THE DURNOVARIAN 1958


SCHOOL NOTES

As Editor of The Durnovarian I welcome you to our annual pages. In turning them, however, it does become apparent that the majority of the achievements listed on them are thanks to a few keen and hard-working members of the School. Indeed, over the past year the School has followed with admiration and enthusiasm (and rightly so) the exploits of a tall and ginger athlete and a small and ginger one—now alas departed; but apart from this no general surge of feeling on behalf of School, House or individual has shown itself. Not all can become popular heroes, but never let it be forgotten that it is the personal effort of every member which makes a school what it is.

A mock-society report was submitted to the editors by a cynic. It ran as follows: "Hardye's School Apathy Club . . . failed through lack of support." Since the abolition of compulsory Society afternoons some three years ago the following societies have followed the Apathy Club: Chess, Natural History, Modelling, Photographic and the School Orchestra. The short-lived Sailing Club is seen no more; Messrs. Berry and Tompsett gallantly struggle to keep the Hardye's Society and the Choir flourishing in the face of general indifference. The only consolations—large ones—are that the Dramatic Society, Scripture Union and Christian Fellowship are more healthy and active than ever.

If Hardye's is to prosper, affected by the 'bulge' and attacked by Shadow Cabinets, a new spirit must arise: a spirt of enthusiasm. More than ever in the coming year Labores varii, unus amor must come into its own.

Last year our new Science wing, the perennial problem, was described as nebulous. We have come a long way since then, and although construction still hangs fire, the feeling around the School is "any day now". The problem of finance for the project has been put before the parents, and a heartening response to the Headmaster's appeal is reported. It has also been revealed that we are now certain of acquiring extra land around the present School boundaries, which will give us room for two more rugby pitches and will avoid the houses on our doorstep gloomily forecast when it was announced that our view across the valley was to be taken from us by houses for the Winfrith Atom Station staff. Such is the penalty of progress!

This year marked the golden jubilee of the School Army Corps, the tenth of the R.A.F. and the first of the R.N. and Corps of Drums. We are justly proud of the Corps, one of the first in the country, and wish it many more years of useful work. Its future seems assured under the guidance of Major Batty, FIt.-Lt. Roberts and Lt. Tompsett, whose command of their respective Sections cannot be too highly praised.

On the Sports field the year has been a remarkable one. No fewer than nine School records were broken, and School athletes won themselves distinction at meetings all over the South of England.

Benny has retired! Hardyeans of vintages ranging back over more than thirty years will greet this announcement with incredulity and nostalgia. Mr. Morris, to give him his correct title, seemed timeless; an institution rather than a groundsman. We will not soon forget his long and faithful service, which he continues in part by coming regularly up to School to see that all goes well in the armoury. Countless Hardyeans, past and present, will join with The Durnovarian in wishing him a long and happy retirement.

It has been decided to devote the C. H. Steemson Memorial Fund to purchasing two garden seats for the use of spectators of cricket matches. This seems especially appropriate, as they will form a permanent memorial connected with the game he loved so well. We are assured that they will be ready in time for the coming season.

In conclusion, we are informed that an Old Boy is collecting material for a history of the School. If any of our readers have any information or knowledge relating to the past days of "Dorchester Grammar School" it will be gratefully received at the School and handed on. Personal recollections of any description would also be welcome.

H.M.P.




STAFF NOTES

The year has seen an unusually large number of changes on the staff.

The Rev. A. G. de L. Willis is now Rector of West Stafford. He came to us at Easter 1944 and will be long remembered not only for his academic work, but also for what he, a Cambridge Athletic Blue, did for us on the sports field. He has kindly donated prizes for Divinity Studies.

Mr. W. A. Sewell, who left last Summer term, has been one of the chief pillars of Wollaston House since he joined us in 1948. In his French teaching, and in out-of-school activities, especially Boxing and the tuck-shop, he gave ungrudgingly of his time and energy and also spent much time on the School Magazine Editorial Committee. Our best wishes to him in his new sphere.

Mr. D. I. Goddard is now training for the Ministry. He gave himself unsparingly to the School in many ways during his four years with us, but it was clear that the Call had come to him. We wish him every success.

