Jan 1941

In his survey of the work of the School during the year the Headmaster emphasised the unexpectedly normal course which our activities had taken. The spirit of service for the country in its present need had naturally made the older boys unsettled in regard to their immediate future. " Like all the youth of the nation they feel anxious to do whatever they can to help the country's cause; but their enthusiasm has found an outlet, at any rate to some extent, in the opportunities provided by the Home Guard."

Every boy over 17, who was in the O.T.C. had joined the Home Guard, and several who have not reached that age had managed to persuade him and their parents to permit them to join. " I would like to say on this point," said the Headmaster, " that I feel we have every right to be proud of the part we, as a school, took in the creation of the L.D.V. of York." " It has been my constant advice to older boys," continued the Headmaster, " that, while still at school, they will be serving their country best by preparing wholeheartedly for their chosen careers, and that this choice should, so far as possible, be made without regard for the present abnormal conditions.

I know how difficult it is to do this, but those of us who can in any way influence our boys, whether as masters or parents, must look a good deal further ahead than the present war.

It is happily quite unnecessary in this country to beat the war drums in order to secure the response of our young men to the national call, and I can assure you that there is no school more imbued with the spirit of service and selfsacrifice than our own."

Showing that the progress of the School had been more than maintained by the numbers of boys, which also reflected the confidence of parents, Mr. Dronfield said that the Senior School pupils were now more than 50 per cent. above the 1937 level and the boarding houses were full to capacity.

The Junior School was also full, and it had been necessary to provide an overflow dormitory. The total of the Junior School this term exceeded the 100 mark, as it did three years ago for the first time.

The outstanding development regarding school work had been the continued expansion of the Sixth Form, which now contained 52 boys divided into three years and into sets, according to their specialist work.

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