SCHOOL SOCIETIES
MUSIC
AND DRAMA SOCIETY
For various reasons our intention of presenting "H.M.S.
Pinafore" in the Easter Term has not come to fruition. We have decided on
"Toad of Toad Hall" after a desperate search for a suitable play, and
we hope to be ready for performances by the second week of February. Many
members of staff and school are already working against time assisting with the
production of the play. What advantage of experience we had this year has been
more than counteracted by Asian 'flu, but, apart from the possibility of
further epidemics, we hope to present a play at least as entertaining as
"St. Joan". We have no doubt that support from the School will be as
readily forthcoming as it was last year.
COUNTRY
DANCE SOCIETY
This society meets fortnightly on Thursday evenings from 7.30
- 9.30 and is open to fifth and sixth formers and staff.
Five sessions have been held this term, all of which have proved
particularly popular, with an average attendance of some seventy dancers. Twenty-five
dances have been learnt, including square dances, Scottish jigs and reels and
some of the more popular old-time dances.
It has been indeed a pleasure to organise these dances, as
everyone taking part is so willing to learn and join in even the more difficult
dances. I would like to add a special thank-you to the 14 veterans of the sixth
forms who have been so helpful and patient when we have attempted the teaching
of new dances.
Wiggins, our Treasurer, has done a fine job of work in
getting the Society on its feet and has introduced the selling of drinks during
the interval, a real necessity when one realizes how warm one becomes after the
Eightsome Reel or Hullichan Roundabout.
We have been able to add to our record library by the purchase
of two long-playing records and have also purchased a tape on which Mr. Carswell
has recorded a number of dances.
S.J.F.
CHRISTIAN
UNION
During the summer term meetings were held regularly every
fortnight. We are grateful to Miss Tucker for operating the projector for us on
one occasion when we were able to borrow a projector on Scripture Union work in
Australia and New Zealand.
Also we organised a Brains Trust, at which the Headmaster
took the chair.
There has been difficulty in carrying on this term owing to
House games and the activities of the Music and Drama Society, but we hope to
be able to hold more meetings next term.
We would like to thank the members of staff who have given
us their support.
MARY A. PASSMORE, WINIFRED S. JONES.
SCHOOL
SAILING CLUB
During the season which finished at the end of September,
The success of the season can be judged from the records
which show that almost thirty people have sailed in the boat and we now have
nine people capable of taking the helm, whilst ten people have had considerable
experience of crewing and should
graduate to taking the helm
after a little more experience next season.
Our racing record is quite satisfactory, as we have obtained
first place in one series of races and second place in two other groups, which
has earned us prize money to the value of £3, which is being used to buy some
books on sailing, and also paints and varnish.
Although the sailing season is now closed until April, our
activities will continue on dry land as "Facta", now in winter
storage, will need cleaning, painting and varnishing, and the rigging and sails
require overhauling; and it is hoped that at occasional meetings useful topics
such as the theory of sailing, racing tactics, not to mention artificial
respiration, may be discussed and demonstrated.
New members are always welcome, there is no limit - we have
boys and girls, first formers to the sixth in fact, wasn't it a sixth former in the boat when she capsized and
the rudder was lost!
We must not forget to
thank the Exe Sailing Club for all their help and encouragement and also the
one or two stalwarts of the School Club who have given us the benefit of their
previous sailing experience by always being ready to help with the training of
new members and also by looking after the boat so well. Thank you, all!
G.H.
THE
POST WAR SOCIETY
The minds of all men and nations are being fascinated by
what science can do for material prosperity and progress. Are we in danger of
forgetting spiritual and moral values in addition to the graces of life?
The P.W.S. Conference in Exeter at the end of the Summer
Term tried to answer these questions in defining and suggesting the true place
of the Arts and Culture in life today.
After the service in the Cathedral which was addressed by
the Rev. W. Hammond Croft, Rector of Alphington, sixth formers from the Exeter
and District Schools assembled in the hall at Hele's School, for a talk by Mr.
Peter Cox, the Director of Dartington Hall.