Mr. J. A. Bristow is now in British Celanese Ltd. and has a son, Paul Anthony. Outside the lab. he was a keen Cross-Country enthusiast and an active supporter of the Save-the-Children Fund.

Mr. A. A. Lambart, Resident House Tutor of Southfield for two years, has left his mark on the Classics department. We wish him success in his new Senior Classics post at Market Rasen Grammar School and happiness in his married life.

During the year we have been grateful for the services of Mr. Jamieson, Mrs. Tuffin and Mr. R. Hill-Brown who were here temporarily; and of Monsieur P. Marcenac, French Assistant, whom we came to regard as a very genial colleague.

We are sorry to have to record that Mr. M. H. A. Berry, Resident House Tutor at Heathcote, is leaving at the end of this term and is going into administration. His two years' work in the History Dept. has been very successful, and he was responsible for founding the Hardye's Society.

We welcome to the Staff :— H. M. I. Bax, M.A. (Head of the English Dept.); R. G. Saunders, B.A. (Maths.); D. A. Scaife, M.A. (English); C. E. Ring, M.A. (French); D. A. S. John, B.A. (Classics); R. J. Tipper, B.Sc. (Phys. and Chem.); J. D. Gloag, B.Sc. (Chem.); J. H. Faulkner, B.A. (Hist. and Geog.); D. Hallums, D.L.C. (Phys. Educ.); M. L. Bertrand, (French assistant); J. L. Bagshaw, M.A. (temporary French appointment).

Mr. B. J. Morris resigned last May. It is believed he started duties as groundsman in the 'twenties. Only older generations and Old Boys knew a D.G.S. without Benny. It came to be taken for granted that wickets, pitches and tracks, etc. would be ready when they were wanted. He saw great developments in all our games and sports since the School moved up from South Street. For many years he has been a guest at Old Boys' Dinners, and has received tokens of appreciation of his long services. We wish him a long and happy retirement.

We are delighted to hear good reports of Mr. N. M. S. Roussel who has had a serious breakdown in health following upon three successive attacks of 'flu a year ago. We hope he will soon be able to resume his duties, and be among us again.

D.C.W.




WOLLASTON HOUSE NOTES

At the start of the year we welcomed Mr. Saunders and Mr. Scaife.

In the Winter term routine was much disturbed by the 'flu epidemic, but despite this handicap the Rugby team enjoyed a fairly successful season, and other activities were carried on by the Staff who fortunately showed a tougher resistance to germs than the boys!

A series of tea parties was held to give the parents of new boys an opportunity of meeting the staff, and these were well attended and much enjoyed.

At the end of term the traditional Christmas dinner was a great success, and for this a vote of thanks was extended to our excellent cook, Mrs. Pearce, and her staff. Our enjoyment was marred only by the absence of Sir Thomas Salt, but we trust that next year his multifarious duties will permit him to join us in pork and Christmas pudding!

The Easter term was lively indeed for the staff; Mr. Sewell's splendid display in goal against the Hockey XI impressed all beholders as did that of our Headmaster, Mr. Hale! Then there was the noble spectacle of Mr. Scaife in red track suit chasing us around the Cross-Country course (at times we even feared he might catch us!).

Just for the Summer term, we were joined by Mr. Hill-Brown, who took over Rev. Willis' Divinity, and succeeded in interesting a number of us in Church architecture. We wish him the best of success in his career at Oxford.

We were sorry to see Mr. Wilding forsake the care of our games' field to go to the Main School, but we soon realised that in Mr. Cox we had found a keen and capable successor, whose cheerful deportment in the tuck shop and on the field has already made him a popular figure at Wollaston.

At the end of the year a minor disaster overtook us in the form of our senior assistant master, Mr. "French without Tears" Sewell. His leaving was regretted by all of us, for few men can combine such ready sympathy, willingness and wit. However, he has not gone far away, and we hope to see him now and then in the future.

We have lamented the departure of Mr. Goddard elsewhere, but we take this opportunity to wish him every happiness in the future. Mr. Lewendon has left us for the Main School, and perhaps the signs of relief from lazy Geographers show how thoroughly he did his job! The Cricket and Rugby coaching will also suffer from his departure.

D.S.






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