Editorial

To be able to look into a mirror and observe what is reflected there without fear or favour is one thing; but actually to have some say in polishing that mirror, and removing the distortions, and pointing it at different objects, is quite another.

That is what The Clarion, the new School newspaper, offers.

Its justification is simple : it does not contend with the Peterite, which is largely a chronicle, or Oasis, which only offers its literary refreshment in the summer. It is meant as an assembly-point of everything that concerns the School—accounts, reviews, opinions, criticisms, interviews and pictures and it will be able to give a fuller, more topical representation. In a way, the Peterite will be like a packet of soup-powder—rather condensed, but full of good stuff, easy to store, and long-lasting; whereas The Clarion should offer a hot and simmering and easily digestible soup-of-the-day, cooked by the diners themselves.

To many people the two cultures of sport and studies (in that order) are all that happens of any importance in a school, and the notching-up of victories and successful examinees is the criterion of achievement. But however vital these statistics may be, they are as incomplete a guide to an individual's whole personality as those other vital statistics : in either case they only present an indication of a bare outline, and, impressive though this may be, we should want to know much more. For example, it matters that the debating-society thrives; that over eighty people took some part in the School play, and there is fierce competition for houses to stage their own productions; that house societies and discussion-groups flourish; that the library is used to the full; that music is made and listened to. These are all aspects of vitality.

And then there needs to be consciousness of this vitality, because some things are more (or less) worthwhile than others. Consciousness means being aware of what you are doing, and what is being done to you, at home at school, or at large. This business of putting matters into perspective begins in discussion, but has to end in writing (even if that only provokes more discussion) : for in the process of writing, by planning, pruning and prying, a subject becomes more clearly seen, and therefore more definite.

Here is your opportunity—a paper for your ideas, run by you; and the product reflects on you. We wish you success.