Strathallian the STRATHALLIAN
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The Strathallian THE STRATHALLIAN THE MAGAZINE OF STRATHALLAN SCHOOL PERTHSHIRE T elephone N o.: BRIDGE OF EARN 232 Vo l u m e E igh t A u t u m n , 1 9 6 5 N u m b e r O ne School Authority Captain of the School M. I. M. DAWSON (Head of Ruthven. Left 65') B. M. S. BORLAND (Head of Freeland) School Prefects J. R. N. KEECH (Vice-Captain of the School and Head of Freeland. Left 643) A. M. CUMMING (Vice-Captain of the School and Head of Simpson) A. J. SLOAN (Head of Nicol) M. G. MADJD (iHead of Ruthven) R. C. G. DRYSDALE. J. F. GALBRAITH, A. G. HOUSTON, I. K. LAMONT (Left 64'), N. F. MACMILLAN (Left 651), J. S. HUNTER, W. B. MELVILLE School Games Captains Rugby ............................................. M. I. M. DAWSON Cricket ......................................................... A. J. SLOAN Hockey ......................................... N. F. MACMILLAN Athletics ................................................. R. A. TAYLOR Boxing ......................................... B. M. S. BORLAND Cross-Country .................................... A, G. HOUSTON Fencing ..................................................... B. C. YOUNG Fives ..................................................... W. B. MELVILLE Sailing ................................................. T. R. FAWCETT Shooting .......................................... C. D. FERGUSON Swimming ......................................... A, M. CUM MING Tennis .............................................. J. P. GALBRAITH Editors of “ The Strathallian ” M. G. CLARK and C. A. WILLSON-WHITE 4 The Magazine of Strathallan School The first Wedding in the School Chapel: Mr. K. M. Walker and Miss Rosemary Hoare The Magazine of Strathallan School 5 Editorial Strath allan weather being as variable as it is, we here are always likely to be blessed with that traditional gambit of con versation which one imagines would meet with little success if each day was invariably like the last. Nevertheless, there is comfort to be found in J. M. Barrie’s epigram: “ If it’s heaven for climate, it’s hell for company.” And does not a philosophical attitude to sudden movements on the barograph imbue us with a similar outlook on life in general? Take, for instance, house-matches. In summer the house professional is to be heard indulging in pleasurable anticipation at the bounce which a sun-baked New Field will impart to his already dangerous deliveries; in winter the same stalwart looks forward to a closely-knit battle in the chocolate - pudding that November rains make of Little Acre. Yet the demand for crutches is, taken by and large, by no means so great as might be expected, and indeed, the only people to seem the worse for wear belong to that extraordinary group of habitual martyrs who appear to find in a permanent hobble a source of superior dignity and pleasure. One wonders what sort of kick they have got out of it. But even for the lucky ones who can afford to regard life as a series of interesting comedies, there are lessons to be learnt, both from books and from the lives of others. The following pages are intended to furnish ample evidence of the activity of Strathallians, not only at School, but also at home and abroad. Rev. Canon Derrick-Large It was with profound regret that the sad news of the death of Canon Derrick-Large in Perth on 2nd September, 1965, was received by all connected with Strathallan. Canon Derrick-Large came regularly in the past fourteen years out of the goodness of his heart to prepare the members of the Episcopal Church for Confirmation. Despite his arduous parish duties and his precarious health during the past year, he never spared himself; he came out from Perth in all weathers to take Communion services in the School Chapel on Sunday mornings and never missed a service. He always showed a great interest in Strathallan and he and his wife were welcome visitors on Speech Day and at other School functions. As a preacher he had few equals and his sermons were of vintage quality, eagerly looked forward to by the whole School. His ability to bring home a simple lesson pithily and interestingly was characteristic of the man himself. 