MR. D'ARCY W. A. HUGHES, BA(Cantab.),

BA(London).

We record with sorrow the passing of the first Headmaster of our School, one who for 28 years "fathered" its growth and development; one who from the beginning guided the transformation of "The Grange" from a private residence into an up to date school, and, what is more, gave to its pupils the ideas and ideals implicit in a Grammar School education.

Mr. D'Arcy Hughes came to Exmouth in 1921, and on May 3rd he commenced his life's work as Headmaster of the newly formed Grammar School. He came in the prime of life, fresh from a Headmastership in Yorkshire, to bring fine gifts of scholarship and first class administrational ability. The School never checked in its forward march its growth was steady and continuous and Mr. Hughes was able to secure the addition of the Gymnasium in 1925, followed by the Woodwork, Domestic Science, and Art rooms, and finally in 1938 the New Building. The thriving Preparatory Department filled an important part in preparation for membership of the Senior School, but this valuable adjunct was "snuffed out" by the terms of the new Education Act in 1945 and the School was the poorer for its loss, as Mr. Hughes was the first to admit.

He will be remembered for the many facets of his character and interest. To many he was a martinet who set a high standard and would not move from it to others an Historian absorbed in the cycle of events, and the pattern of man's cultural progress to some, the President, who long after school days were over still kept a lively interest in the careers and lives of his old pupils to all pupils, past and present, the Headmaster who always demanded, expected, and believed, the best of each. The Staff saw him in a different relationship, one of firm friendliness, asking no more than he was always prepared to give, and setting a high standard of achievement in front of them, and ever encouraging those who may have been dismayed by his idealism. His devotion to School was a byword scarcely a day of any holidays passed without the Head being seen on the premises.

To him the School owes its beginnings, and its present virility, and at his passing we salute a great Headmaster, a great Teacher, and a great Friend.