SUMMER 1951 Vol
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SUMMER 1951 Vol. VI. No.5. Main Contents i I SCHOOL NOTES 2 I' Ii FROM THE CLASSROOMS 6 I) FOOTBALL, CRICKET, ATHLETICS, Etc. 9 i AMERICAN IMPRESSIONS 17 FROM UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES 18 " MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING 22 FARMING CAMP 23 RETIREMENT OF Mr. ROBINSON 24 PREFECTS' NOTES ... 25 NATIONAL PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 26 SOCIETIES 28 SCOUT NOTES 31 FILMS 32 OBITUARIES 33 THE ITALIAN ENGIi-JE DRIVER 35 OLD BOYS' ASSOCIATION 38 OLD BOYS' JOTTINGS 39 THE BISHOP'S VISIT 43 EXAMINATION SUCCESSES 45 STAFF 47 'P ... ~.'....... ~. , ST~ BE E'S ==================================~- VOL VI. No.4 SUMMER, 1951 School Notes THE PAST YEAR The school year that we chronicle in this issue of our magazine has been a period of very mixed weather, the fading warmth of a none too pleasant summer succeeded by an early autumn, a protracted winter and a dilatory spring. As we pack up our books, write our final examination lines and prepare to enjoy a long holiday, the sun is beginning to peep out, chiefly in the late afternoons, to give us hope of pleasant leisure and promise of recuperated energy for the tasks ahead. We have enjoyed a year of success in health and games and work. Attendances have been consistently high, absences through illness remark .ably low. Work towards the new General Certificate of Education has been full and thorough and Scholarship successes in the Sixth gratifyingly rich. The Gymnasium, vaulting horses and ropes tidied away, has seen the concentrated frowns of seventy-two boys taking the Ordinary Certificate. The New Library has been busy with the frenzied of twenty-nine seniors attempting the Advanced CertifiGJte with deserved reward. Even the old Library has witnessed the efforts of If" thirty-nine boys, too young (some so very slightly too young) to take t},e Ordinary Certificate. They have had the doubtful and procrastinated pleasure of tackling the set papers a day later. No doubt they will do brilliantly, Apart from the human element, the most important part of any school, there has been progress in the material field. The New Library, constructed as an annexe to the old one in memory of our dead in two wars, has been fitted with handsome bookcases and furnished with polished tables and chairs. St. Bede's will ever be grateful to the Old Boys and friends whose venerous contributions made this Memorial Library a lasting reminder of -" ~he Old Boys who gave their lives. The library has dignity and calm and books-but there could be more books. If every Old Boy who felt he has gained something from the school, if every boy leaving each year, would give a donation towards the purchase of books, St. Bede's would soon possess a library of real distinction and value. In another way also we have observed growth. Since the foundations ofthe New Wing were first dug in persistent and trench-fining rain, the work has progressed with skill and speed-fascinating to every passing observer on the bus and absorbing to hundreds of faces peering from passage windows between classes or from class-windows between passages-of English. Latin or what you will. Concrete bedding, brick foundation, inner walls, stone-facing-the New Wing was first seen in plan, then like a child's toy, finally mounting into shape and harmony. We are very happy and deeply 2 ~ ST. BEDE'S MAGAZINE 3 grateful to be able to report that out of the £37,000 necessary a good pro portion has· already. been contributed or promised by generous benefactors of Catholic education. We produce this number of the magazine during a time of national . celebration. As Catholics' we know the true meaning of festival, which is not a time of mere enjoyment or brash advertisement. The Festival of Britain celebrates a tradition, remembers the past, displays the present and looks forward to the future. St. Bede'sadds its contribution by showing its part in the educational life of its city and its country. Work in a school is not merely a classroom affair, so we aim to give our readers some idea of wider activities and some news of other places where those who have left us carryon their studies, pursue their tasks or enjoy their holidays. In our last issue, the Jubilee Magazine, we looked back on fifty years of growth. In this, a Festival Magazine, we look forward to the next half century of progress. E. * * * SEPTEMBER On the 11th, 140 new boys arrived fresh and eager to start the term. Next day the rest of the schgol