No 57 October 1988 AD ASTRA PER ASPERA
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THE rCOLFOAlSf f I folk «r 1 No 57 October 1988 AD ASTRA PER ASPERA October 1988 COLFEIAN the Chronicles of Colfe's School and of the Old Colfeians' Association The Master, Richard Scriven, planting a tree on the occasion of the Leathersellers' cricket match, 26th June, 1988 following the opening of the new Preparatory School on 23rd June. Mr Scriven's father laid the Foundation Stone for the Main School Building in 1964. ISSN 0010-0670 COVER DESIGN With a change in the format of the Colfeian, it was felt appropriate to change also the design of the cover.'The design chosen for this year at least, emphasises continuity. It is the design used on every issue from vol.1 no.l in December 1900 until vol.17 no. 67 in December 1939. In those days the Colfeian was the magazine of the Old Colfeians, while from 1902 the school had its own magazine, Colfensia. In 1951 the two magazines combined, thus beginning the present sequence of the Colfeian. The original cover, now being re-used, was designed by Charles J. Folkard whose signature it bears. More on this eminent Old Colfeian appears on another page. For his design, Folkard drew the heraldic stone which hung over the entrance to Colfe's Almshouses in Lewisham, depicting the arms of Abraham Colfe and the Leathersellers' Company. As a result of the school's celebration of Folkard this year, which accompanied the acquisition of some of his original drawings, the stone itself has been re-discovered. Since the demolition of the almshouses, it has lain, albeit somewhat damaged and begrimed in the vaults of Manor House, Lee. Shortly it is hoped the stone, which probably dates from 1664, will be hung in the school. The observant will then notice that Folkard made one significant alteration in copying it. (Small prize for the first correct answer received). CONTENTS SCHOOL Page Page Opening of The New Preparatory School - - 4 Craft, Design and Technology - 46 School Entry —September 1988 - - - 6 665 Squadron A.T.C. 47 Avete ---6 Parents and Friends Association 49 Valetel988 ------- 9 Preparatory School Report 1987/88 - 51 Common Room Notes - - - - - 10 The Leeds Family at Colfe's - 55 Music 12 The Drawings of C. J. Folkard - 56 Drama 16 Abraham Colfe's letters found - 58 Colfe Sermon 18 Return to Independence - 58 6th Form Debating Society - - - - 18 Rugby -------- 21 OLD COLFEIANS Football- ------- 25 A message from the President - 62 Cricket 29 Obituaries 63 Swimming Gala 32 Membership Report- 65 Tennis 32 News of Old Colfeians - 66 Squash 33 The O. C.A. in Retrospect 67 Cross Country 35 M.B.E. Awarded to Old Colfeian- 69 Judo 35 Gallery 70 Sports Days 36 House & Ground - 70 Girls'Sport - - 37 Annual General Meeting 1988 - 70 Staff Cricket Club ------ 38 Old Colfeian Club Limited 70 Careers Department ----- 40 Financial Report 1987-88- 71 House Competition - ----- 43 Old Colfeian Sport — Outdoor Pursuits 43 Bowls 72 Summer Courses 1988 43 Badminton - 72 Library Notes 44 Cricket 73 German Exchange - - - - - 44 Fitness Training- 76 Geography Field Trip 45 Football - - - - - 76 Tour de France 45 Rugby Football - 78 COLFEIAN OPENING OF THE NEW PREPARATORY SCHOOL The hottest day of the Summer Term was reserved for guests and members of the School. Apart from the the Royal opening of the new Preparatory School. official party, we were privileged to be supported by Several boys fainted, guests were sunburnt and the the M.P. for Lewisham and Minister of Sport, the official party perspired in their ceremonial robes. The Hon. Colin Moynihan, and by the Old Colfeian M.P., band played, the choir sang and the A.T.C. guard of Roger Simms, Air Commodore P. G. Naz and Group honour presented arms. Captain R. J. Davenport representing the A.T.C., as Prince Michael of Kent was paying his second visit well as distinguished Old Colfeians and friends of the to Colfe's. He had previously opened the Beardwood School. Centre in 1984. He was welcomed at the main entrance The Bishop of Tonbridge, the Rt. Rev. David by the Deputy Mayor of Greenwich, who was Bartleet, dedicated the building and Andrew Wishart, supported by the Mayor of Lewisham, Cllr. Peggy the School Captain, gave the Latin oration which is Fitzsimmons, the Deputy Lieutenants of Greenwich traditional for a Royal visit. Prince Michael's response and Lewisham and the Master and Second Warden of based on various Latin "tags", was extremely witty the Leathersellers' Company. The Chairman of the and was well received. Governors, Sir Kenneth Newton, introduced the The Chairman complimented the architect, Prince to the welcoming party and to the School Professor Trevor Dannatt, Old Colfeian, and the Captain and Vice-Captains. surveyor, George Buckingham, on the excellent first The Headmaster introduced the Prince to impression given by the new building. The Governors and Leathersellers over drinks