The Strathallian The new Scoreboard looks• impressive during our innings against Morpeth School Authority Captain of the School M. R. MITCHELL (Captain of Simpson) Vice-Captain of the School P. T. GOODALL (Captain of Nicol) School Prefects B. A. WINGATE (Captain of Ruthven) R. B. GRAY (Captain of Freeland) M. J. BUCHER H. GALT J. C. S. RANKIN S. R. ROSELLE A. T. ROSS I. D. E. SIM P. J. G. SMITH J. THOMSON C aptain of Rugby .. P. J. G. SMITH Captain of Cricket . J. C. S. R A N K IN Captain of Hockey ... M. W. SHAW Captain of Athletics . I. C. BO RLA N D THE STRATHALLIAN THE MAGAZINE OF STRATHALLAN SCHOOL PERTHSHIRE Telephone No.: BRIDGE OF EARN 2 3 2 Volume S ix A ugust . 1960 N umber E leven Editorial T his has undoubtedly been a good year for the School, perhaps —as the Headmaster has said—our best year so far. More of our sixth-formers are gaining admission to Oxford and Cambridge—and that is the acid test of a school’s academic prowess—and our products are still continuing to impress those canny business men who award Industrial Scholarships. High­ lights of the year on the games field were victories in cricket matches with Loretto and Edinburgh Academy, and our defeat of Fettes at hockey; the time is not far distant when successes such as these will cause us no particular excitement. Less spectacular, but probably of greater significance in the out-of-class life of the school, are the new playing fields and pitches which have been brought into use this year; we can now in fact justly feel proud of our grounds. The gymnasium reverberated to the surprisingly pleasant sounds of “Ruddigore” and the stage shook to the thud of a chorus which included a Bridesmaid who wore size 12 shoes. A great deal of hard work led to the Fete, which can only be described as a tremendous financial success. The cause of the Fete, and the cause of a less happy event in the year, was of course the building of our new Chapel; we still have not all the money we need, but the Governors were surely right in their bold decision to start work. This has, more regrettably, led to the felling of the great beech trees in the Chapel Drive: they had become dangerous, and their demolition has greatly lightened the north-west corner of the main building, but nonetheless one was sorry when such venerable relics of an earlier age were cut down. The School’s activities have become more diverse than ever, and innovations include a Science Society and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme; it is about these societies and activities that this Editorial feels obliged to comment. These societies have two main purposes: one is to provide instruction on subjects in which boys are interested, and the other—and more important—purpose is to give boys experience and practice in running things. The Company Director of tomorrow can gain an early taste of a Board Meeting through his membership of a Committee running a Debating Society or Young Farmers’ Club, and, perhaps above all, the society dfficial should learn 4 The Magazine of Strathallan School the meaning of responsibility. It has sometimes happened in the past that a school society has prospered for so long as a master has been able to give it active help, but has quickly faded away as soon as he has withdrawn into the background: where this has happened, it has shown up in an unfavourable light the reliability, sense of responsibility and powers of leadership of the boys holding official positions in that society. We can all talk glibly about leadership, and, as often as not, the picture in the back of our minds is of issuing the appropriate words of command, and then charging the enemy trenches at the head of our company or battalion. When we think of leadership, we probably think too much about command, too little about responsibility, and perhaps never at all about reliability. The boy who can be relied upon to carry out his particular task in the running of a society, who can be relied upon to give of his best (no matter how poor it may be) on the games field, and who can be relied upon to work conscientiously and to hand in exercises punctually, has already gone far towards earning the respect of those around him, whether masters or other boys; and the acquisition of such respect is a major step towards obtaining powers of leadership which do not depend solely upon the shouted command. Staff Notes T he year was sadly marked by the departure of several senior members of the Staff. Mr. A. M. Appleby, for some years Housemaster of Ruthven, left the post of Head of the Modern Languages Department at Christmas to enter the business world; Mrs. Appleby, too, had served efficiently for four years as Headmaster’s Secretary. Mr. R. Heron, Housemaster of Freeland, biologist, and ever-enthusiastic coach of rugger and athletics, has gone to Christ’s College, Brecon, to undertake very similar responsibilities there. Mr. A. P. F. Alexander has taken his skill at languages, cricket and fencing, and his ebullient personality, to Clare School, Somerset, where he has become Headmaster of the Preparatory School. Finally, Mr. A. S. Gillespie, rich in experience, learning and wisdom, has retired after forty years of teaching biology, years which have won him many academic distinctions; but he was probably less proud of these distinctions than of the help he had been able to give to the less-bright boys in Strathallan and the other schools in which he had taught. These gentlemen, in their different ways, have all contributed greatly to the progress which the school has made in recent years, and we are all grateful to them for their unsparing The Magazine of Strathallan School 5 labours on the school’s behalf. They and their charming families take with them our good wishes for the future, and our sincere regrets at their departure. Miss A. L. Newman has also left, after four years as Head­ master’s Secretary. During this time she took a keen interest in all school activities, and won the universal respect and regard of the staff, not less by her delightful personality than by her unstintingly hard work on behalf of the school. To her, also, we wish good fortune. During the year we have welcomed to the Staff five new masters. Mr. P. A. Barker was educated at St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge, and taught at Eton before coming to Strathallan to teach Chemistry; he has already gained a reputation as an organiser of foreign tours. Mr. R. E. Birley read History at Brasenose College, Oxford, and played for the O.U. Greyhounds Rugger team; his enthusiasm for strenuous out-door activities is perhaps natural for one who was com­ missioned in the R.M. “Commandos”. Maj. T. C. G. Fairbairn was educated at Keble College, Oxford, and is now Head of Modern Languages as well as O/C of the C.C.F. Mr. G. Giles studied at Glasgow University, is now in charge of the Maths and Physics teaching in the school, and has taken over the supervision of the “Workshops”. Mr. S. W. J. Penny read Modern Languages at Manchester University, has started the teaching of Russian at the school, and has already made a name for himself in Perth as a fine pianist and string-player. Mr. R. N. Bain T here are perhaps few of us who had the privilege of knowing him intimately. For he was like that, a shy man. Yet most of us must remember the man himself as he went about with purposeful step overseeing the School’s business. And most of us were known by him. While we generations of Strathallians came and went between 1922 and 1955, he gave himself wholeheartedly to us and the School, and looked after expertly our beautiful buildings, grounds and playing fields. He grew up with Strathallan from its infancy at Freeland House, through adolescence to the final bloom of manhood. He watched with the interest, pride and understanding of a wise parent. Very few of us realise that he had the responsibility of planning and building the many new projects started and completed over a span of thirty years: gym, swimming pool, new dining room, Simpson House, cricket pavilion, new class­ rooms and many more. He cherished them all. Himself a craftsman, he loved good workmanship. 6 The Magazine of Strathallan School He was more than the trusted servant of our Founder Harry Riley: he was his confidant. When after the war a period of lean years overtook us, his loyalty and confidence remained unshaken and he stood as a pillar steadfast on its foundation. Many of us will remember thankfully the helpful advice he tendered when it was sought. Never hasty, never verbose, it came hesitantly, quietly but surely, with a cock of the head, blue eyes sparkling. We remember with deep gratitude a man of unfailing courtesy, a fine gentleman, and a great friend, who toiled with a big heart unceasingly for the welfare of Strathallan. Gilmour Leburn, M.P. Mr. R. P. McGlynn It is with regret that we record the death of Mr. R. P. McGlynn. Hon. L.T.C.L. at the age of 87. He had taught the violin at Strathallan for over 30 years, in fact, ever since the earliest days of the School on the present site.