I Stover School Magazine 1982-84 Cover designed by Fiona Hajee Kingfisher Print and Design, Staverton, Totnes, Devon . 1 Contents Page Headmistress's Foreword 3 In Memoriam : Miss Dence 5 Bishop Key 7 Tributes: Miss Smith 8 Miss King 8 Staff Room News 9 Mr. Guntrip 10 Original Contributions 11-13 School Offices, 1982-84 14 Examination Results, 1982-84 15-18 Speech Day — Alternative View 19 New Entrants and Leavers 20, 21 Original Contributions, French Horoscope 22, 23 Ski-ing Trip 24 Adventure Caving 25 Field Trips 26-28 Public Speaking Team 29 Original Contributions 29 Music Report 30-33 `Trial by Jury' 34 Barn Dance 35 `Arms and the Man' 35 Miss Lashbrook's Wedding 36 Gymnastics and Sports Reports 37-42 Old Girls' Association 43-47 3 Headmistress's Foreword Since the last magazine was published, there have been many changes and with the sad loss of Miss Phyllis Dence and Bishop John Maurice Key during the winter of '84-'85, there is no doubt that Stover for many will never be the same . Their enormous strength and sense of purpose through so many changes are looked on by generations of girls as the inspiration which made sense in their muddled, aimless adolescence. Nevertheless a school which is filled with young people looking forward to their own futures has little time to ponder on the past, particularly when involved in changes in their own immediate environment. Inevitably with the advent of a new Headmistress there will be changes, each one provoking a flurry of excitement or anxiety until it too becomes familiar. Having seen Stover in the spring with its carpet of primroses, it has been for me a constant source of surprise and delight to watch the seasons unroll some new treasure in the grounds but far more exciting has been each discovery of talent, whether it has been in a pupil or her teacher, in the people who make up this community. Many of these events are described in the following pages and I hope that you therefore will experience some of my sense of pleasure as you read about what is happening at your school . Mrs Wendy Lunel 5 In Memoriam Miss Dence — Headmistress 1935-1963 It is with a feeling of great sadness that I write these lines — sadness for the loss of a valued friend. I was lucky enough to arrive at Stover before Miss Dence retired and so had the benefit of working with her for two years . The high standard of the music was achieved after years of hard work, careful nurturing and infectious enthusiasm together with the judgement of a perfectionist. Those lucky enough to come into contact were privileged indeed. She introduced and instilled the love of music and her senior choir was one of the finest in the country . They made several live broadcasts from the Plymouth studio. Though Head Mistress she remained warm, generous and approachable so that even the smallest and newest pupil could be sure of a ready and sympathetic ear for any problem — or just to go and talk. She had a great love of nature — her garden and her flowers . It was a common sight, after tea, to see Miss Dence busy arranging bowls and vases of flowers — outside the door surrounded by the younger girls. With such a knowledge of plants and birds the seed of interest and observation was sown in many young minds. In latter years many, both Staff and girls, will remember with pleasure the traditional carol singing in the entrance hall, at the end of each Christmas term, with Miss Dence at the piano. She was a firm and faithful friend; kind, generous and ever thoughtful for others, especially if they were sick or in trouble, and a very gracious hostess . Finally she was a deeply committed Christian and this was evident throughout her life and in all she undertook . K.M.K. I and many others will miss her . She had a hand in teaching all who were at Stover the meaning of goodness, and I am sure many of us still think and say, `I mustn't do that — Miss Dence would not approve .' Pat Sharp As a child, my school days were very happy as a direct result of the way Miss Dence directed Stover as Head Mistress . At Stover we not only received an academic education but also were introduced to the wider world of the Arts and I owe Miss Dence a debt of gratitude. Jennifer Galloway I have many happy memories of Miss Dence . I know that she was to many of us a source of great encouragement . It was good to know that one had such a stalwart ally on one's side, and her support and interest continued long after I had left Stover . Janet Lynch Watson (Meadows) She was a splendid person, and as an old girl of Stover I remember her guidance and example of personal integrity with gratitude . As a musician she developed in so many of us a lasting interest and pleasure in music, which is surely the mark of a talented and successful teacher . Anne Evans 7 In Memoriam Bishop John Maurice Key It was with great sadness that the school learnt of the sudden death of Bishop Key shortly before Christmas, 1984. Bishop Key was School Chaplain and Chairman of the Board of Governors from 1966 until 1982. John Key was ordained at Portsea in 1928, and became rector of Aylesbeare in Devon three years later. From there he moved to Highweek, Newton Abbot, where he began his close connection with Stover, and was soon to marry Miss Joan Dence, then principal of the school . During the war years he was at Devonport, Plymouth, and in the terrible blitz of that city his growing family took refuge at Stover when his Rectory was bombed . In 1947 he was consecrated Bishop of Sherborne, and moved to Salisbury — the city for which his youngest son, Robert, is now a Member of Parliament. Bishop Key was translated to Truro in 1960, a position greatly enjoyed by both himself and his wife until their retirement. The Bishop was an extremely popular Chairman of the Governors and member of the Stover School community, loved and respected by governors, staff and pupils . Ever-cheerful, he had the great gift of bringing laughter to any situation, and his delightful home at `Donkeys', within the school grounds, was a favourite retreat for many generations of pupils . His home gave him particular pleasure — he had designed it himself — and he spent many joyful hours watching the ever-changing view of Haytor from his living-room window. It gave him real joy to preside over the annual confirmation services held at Teigngrace Church when the pupils, many of them known well to him personally, committed themselves to the faith which was of such importance to him . The Confirmation teas which followed were, of course, an added pleasure to the day! He also thoroughly enjoyed the Jubilee celebrations of 1982, and was especially honoured to be the Chairman of the Governors at such a time. The extremely successful festivities, combined with the glorious weather of the weekend, made it a special pleasure for him — from the opening of the newly-built Jubilee Hall, through to the moving Eucharist service held on the Sunday morning. Bishop Key will be greatly missed by all at Stover, and we can only send our very sincerest best wishes for the future to Mrs Key and her family. An Appreciation When I heard shortly before Christmas of the death of Bishop Key that well known Christmas Carol `Good King Wenceslas' came to mind . I had an image in my mind of a big man striding through the winter weather in order to do his good works. Bishop Key was a big man in every sense of the word . He strode through life leaving a clear mark for the benefit of others who would follow. My personal association first came about when I was asked to join the Board of Governors under his Chairmanship . I soon appreciated his leadership as he directed our deliberations and discussions. He had an ability to listen with interest to all points of view and then to form them into a decision or policy that would meet with general approval . I always felt that any idea or opinion expressed at our meetings would be considered with interest and respect and its true worth decided upon . He would never impose his own views and he led the Governors for so many years for the great benefit of the School. When he decided the time had come to retire and I was honoured to be elected to the Chairmanship, I was very conscious that I was following in the footsteps of a very good man indeed. Since then, many changes have taken place at Stover and the Governors have had considerable difficulties to overcome . A lesser man than Bishop Key could easily have either interfered or objected or merely turned his back and walked away . He did none of these things . He was always on hand to help, to advise, to guide and to pray for the future wellbeing of the School. I, like many others, will miss him very much indeed . His example and inspiration will live on in the School . R. H. Roberts (Chairman of the Board of Governors) 8 Retirement Miss C. A. Smith In July 1984 Miss Smith retired as Headmistress of Stover, a position she had held for the previous fifteen years.