HGS School Magazine Editorials - the 1960s
1960
The Editorial and Advertising Staff
This year, as ever, the number of contributions was not quite as high as we would have liked, particularly from the Fifth and Sixth forms. However, the best articles are here for your entertainment and criticism. If you think you can improve on what is offered, why not let us have your contribution for the next issue NOW? Remember, the Magazine is what YOU make it. We would like to thank all those who have submitted articles, and hope that unsuccessful authors will not he deterred from submitting entries in the future. During the process of selection, we noted with concern the number of articles and poems which dealt with nature. Most of the attempts had to be rejected because they were so much alike. We feel that if the mass of nature-lovers in School were to observe nature more closely instead of imitating poor poetry about it their lucubrations would he more rewarding. This year has, as usual, been a busy one, but three events stand out: The Mock Election; the Ilkley Seven-a-side Tournament and the Girls’ Hockey Rally. The first was carried off by Mr. “Andy” Anderson, representing Labour. Unfortunately Heath Grammar School won the rugby tournament but we must congratulate our players, on reaching the final. The girls also deserve praise for their effort in winning the trophy for the annual Hockey Rally held at H.G.S. We also congratulate G. Lockett and Margaret Biggs for gaining a State Scholarship and a County Major award respectively. There have been the inevitable staff changes this year. We have said goodbye to Mr. Fuller, Mr. Twigg and Mr. Losasso, and wish them every success in their new posts. On the other hand we have had the pleasant task of welcoming Misses Child, Kay, Tate, Musgrave, Fish and Couperthwaite, and Messrs. Booth, Parkinson, Jakes and Gregory. We hope that they will like us and our school, and that they will be very happy here. More congratulations, this time to two former members of staff, Mr. and Mrs. (nee Hampshire) Johnston on the birth of their daughter. Book token prizes for the best entries this year go to P. S. Robinson UVIS, and Rita Sykes, 2A.
This magazine was edited by Cartledge UVIS, Cooper UVIA and Robinson LVIS. Randall UVIS and Hinks UVIA were our advertising agents. We should like to thank all those who helped us in our production. Finally, our thanks go to those local business men and women whose advertisements help to keep the magazine solvent.
Thank you all,
G.M. Cartledge,
J.M. Cooper,
P.S. Robinson.
This magazine was edited by Cartledge UVIS, Cooper UVIA and Robinson LVIS. Randall UVIS and Hinks UVIA were our advertising agents. We should like to thank all those who helped us in our production. Finally, our thanks go to those local business men and women whose advertisements help to keep the magazine solvent.
Thank you all,
G.M. Cartledge,
J.M. Cooper,
P.S. Robinson.
1961
School activities this year have been overshadowed by the death in September, after a long illness, of Mr. Oliver, which came as a great shock to the whole school. He is missed by us all, though his loss is felt especially in the Music Department. At Easter, Mr. Lock retired after 15 years at school. This loss is felt by everyone and we would like to wish him every happiness during his retirement, which he intends to spend in Spain. Mr. Sale also left us at Easter, after 7 years in school, and we shall miss him greatly. Did Mr. Sale go to De La Salle School, Sheffield? We are glad to see Mr. Knox back at school after the spinal operation which he had at the end of the Spring term.
There have been several innovations in the school’s social activities during the year. Two new societies have been founded: The Friday Club, which is an amalgamation of the Literary and Debating Society, the Historical Society and the Student Christian Movement of previous years, has held meetings on numerous topics and has received enthusiastic support from the seniors. The Sixth Form Bridge Club, supervised by Mr. Jakes and Mr. Whittaker, has provided sixth-formers with an opportunity to get a good grounding in Bridge before going out into the world at large.
Last October, a French Exhibition organised by Mr. Hudson, helped by Mr. Hodgson and Mrs. Whittaker, was held in the school library. There were three main aspects of the exhibition - the history and geography of France, and the life of the Parisian. Great interest was aroused throughout the school, and form 4A, which did the exhibition, are to be congratulated on its success.
In the Easter holidays, two members of the sixth form, Allen and Morrissey, who were attending a geology course at Malham Tarn Field Centre, were in the news after helping to save a boy trapped in a pot hole near the centre. In the Sports field, it is worth noting that five of this year’s first Rugby XV have played in the South Yorkshire XV.
