THE PETERITE Vol. LIX
OCTOBER, 1967
No. 376
EDITORIAL This issue records the end of an era, and our readers, no doubt, will require some assurance that this era was brought to a fitting close. They will not of course be surprised to learn that the Headmaster himself continued to the end to order affairs with a view to next term, that he spent the last week seeing every boy, just as he has done for the last thirty years; nor that he leaves the 'School in the most flourishing condition. We hope, however, the following pages will also show that all was done at Commemoration to honour Mr. Dronfield in a manner worthy of his impressive achievements. 'Precedent apart, no-one could have been better qualified to express our feelings on this occasion than the Archbishop of York. Not only did he bring to his task the highest moral authority and that splendid voice, but he chose, we felt, just the right blend of light-hearted banter and deep sincerity. And when he unexpectedly appeared at the Commemoration Service on Sunday morning, this was a gesture more eloquent than words. The further tributes from the President of the Old Peterite Club, from Archdeacon Hodd, from Staff and Boys, together with the support of so many friends must have eased for the Headmaster the painful severing of external ties, and clearly shown him that the intangible ones remained strong and unbroken. What Mr. Dronfield has achieved in the last thirty years is, in its broad outlines, sufficiently well known. A walk through the School, a simple comparison of numbers provide ample proof of vigorous growth. How fresh life was breathed into a dying school, what faith and singleness of purpose were applied to the task can be learnt by consulting "Peterites" of thirty years ago. From the outset the Headmaster had a clear conception of the size of school he wished to build: one which allowed him to exercise control without any sacrifice of personal concern for the individual boy. Already in his first reports he was expounding views on the importance of careers advice, on the need to devote a third of class time in the Sixth Form to non-examination subjects, on the relative importance of learning and sport, on the value of the Debating 'Society, some of which have been regarded in more recent times as new. And simply, unswervingly, he has realised his vision. He has not been the type of 'Headmaster of whom it is said, by Staff and Boys, with bitterness or with satisfaction : "He's never here!" While maintaining the friendliest contacts with the outside world, he has devoted his best efforts to the 'School itself. At a time when, in some places, bewildering changes and uncertainties must make sound education well-nigh impossible, he has given us stability and continuity. For all this we are deeply grateful.
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