6 The Magazine of Strathallan School He had a gay sense of fun and had the wonderful gift of communicating his friendliness and cheerfulness and of making one feel instantly at home with him. No-one left him without feeling a better man; his presence acted as a tonic on all those whom he met and the burdens of the everyday world seemed to disappear. Although he had no official position in the School, he was part of our life and he will be greatly missed not only by those of us in the School who were in his congregation, but by all who came in contact with him. He will always be remembered by us as a wise counsellor and a wonderful friend; we are deeply grateful to him for all he did for us. We extend our sincere sympathy to his wife and relatives in their sorrow. W.N.S.H. Staff Notes A t the end of the year we said goodbye to three masters. Mr. Thomson has left after live years at Strathallan to take over the Mathematics Department at Gordonstoun. He has left his mark on many School activities, including the founding of the pre-service section of the C.C.F. and the running of the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme at Strathallan. He was House Tutor of Simpson. He has entertained us with some excellent concerts, primarily intended for the older patients at Bridge-of- Earn Hospital, treated us to some splendid noises on his bassoon, and provided us with Christmas cards. His boundless energy and good humour will be missed, and he and his wife take our best wishes with them. Mr. Studholme has returned to his native New Zealand. Originally intending to stay here for three years, he was per suaded to spend five at Strathallan, during which he has made a full contribution to the life of the School. He did much to bring about the building of the language laboratory and is responsible for its successful inclusion in the curriculum of those learning languages. He was House Tutor of Freeland. He introduced many boys to winter sports and to music of all kinds, arid he ran the Scripture Union. We wish him well at Christ’s College, where our loss will be their gain. Mr. Craig has taught Art on a part-time basis for the past nine years, and many have admired both his own work and that of his pupils. He will still be at Glenalmond, and we hope he will be able to come and see us. The Magazine of Strathallan School 7 Miss Mackenzie has retired after nine years as Matron of Riley House. She has looked after the welfare of many boys, who will all remember her with affection. We wish her every happiness in her retirement, and we hope she will return to Strathallan to visit us. This year we welcomed Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Whyte. Mr. Whyte is an Oxford Rugby Blue and Scottish International. We also welcomed Lt.-Col. J. D. Aldridge, who has taken up the new appointment of School Factor. W.N.S.H. The Sixth Form Block and (left) the Language Laboratory School Notes T he Sixth Form Block was opened by the Chairman of the Governors in November, 1964. Its primary purpose is to house the Arts Sixth, and both teachers and learners have adJudged it a great success. The new Language Laboratory was opened at the same time, replacing the temporary quarters behind the gym, and many boys have benefited from it. A filtration plant and heating system have been installed in the swimming pool. 8 The Magazine of Strathallan School New lamps have been placed along the drive. They were originally gas-lamps in Edinburgh. A six-hole golf course has been constructed alongside the pond and on the mud-flats. A small pavilion has been built by the New Field. New lavatories and washbasins have been built near the tuck-shop entrance. The showers in the strip-rooms have been modernised. Oil-fired heating is being installed in the main School. The fives courts are being converted into workshops. Squash is to replace fives, and two new courts will be built shortly. A new games field is being laid out behind the gym. The Choir and Orchestra accompanied the evening service in St. Giles’ Cathedral on July 25th. (See ‘Music Notes’). One of the bedrooms in the maids’ quarters was gutted by fire during the winter. E. Smith, the Houseman, was presented with a medal by the Headmaster for his work in preventing the fire spreading. R. A. Lamb and R. G. Lawson won Gold Medals in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. I. W. L. Brown and N. F. Macmillan played for the Scottish Schoolboys Hockey XI. C. A. H. Greig is the Scottish Schoolboys Ski-ing Champion. Dr. Fraser represented the Church of Scotland at the funeral service of Sir Winston Churchill in St. Paul’s Cathedral. A. G. Houston, R. A. Lamb, R. G. Lawson and A. P. D. Wilkinson (Old Strathallian), attended Royal Garden parties at Holyrood House. The Magazine of Strathallan School 9 Mr. Whyte played regularly for Scotland at rugby. We congratulate Miss Rosemary Hoare on her marriage to Mr. K. M. Walker. We congratulate Mr. McNamara and Mr. Thomson on their marriages. We congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Fairbairn, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, and Mr. and Mrs. Young on the birth of sons, and Mr. and Mrs. Grigsby, Mr. and Mrs. McNamara, and Mr. and Mrs. Shaw on the birth of daughters. Mr. Studholme would be glad to hear from any Strathallian contemplating going to New Zealand.