County' High School for Girls Shaftesbury I 'I J I ,~ r! "i, " " l:lon sibi sed iJ11Inib11S" VOLUME 13 DECEMBER, 1950 County High School for Girls Shdftesbury MAGAZINE· VOL. 13 DECEMBER, 1950 CONTENTS 1. Editorial. 2. Developments. 3. Staff Notes. 4. Colonel Pearse. 5. Leaving Girls, 1949-50. 6. New Girls, 1949-50. 7. Examination Results. 8. School Notes. 9. 'House Reports. to. Games Report. 11. Dorset Folk Dancing Festival. 12. The School Council. 13. Social Service Committee Report. 14. The Boarders' Report. 15. Speech Day. 16. Shaftesbury and ·District Art Society. June, 1950. 17. The Dramatic Society. IS. Visits to the Theatre. 19.' Criticism of Plays at Stratfordon- Avon. 20. The Agamemnon of Aeschylus. 21. .. The Doctor's Joy" at Salisbury. 22. .. The White Devil." 23. Miss Thomas' Pantomime .. Dick \Vhittington." 24. Mll;sical Diary for 1949-S0. 25. .. Dido and Aeneas." 26. The Mock Election. 27. United Nations Day. 28. The Sixth Form Expedition to Lundy Island. 29. The Upper Fourth's Outing to the Pitt·Rivers Museum. 30. The School Bell. 31. The Upper Fifth's Nursing Course. 32. Magazine Parties. 33. .. My Visit to Dorchester." 34. .. Christmas in Nonvay." 35. •• My Visit to Windsor Castle." 36. •• 1\ly Favourite Books." 37. A Poem Inspired by an· Incident.. in a Biology and Art Examination. 3S. .. Fantasia on Strings." 39. •• Ineantatorio." 40. .. The Sea." 41. •• A School Alphabet." 42. .. The Holy Trinity." 43. .. Cherry Blossom." ,44. .. A Dark Thought." 45. .. Elegy to a Poet's Grave." 46. .. Autumn." 47. .. The Silver Moon." 48. .. Rain Drops," 49. Parents' Association Section. 50. Old Girls' Section. Page One the nlore unusual athletic clubs I have joined :is the" Fencing.:' At the.momen't this consists mostly of doing exercises and holding foils, etc." bu~ in time-we hope to be' able to fight in earnest. 0.(;.1\. LifeStibscfiptions sine~ December, '1949., Ayers, JimCt, West Ena' House. Mere. Baker, Patricia (nee Talbot). 9 Dennis Lane, Ludwcll. Blake, Jean, 9, Chigwcll ~oad.,Bournemoilth. . .Brachcr. ~renda. 'logs F<;irm. Fovant, Wilts. Hull. Thclma, lOS,-Court Street, Tisbury. 'Lay,-'Miss J:', 130.Woodlands ftvenu Farm•• Shaftcshiin". -Coombs • .Marian, Green Lane; Ashmore~ .. . Coombs, Dorothv;Grcen Lane, Ashmore. ' Coombs, (:;.rncc:Green UUlf", Asnmore: - Cox, Audrcy. The Rising Sun, palisbury Road, Shaftcshury. Dowland, June, Ash Tree Cottage. Cann Common, Shaftesbury. Edmonds. Jennifcr. 102, King's .Han,Ro~d,.Beckenham,.Kent. Edmonds. Pauline, 102, King's'Hall Road. Bcckcnll'am.,Kent. Gray,' ·l\1argarct; 20. Gold -Hill, S~aftesbliry .,_ . Har~ing. Margaret., Mill House Lodg~. Swallowclific. \Vilts. Lee. Dorothy, Parsons Pool, Shaftesb!lry." Miles, Heatlier,'Baifoots"Farm; M~lbuiy Abbas. Dorset. Qi.vton, Mary. Littlc-Moorgreen Farm. .....\Vest End, Southampton. Pull, Alice, 22 Bell Street, Shaftesbury. Riches, Janet. North Lodge, Newtown, Tisbury. 'Vilts. Top"p•• Mildred"The Knapp, A~yedis~on, Wilts. Tucker, Yvonne, HUlcote, Manor Road, Salisbuiy. Vernon, Diana, Maddoxford Farm, Boorley Green, Br. Botlev. ~i \Vest. Hazel (nee Clarke), Hawksdene Lane, Shaftesbury. . White, Diana, .. Winterton ," 6 Laytop Lane, Shaftesbu~y. ".I• Willis, Olive. Coppice Street, Shaftesbtiry0> '~ Wri,ght, Barbar~. 78 'Vyndha~m Road~,Sa1isburyo • Change of ~ddress. ~t will-be ~"great help in the efficient ru\lning ofthe O.G.A.. if m~mbers .,vill kindly report changes of address"to tlie Secretaries and ',als9 pay (\nn~.'!-l subscriptiolls. which are· due, at. tlie. Annual Dinner in Novembe.,-promptly. , -1. 'T. H. Brlcktll & Son, Ltd., 'The BI~ckmore Pren. Glllln,ham. Dorset SCHOOL OFFICIALS, 1950. , , MAGAZINE COMMITTEE. Editor Jean Nathan. ,. Sub·Editors Mary Lockyer, Molly Burden, lIIargaret Samson. PREFECTS. Head Girl: Jean Nathan. ,- Prefects: P. Galliver, P. Cherbury, D. Pickford, B. Smales, 111. Stainer, M. Lockyer, E. Coombs, 111. Porter, K. Stone. FORM CAPTAINS. ) UpperV. Lower V.!. Ann Brooksl Josephine Humphries. ", LowerV.2. Ann Green. Upper IV. Eileen Parsons. Lower IV. Joyce Stone: Ill. .... Shirley Gray. B Page Three EDITORIAL . .. Per varios casus, per tot discrimina ~crum tcndimus in 4tium, sedcs ubi fata quictas ostendunt.'· Virgil. • The Aeneid,' Book Onc. As the years go by, we tend to look back and compare the incidents in our School life in, perhaps, 1946, with those of today. Volume Nine of our School Magazine, and scarcely thick enough to be described as a volume, records the beginnings of very many every·day occurrences in our school life, which today we take for granted. We read that a two year course had just been begun by the Sixth Form; that the leading in to Prayers was done in silence instead~of with commands; that each week a different form took it in turns to provide flowers for the Hall. All these things are accepted as part of our normal routine today, although they were novelties when they were first introduced, and perhaps caused some stmin and hardship to those who were first affected by' them. Ifwe could look into the future in the same way as we can look back into the past, it is likely, even probable, that we should find ourselves in very much,the same position as when we compare the past with the present. All the difficulties and problems of our School life this year, particul.arly during the Christmas Term: all the worries over inadequate space, and the unavoidable disturbance of the workmen building the new Lab., the inconvenience of having one path put permanently out of use, and having the other one temporarily unusable; the waste of precious Schooltime for girls travelling to and from Gillingham Grammar School; all these things will settle down into their right perspective: some will disappear, and others will be taken for granted in the same way that the novelties of 1946 are now taken for granted. When we have our new Lab., and when some of the boarders move into Barton Hill House, there will De other difficulties, no doubt, but we shall have overcome' those that seem so pressing today, and we shall be able to tackle the new problems with a greater zeSt for our experience in 1950. In the meantime, we must continue to improve our scholastic • and moral standards so that we may enter the New School in the distant future having obtained as near perfection-as is possible. " Through varied fortune, through so many crises of fate, we direct our course to where the fates hold out for us a peaceful dwelling place." (A translation of the quotation from Virgil above). A SPECIAL REQUEST TO CONTRIBUTORS. The Mag'lzine seems to be particularly serious this year. Perhaps it is inevitable that the problems of the School should be reflected in the mood in which visits to the theatre and musical Page Four outings are recorded, but please may wc have lesS ponderous writing in the future? 