arrived tired and eager to finish it. The number of boys in the school is still increasing. Our present total is 730. We welcomed two new members to the staff, Mr. B. McShee, B.A., an Old Boy of the School, and Mr. Harrison, B.Sc., who was with us for only a short time. Mr. R. Elwood, B.A., made a welcome return after a year in Leeds. OCTOBER As the feast of St. Teresa did not fall on a school day, we were unable to celebrate it in the usual manner. It was with great regret that we heard of the death of John Chambers of Form 2. The funeral at St. Patrick's was attended by members of his class, the prefects, and the staff. May he rest in peace. All who have been associated with the school 'will have heard with deep regret of the deathS of two former members of the staff at St. Bede's, Mr. G. Wilson and Mr. H. Elgie. A Solemn Requiem was held at the school, shortly after their burial, since all the school were unable to attend the funerals. Appreciations of these faithful servants of the school will be found, elsewhere in this issue. In affectionate memory of them, the Old Boys' Association has made a gift of two kneelers for use in the School Chapel. The kneelers were designed and built in the school workshop to the specification of the Old Boys' Committee. Constructed in select Japanese oak, and each capable of kneeling four people, they bear silver plates, suitably engraved and asking for ptayers for' the souls of the two masters. , ' -The construction of the neW' wing is now well under way, and a good 'I idea of the final shape of the building, which will ease the present congestion, ,c>n,~, Obtainod~",> 're II"";' ".r,*,4t¥;S'~11 4 ST. BEDE'S MAGAZINE We welcomed the fresh presence of the student teachers who came to do their teaching practice with us, and wish them every success in their future careers. NOVEMBER The death of Mr. Edward J. Fattorini, a former governor and bene factor of the school, gave all who knew him a sense of personal loss. RJ.P. D.ECEMBER As usual at this time of the year, the senior members of the school :gave their valuable assistance to the G.P.O. in their annual struggle with the Christmas Mail. We acknowledge a courteous message of thanks from the Postmaster of Bradford. JANUARY, 1951 We returned to school on the 8th after a white and most enjoyable Christmas. The second annual re-union dinner for all Old Boys resident in London was held on Tuesday, 31st January, at the Knights of St. Columba Resi dential Club. Alderman S. Briggs presided at the function and Mgr. C. Tindall was present to greet his former pupils. As the feast of St. Blaise fell on a Saturday we could not hold the customary blessing of the throat at school, but we honoured the occasion by long play later in the week. After the mid-term break, we returned for the distribution of Asliies on Ash Wednesday. The close of the term was marked by the annual retreat, conducced by Fr. Bannon for the Seniors and Fr. Roddy for the Juniors. We extend our thanks to those priests from the Bradford parishes who assisted as confessors and so made possible the general Confession and Communion. MARCH Shocking weather; least said the better. Much work indoors: little play outside. APRIL We congratulate Brian Cook of Form VI on obtaining an Open Scholar ship to Manchester University. On the 25th we were honoured by the visit of the newly-appointed Bishop of Leeds, the Right Rev. Mgr. Heenan, D.D. A report of his visit will be found elsewhere in the magazine. MAY After vain hopes that the rain would stop, the school sports had to be cancelled. No sooner had the word gone round the school than out came the sun and the beautiful afternoon filled all of us wid} restlessness. The sports were held on the morning of Ascension Thursday. We thank all those competitors and masters who attended. ST. BEDE'S MAGAZINE 5 We congratulate Bernard Keegan, Brian Cook and Edward Sullivan who obtained "Edgar Allen" scholarships to Sheffield. The scholarships, worth £100 each, are the highest awarded by Sheffield. Three of our boys were picked to play for Bradford Boys' Football team against a Glasgow team. They are Rock, Rowbottom and Stoken. Although the Scots again proved their superiority, we read that St. Bede's boys played their part well in a good game. In the Inter-High School sports, St. Bede's came second. We con gratulate Carlton on winning. Again the inclement weather marred the fun enjoyment of the day. The Holy Father has appointed the former Lord Mayor of Leeds and an Old Boy of the School, Alderman F. H. O'Donnell, a Knight Commander of the Order of St.