It would be unfair to attempt a summary of this excellent talk, which contained so much sound reasoning, commonsense and advice on matters relating to the Arts and Culture generally.
Discussion groups were formed for the lunch break and the
afternoon session ended with a Brains Trust composed of Dr. R. C. Blackie,
Museum Curator, Mr. Peter Cox, Mr. Richard Hall, Director of Music at
Dartington Hall, Mr. Richard Haytor, representing Drama, Miss Roberts, of
Bishop Blackall School, and the Rev. W. H. Croft.
A sparkling team of personalities answered our questions,
both serious and gay, with professional knowledge, wit and skill.
The replies given by the team to the question, "Is modem
culture governed by 36-22-36?" should have been recorded!
It was certainly one of the most useful and entertaining
Conferences of recent years and was much enjoyed by Staff and pupils.
One of my tasks here in School is to try and encourage some
knowledge and understanding of the visual arts, and I would like to add a few
comments in view of the subject studied during the Summer Term.
It is quite untrue to suggest or imply in any way that there
is competition between the arts and sciences. A place must be found in
education and in adult life for both. Science is a part of our daily living
now, but not the whole of it. The Arts are not just a frill, but an absolute
necessity if we are to avoid mental ill health, and becoming only half
developed as men and women.
Take up something creative, something that will stimulate
your imagination and allay any frustrations, which can develop all too easily
in this modem nuclear age. But, do it yourself. Play something, act, paint,
travel, with a group if possible.
Don't be content just to look and listen in a passive
manner.
Perhaps my chief criticism of the majority of P.W.S. members
is their apparent inability to do anything about the Syllabus or subject for
study themselves.
It is a mistake to adopt the attitude that this work has
nothing to do with my education for a purpose, my vocational education. I doubt
whether P.W.S. subjects will help you to earn a living, but there is a vast difference
between making a living and learning to live a full life and attempting to
understand the many sidedness of human activities and life generally.
Some of our speakers are very good, instructive and stimulating,
others are men and women of experience who often need co-operation and help
by attention and interest given in return for their services.
Always remember you get out of any activity just as much as
you're prepared to put into it! Probably this question of service will arise
again.
The subject for this Autumn Term is "The Press", a subject of great interest and possibilities. This work will be reported in the next issue of " Exmothiensis ".
A new feature this term has been the formation of a Film Club,
which has so far held four shows with an average attendance of 60 - 70 people
each time. We try to make the programme as varied as possible, with feature
films, cartoons, and documentary films. In spite of the fact that next term
promises to be a busy one with the School play in February, we hope to hold
another three or four meetings, and of course our ambition is that one day the
films shown will be sound films and not silent.
The Railway Section has spent much of this term on a large
modernisation programme, installing electrically operated points and concealed
return loops so that the track can be made into the form of one continuous
track, although it looks as if it is a point to point layout. This will be a
big advantage at any future exhibition as continuous running will be possible
without any stopping to reverse the trains. A new stretch of hill scenery has
nearly been completed, together with the tunnel mouths for the track.
Members have also been engaged in helping to make some
properties for the next School play.
BEEKEEPING
SECTION
The weather at the beginning of the autumn term allowed a
few enthusiasts to continue practice manipulations and to find out the effects
of a few stings. Such practice will not be again possible the end of the spring
term at the earliest. Before then it is hoped to arrange a few talks.
The 1957 honey crop was approximately 100 lb. from two and a
half working stocks, an average of almost 40lb. per stock. This
is quite good for our working conditions in this locality.
It must be emphasised that the primary object of the beekeeping
section is to provide opportunities for beginners actually to handle small stocks,
and not to produce honey. It was one of these small stocks, which did
so well on half the usual number of brood combs, that it was given the chance
to work in a half-sized stock mentioned in a previous paragraph.
Part of the proceeds from the sale of honey of the 1956 and
1957 crops has been used to purchase more small hives and a honey tank, as well
as smaller items. Even so, £5 has been handed over to the School Club Fund, and
much of the 1957 crop is still to be sold.
The equipment (exclusive of the bees themselves) now possessed
by the Section would cost between £50 and £60 to buy new. Its second-hand value
is, of course, very much less.