'What is the matter with the way you speak, provided that it is grammatical? Would you use some of 'these stilted phrases if you had been asked to give a talk on the subject? Surely not! The m.ost interestingly written articles in the lIIagazine arc those by the younger members of the School, who have not yet had , I time to base'their style on the more laboured 'yriting of the Seniors. Wc should like to recommend to all future contributors a publica lion called "'Plain Words," issued by His Hajesty's Stationery Office. DEVELOPMENTS. Last year when I wrote my article for the· Magazine the uncer tainty of onr future still, overshadowed ns though already the horizon seemed less dark, bnt now the future is bright with hope. There can never have been a year of snch rapid change in the history of the School. . During the snmmer holidays the work of reconstruction on the main building was begnn. Two windows were cut in the Parsons Pool ,vall of the old dining-room, and the cubicles, were removed from the room above it. When the decoration of these was completed they were transformed into two of the most attractive form-rooms ,in School. An extra window was also cut in the Parsons Pool wali of each of the form-rooms in the new building, so that they are now considerably lighter. When the two new form-rooms were in use we could vacate the small room opening out of the far end of the Hall, and also the first one along the passage, and, the work was begnn of knocking down the wall between the two rooms, and also the outer wall of the School and extending this new room six feet out into 'the garden. The exterior work is already complete and we hope by the Spring to have an up-ta-date General Science Laboratory in use. Meanwhile we heard the good news that the Dorset authority' had bought Barton Hill House, Mr. Barley's old hoIlie, opposite to the Recreation Ground, as our second boarding-house. The hut in the garden there, which was Mr. Barley's billiard-room, is to be converted into two rooms and wc hope to have these'in use ,as an art-room and a form-room for next summer term. Some alterations are needed iit the house,. but the plan is that these should be com pleted and the house furnished ready to open in September, 1951. On September'29th, 1950, the site for the new school in Win combe Lane came into the possession of the Dorset County Council. Many years must elapse before we can hope for the new building to arise there, but meanwhile it can be used as a playing-field: There is room for four pitches there. Wc shall keep two for our own use, while a hockey and a football pitch will be available for the use of other schools in the town. We had hoped to use the field for Page Five the first time for the Old Girls' match but that proved impossible and now we are looking forward to using it in the Spring Term. In July our last set of givls sat for the Oxford School Certificate Examination. There were twenty candidates, the largest number we have ever entered, and to our joy all twenty.were successful. This year ,ve are preparing for the Cambridge General C.ertificate of Education, because we are now sharing Sixth Form work with Gillingham Grammar School and must, therefore, take the same examination. During the last year the request has come from several quarters that we should have a School crest of our own. After several months of exploring possibilities we asked Lady Stalbridge and the Countess of Sliaftesbury if they would allow us to adopt the Grosvenor family's coat of arms" the Sl)eaf of Corn, as our crest, and they very kindly gave their consent. This has a double significance for us now. There has been a school in Grosvenor House for over 200 years and also·the Sheaf of Corn is carved in stone over the main door . of Barton Hill House. Our new crest, ''incorporating our motto U Non sibi sed omnibus," is being designed for us now and we hope that it will come formally into use in the near future. Such a period of rapid development is a testing time for any school. Are we big enough for the opportunities that lie before us ? This material development is valueless unless it is accompanied by a.spiritual growth which will enable us to rise to·our opportunities. This year of expansion should be a challenge to us all to .. walk worthily of the vocation to which we are called." M. K. Dunford. STAFF NOTES. Wc should like to thank lI~iss .Piggott most sincerely for her generous service to the staff, as second mistress from Easter, 1946, until Easter, 1950. I: Last term we had to say goodbye to Miss .Rhodes. We wish ~~ her every happiness in her future married life. Miss Crow came to us in September and she has settled in very quickly. We hope she will be very.happy with us. It was with real regret that we heard of the sudden death of Colonel Pearse. We miss him very much. Miss Ginesi, from Salisbury Art School, now comes each Tuesday to take Art classes in the upper School. Miss lIIcGill is with us each Friday, to teach the violin. We welcome them both. We were grateful to Miss Verinder for-coming from Gillingham during the first half of the term to take Domestic Science here. We are glad for her sake that the building at Gillingham is now complete. . We should like to congratulate Miss Woodman on her engage ment. Page Six We should also like to congratulate Miss Ne,vton on her own engagement to the Reverend Dennis Lawson and to wish her much happiness in her married life. LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ROMBULOW-PEARSE. On Friday, October 6th, Col. Pearse called at School to bring the picture he was giving as an art prize which was to be presented at Speech Day on the following Wednesday. He seemed his usual cheerful self, so· that it was a shOck to us all when we heard