The Strathallian 1975 Vol. 11 No. 2 Contents Page Authority 3 The Headmaster 5 Editorial 5 Notes 6 The Staff 6 Chapel Notes 7 Speech Day 7 Sixth Form Lectures 8 Salvete Valete 10 House Reports 14 Music 18 "Journey's End" 19 Social Services 21 The Response to a request 26 Chemical Education 27 Societies 29 Literary Section 33 C.C.F. 41 Sport 44 Strathallian Club 66 A few facts about Schoolwear In schoolwear lasting appearance All these vital factors are depends on top quality materials embodied in our schoolwear and manufacture. with the extra bonus of Lasting appearance must be 3% discount on cash purchases coupled with ample allowance over £5. for grow th wherever possible. No charge for alterations to new It is also essential to hold prices garm ents. at a sensible level consistent w ith A free name tape sewing service. present conditions. ic n n n E 79 GEORGE STREET.ED IN BURGH EH2 3ET Tel 031-225 1461 We are official outfitters v „to Strathallan _ l School _ School Authority Head of School I. A. D. Low (left Christmas '74) A. C. McArthur Vice-Captain of School E. A. Ferguson (left Christmas '74) A. D. G. Widdowson Head of Freeland E. A. Ferguson J. S. Milne Head of Leburn N. E. Cope Head of Nicol A. D. G. Widdowson Head of Ftuthven I. A. D. Low D. F. Ferguson Head of Simpson A. C. McArthur School Prefects P. D. Hunter (left Christmas '74) T. S. Ling (left Christmas '74) J. S. P. McDonald G. J. F. Crowe (Summer '75) R. I. Whitaker (Summer '75) Head Librarian P. D. Hunter G. J. F. Crowe Editor of "The Strathallian" A. D. G. Widdowson Sub-editors A. R. Cochrane R. K. Linton A. D. MacAdam R. D. G. Powrie Advertising Manager B. J. Ball, Esq. and Farewell 4 THE HEADMASTER pleted in 1972. Outside contractors' cater­ In July Mr. A. D. D. McCallum retired, ing was introduced in 1973; in the academic after five years as Headmaster. His field, the greatest change was the re-intro- successor is Mr. C. D. Pighills. Mr. Pighills, duction of the "H ighers" in 1973. who was educated at Rydal School and In June this year the foundation stone Christ's College, Cambridge, was formerly for the new boarding house was laid by a Housemaster at Fettes. Duncan McCallum. That the second De­ The Chairman of the Board of velopment Appeal should have gone ahead Governors writes: in these difficult times, is the greatest possible tribute to his drive and enthusiasm Mr. McCallum's departure from for an ideal. He gave unstinted support to Strathallan marks the end of an era and a the fund raising efforts of the campaign, unique period of service to the School. He travelling throughout the country to was first appointed in 1951 as Second numerous meetings. The new building will Master and until 1956 was largely re­ be a reminder to us of his tremendous sponsible for carrying out the policies of efforts. Mr. Hoare, which did so much to raise the reputation of the School to the pre-eminent It is customary on such occasions to position it now occupies. make a passing tribute to the great man's wife. In this year of Women's Liberation, In 1956, Mr. McCallum was appointed such cavalier treatment is quite unjustified, Headmaster of Christ's College, Brecon, and if it ever was. Rosemary McCallum’s contri from there he moved to the Headmastership bution to the School's life has not been re­ of Epsom College in 1961. His return to corded officially but her influence behind the Strathallan in 1970 on Mr. Hoare's retiral scenes, her kindness, hospitality and gentle was greatly welcomed by all who knew him. presence will never be forgotten by those Mr. McCallum's Headmastership has who knew her. given us continued progress through a most To Duncan and Rosemary go all our difficult period of political, economic and good wishes for a long, healthy and happy social change, and in spite of these retiral in Norfolk with our grateful thanks problems, there has been steady develop­ for all they have done for Strathallan. ment. The Sports Hall, thanks to the generosity of the Gannochy Trust, was com­ W T. PATON EDITORIAL Whether the reader's main concern is the payment of school fees or the purchase of an ice-cream, he cannot have failed to be acutely aware of the effects of inflation. "The Strathallian" has not escaped the common illness. Over the past eighteen months the cost of printing paper alone has more than doubled, and the decision has had to be taken to reduce the number of pages. We believe that the majority of our readers