Stover School Magazine 1969
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DECEMBER 1969 Contents page Foreword 2 Board of Governors 3 From the Bishop of Truro 4 Miss Hill : Appreciation 4 School Calendar . 5 Salvete ; Valete 6 Examination Results ; Speech Day 7 Music Examinations 8 Gifts ; Friends of Stover . 9 Extra-Mural Studies ; P .E. Report 10 Sports Report 12 "A " Level Scientists' Activities 16 Charities ; Red Cross 17 School Fete; Ballet and Theatre 18 Poems . 19 House Plays 22 House Reports 23 The Choir ; Schools' Orchestra 24 Post-G.C.E . Activities 25 Son et Lumiere . 26 History of Stover House 27 Old Girls' Association 31 Old Girls' News and Letters 37 2 STOVER MAGAZINE FOREWORD " Stover is a happy school ." Before my coming here I heard this com- ment so often, and from such varied quarters, as to have no doubt of its basis in fact . And, since the happiness of a community depends upon relations of trust among its members, upon constructive purposes and valid ideals, Stover's reputation is an enviable one, the foundations of which we must work to pre- serve and strengthen. My own first impressions, moulded by the warmth of the welcome extended to me and by the beauty of my surroundings, have indeed been happy. The kindness, help and support of Governors, staff and parents, at the begin- ning of my time here, and the encouragement I have received from the Friends of Stover and from the Old Girls' Association, are memories which I shall always value . A newcomer senses the deep affection which underlies their concern for the school. Love of Stover was the inspiration of Miss Hill's work here . The school's appreciation of all that she has done is expressed more fully elsewhere in this magazine, but I take this opportunity, as her successor, of recording my special debt of gratitude and of adding my personal wishes that she may enjoy a very happy retirement . Her interest in us, individually and collectively, will, we know, remain undiminished . While her presence here cannot but be missed, we have in Miss Hill—as in Mrs . Key and Miss Dence—a devoted friend and wise counsellor . C . A . SMITH . STOVER MAGAZINE 3 BOARD OF GOVERNORS Chairman : The Right Rev. The Lord Bishop of Truro Vice-Chairman: Miss G . M . Jerred, M .A. A. Boyce, Esq. G. S . Brown, Esq. Miss J . Carpenter Miss J. M . Cobham Mrs. A. Dyer, M .A. Mrs . A. J. Key, J .P. Mrs . C . L. Knight, M .A. F. C. Mannell, Esq. Mrs . O . Milnes Lt.-Col . F. H . Pellew Mrs . M . Reichwald J. W. Stork, Esq ., C.B., C.B.E., M .A. Rear Admiral Sir Lionel Sturdee, Bt ., C.B.E. T. M . T. Key, Esq., M .A., A.R.I.C.S., Q.A.L.A.S. 4 STOVER MAGAZINE FROM THE BISHOP OF TRURO Miss Laura Jewill Hill came to Stover in 1963 from the Rosa Bassett School in London, where she had been an outstanding Headmistress for sixteen years . She had also held many responsible positions as Secretary and Chairman of professional and educational Societies and Conferences . She brought to Stover her wide experience of schools both in England and America, a real personal interest in girls and her proven gifts for teaching and administration. She had a way, too, with her Governors, and was not to be deterred. The Phyllis Dence Wing was completed when she took over, but she persuaded them to continue the building extensions . Three additional classrooms were built and, amongst other amenities, the new Clockhouse drive provided a skating alley ; much used and enjoyed. Retirement has come after a comparatively short time as Headmistress of Stover . Miss Hill will doubtless enjoy her new freedom from responsibility and administration, but her skill and enthusiasm as a teacher remains . We are sure she will find ways of continuing to share with others her many interests and knowledge. We are grateful for all she has given Stover—and enabled Stover to pass on through those whom she has influenced and taught. MISS HILL: APPRECIATION One of the first things Miss Hill did on coming to Stover was to summon the Upper Vlth to her study for a conference on what the School liked to eat, and this was typical of her friendly interest in everyone here . The feeling that we should enjoy ourselves as well as working hard prompted her inaugura- tion of what has become a popular annual event—the expedition to Dartmoor on Ascension Day . The Headmistress of a boarding school is at the receiving end of a constant stream of problems which do not keep office hours, and Miss Hill was always ready with understanding and encouragement . Many of us have reason to remember her