that he had died suddenly on the following· Sunday. We remember with gratitude all that he has done for the School. He came to help us as visiting Art lIIaster at a time when it seemed impossible to find anyone who could take on the work in Art in the senior forms. For three years he has given us loyal service without ever sparing his-time or his energy. We are glad that one of his pupils, lIIarion Bright, is training now to be a teacher of Art, and that we have a permanent memori,li of him. The five picture-frames which hang in the passage outside the office were the leaving gift of his wife, but the idea was his, and he took pride in keeping ·the frames freshly filled with the best work in Art that the School could produce. We extend our deep sympathy to Mrs. Pearse and her son and daughter in their bereavement. lII. K. Dunford. LEAVING GIRLS, 1949-50. Autu~n Term, 1949 Spring Term, 1950. Form L.VI. M. Harding. A. Stainer. Form L.V.2 B. Knapton. Form U.V. R. HatherJey. Form U.IV. D. Hall. Form U.IV. T. \Vright. Form L.IV. M. AIDer, S. Applin. Form L.IV. L. Emblin. A. Reberts. Summer Term, 1950. ' Form VI. D. Lee. H. Miles, J. Ayers, M. Gillings, S. Ludlow, D. Sidford. ~ Form U.V. J. Bcacham. D. Blandford. B. Bracher. J. Gcoge, T. Hull, J. Purver, J. Riches, P. TalOot.· Form L.V.2. J. Bartley, R. Holloway, C." Letchford, 1. Pnlmer, S. Pitman, M. Topp. Form U.IV J. Brooks. ForroL.IV. J. l\Iuzeen. . Form HI. M. Blandford, C. Tuffin. NEW GIRLS, 1950. Spring Term, 1950. Present Form Previous School J. Cardncll L.V.l. Brentwood County High School. N. El!ord L.V.2. GiUingham Secondary Modern School. Y. l\Iorgan .... U.IV. Shafteshury Secondary l\~odern School. J. Whitmnrsh U.IV. Roscbery County Grammar School. J. Godfrcy L.IV. Shaftcsbury Secondary Modern School. P. HiltOD L.IV. Blandford Grammar School. Page Seven Autumn Term, 1950. R. Hallett J. Goddard E. Brooks S.Barr M. Bartlett V. Behan M. Cole L. Collis M. Coombs J. eox S. Cross S. Culverhouse J. Dawling •... I. Dean R. Gibbs A. Godeseth. S. Gray M. Green J. Hayt"r S. Hiscock B. Mercer J. Mooros P.O'Shea R. Philllj>s D. Pitman J. Priddle B. Price> J. Rideout S. Ridout B. Salisbury .... J. Salisbury J. Sidford M. Toogood M. -\ViIliams L.VI. U.IV. U.IV. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. Ill. St. Alban's Grammar School. 'Rosebery Courity Grammar·School. Bournemouth School for Girls. Arnc Stoborough C. of E. School. Iwcrne Minster C. of E. School. LudweU' Council School. . Shaftcsbury C. of E. School. Shaftesbury C. of E. School. East Orchard C. of E. School. StoUl Provost Council School. Kilmington Council School. Guildford High School. St. John's C. of E. School. 'Veymouth. East Knoyle C. of E. School. Alccstcr St. J ames C. of E.• Shaftesbury. Semley C. of E. School. Cann Primary School. StOUl Provost Council School. Enmorc Green Council School. Ludwell Council School. "Berwick St. John C. of E. School. Enmore Green Council School. Enmore Green Council School. Shaftesbury C. of E. School. l\Ianston C. of E. School. Ebbesbaurne 'Vake C. of E. School. Broadchalke C. of E. School. Ashmore Primary School. FontmeUl\fagoa 'Primary School. Motcombe Primary School: Motcombe Primary School. Broadchalkc, C. of E. School. Ashmore Primary School. l\fotcombe Primary School. EXAMINATION RESULTS. OXFORD SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION December. 1949: Ruth Hatherley. ,OXFORD SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION. July. 1950. Jean Beacham. Mary Orman. Diana Blandford. Mary,Perry. Brenda Bracher. l\lonica. Porter. !\lolly Burden Jennifer Purver. Esme Coombs. Janet Riches. Joy Freeman. l\Iargaret Samson. Janette Geoge. Kathleen Stone. Ann Huby. Pamela Talbot. Thelma Hull. Valerie Wheeler. ,Rosemary J\Iorgan. Audrey 'Vilkins. GENERAL SCIENCE ADDED TO PREVIOUS CERTIFICATE. Janet Ayers. Page Eight ; BIOLOGY ADDED TO PREVIOUS CERTIFICATE. Jean Nathan. ENTRANCES TO TRAINING .COLLEGES. Entrance to Salisbury Training CoUege, Dorothy Lee. Entrance to the City of Coventry Training College, Heather l\filcs. SCHOOL NOTES. One afternoon'last January, we had some interesting films given by Cadbury's. After an introductory'talk, we saw three delightful films about Sicily, the growing of Cocoa beans in Trinidad and the making of pottery. The International Wool Secretariat sent a lecturer to give a talk on "Wool." He also shewed us some instructive films. Miss Genge visited us in the Summer Term'and interested the senior girls very much. She divided the girls into three groups according to whether their main interests lay with people, out-ofdoor life or things; and then told them of various careers appertaining to each group, such as being an Almoner, work in Horticulture or with the B.B.C. Private interviews were given after the talk. The police checked' bicycles and gave a talk on " Safety First." This was illustrated by very clear pictures. • The winners of the competition for the posters for" Dido and Aeneas " were Diana J ohnson in the senior section and J anet Cox in the Junior Section. The TidinesS Trophy was won by L,ower V.2. in the Spring Term and by Lower V.2. in the Summer Term. Lower V.!. were the winners of the Form Magazine Competition. The Deportment Shield has been won each time by the Sixth Form. , . We had a very generous and much appreciated gift of books for our School Library from Miss Lucas. We now have a small exhibition of School Art in the corridor outside the Office. The' frames were given us by Mrs. Pears". The school fihn is growing steadily. This year ~Iiss Moore has added shots of the dining-hall. nliss Rhodes has presented the school with a Bible, and Mrs. Weir, one of the governors, has very kindly given each member of the Sixth Form a copy of a book of poems written by her son, who was killed in the war. BARNES' HOUSE REPORT. For the second year-running, Barnes is to be congratulated on attaining the position of " Top House" and for winning the Tennis Match Cup. Page. Nine Thrqughout the year, there have been very few debits, and those chiefly for carelessness in written work, which we'must all make an effort to avoid. Unfortunately, we did not achieve the Sports Cup, and were heaten by both Hardy and Wren in the hockey matches. In the coming year we must make a greater effort on the