SCHOOL SOCIETIES

6th FORM SOCIETY

The work of the 6th form society continued as usual during the Spring and Summer Terms of 1960. The subject studies were “Industry and Trade Unions" and "Religion and Society.

Term ending conferences were held in Exeter when society members joined with groups from other Grammar Schools to hear experienced opinions from visiting speakers and to take part in group discussion.

The conference at the end of the Summer term was particularly enjoyable and refreshing. The environment and facilities afforded by the new Hele's School provided the right atmosphere and background to a team of excellent speakers led by Dr. Margaret Hewitt from the University of the South West.

The subject of “Religion and Society” proved far from dull and provided keen and thoughtful discussion. It was most encouraging and a real pleasure to observe the Senior pupils from the various schools mixing together more easily and with greater confidence than usual. This sharing of opinions and having the opportunity of expressing verbally ideas, beliefs and personal aims, must surely be the most important function of this society and only good should come from such meetings when efficiently organised.

During 1960 as many as over seventy 6th Form pupils met together each Friday afternoon. Such numbers make discussion work difficult and in future the 6th Form Society syllabus of work will be incorporated into the normal school timetable. With smaller groups there should be greater opportunity for individual study and effort.

It is hoped that as many 6th formers as possible will use the Conferences in Exeter to meet their counterparts from other schools and take part in the interesting programmes arranged by the joint Committees of the Post War Society.

CHESS CLUB

The first Inter-House Chess Competition was concluded this year, with the following results:

1. Athenians 20

2. Trojans 14 1/2

3. Corinthians 7

4. Spartans 3 1/2

The Competition took a long time to get started. Houses were too slow in getting all their trial games played to select their ultimate teams. But a large number of games were played in this way, in the course of the year. The Athenians are to be congratulated, not only on their win, but on the great enthusiasm they displayed, not a little of this being due to their keen captain, C. Smith, and their strong No. 1 Board player, J. Williams.

The House Competition will be renewed this year, when the Houses must certainly get their teams settled in quick time. Dates will be fixed for the playing of matches.

At the same time we shall have an Individual Competition "Ladder".

Finally, without the effort of the initial launching of the House Competition, we hope to have more instructional Club meetings, so that the standard of play can be raised to the pitch where we can run a School Chess Team. This year, too, members of the Third Forms will be admitted to the Club.

F.W.B.

COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY

The fortnightly Square Dances held during the Autumn and Spring terms were suspended, as usual, during the Summer. The average attendance during the Winter was about 70 fifth and sixth formers.

In July a barbecue and square dance was held on the lawn and about 150 fourth-, fifth- and sixth formers were present.

On behalf of the fifth and sixth forms I should like to thank Mr. Fudge for coming along and acting as M.C. each week

R.B.

BADMINTON CLUB

The club continued to function throughout the Spring term and was well supported by its members. At half term the usual tournament was held, in which Selway and D. Widdecombe were the eventual winners after a hard afternoon's play. In the return match against the Staff, the School represented by Gibson and E. Tyler, Newman and D. Widdecombe, Fray and E. Whiddon, Plant and E. Buck, suffered a heavy defeat (11 games to 1 game).

Badminton can be played by members of 6A on Fridays after school, in the gym and the hall (play rehearsals permitting), during the Autumn and Spring terms.

SAILING CLUB

This season the school boat was, for the first time, kept at Topsham. She was well used in spite of the unfriendly weather and the demands of the examination room. These and other commitments prevented her from entering more than one race, the Cadet race on Topsham "At Home” day, and this, although enjoyable, did not bring success.

Like all other craft at Topsham Sailing Club, "Facta" had to undergo a buoyancy test by being filled with water. T.S.C. officials were astonished to notice that as fast as water was poured in, it ran out through the centre board trunk. The boat was thus found to be unsinkable by such a method and to be the most buoyant vessel in the Club. Knowledge of this is very reassuring, but we were sometimes in need of reassurance. Some of the standing and running rigging was nearing the time for its replacement. This is well known to those who were present when the main halyard parted or when the mast came down.

If “Facta” is at Topsham again next year, all interested juniors (and seniors) will most definitely be encouraged. Finally, we must thank very sincerely indeed Mr. Hill and Topsham Sailing

Club for their kind assistance.

P.E.J.

MODEL RAILWAY CLUB

There is very little to report this term. During the summer we virtually closed down but a certain amount of progress has been made with tracklaying on the new layout. During the Autumn, however, we hope to recommence operations and a plan is also under consideration to show films on railways and travel subjects, admission being for members only.

A large number of you will know nothing of this society. For your information we are in process of building a layout in gauge TT3 on a baseboard 12ft. by 4ft., using Triang locomotives and rolling stock on Wrenn track. Any assistance will be welcomed from any form in the school. Membership is 1/- per term and we meet after school in the loft above the biology laboratory. Days will be announced later on the notice boards.

D.W.C.

FILM CLUB

When the Film Club was first formed it was our expressed intention to aim at obtaining a sound projector. We are now pleased to be able to say that not only a sound projector but a new screen as well are the property of the school.

We commenced operation on April 1st with "The Happiest Days of your Life” and about 220 people attended. Only one hitch occurred; Mr. Collinge was locked in the projector-room by the builders, much to everyone's concern! He was rescued at length by Mr. Stuart. Our second show was unfortunate; we chose a particularly fine day just before the Whitsun holiday and the cornbination of circumstances brought our attendance down to 122 people and we sustained a slight loss on the show, “TheBlue Lamp”.

Shows will recommence in the Autumn, when the black-out will have been improved (we hope!) and the weather is less favourable to outside amusements. We do encourage you to attend and point out that, if more people come, better films can be hired.

D.W.C. (Sec.)

BEEKEEPING CLUB

The main object of the section is to introduce pupils to the fascinating and useful art of handling honey-bees. During last summer only eleven pupils came to the apiary for any instruction, and a mere half-dozen continued to be interested. To describe this as disappointing is an understatement, and further comment would serve no useful purpose.

The Apiary

The school bees have continued to flourish and to provide occasional general interest by swarming in inconvenient places. The 1960 honey crop was about half of the exceptional one of 1959.

School funds have benefitted considerably from the sale of honey, of which plenty is still available, price 3/6 per lb. from Miss Pocock.