personal kindness . To Miss Hill and Miss Spong we wish every happiness, and hope they will visit us at Stover in the not too distant future. S. F. BAILEY. LETTER FROM MISS HILL 2, Polwithen Road, Penzance. My Dear Stover Girls Present and Past, It is most kind of Miss Smith and the Magazine Committee to spare me a little space to thank you all for your most generous presents and good wishes . First of all I should like to tell the present girls of my delight in the beautifully engraved silver tray, an adornment to any tea or sherry party; a most happily chosen gift . And I value just as much in its own way the auto- graph album which accompanied it, with the great variety of literary, artistic and amusing individual contributions. It is only recently that I have brought myself to put safely away the charming and appropriate retirement card with its representation of an ideal existence, reclining in a hammock in the sunshine with a book and Jenny close at hand! Lastly the gay, warm-hearted farewell party on the terraces and the finish of the Summer Dance will always be among my happiest memories. Then my warmest thanks go to those very kind members of the Old Girls' Association, including Miss Dence, Miss Lidgate and past members of Staff, for the most acceptable gift of an Aerolite drying unit which fills a long-felt need, and will be increasingly valued as the weather gets colder. The handsome cheque which accompanied it has inspired many dreams, and I think will be transformed into a garden seat and bird bath . So, indoors and out, I shall have a permanent reminder of the kindly welcome you gave me at the beginning and your continued friendship . It has been a great comfort to feel that there is this steadily growing company of Old Girls whose loyalty STOVER MAGAZINE 5 and interest are among the greatest assets of the School, and the guardian of its traditions. As I look towards Stover from a little distance, my feelings are those of thankfulness and confidence . I am thankful for the good fortune of spending the last six of my 25 years as a Headmistress in a place of such charm and beauty among lively and friendly young people and supported by an able and loyal Staff, and by understanding and co-operative parents and Governors. And I feel confident that the School under Miss Smith's leadership and guidance will go forward into new developments and that Stover girls will as always prove themselves ready to bring their ideas and practical help to the service of the School. I shall always try to keep in touch with the School and will be happy to help any of my Stover girls with references, testimonials or advice, and to hear of their achievements in future. Miss Spong and I are just leaving for a rapid world tour but we shall be back (we trust) by the end of November and will then reside at the above address (Tel . Penzance 3381), just on the western edge of the town and not far from the A30, and there will always be a warm welcome to any of you who can make your way to the far West to visit us. With my affectionate greetings and good wishes to you all and again my warmest thanks not only for your gifts but for all the happiness you have given me during my years as Head Mistress of Stover. Yours sincerely, LAURA C . JEWILL HILL. SELECTIONS FROM SCHOOL CALENDAR, YEAR 1968-69 1968 Sept . 19 . Autumn Term began. 21 . Swimming gala, Plymouth. Oct . 8. Upper V . to Careers Lecture, Oldway, Paignton. 11 . Programme of Folk Songs. 14. "At Home " evening for parents of Lr . Vth to Up . Vlth. „ 21 . Wine and Cheese party for O .G.A. 23 . Governors' meeting. Nov. 8. Hallowe'en and Fireworks party. 16. Lecture on Iceland, by Mr . Trent Thomas. 17. Confirmation by Bishop of Exeter, at Teigngrace. 18. Vlth Form to " Arms and the Man,” Northcott Theatre, Exeter. Dec . 1 . Stover Choir and B .R.N.C. present Verdi's " Requiem." „ 11. VIth Form sang Carols at Bovey Tracey. „ 12. 3 p.m ., Talk on Careers by County Advisory Officer. 13. Miss Dence to play Carols. 15. Carol Service at Teigngrace Church. „ 16 . Christmas party, organised by Up . Vth ; Dead Gulch City Saloon as setting. 1969 Jan. 9. Spring Term began. 15. Up . VIth to see " Richard III .” film. 24 . R.S.P.C .A. Lecture. 29. Lr. Vlth "A " Level Zoology group went dredging at Dartmouth, Feb . 11 . Vlth Form talk about Devon Record Office. „ 19. Ash Wednesday . Snow prevented Chapel Service. 21 . Senior girls to Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra at Exeter Uni- versity Great Hall. 26. Governors' meeting. 28. Up . VIth girls to C.