Sports field, and also gain as many credits as possible to retain the position of "Top House." Mary Stainer, Upper Sixth. HARDY HOUSE CUP. For Hardy House, Sports Day was a red-letter day. For the second time in·succession, we gained the Sports Cup, and in addition on this oC"",?ion, the three individual Sports Cups. It was a great disappointment to be beaten once more, by only a few points, by Bames for th,e Champion House Cup. The House welcomes all its new members, and hopes, with their support to carry off all the honours this .year. Pamela Cherbury, Upper Sixth. WREN HOUSE REPORT. As this is the beginning of a new school year I should like to welcome all new members of " Wren House." I hope they will help to reverse our position of U Bottom House" to a more worthy onc. Fortunately, we have some successes to record. The House hockey matches were played in very bad weather, but this seemed to suit Wren players and we gained a victory over our opponents, thus winning the cup. I take this opportunity, on behalf of the House, to congratulate S. Zinkova on winning the Intermediate Tennis Tournaments, and also the :Wren runners-up in both the Senior and Junior Tournaments. We hope that by'the next edition of this magazine, Wren will be in a more favoura,ble position so " Good Luck, Wren, for the coming year." . Daphne Pickford (House Captain), Upper Sixth. GAMES REPORT. Tennis. Although the weather for the tennis season was not '!5 good as it might have been, only two of our matches had to be cancelled, and one ailandoned after about half·an-hour's play. There were no new members to the team and I think we benefited a great d~al from this. All the team were keen and gave 'their opponents good games throughout the season. Page Tm ;. Teams: 1st Couple: M. Stainer and J. Purver. 2nd Couple: D. Pickford and S. l...udlow. Srd Couple: J. Ayers (captain) and C. r.etchford. Tournaments: SeniQr: .... M. Stainer; Runner-up, C. Letchford; J. Purvcr. Intermediate: S. Zinkova: Runner-up: M. Guy. Junior: A. Hitchings; Runner-up: E. Parsons. Tennis Colours were awarded to :-Janet Aycrs, Stella Ludlow and Cynthia r.etchford. Hockey Colours were awarded 10 :-Janet Aycrs and Jennifcr Purvcr. Double Colours were awarded to :-Mary Stainer. Daphnc Pickford (1949). Janct Ayers, and Stella Ludlow. MATCHES. June 2nd. June Srd. June 10th. June 24th. July 1st. July 8th. July 22nd. \Vith St. Mary's Convent .". (morning) With St. MODica's (evenitig)~With the Old Girls \Vith Blandford "\Vith GilIingham With St. Mary's Convent \Vith Lord Digby's \Vith GiIlingham (away) (homc) (bomc) (away)' (home) (home) (home) (away) , .... Lost. Won. \Von. \Von. 'Von. Won. Lost. Play abandoned. Hockey. As it is so eariy in the season, only two 1st XI matches. have been played, and one" under fifteens" XI match. As the half-term was longer than usual it meant that we could· not have matches on the two Saturda,ys o'i. the holiday. Our team travelled to Bournemouth and competed in Dorset hockey tournaments, and although we didn't do very well, I feel valuable experience was gained. We have six new members to the team, and I think that they are playing \~ell and deserve their place in the team. Team, 1950: G.K. A. Brooks. L.W. B. Digby. L.B. le Stone. • L.I. D. Pickford (Captain). RB. 1\[. Burden. C. F. M. Stainer. L.H. V. Wheeler. RI. A. \Vilkins. C.H. J. Hatherley. RW. P. Galliver. RH. P. Cherbury. MATCHES. October 7th. With Btandford .". .". (away) Lost. November. 11th. twith Old Girls , .". ".. (a\vay), Lost. November 18th. '\Vith Sturminster Newton (juniors) \Von. Junior Team: G.K. V. Hardy.• . L:W. ~i. Guy . L.B. M. Morris. L.1. N. Talbot. .R.B. V. Sharp. C.F. J. Humphries (captain). L.H. R. Burden. RI. A. Hitchings. C.H. W. Case. RW. J. Dibbcn. RH. J. Fursey. Page Eleven Sports Day. As seems the custom here, Sports Day dawned in a heavy mist. As the day continued, conditions did not improve, but the sports were held. In spite of this, records were set up for the high-jump events; the intermediate result being five inches higher than last year. The Cups were presented by the Mayoress, fi[rs. WiIIiams. RESULTS. Competition. Won by Runner·up. Wormald House Sports Cup Hardy Barnes. Senior Sports Championship . . ... S. Sidford M. Hull. ; Intermediate Sports Championship M.Guy J. Dibbcn. Junior Sports Championship .... 'c. Titt C. Humble. Y. Morgan. House Hockey Cup Wren. I;!ouse Tennis Cup .... Bames. After the sports, a P.T. Display was held on the tennis court. The performers were taken from every part of the school, including the third form. ' Praise and thanks are due to Miss H.andford who worked .very hard to make Sports Day and the P.T. Display a memorable event. Swimming. . Again. this year we were unable to' include swimming in our time-table as, owing to the water shortage, the bath ,vas unable to be filled. ' DEPORTMENT STARS. Aittumn Term, 1949. L.V.2 C. Lctchford. L.IV. it Bradford. A. Hitchings ... Spring Term, 1950. Summer Term, 1950. U.VI. P. Galliver. U. V. E. Coombs. U.V. J. Beacham. K. Stone. J. Riches. , • L.IV. C. Titt. L.V. D. Bowden. -1\1. 'ViIson. u.rv. M.Guy. D. Holloway. L.rV. S. Shcpphard. J. \Vhitmarsh. Ill. J. Stone. Ill. J. Hutley. S. 'Voodhcad S. Clarke. Daphne Pickford, Upper S!xth. THE DORSET FOLK DANCING FESTIVAL On Friday, June 30th, Lower V and Lower V.2 went to Bovington Camp, accompanied by Miss Handford, for a folk dancing festival. Page Twelve . . When we arrived there, there were many other schools also arriving. The edge of the field was spaced out and one part allotted to each school. At about 2.30 everybody lined up for the March Past led by Bovington School. Brigadier Harding took the salute. After this, everybody joined in the first dance and then the seniors and juniors danced alternately and sometimes together. At about 4.30 everybody joined in the last dance and then the National Anthem was played. Brigadier Harding was thanked for lending the field for this pnrpose.. Everbody went back to their coaches and travelled home fe~ling that thev all had enjoyed the day very much. Jane Rushforth, Upper V. THE; SCHOOL COUNCIL. The first meeting of the School Council for the School Year, 1950-51 is due to take place a very few days after this number of our Magazine goes to press. We look forward to seeing how