Vol. XXX THE STOIC Number 8 Editors: Decem ber 1990 S. A. Brittain J. A. Cazalet PhOIOWaphs: Fronl Cow!r J. S. Goss and Inside Back Cover P. D.deM.Oyens by E. A. G. Shi/linf,10n. Lucie E. Polter Inside Front CO\'er Staff Editors: Dr. T. A. OZlurk E. A. G. Shillington by S. A. Brinoin. Mr. E. S. Thompson D. J. G. Szalay EDITORIAL AS the recent Free Kuwait leaflets, badges and banners have amply demonstrated, Stoics may be removed but not remote from issues of international concern, such as possible conflict in the Gulf. or urgent questions about European integration, economic, political and social. Pineapple Day on 20th May was an equally vivid, if more domestic, illustration of active Stoic care and generosity. Staff and Stoics alike gave up their weekend to organise and participate, alongside the local community, in a variety of events which raised over £10,000. Our report and photographs are graphic testimony to the free interplay of charity and fun. On another summer occasion, Speech and Old Stoic Day, the Headmaster's maiden address emphasised that, marvellous as Stowe's heritage and beauty are, it is primarily the people here who endow the School with its purpose and character. That Stoic spirit of adventure was no less evident in last year's expeditions to the Galapagos and Nepal, the absorbing accounts of which are given within these pages. Daunted by neither size nor distance, individual initiatives look Stoics to South Africa, the Soviet Union, as well as Luxemburg and Liechtenstein, among other European mini-states. Stowe's cultural and creative tradition was also on display in the Lower Sixth production of Amadeus, and the enthusiastic reception of Pavilion Opera's Magic Flute in the Music Room. The Junior Congreve staged successfully Priestley's An Inspector Calls. One of the highlights of Autumn's musical programme was the 'Mistral' Saxophone Quartet's entertaining evening in the Roxburgh Hall. The House Music Competition was, as ever, entertaining, with Stanhope winning the overall prize for best performances. It is customary for us to spotlight Rugby, Hockey and Cricket, and, of course, Athletics, which continued the School's habit of success. Equally pleasing, anll deserving of recognition, however, are the achievements of the so·called 'minor sports,' Golf, Croquet and Swimming. Girls' sport at Stowe is also alive and kicking and we point particularly to the Summer Term's highly accomplished Girls' Tennis teams. The campaign for, and building of, the Paul Dobinson Memorial Theatre was an expression of the sense of enterprise and tradition shared by the whole School. The Theatre was officially opened on 10th November and will be managed by Mr. McKillop, who joined the Staff in September. Other new arrivals included: Mrs. Green, who will teach History and Classical Civilisation; Mrs. Evans to Modern Languages; Mr. Tearle to Chemistry; and Miss Cowling to the Economics and Politics Department. We also welcome Mr. Henderson as our Organist, and congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Hirst on the birth of their son, Jamie. Mr. Hirst will be taking over Chandos House from Mr. Dobinson, who, sadly, will be leaving Stowe to become Headmaster of Lindisfarnc College in Clwyd. Mr. Kreeger became in Autumn Term the Housemaster of Temple, after Mr. Marcuse. Amongst those other distinguished and long·standing members of Staff who departed was Mr. Gatehouse. We carry inside our valedictory appreciation of all those members who left in July. To be recorded here, however, is our gratitude to Mr. Richardson for so ably filling in for the History Department during the Summer Term. The Editors Anthony is clearly a very competent scientist. self, an unflagging sense of justice tempered Not many have taught, as he has, both physics with deep personal humility and boundless and chemistry in the Sixth Form. But his good humour. He has given great strength to The Prefectorial body consists currently of the following:- scholarship extends well beyond his own the spiritual life of the school and it is as a subject and, for example, he has a wide Christian schoolmaster that we shall perhaps E. P. Kavindele Head of School knowledge of literature. Conversation with him remember Douglas most strongly of all, as he J. K. S. Mackenzie Second Prefect soon demonstrates how much he has absorbed now moves on to his new life at St. Aubyns, T. H. P. Russell Head of Bruce from his many travels, particularly in Spain. Rottingdean. M. S. Baldini Head of Temple Stoics have sometimes been unwise enough to For the last five years Temple House has had J. A. Cazalet Head of Grenville try to persuade him to agree to an extra day or his unstinted support and concern. No problem A. E. Beattie Joint Head of Chandos & Prefect of Club two of holiday for reasons such as obscure has been too small for him, no person less A. C. H. Watson Joint Head of Chandos festivals in far-off countries, impossible flight important than any other. It was the same in L. H. Ferrand Head of Cobham times or the failure of British Rail to provide Nugent in the days when it was a Third Form R. J. Q. Green Head of Chatham convenient connections. They have been dis­ boys' House and provided its inmates with a J. L. E. Agostini Head of Grafton appointed for Anthony is always quick to see most secure and happy start. the flaw in any argument; he is something of a W. 