roman greeting, which I have so often expressed to boys when they leave for the harder world outside - Macte Virtute! Go on and prosper!"
From a relatively obscure Grammar School in 1927, Hardye's has grown, under Mr. Hill's headmastership, in numbers and in prestige, until to-day it ranks high among the Country's schools. We should like to record in these pages some of the tributes paid during the many presentations to Mr. Hill.
"He has proved himself to be a man of the very first order .... He has produced results of which the Governors are proud."
Alderman A. R. Jeffery, President, Old Hardyeans' Association.
". . . . how much we appreciate his enormous efforts, both in school and in other places, to give us a first class start in life."
G. M. Welch, for Oxford Old Hardyeans.
"His attention to detail, and insistence upon a high standard . . . . foresight, the soundness of his judgment, and the wisdom of his advice .... Progress was inevitable, but someone had to draw the plans, lay the foundation, and build the superstructure. That has been his task, and I think that it is because he had a clear vision of what this School might be, that he has been able to carry it out with such success . . . ."
D Lidbury, Esq., Second Master.
Although Mr. and Mrs. Hill are moving house, we are glad that they are not going far, and they are assured of a warm and affectionate welcome whenever they pay a visit to the School.
Mr. Cole preceded Mr. Hill into retirement from schoolmastering by one term, ending an active association of 28 years' standing. At the formal farewell and presentation of gifts, Mr. Hill referred to him as "one of the world's best teachers and a fine schoolmaster." Since 1930 the boys who have passed through his hands have gained 50 Major County Scholarships, 15 Exhibitions and Bursaries, and 14 State and University Scholarships. As Mr. Lidbury remarked, "that is a record to be proud of."
His interests were many and varied, and School rugger, cricket, athletics, cross-country, the Corps and the Scouts have all experienced and been grateful for his influence for good. This "lively and sociable" gentleman - to quote Mr. Lidbury again - goes into retirement with our very best wishes for good health and happiness. He has recently been elected Honorary Secretary, Old Hardyeans' Association, and we can think of no happier choice.
Even here, where some boys have only been one year, the biggest event was the retirement of the Headmaster. Though his duties did not permit him to be with us as much as we would have liked, the times when he did come were always cheerful and memorable. We wish him and Mrs. Hill a very happy retirement.
Staff. We said goodbye to Mr. Saunders who went to King Edward VIth School, Birmingham, and welcomed Mr. Allsopp, a late Head Boy of the School, and Mr. Hughes from Wellingborough School. Mr. Chandler went to the Main School and Mrs. Dutot returned to take the Lower School History.
Prefects. Head Boy: Simon Brewis. Prefects: M. J. Northover, J. Townsend, P. C. Old, C. J. Barter, N. G. Hibbard.
Sports. An innovation this year was a Rugby fixture with The Old Malthouse School. The Team was chosen entirely from the Lower School, and although R. J. Rogers played an untiring game we were outplayed in most departments. The return match at Old Malthouse was a more even struggle and we very much enjoyed our visit. We hope to arrange more such matches next year.
Our Athletics team, under Mr. Sewell's and Mr. Hughes' tuition again managed to win the South Dorset Schools Junior Relay. The team was I. Hare, R. Rogers, T. Reiss and P. Old.
Two main points helped to make our Cricket the most successful we have had. The old Greenhouse was converted into a Score Box, and a Form Cricket League was started by Mr. Westlake. We had our usual fixtures with Thornlow School and with the Dorchester Primary School, all of which we won.
Other Activities
It is in the Musical world that our activities have been greatest.
We took our normal part in the Carol Service and R. E. Simpson
read the Lower School Lesson. We provided the major part of the
Sopranos and Altos for the School Choir, and under P. Bowen's
enthusiastic, if somewhat Sergeant-Majorish, leadership, we settled
down to our practices, which culminated in an enjoyable Choral and
Orchestral Concert. In the Lunch Hours Mr. Hughes has organised
a series of Concerts using his Radio-Pickup. So far he has mainly
concentrated on Gilbert and Sullivan and we have found his
introductory talks most helpful.
We started with a farewell, it would be appropriate to end with a hail. To the new Headmaster our heartiest greetings and sincere wishes for a happy, long and successful stay with us.