newlyelected members will acquit themselves and help shape the policy and corporate life of the School. . In retrospect it can be recorded that the Council has gained by experience during the past year and has handled very ai?ly matters that have come up for discussion and decision. The granting of certificates to be kept permanently by winners of cups is a case in point. When cups are surrendered after a given length of time, the holders now still retain some evidence of their honour. The purchase of a ship's bell and a visit by one form to the Pitt-Rivers .Museum were both partly the outcome of deliberations in Council. But one of the pleasantest daily reminders we have in School of the functioning of .our Council is the reproduction of Sisley's .. Canal du Loing" that hangs in our hall. The Council, having agreed upon the purchase of an additional picture, set up a permanent Picture Committee, comprising one member of staff and two girls, to select and recommend one or more reproductions for the Council's final approval or choice. One cannot imagine anything more delightful than the picture we have in consequence. If the Council and its Committees are as wise and happy in each future choice as they have been in this one, School will verily have cause for gratitude to them. G. M. Piggott. THE SOCIAL SERVICE COMMITTEE REPORT. Last year, at the end of the Autumn Term, we sold seals for the National Society for the Prevention of Tuberculosis. We sent clothing parcels to Europe and also contributed toys, which after Page Thirteen being pl'aced beneath the school Christmas tree, were sent to Clouds home for young children. We supported a number of causes during the year, some of them being the National Society for ;Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Pestalozzi Children's Village Association, and the British Empire Leprosy Relief Association. The amount collected for these causes was £5 17s. Od. We are selling seals, for the same cause, again this year, and are also sending clothes abroqd. We hope to collect Toys in the same way as last year. V. Sharp (Secretary), Lower V.!. BOARDERS' REPORT. During the past year we have had one change in our staff. Our Matron, Miss Hall left and in her place we welcome Miss Beaumont. Stella Ludlow left at the end of the Summer Term and is now at Salisbury Arts Theatre. At the same time J ennifer Purver and Ann Green left. Jennifer is taking up floral decoration and Ann is now a day-girl. In their places we welcome P. Hi!ton, R. Tyler, L. Wheller, J. Dawlings and A. Barr. . During the past year, the boarders played the day-girls at both hockey and tennis. The hockey-match resulted in a draw but the tennis-match was won by the boarders. We have also had some additions to the boarding-house in the way of pets. During the Summer Term two white mice were the only pets, but they have since been joined by a tortoise, two rabbits, two goldfish and another mouse. Unfortunately, the House cat was run over during half-term or we should have had quite a menagerie. We have been to the Cinema several times and have especially enjoyed the films" filaytime in Mayfair" and" Passport to Pimlico." At Christmas we sa,? "The fiIikado," and " It pays to Advertise, and i!l the New Year the play" Knight's Move:: This, with our usual picnics and Christmas entertainments has made a very full and interesting year for the boarders. . Daphne Pickford (Head Boarder). SPEECH DAY. 1950. We have often been fortunate in having speakers on Speech Day who have given us something to ponder over afterwards. This year, Sir Robert Wood had many stimulating thoughts to share with us, while Miss Dunford, as usual, offered several constructive ideas to the parents. After a few friendly introductory remarks, the Chairman of the Governors, Mrs. Pearson, supported by the 1\Iayor and Mayoress, Mr. Farley Rutter and Mr. J. D. Chesterfield, asked the Headmistress to give her report. Miss Dunford spoke of the recon~truction work on the school Pag~ Fourteen ~\. ·i ~ , . , ------. building.s and of the acquisition of Barton Hill House, which, she hoped, would be ready for use as a Boarding House in September, 1951. Speaking of the cultural life of the school, Miss Dunford mentioned tbe wide variety of lectures, concerts and visits that had been held during the past year and pointed out that these had been achieved without any lowering of the academic standards of the school, for all the' twenty candidates who had entered for the Oxford School Certificate Examination had been successful. Miss Dunford ended her remarks by asking all parents who were still troubled about examinati9n problems, to come and share them at the termly Parents' Association meetings. Sir Robert Wood, Principal of Qniversity College, Southampton, presented the prizes and certificates and then addressed the girls and their parents. He stressed the need for acquiring a variety of interests that would enable girls to amuse themselves and others. In this age of substitutes and of u!ility standards, Sir Robert urged, there is a greater peed th"n ever for quality in all that is done. . After Mr. Farley Rutter had proposed a vote of thanks to Sir Robert Wood, a short concert, consisting of verse speaking by the Junior and Senior Choral Speaking Chlc. .nIr. H. J. HiDe. Mrs. M. Weir. Science Music Art Pamcla Chcrbury. Mary Orman Jean Beacham. Mr. G. B. Vaile. Speech and Dr<,!ma General Knowledge: Janette Gcnge Stella Ludlow Col. Rombulow-Pearse. Miss E. Moore. Senior Junior l\Iary Stainer. Mary \Vilson. • , Form Prizes. UppcrV. Manie Burden. Lower VI. Deirdre l\IacLcan. LowcrV.2. Joan l\fatthews. Upper IV. Ruth Burden. l\Iary Morris. Lower IV. Jean' Drew. Ill. Marion \Vorthington. Page Fif1e.en Prizes jor SPecial Progress: Giflof UpperV..... Esme Coombs Mrs. N. H. Nicholls. Lower VI. Judy Hathcrlcy Mrs. N. H. Nicholls. Lower V.2." .. Sheila Read: Upper IV..... Margaret Guy. Lower IV. Ruth Bartlett. Ill. Joy Godfrcy. Guildhall School of Music and Drama Certificates. Choral Speaking "" Advanced Grade Senior Choir (with merit). Speech and Drama Grade V. Ann Brooks, Ann Huby (with merit), Stella Ludlow. Grade IV. Weody Case, Dorothy Lee (with merit). Sooja Zinkova (with merit)'. Grade Ill. Sally Jeffreys (with merit), Beryl Knapton, Margaret Stone, Audrey Wilkins. Grade H. Davina Davis, Thelma Hull. Grade 1 "" Gillian Gowen, Virginia Hardy. Oxford School Certificate. December. 