and to Headmaster stressed that the Preparatory School had members of staff and other guests over coffee on his earned their new building after 10 years' highly lawn. The largest ever Visitation Day lunch party (120 successful work in temporary buildings. He reminded guests) enjoyed an excellent meal and wines the Community that this was one further stage in the generously donated by the Leathersellers' Company. ambitious building programme which was planned by As the celebrations were taking place on Visitation the Governors. Day, various Governors and Members of the Court The Head of the Preparatory School, Mr. Martin had visited classrooms during the morning, while the Brown, conducted the official party around the Master, Warden and Examiner (Professor T. C. displays in the new building, while the other guests Barker) had examined the candidates for the Leather- were entertained by a production of "Colfe" by Mr. sellers' Exhibitions. The Master, Mr. Richard Scriven, Hichisson. announced the Exhibitioners during the opening The Mayor of Lewisham had the honour of saying ceremony in the afternoon. "farewell" to Prince Michael, as he departed from her The opening ceremony was attended by some 1,800 borough after tea in the pavilion. Prince Michael giving his speech. COLFEIAN 1 Above: The Guard of Honour about to be inspected by H.R.H. Prince Michael of Kent. Left: Head Boy, Andrew Wishart, giving the Latin oration. Below: Mr. Moynihan, the Minister for Sport, and Mr. Brooker finish their game. COLFEIAN SCHOOL ENTRY — SEPTEMBER 1988 This brief note on admissions to the School is, to pay anything towards the tuition fees and a further regrettably (for me!), the last which I shall have had seven less than £75 per term. Some families are also the privilege of writing. By mid-September, I shall eligible for help with other expenses — school meals, have retired after 12 years with Colfe's. During this uniform, and travel to and from Colfe's. The scheme time, I have watched the School metamorphose from a will be worth over £80,000 in school year 1988-89 to voluntary aided establishment into what many believe those who gained an AP for the first time in the to be the premier centre of academic excellence in Kent Autumn term. and in London. Help in meeting the fees is not confined to the AP Our success in attracting high-calibre candidates can scheme. Many parents are making personal sacrifices be simply measured statistically. to send their children to Colfe's, and this year the In 1977, our first year of regained independence, we Governors have been able to assist financially through had 191 applications for entry at 11 + ; of these 74 the award of 20 new Scholarships, Exhibitions and "independent" boys accepted places and a further 12 Bursaries to boys and girls of high academic ability. — the last of the "maintained" pupils — were The teaching profession has retained its position as nominated by Bexley LEA and ILEA. Since then, the largest occupational group amongst "new" however, we have received almost 3000 11 + applica- parents, followed by substantial numbers of health tions and have admitted something over one-third of workers. The School's broad social mix continues to the candidates at an average approaching 100 a year. be maintained by the banker and the builder, the This upward trend in 11 + applications over the past psychologist and the scientist, the priest and the 11 years has been fairly well sustained; on only four journalist, the plumber and the postmaster, the occasions (1980, 1982, 1984 and 1987) have there been musician and the mariner, the poulterer and the a slight reduction compared with the previous year. publican — discriminating people all who, with our Similarly, the number of entrants in all age groups other parents, will provide the support and encourage- has risen from just over 100 in 1978 to a record 203 in ment essential to our pupils' continued success. 1987 and a very substantial 190 in 1988. We are now heavily engaged in preparing for the This general tendency towards higher members 1989 intake and would welcome enquiries from without any lowering of academic quality is parents of prospective pupils, including girls as well as encouraging — but it is quite astonishing when viewed boys at Sixth Form level. Prospectuses may be against the back-cloth of falling rolls and school obtained from the School office on 01-852 2283. closures in the maintained sector. Since Colfe's We have set aside one afternoon and three evenings reverted to independent status in 1977, the annual during which prospective parents are cordially invited number of pupils entering secondary education in the to tour the premises and meet the staff. These Boroughs of Bromley, Bexley, Lewisham and receptions have been arranged for 2.30 pm on Greenwich (which embrace the bulk of our catchment Thursday 13th October 1988 and 7.15 pm on area) has fallen by almost 40%.