May 1948

THE JUNIOR SCHOOL Old Boys who visited the School about the beginning of term had to make the crack that we were beginning uncommonly early, but the easy reply was that Easter being so early and the School breaking up on Tuesday, 23rd March, this would in any case be one of the shortest terms on record.

In complete contradiction of the weather a year ago the ground has only been covered with snow once this term, and then it was such a light covering that snowballing was difficult. Some people have been pleased about this and others not so pleased ! Anyhow it has been a mild and pleasant term, and the general health of the School has been good except for a fair number of cases of mumps—a complaint which seems to pick and choose its victims haphazardly. No one form has been very seriously depleted.

The whole School attended York Minster on Sunday, x 8th January, for the Epiphany Procession Service. We were all impressed with this service and with the singing, in which our own representatives in the School Choir took part.

The usual rewards were paid out by Mr. Ping for the first Coltsfoot, brought in on 2oth February by J. Richardson, and for the first Lesser Celandine, brought in on 28th February by A. E. Simpson. A very interesting specimen was brought in by one of the boys resident in Dringhouses. This was a Pygmy Shrew, the smallest animal in the list of British mammals. Mr. Ping said that this was the first time he had seen this animal in the York area, though the record books say it is to be found but is very seldom noticed.

Sgt.-Major Power has given instruction in Boxing to quite a large number of boys, and the Annual Tournament was arranged for Wednesday, 17th March. The Gymnasium was fixed up with a large new ring and seating for visitors. Captain E. H. Bradley, R.A.O.C., was the referee and at the close of the Tournament he spoke most enthusiastically of the skill and sporting spirit shown by the boys. The detailed programme is given below.

During the last week of term Miss Mason arranged a display of original models made by boys in Forms J.i and J.ii in a Handwork Competition. Much skill and ingenuity were shown in the results— model cottages and gardens, farmsteads, lighthouses, windmills, etc.

It was difficult to judge the merits of much careful work, but Mr. Collier made the following decisions :—xst Colin Quickfall, 2nd A. G. Hall, 3rd Granville Sanderson. Prizes were given at our final Assembly.

The School Concert was very much enjoyed by the Junior School, who were present in force at the performance on Monday afternoon, 22nd March.

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