1949. Ruth Hatherley. July. 1950. Jean Beacham, Diana BlandCord, Brenda Bracher. Molly Burden, Esme Coombs. Joy Freeman, Janette Geoge, Ann Huby. Thelma Hull. Rosemary Morgan, Mary Orman. Mary Perry. Monica Porter. JenniCer Purver. Janct Riches, l\Iargarct Samson, Kathlecn Stone, Pamela Talbot. Valeric \Vheelcr. Audrey 'VjJkins. Champion House Cup :-Barnes. Head Girl's Award Patricia Galliver The Gift oC Mrs. R. Pearson SHAFTESBURY and DISTRICT ART SOCIETY. Jnne, 1950. The High School made a very satisfactory contribution to the success of the Junior' exhibit~on, the first of its kind to be held in Shaftesbury. Twenty-seven exhibits were entered, of which twenty-~,-; one were hung, the remaining six being" crowded out" for want of space. The exhibits consisted of imaginative compositions, flower drawings, and designs for lettering, book jackets, fabrics and wall papers. Though the amount of space taken up by these exhibits " was small, they showed maturity of expression, and their execution left little to be desired. • Among the works calling for special comment was Mary Lockyer's highly imaginative composition, " Bebop " in which her sense of rhythm and the delicate contrast of colour made up a most satisfying picture that captured and held the attention. In her· panel decoration, "\Vinter and Spring," the two seasons were skilfully contrasted by a very subtle use of colour. This work merited a better position than that given to it in' the exhibition. Janette Genge's imaginative compositions in charcoal showed her wide range of imagina~ion. her" Moonlight" and" nlidsummer Pag~ Sixteen ----;---------------------~- Night's -Dream" showing charm without "sweetness" al)d her " Hurry up I ,He's waiting for breakfast" the vigour which the subject demanded. . Jean Beacham's "AnemoD.!'S" was quite the best flower study . in the Exhibition showing a close observation of flower forms. Of the designs, Mavis Goodfellow's fabric design in a pleasing range of yellows a!,d. browl)s earned favourable comment by at least one A.R.C.A., and Josephine Humphries' design for a nursery wall paper •received an appreciative mention in the local paper. Botli of these were particularly good efforts. The younger members of the school sent in a wide range of subjects. The outstanding work was Pat Sidford's " Washing Day" in which a sense of light and shade is very marked ·in the figure. The freshness of her brush work seemed so very suitable for such a subject as washing day. The full list of exhibitors to the Junior Exhibition is as follows:-~ VI. FORM. Panel Decoration .. Winter and Spring" .... i\!ary Lockyer. Decoration Mary Lockyer. Imaginative Composition Bcpop" Mary Lockyer. H UPPER V. Imaginative Composition .. Moonlight .. Janette Genge . .. Hurry up I He's waiting for breakfast .. Janette Geoge . .. i\Iidsum~er Night's Dream .... Janette Genge. ff The Party Frock .. Janette Geoge. Flower Study in pencil .. Anemones .. Jcan Beacham. Design for a school table cloth Valerie Wheeler. Fabric design ... . Mavis Goodfellow. Fabric design ... . Brenda Bracher. Design in lettering ' .... Esme Coombs. LOWERV. Design for a book jacket Josephine Humphrics. Design for a Nursery wan paper Josephine Humphries. Abstract design Cyothia Letchford. UPPER IV.1. Design for a school table cloth June Geoge. Design for a school table cloth Ann Brooks. Design in lettering Jane Rushforth. Design for a book jacket l\Iary Gatehouse. Decorative Panel June Genge. LOWER IV.1. Design in lettering Julia Dibben. Design for a frock pattern Jill Cardnell. Design for a book jacket Christine Alford. Design for a book jacket .... Valerie Sharp. Design .... Moreen Elford. Design for a nursery frieze Valeric Sharp. FORM Ill. Design .... .... . ... Christine Titt. Imaginative composition .. 'Vashing Day" Pat Sidford. A.s.R.P. Page Seventeen THE DRAMATIC SOCIETY. During the Spring Term, the three groups of the Society practised for the competition held in connection with the Speech and Drama Festival at the end of the term. Stella Ludlow's group was placed first for a very entertaining and well-produced effort. The hours spent in learning how to do theatrical make-up were well rewarded later in the year when several girls helped lvIrs. Gent j~.", to U make-up H the characters in H Dido and Aeneas." , U'-~ This term we have been rehearsing a'Nativity Play which ,ve are giving at the end of the term. VISITS TO THE THEATRE DURING 1950. Although Shaftesbury is so far from any cultural centre, we have had several opportunities I'\tely to educate ourselves dramatically. In the Spring Term, a party of Sixth Form girls, accompanied by Miss Piggott and Miss Woods, saw 1Ilichael Redgrave's ",Hamlet" at the New Theatre. , In the Summer Term, a group of girls saw a performance of the "Agamemnon" of Aeschylus by the Balliol Players in the Bailey at Old Sarum, and in the same terni, the winners of the Dramatic Society's competition saw" Doctor's Joy" at the Arts Theatre in Salisbury. The expedition to Stratford has been the chief event for play goers this term. Here thirteen girls saw" Lear," Julius Caesar U 11 and" Measure for Measure." A few sixth form girls also saw "The White Devil" while, recently, Upper IV enjoyed a visit to the Pantomime of "Dick Whittington" given by the Amersham Players in Shaftesbury. We have had one sQow in school, that of Clifford Heap's puppets, which was very'much appreciated. He shewed us" The Tinderbox." The scenery was excellent and the puppets very well dressed and ,~ manipulated. {f CRITICISMS OF PLAYS AT STRATFORD-ON-AVON. This year the party-that went to Stratford-an-Avon were lucky enough to see three plays at the'Memorial Theatre. The first play that we saw was" King Lear " produced by J aim Gielgud and Anthony Quayle. The play, as a whole, was very good. Gielgud took the part of Lear and made him suitably pathetic at the cnd, but at the beginning his approach to some of his speeches was a little disturbing. However, he convinced onc that he was not one of today's leading actors but a rather forlor/! and pathetic old gentleman. There was nobody of really outstanding merit except Alan Badel who played