'L. C. Morris Head of Walpole It was in Douglas' rooms in both houses, of O. P. M. Seale Joint Head of Lytlelton connoisseur of obscure festivals and an expert course, that Centrepoint, the School's weekly on unusual travel arrangements. Humour is one I. Yongsunthon Joint Head of Lytlelton & Prefect of Grounds Christian meeting (forerunner of Crossfire) of his trademarks and his reply would almost Zoe H. Beale Head of Stanhope took place; many, many Stoics have been forti· certainly have brought laughter to those listen­ Alison R. Howard Head of Nugent fied by the biscuits, coffee, inspiring speakers ing. He has a fund of absurd stories and, as D. S. Beveridge Prefect of Grounds and practical prayer. There was always, anyone who has taught within earshot of his M. J. C. Flower, rna. Prefect of Club '{ without any particular fuss, a very great F. Morgan Prefect of Defaulters (Boys) classroom will know, his lessons are enjoyable, welcome, an understated (but very real) as well as being serious intellectual activity. N. G. B. Mynett Prefect of Main Building Christian friendship, a deep (but never T. J. Scarff Prefect of Sanctions Like many good schoolmasters, Anthony is paraded) knowledge of the Bible. Those who wary of educationalists and their theories, heard Douglas preach in Chapel last year could although he has been open to persuasion. He not but be moved by his clearly-expressed, was, after all, one of the pioneer teachers for deeply-held faith. One remembers him, at one the'A' level Physical Science project. However particularly busy end-of-term (and Douglas G.C.S.E. and the consequent watering down of kept longer hours than most!) producing a text A.R.P. Sixth Form science have not impressed him; so from Isaiah with characteristic prefatory Anthony Pedder arrived at Stowe in September his pupils and for him. Nothing gave him more after 28 years, he feels the need for a change. coughs of diffidence: "Even youths grow tired 1962 after National Service in the Royal Navy pleasure than his pupils' success and no With characteristic generosity, he has presented and weary and young men stumble and fall, but and a degree at St. Andrew's University. [n pleasure was more deserved for he possesses the school with trees for Chapel Court to those who hope in the Lord will renew their appointing Anthony, Donald Crichton·Miller that priceless attribute of a teacher: he has replace those recently blown down. It was strength." "Hm!" he remarked, an impish probably did not know what a shrewd move he never spared himself. It was inevitable that he typical of him to insist that these should be trees grin suddenly lighting up the slightly creased had made, as he had secured for Stowe the would become involved in the running of the which would be at their best during term-time face; "Hm! Well that's all right then!" services of a dedicated schoolmaster. Teacher academic side of the school and in 1973, after to provide pleasure for members of the school, Everyone will have his own memories of him. of physics and chemistry, Housemaster of five years as housemaster of Nugent, he took rather than a stream of holiday visitors. As a Perhaps these may include Douglas, the report· Nugent in its original form as a junior boys' over the chemistry department and as head of member of the Common Room and sometime writer. There was the time, for example, when house, Head of Science and Senior Tutor: these science. He quickly showed himself to be on top president, his warmth and kindliness were Nugent was being pulled down in the beginning are the bare bones of a career stretching over 28 of the considerable administrative burden of much appreciated; Stowe will miss him greatly of the holidays to get ready for the first girls. years. To this list must be added years of running a department with a large technical and all must wish him a long and happy retire­ Douglas, however, was still at his reports, running the Beagles and Clay, Pigeon Shooting, and teaching staff working in an expensive new ment.