An interest in the outside world is flourishing at school. Apart from last summer’s school excursion to Switzerland and Italy, several pupils are making their own way across the Channel this year. The R.A.O.B. have awarded Connolly of VA a holiday in Malta during the summer. Joan Laycock and Susan Marsh of LVIA hope to spend a month in Yugoslavia as a result of a scheme for students. Jacqueline Leonard, UVIA, is spending the summer holidays in Austria with an Austrian family, and hopes to visit Vienna and the Austrian Tyrol during her stay there. And Old Hilmian Roger Wilson is going still further afield. Serving in the navy, he is looking forward to his first trip to Australia in a few months’ time. Several juniors in the school are increasing their knowledge of the Far East by writing to pen friends in Osaka, Japan.
As far as University news is concerned, we are pleased to hear that Wild, Head Boy in 1958, is in Manchester University 1st XV. Margaret Biggs, last year’s Head Girl has won a State Scholarship, and is now studying Latin and Greek at Durham. It is rumoured that Anderson, at London, swam the Thames for a bet, and is reputed to be the first person to perform this feat in Winter.
We would like to thank all contributors to the Magazine, whether the articles they submitted were published or not. It is only by selection from a large variety of entries that a high standard can be reached. This year’s prize winners are Thorpe, B. 4S (Price), Pat Walton 3D (Price) and Theresa Cosgrove 5A (Guest). Our thanks go to Mr Reed for his patient help and guidance in preparing the magazine.
Composed by committee:-
D.D. Wood U6S,
R.K. Burton U6A,
Toft J.R. U6A,
Bateman R. L6S,
Worgan D. L6S,
C. Johns L6A,
C. Nall L6A,
J. Laycock L6A
There have been several innovations in the school’s social activities during the year. Two new societies have been founded: The Friday Club, which is an amalgamation of the Literary and Debating Society, the Historical Society and the Student Christian Movement of previous years, has held meetings on numerous topics and has received enthusiastic support from the seniors. The Sixth Form Bridge Club, supervised by Mr. Jakes and Mr. Whittaker, has provided sixth-formers with an opportunity to get a good grounding in Bridge before going out into the world at large.
Last October, a French Exhibition organised by Mr. Hudson, helped by Mr. Hodgson and Mrs. Whittaker, was held in the school library. There were three main aspects of the exhibition - the history and geography of France, and the life of the Parisian. Great interest was aroused throughout the school, and form 4A, which did the exhibition, are to be congratulated on its success.
In the Easter holidays, two members of the sixth form, Allen and Morrissey, who were attending a geology course at Malham Tarn Field Centre, were in the news after helping to save a boy trapped in a pot hole near the centre. In the Sports field, it is worth noting that five of this year’s first Rugby XV have played in the South Yorkshire XV.
An interest in the outside world is flourishing at school. Apart from last summer’s school excursion to Switzerland and Italy, several pupils are making their own way across the Channel this year. The R.A.O.B. have awarded Connolly of VA a holiday in Malta during the summer. Joan Laycock and Susan Marsh of LVIA hope to spend a month in Yugoslavia as a result of a scheme for students. Jacqueline Leonard, UVIA, is spending the summer holidays in Austria with an Austrian family, and hopes to visit Vienna and the Austrian Tyrol during her stay there. And Old Hilmian Roger Wilson is going still further afield. Serving in the navy, he is looking forward to his first trip to Australia in a few months’ time. Several juniors in the school are increasing their knowledge of the Far East by writing to pen friends in Osaka, Japan.
As far as University news is concerned, we are pleased to hear that Wild, Head Boy in 1958, is in Manchester University 1st XV. Margaret Biggs, last year’s Head Girl has won a State Scholarship, and is now studying Latin and Greek at Durham. It is rumoured that Anderson, at London, swam the Thames for a bet, and is reputed to be the first person to perform this feat in Winter.
We would like to thank all contributors to the Magazine, whether the articles they submitted were published or not. It is only by selection from a large variety of entries that a high standard can be reached. This year’s prize winners are Thorpe, B. 4S (Price), Pat Walton 3D (Price) and Theresa Cosgrove 5A (Guest). Our thanks go to Mr Reed for his patient help and guidance in preparing the magazine.