the Fool. Although this part is not Page !iightecn very large it is an -exa~ting one and Badel really .. got into" ilis character. Unfortunately one or two of the actresses had rather obvious stage voices but their parts were not large enough really to affect the play. The costumes and the scenery were excellent and the effects in the storm scene were most effective. I enjoyed this play very much . .. Measure for DIeasure," produced by Peter Brook, was far better than either of the other plays we saw. Gielgud was better suited to Angelo than to Lear and he acted well. Isabella, played by Barbara Jefford was quite up to the standard that he set and the rest of the characters were well suited to their parts. This time the outstanding actor was George Rose as a very lively Pompey. The play was essentially light-hearted and the actors appeared to be enjoying themselves. I was most impressed by this very detailed and excellent production. The last play that we saw" Julius Caesar" was, I thouglit, disappointing. Harry Andrews took the part of Brutus and if his intention was -to portray him as a moody, handsome character, he certainly succeeded. One could allow oneself to be persuaded that. his intentions were" purely honourable," however, and !te brought the part off quite well. Anthoily Quayle was well cast as Antony and performed very well. The crowd scenes were well done and the speech .. Friends, Romans, Countrymen" was effectively drowned by the cries of a mob of some fifty people ..Gwen Ffrang90n Davis was an irrit'fting, old, Portia and-I thought that she was mis-cast. On the whole the plays were very good and'l-am most grateful for having been able to see some of today's leading actors in the very excellent s~tting of one of the world's best theatres. Ann Huby, Lower, VI. THE "AGAMEMNON" OF AESCHYLUS. This was the first time-that I had seen a Greek play acted in the open air, and it was interesting to see one performed under the conditions for which it was originally written. The setting was Old Sarum Castle, but its suitability was unfortunately marred by poor weather, for a strong wind made it difficult to catch every-word, The Balliol Players, however, gave a very creditable performance. The play tells of the return of Agamemnon, victorious from the siege of Troy and his murder at the hands of his wife, Clytemnestra. Agamemnon was good, but Clytemnestra was better, although the actor was rather heavily built for a queen. The Trojan "prophetess Cassandra was admirably well portrayed for the actor used his whole body as well as his voi~e. The Chorus of Old DIen of Argos were very good considering the trying circumstances under which they acted. Molly Burden, Lower VI. D Page Nintteen A VISIT TO "THE WHITE DEVIL" AT SALISBURY. On the evening of Friday, 6th October, two members of the Lower Sixth form went with Miss :Matthews and two other members of the staff to Salisbury to see a performance of John Webster's play, " The White Devil." Itwas"performed by the Phoenix Players in Bishop Wordsworth's school. The two leading characters, Brachiano and Vittoria, were well portrayed and admirably supported by Flamineo and Moticelso, a cardinal, who afterwards became a Pope. Isabella proved a con· trast to the rather energetic character of Vittoria, as she was gentle both in her actions and in her speech. Because the stage was small, good use was made of an apron stage. The costumes were simple but they were very colourful and well used. Though the scenery was scanty, the audience did not notice this as scenes that took place in the street were played on the apron stage in front of the curtains, and scenes that took place inside a house were played on the stage behind the curtains. We both thoroughly enjoyed the play, and we think that the .rest of the' form would have enjoyed.it too, had they taken the opportunity to go. Joy Freeman, Valerie Wheeler, Lower VI. "DICK WHITTINGTON." At the beginning of the Spring Term the school was fortunate ~nough to see a special performance of a pantomime, produced by ~1iss Thomas. Members of the Dramatic Society helped with the make·up. The catchy tunes were to be heard in school for weeks afterwards. In the script were to be noticed several remarks alluding to the school or members thereof. We greatly appreciated this pantomime. Margaret Samson, Lower VI. AN OUTING TO SALISBURY. At the Speech and Drama Festival which was held at school, the play "The Ugly Duckling," produced by Stella Ludlow, achieved first place. As a reward, we were treated from the Dramatic Funds to see the .play " Doctor's' Joy" (adapted from a play by lIIoliere) at the Salisbury Arts Theatre. . We set out in high spirits and promptly ~aught the wrong 'bus, but all arrived safely. We spent the afternoon looking round Salisbury. We had a very nice tea at the Blue Bird Cafe where we joined Miss Woods and Miss Moore, who were to take us to the theatre. After tea, we went straight to the theatre. We had very good seats in the front row of the balcony. .. The performance was enjoyed by all as it was very amusing. It illustrated how a quack·doctor could carry on his profession and get away with it. fag~ Twenty ('! .'1 After this we caught the 'bus home to Shaftesbury. All of us who went enjoyed the outing very much. We all thought it was worth all the hard work we had put into our play, and only wished that the ot"er competitors who also put a great deal of hard work into their plays could have come too. Margaret Guy and Ruth Burden, Lower V.!. MUSICAL EVENTS OF THE 1949-1950 SCHOOL YEAR. The Boys' Grammar Sc4001 joined with the Girls' High School in December, 1!)49, for the Annual Carol Service. A party from school ,vent to the Children's Concert at Bournemouth this year, which was given by the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestq, conducted by Rudolph Schwarz, led 'by Edward Armstrong, and introduced by Dr. Reginald Johnson. The programme included Sibelius' "Valse Triste," part of Dvorak's "New World Symphony," and the thrilling Polotsvienne Dances from Borodin's opera It Prince Igor." Some girls went to Weymouth for the i\[usic Festival there in the Easter Term, and competed in some of the items. Form Upper IV played two recorder ensembles and won their first cup; i\!ary Orman achieved