would not favour further cuts in the magazine content; and we have therefore reduced the size of type for much of the magazine. We trust that your enjoyment of the magazine will not be sim ilarly diminished. NOTES THE STAFF Strathallan suffered a serious loss in July with Having successfully launched Strathallan the departure of Mr. F. S. McNamara to take up Catering a la Trust Houses Forte, Miss Smith his new appointment as Vice-Principal of King has left us to introduce a similar system at William's College, Isle of Man. Mr. McNamara Gordonstoun. came to Strathallan in 1963 and has in these twelve years made a noteworthy contribution to the School in a number of spheres. Quite apart from firmly establishing Leburn as a Senior House he The recording of the broadcast of "Davie, the has, of course, been the coach of the 1st XV, and Giant Killer", has sold well. in addition the general co-ordinator of all our games activities. He has also directed a highly successful and expanding Geography Department. Who sent those combs? Ask the New York From the Maths. Department Mr. D. J. Reed police. and Mr. B. J. Gregory have also left us, to move to Perth High School and Monmouth School respec­ tively. We are very grateful to them not only for the good work they have done in the classroom, but for all the activities in which they have given a Chapel services were led by members of the helping hand. In addition, Mr. N. R. Colquhoun left school on several occasions. us at Christmas to return to his native Eton, after three energetic years here. Mr. J. Mouland Begbie has, after fifteen years Congratulations to R. I. Whitaker, who toured at Strathallan, decided it is time to retire. An with the Scottish Schools rugby party. appreciation of his work here appears under "Music", but all members of the Staff share, we are sure, in the sense of privilege of having had him w ith us. After heavy rain part of the causeway We wish all these gentlemen and their families collapsed. success and happiness. As was foreshadowed in these columns a year ago, Mr. C. P. Hewson has retired from the Of an estimated 200 fish in the pond, 400 Housemastership of Riley, at the end of seventeen were caught. years in that capacity. Of all Housemasterships, the Junior House is without doubt quite the most exacting, calling for great dedication. Strathallan is greatly in his debt. Mr. Hewson is, happily, not C. C. S. Magee was appointed official Rabbit leaving us, and he can be found in his new rooms Catcher. Simpson have eaten well. in the main school at deep extra cover. Mr. H. C. Addison has been appointed House­ master of Leburn, and Mr. M. J. E. Wareham Housemaster of Riley. In place of Mr. Colquhoun Slide projecting has been unimpeddied by fir we welcom ed in January Mr. N. T. H. Du Boulay. cones. Sadly, news has reached us of the sudden and premature deaths of two former members of staff. The Rev. G. D. Buchanan was Chaplain from 1959 The Prefect's Lawn was well rolled in the to 1964, and Mr. P. S. Taylor was Head of the Arthurian manner. M aths Department from 1967 to 1970. Work is well under way on the new Houses. Three tennis courts were re-surfaced. MR. ARCHIE DOIG Generations of Old Strathallians will be saddened to hear of the death of Mr. Archie Doig. Before his retirement he served the School wholly The Choir sang in Dunkeld Cathedral for the and devotedly for forty-four years. In his early first time. days he was Harry Riley's chauffeur; and thus a link with our past is broken. There are many who will long recall Archie's simple honesty and goodness; and in extending our sincere sympathy Congratulations to Mr. B. J. Ball on his to his wife and family we shall remember him with marriage to Miss Marie McBurnie. gratitude. 6 CHAPEL NOTES (B.B.C. Religious Broadcasting Department), the The following were confirmed into the Church Rev. George Buchanan-Smith and the Rev. David of Scotland on 9 March: C. B. Biggart, G. K. Weekes (both of Fettes), the Rev. George Martin Cochrane, A. H. Cumming, J. Currie, Q. J. Davidson, (Merchiston), Brother Bruce (Society of St. P. J. M. Fairlie, D. R. I. Fingland, W. Gibson, Francis), R. L. Kirkland, the Headmaster and the D. M. N. Gillanders, R. D. Goodfellow, H. J. P. Gray, Chaplain. D. T. Hay, P. A. Hill, D. L. Hinshaw, B. J. D. Lyburn, Collections were taken for the R.A.F. Benevo­ A. D. MacAdam, J. S. P. McDonald, K. C. S. lent Fund, Bangladesh Flood Relief, the Salvation McLelland, R.