Composed by committee:-
D.D. Wood U6S,
R.K. Burton U6A,
Toft J.R. U6A,
Bateman R. L6S,
Worgan D. L6S,
C. Johns L6A,
C. Nall L6A,
J. Laycock L6A
1962 and 1963: No editorials
1964
We should like to thank all those who have contributed original work or who have helped in any way to make this magazine a success. There has been the usual wealth of work from forms I and II, but we should like to see more voluntary contributions from the Senior School who seem to prefer awaiting an ultimatum from an English teacher before attempting articles. We hope, however, that those whose contributions remain unpublished will not be deterred from submitting material next year - the greater the choice, the higher the standard.
The School year 1963-64 has not been without notable events; our congratulations go to two former members of H.G.S., Geoffrey Boycott who, at the time of writing, has just been selected to play for the M.C.C. against Australia, and Garry Jordan who has represented Great Britain in that other kind of rugby which uses only thirteen players. They are, to coin a phrase, “putting H.G.S. on the map”.
In school it is rumoured that the fanatical enthusiasm of the Lower Sixth ‘Wordsworth Fan Club’ led its members to go so far as to visit the Lake District; their avowed object - to bring back a lock of the bard’s hair - was not achieved. It is hoped that the subversive activities of this group will be checked in the very near future. For those parents who are concerned about their daughters’ welfare, we can confidently deny all reports that the jaded appearance of H.G.S. girls is owing to smaller school menus. We have it on very good authority that a tall lithe figure in a blue track-suit, last seen wielding a hockey stick or a relay baton, has taken the revolutionary step of reserving P.E. lessons strictly for P.E. More traditional pastimes (homework, hypochondria and watching boys’ rugby) have now been completely stamped out. It would appear that the fifth and sixth forms are, at last, being appreciated at their true value: they, and they alone, were instructed in what to do “if an atom-bomb should explode over Hemsworth”. They are exceedingly grateful for this kind gesture but wonder what they can have done to merit this preferential treatment. There has been wide speculation as to the fate of the second-former who, ignoring what had been said in morning assembly about “using all doors”, reverted to the more natural method of climbing through the window. Malicious rumours that a certain member of staff forgot to order dinner-tickets for the school because he was engrossed in a game of bridge have been vehemently denied. It now appears that, complete with black wig, he was taking the place of Freddy Trueman as Yorkshire’s leading fast bowler.
To end on a more serious note, the editors would like to thank all who have helped in the production of the magazine, and especially Mr. Jones, without whose help the publication of this issue would not have been possible.
Nova Websdale, U6A
Editorial Board
D. Fearnside, D. Freeman, Susan Holder, T. Holmes, Ruth Horn, A. J. Hudson, A. D. Lascelles, Pauline Ogley, P. A. Senior, Vivienne Toft, J. G. Vyse, Nova Websdale, Margaret Wigham, Anne Williamson.
The School year 1963-64 has not been without notable events; our congratulations go to two former members of H.G.S., Geoffrey Boycott who, at the time of writing, has just been selected to play for the M.C.C. against Australia, and Garry Jordan who has represented Great Britain in that other kind of rugby which uses only thirteen players. They are, to coin a phrase, “putting H.G.S. on the map”.
In school it is rumoured that the fanatical enthusiasm of the Lower Sixth ‘Wordsworth Fan Club’ led its members to go so far as to visit the Lake District; their avowed object - to bring back a lock of the bard’s hair - was not achieved. It is hoped that the subversive activities of this group will be checked in the very near future. For those parents who are concerned about their daughters’ welfare, we can confidently deny all reports that the jaded appearance of H.G.S. girls is owing to smaller school menus. We have it on very good authority that a tall lithe figure in a blue track-suit, last seen wielding a hockey stick or a relay baton, has taken the revolutionary step of reserving P.E. lessons strictly for P.E. More traditional pastimes (homework, hypochondria and watching boys’ rugby) have now been completely stamped out. It would appear that the fifth and sixth forms are, at last, being appreciated at their true value: they, and they alone, were instructed in what to do “if an atom-bomb should explode over Hemsworth”. They are exceedingly grateful for this kind gesture but wonder what they can have done to merit this preferential treatment. There has been wide speculation as to the fate of the second-former who, ignoring what had been said in morning assembly about “using all doors”, reverted to the more natural method of climbing through the window. Malicious rumours that a certain member of staff forgot to order dinner-tickets for the school because he was engrossed in a game of bridge have been vehemently denied. It now appears that, complete with black wig, he was taking the place of Freddy Trueman as Yorkshire’s leading fast bowler.
To end on a more serious note, the editors would like to thank all who have helped in the production of the magazine, and especially Mr. Jones, without whose help the publication of this issue would not have been possible.