a cui> for solo recorder playi~g, and Stella Ludlow was first in the girls' soprano solo. Parties from school have been to Salisbury Cathedral to hear Choral and Symphonic music by Brahms, choral music by Bach, Elgar's "Dream of Gerontius" and Hande!'s "Messiah." The music heard here was enhanced by the wonderful atmosphere. This term, the London Singers came to school, and gave us a concert of songs,· mostly unaccompanied. Their acting in the round " Fie thee, prithee John" was much appreciated, but perhaps ·the loveliest song of the afternoon was Vaughan Williams'setting of " Ca' the Ewes." Another recent musical event was a lecture by Sterndale Bennett, at St. i\!ary's Convent, when he analysed Schubert's " Unfinished Symphony." Ulary Lockyer, Upper VI. "DIDO aljd AENEAS." The performance of "Dido and Aen'eas" was something so outstanding an event in the life of the school, that we are printing two accounts, valuing the adverse criticisms as much as the appraisals. • A year ago the choir of Shaft"'!bury High School sang the music of Henry Purcell's opera" Dido and Aeneas. On July 20th and 21st this year Mr. J. C. Gent produced a complete stage version at the Savoy Cinema, with Dr. Reginald Johnson again as conductor. It was a daring undertaking. Page Twenty-one Purcell's music may be easy to listen to, ,but it is not easy to sing. Even though he composed the opera for a girls' school in Chelsea, he makes serious 'demands on soloists and chorus.' From the theatrical point of view there is so little action that the eye must be beguiled with colour, lighting, and dances. :Finally, there is the problem of the whole operatic convention: can schoolgirls give an effective p~rfonnance of something so frankly artificial? " The words made by Mr. Nat Tate" are.no better than most librettitinsel stuff, not literature, and little help to the ,\ctor. . Most 01 these problems, however, were faceej with complet~ success, and the vitality and smoothness of the performance may have concealed them from the audience. The soloists were really good. The Sailor, though vigorous, sang slightly flat, but this was due probably to the change from a piano to a harpsichord accompaniment. The others were admirably in tune. Dido (Mary Onnan) sang oetter than she acted; she maintained a steady tone with a clear sweetness, which was particularly marked in her higher notes, throughout a most ,exacting part. Her phrasing and breath control reflected wise traiping" but her words were not always distinct. Aeneas (Stella Ludlow) also used her voice well, and her enunciation was clear. The part gives little dramatic scope, but Aeneas moved with dignity, and made the most of the role. Belinda (Wendy Case) was excellently cast, and brought a natural warmth and grace to all her scenes. The Sorceress (Janet Ayers) was impressive, with her height emphasised, and a suitable green light to assist her machinations; Mary Lockyer, as the Spirit who poses as 11ercury, sang well, and achieved a touch of the unearthly. The Witches, well led by Judy Hatperley and Cynthia Letchford, were a lively blend of the horrific and the comic, while the sailors were all that sailors should be. , The Chorus not only supplied harmony of colour and movement (no one was " out of the picture" from start to finish), but sang with a confident knowledge and sureness of tempo fOI: which Dr. Johnson and Miss Drake must share the, honours. Their words, however, could not always be heard ·distinctly. The addition of it small orchestra at the eleventh hour might well have wrecked everything; it speaks volumes for the professional players and the amateur performers that they came safely to port. When a few inevitable mistakes were niade, the singers.'refused to be thrown out of their stride. Our congratulations go to the Wardrobe Mistress, Miss Maddick, to Miss Handford, who arranged a variety of dances to a variety of rhythms; and to the producer, Mr. Gent, who fused all the materials together with real stagecraft, and, d~igned such simple and effective scenery and. lighting. I have never heard better stage thunder,! When, Purcell published his" Sonnatas in III parts," he wrote .a preface in which he expressed " his hearty wishes -that his book Page Twenty;two may fall into no other hands but theirs who carry Musical Souls about with them: for he is willing to flatter himself into a belief, that with Such his . labours will seem neither unpleasant nor unprofitable. Vale." K. M. Thomas. The production of Purcell's opera, "Dido and Aeneas," by girls of the Shaftesbuiy County High School was an event of the greatest importance in Dorset music. That opera should become a part of school music,making was, hardly surprising in the light of the rapid progress and develoPlllent which has taken place in this field within the last five years. That the High School for Girls shoud be first in the field of opera production was not to be wondered at, since they have been in the forefront of school music-making for some time ,past. But that their first venture should have been such a strikingly successful production of such a difficult, serious opera as Dido and Aeneas-one of the small numher of great English operas-is a fact which calls for far more than ordinary congratulations. Their achievements, quite unique for a Dorset school, pJaces them at once in the company of the limited number of 'schools in the whole of England who have been able successfully to carry through such an undertaking. Pupil Cast. The opera was played entirely by girls at present in the school, and, in view of the comparatively small size of the school, this meant that about one third of the whole school had an active part on the stage, as singers or dancers~ in cast or chorus. The principals, without exception, revealed an understanding of their parts which, in association with well-differentiated vocal styles, made for clear characterisation of individual roles. Mary Orman was able to impart the essentially tragic note to her reading the part of Dido, and her performance,in Dido's paiting from Aeneas and su6sequent death in the third act, was one of the most moving things in the whole work. Stella Ludlow gave a noble portrayal of Aeneas. Her voice and bearing were well suited to the part, and unqerstanding of