Nova Websdale, U6A
Editorial Board
D. Fearnside, D. Freeman, Susan Holder, T. Holmes, Ruth Horn, A. J. Hudson, A. D. Lascelles, Pauline Ogley, P. A. Senior, Vivienne Toft, J. G. Vyse, Nova Websdale, Margaret Wigham, Anne Williamson.
1965
Unfortunately, this year we have maintained our high standard in driving away at least half a dozen members of staff. The fugitives were Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Hassall, Mr. Catley, Mr. Gregory, Mr. Hobbs and Mr. Jakes. In their place, however, we have Miss. Margolis, Miss Jones, Mr. Howdle, Mr. Baker and Mr. Tromans (or Mr. Couperthwaite as he was known for the first term by some of the more absent-minded scholars). Also the end of the Spring Term saw the retirement of Mr. Wycherley, who has given forty years of valuable service to the school. At the end of this School Year Mr. Collette, the Senior Master, will have completed thirtynine years and two terms as a member of staff here. In the language which he will understand, his retirement leaves us with “one auspicious and one drooping eye” for we feel extreme sadness at his departure but he takes with him our heartfelt thanks and good wishes for his future happiness.
In furthering the renown of Hemsworth Grammar School, Geoffrey Boycott, former member of the school and now opening batsman for England, has been joined in his efforts by Ellen Toulson. Boycott, at the time of writing, is taking part in the Test Match between England and New Zealand. Ellen has realised her ambition: in addition to representing the county side she now plays Left Inner for the England Hockey Team. In her first match, against South Africa at Wembley, she scored her first goal for the team to the excited screams of a school party who had a special excursion to London for the occasion. Our congratulations go to both these former pupils and we wish them more success in the future. Having mentioned the subject of screaming girls, we must remark that the outbreak of mass hysteria coinciding with the visit to the school of Mr. Michael Parkinson will be elaborated elsewhere in the magazine.
Unfortunately the Wordsworth Fan Club has not been let out this year and so its members have no report to make. They attribute this lack of activity to reactionary movements directed against them which began last year, and to the fact that this year saw a take-over bid for Mr. Kennedy’s position as patron saint by Mr. Jones. Rumours that the establishment is a den of vice run by fascist slave-drivers have, this year, been finally and completely disproved by the democratic style in which our mock election was held. We have, however, for some time been worried by the absence of the unsuccessful Conservative candidate - would whoever is responsible for this please return him at once?
In thanking all those who have helped to make the magazine a success, we should like to make special mention of all contributors of original work. This year the contribution of the senior school has been very small but there has been a great response from junior forms, so much so that only a small proportion could be used. We hope that those budding authors who have not achieved print this year will not be discouraged in 1966. Their efforts are the more appreciated because as one small contributor pointed out:- “It was all right for Byron, Keats or Shelley, They had no distractions like the telly”.
Finally, we should seriously like to thank Mr. Jones without whose help this edition would not have been published.
Christine Longfield
Editorial Board: R. Horn, C. Longfield, K. Sandford, J. Scott, M. Wigham, A. Williamson, Biggs, D.; Fearnside, D.; Holmes, T.; Senior, A.; Stevens, G.
In furthering the renown of Hemsworth Grammar School, Geoffrey Boycott, former member of the school and now opening batsman for England, has been joined in his efforts by Ellen Toulson. Boycott, at the time of writing, is taking part in the Test Match between England and New Zealand. Ellen has realised her ambition: in addition to representing the county side she now plays Left Inner for the England Hockey Team. In her first match, against South Africa at Wembley, she scored her first goal for the team to the excited screams of a school party who had a special excursion to London for the occasion. Our congratulations go to both these former pupils and we wish them more success in the future. Having mentioned the subject of screaming girls, we must remark that the outbreak of mass hysteria coinciding with the visit to the school of Mr. Michael Parkinson will be elaborated elsewhere in the magazine.
Unfortunately the Wordsworth Fan Club has not been let out this year and so its members have no report to make. They attribute this lack of activity to reactionary movements directed against them which began last year, and to the fact that this year saw a take-over bid for Mr. Kennedy’s position as patron saint by Mr. Jones. Rumours that the establishment is a den of vice run by fascist slave-drivers have, this year, been finally and completely disproved by the democratic style in which our mock election was held. We have, however, for some time been worried by the absence of the unsuccessful Conservative candidate - would whoever is responsible for this please return him at once?
In thanking all those who have helped to make the magazine a success, we should like to make special mention of all contributors of original work. This year the contribution of the senior school has been very small but there has been a great response from junior forms, so much so that only a small proportion could be used. We hope that those budding authors who have not achieved print this year will not be discouraged in 1966. Their efforts are the more appreciated because as one small contributor pointed out:- “It was all right for Byron, Keats or Shelley, They had no distractions like the telly”.
Finally, we should seriously like to thank Mr. Jones without whose help this edition would not have been published.
Christine Longfield
Editorial Board: R. Horn, C. Longfield, K. Sandford, J. Scott, M. Wigham, A. Williamson, Biggs, D.; Fearnside, D.; Holmes, T.; Senior, A.; Stevens, G.
1966
This year has seen the usual number of changes in Staff, with the departure of Mr. Collette, Mr. Gray, Miss. Jones, Miss. Tate, and Miss. Jennings and the arrival of Miss Rankin, Mr. McCroakam, Mr. Millican, Mr. Coates, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Groome and, temporarily, Mr. Collette.
This year our sports teams have given greater recognition to the geographical position of Hemsworth, with the success of the Rugby Seven’s Team at Ilkley and the Hockey team at the Rally. Cultural activities have been more apparent this year, ranging from a trip to see that excellent Shakespearean ‘comedy’, “Macbeth”, to an introduction to a less conventional form of contemporary drama, Ionesco’s “Bald Prima Donna”. Mention too must be made of the Lower 6th Carolling Society, who ventured out into Hemsworth that cold Christmas Eve to render their repertoire of three carols to the unsuspecting inhabitants. This was very well received, but a similar endeavour in the middle of May proved surprisingly unsuccessful. Perhaps “See amid the winter’s snow”, was a little out of context.
Response to the magazine this year has been good, although there was a lack of material from the Sixth Forms. The amount of space available for original work is limited, but we hope that those people whose work has been rejected will not be discouraged from trying again next year; for the more material to choose from, the higher the standard of the magazine, I would like to thank the advertisers for their co-operation; contributors, both voluntary and otherwise and Mr. Millican and Mr Jones.
This year my colleagues and I have decided to answer the question that has been circulating in recent months, “Is the Lower Sixth Mentally Deranged?” Readers are asked to draw their own conclusions.
Therese Gardner, Editor.
Margaret Preece, Assistant Editor.
Editorial Board:
L. Hall, D. Sell, Hall, S., Wilkinson. R., Edwards, M., Moxon, R., Soar, A., Senior, P.A.
This year our sports teams have given greater recognition to the geographical position of Hemsworth, with the success of the Rugby Seven’s Team at Ilkley and the Hockey team at the Rally. Cultural activities have been more apparent this year, ranging from a trip to see that excellent Shakespearean ‘comedy’, “Macbeth”, to an introduction to a less conventional form of contemporary drama, Ionesco’s “Bald Prima Donna”. Mention too must be made of the Lower 6th Carolling Society, who ventured out into Hemsworth that cold Christmas Eve to render their repertoire of three carols to the unsuspecting inhabitants. This was very well received, but a similar endeavour in the middle of May proved surprisingly unsuccessful. Perhaps “See amid the winter’s snow”, was a little out of context.
Response to the magazine this year has been good, although there was a lack of material from the Sixth Forms. The amount of space available for original work is limited, but we hope that those people whose work has been rejected will not be discouraged from trying again next year; for the more material to choose from, the higher the standard of the magazine, I would like to thank the advertisers for their co-operation; contributors, both voluntary and otherwise and Mr. Millican and Mr Jones.
This year my colleagues and I have decided to answer the question that has been circulating in recent months, “Is the Lower Sixth Mentally Deranged?” Readers are asked to draw their own conclusions.
Therese Gardner, Editor.
Margaret Preece, Assistant Editor.
Editorial Board:
L. Hall, D. Sell, Hall, S., Wilkinson. R., Edwards, M., Moxon, R., Soar, A., Senior, P.A.
1967
This year, perhaps above all others, has been a year of change. There have been years when more members of staff have left us but there can have been few when we have felt so great a sense of loss. Miss Alliot left us and moved to Scotland with her husband, Mr. Hudson moved to York and after many years of faithful service Miss. Blake retired. They all worked tirelessly for school and will be missed by us all. We are, however, happy to welcome to the school Miss. Jackson, MIle. Béraud, Mr. Waters, Mr. Owens and Mr. Walsh. We offer too our congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Plummer on their marriage during this year.
Of course, the greatest change and one that is causing some anxiety among us, is the re-organisation of the school. Although we are not yet comprehensive the adaptation of the premises, for a comprehensive intake is very much in evidence. The grounds have been ripped, holes torn in walls and outbuildings razed to the ground. No one, however progressive, can see the demolition of trees and the smashing of old stone without some sense of sadness, and it is hard to accept progress as something good when it manifests itself in the destruction of beauty. For many pupils, past and present, the grounds of this school have been a place of quiet and peace. They have exercised an influence over us, and have become part of us. It seems a poor exchange when all we are likely to have in their place is cold, streamlined concrete and glass.
With the destruction of the grounds our identity will pass. Our pupils must learn allegiance to another school and our old scholars will have lost a link with the past. It seems that we are old and must make way for a new world - we are obsolete.
Even so, we may regret and question our passing. The nation-wide re-organisation of secondary education is not simply a matter of education. Its educational advantages are unproven and therefore open to doubt. It is perhaps more clearly to be understood as one small part of a much wider revolution, an attempt to level society, to make sure that all men share as equally as possible the benefits and opportunities available.
That all men should be fellows is clearly a laudable aim and it is morally right. If this re-organisation can make our future generations more at one than they have been in the past and if it can make education more effective and democratic, then it will have been justified. Even so, it smacks of a gamble and the stakes are high.
The desire for equality, which is the deep motive of comprehensive education, is a strange and dangerous virtue. If a man of wealth volunteers to give up his riches for the good of others, his action is noble and selfless - he gains a kind of dignity from it. It is quite another matter for a man who has nothing to claim as his right the property of his neighbour - he may produce his philosophical arguments but he is known for a thief. To desire equality is not of itself a virtue; that can only be determined by the motive.
Equality has been called for and has of political necessity been granted. It is now for those who have made this claim to consider their motives. Is their equality a sharing of their child’s opportunity with their neighbours’ children, or is it the jealous destruction of a system in which their neighbours’ children merited and achieved success?
In all this one thing is certain - that Hemsworth Grammar School will cease to exist and a great many people will be the sadder for it.
Editorial Committee
Of course, the greatest change and one that is causing some anxiety among us, is the re-organisation of the school. Although we are not yet comprehensive the adaptation of the premises, for a comprehensive intake is very much in evidence. The grounds have been ripped, holes torn in walls and outbuildings razed to the ground. No one, however progressive, can see the demolition of trees and the smashing of old stone without some sense of sadness, and it is hard to accept progress as something good when it manifests itself in the destruction of beauty. For many pupils, past and present, the grounds of this school have been a place of quiet and peace. They have exercised an influence over us, and have become part of us. It seems a poor exchange when all we are likely to have in their place is cold, streamlined concrete and glass.
With the destruction of the grounds our identity will pass. Our pupils must learn allegiance to another school and our old scholars will have lost a link with the past. It seems that we are old and must make way for a new world - we are obsolete.
Even so, we may regret and question our passing. The nation-wide re-organisation of secondary education is not simply a matter of education. Its educational advantages are unproven and therefore open to doubt. It is perhaps more clearly to be understood as one small part of a much wider revolution, an attempt to level society, to make sure that all men share as equally as possible the benefits and opportunities available.
That all men should be fellows is clearly a laudable aim and it is morally right. If this re-organisation can make our future generations more at one than they have been in the past and if it can make education more effective and democratic, then it will have been justified. Even so, it smacks of a gamble and the stakes are high.
The desire for equality, which is the deep motive of comprehensive education, is a strange and dangerous virtue. If a man of wealth volunteers to give up his riches for the good of others, his action is noble and selfless - he gains a kind of dignity from it. It is quite another matter for a man who has nothing to claim as his right the property of his neighbour - he may produce his philosophical arguments but he is known for a thief. To desire equality is not of itself a virtue; that can only be determined by the motive.
Equality has been called for and has of political necessity been granted. It is now for those who have made this claim to consider their motives. Is their equality a sharing of their child’s opportunity with their neighbours’ children, or is it the jealous destruction of a system in which their neighbours’ children merited and achieved success?
In all this one thing is certain - that Hemsworth Grammar School will cease to exist and a great many people will be the sadder for it.
Editorial Committee