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AFTER M ASS, ON OCTOBER ~)TH , 1948.

H is Lordship th e Bishop, with the H ead master, the Parish Priest, and the ;\l.C.

St. Michael's College Magazine HITCHIN

VOL. XX I I I JULY, 1949

OUR BISHOP

N ever have the rays of refl ected glory shone so brightly and so warmly about us as they did in the early days of October of last year, when his Lordship, Bishop Beck, visited the school for the first time since his episcopal uonsecration.

It is difficult to put into words what we all thought and felt on that occasion. H ere was one a ttached to the school by ties innumerable, well known to a ll but the youngest members of the present, and to many generations of Old Michaeleans, now back in our midst wearing a bishop's robes.

He was truly our bishop. H e had learnt in our classrooms, and played on our fields. His first year of pries thood had been spent here. FI",om St. Michael' s his influence had begun to radiate widely and while still on the Staff of the school he had become known to all English Catholics as a writer, a broadcaster, and a specialist in educational matters. Now we saw him vested with a dignity which would strengthen his influence with a ll the authority that belongs, in the eyes of Catholics, to the Hierachy.

We could with justifi cation- and did withou t reserve- indulge in proud feelings. T he awful remoteness of a man upon whom Christ's Vicar had oonferred the plenitude of the priesthood seemed in no way to dispel the elation that was ours in the knowledge that we had amongst us for one brief but very joyful day a 'Bishop who belonged to the school, and to whom the school belonged.

* * * W e print below the address read to His Lordship by the School

Captain during a memorable assembly in the hall on October 8th. I t gives us pleasure a lso to record in these pages the names of those who oontributed to the Presentation Fund. Thanks to their generosity the School was able to offer to ,the new bishop as a token of affection and admiration a set of episcopal ropes. Parents and friends responded libera lly to .the appeal sent ou t by F r. Bernard. The School is grateful to the foll owing:

The R everend ]. Athil!.

The Sisters of the Sacred Heart College Community; Sisters of the Sacred Heart, Verulam Road; St. F rancis' College; Our Lady of Peace, R oxley Court; St. ]oseph's Convent, Baldock; Sisters of P rovidence, Baldock; St. Benedict's Priory, Royston;

Messrs. F . AlIington, H. Bebb, E. Curtin, C. Alderton, C. Lack, B. F orsyth, ] . Leary, C. Z wets loot, F. Lukaszewski,

D . Cahill, C. Cahill, P. Burke, E. Andrews, F. Alien, D. King, A. Winandy, A. R ees, H . Dennys, L. Baldwin, S. Thacker, ]. Coulson, L. Robinson, P. Smith , M. Page, P . Osborn, K. Brechin, E . Watkin, W. Daly, E. Raban, I. Caldwell, D. Class, L. Coatcher, D . Shaw, A. Pakenham, W. B lumenslock, M. Charleson, C . Munford, F. Ward, E. Lemmon, ]. Shepheard, E. Codfrey, M. Glass, A. White, A. Haynes, ]. F allowfield and S. Fau!.

Mrs. Key, M rs. Furr, Mr. and Mrs. Callagher, Mrs. W ey, Mrs. Long, Mr. and Mrs. Moore, Mr. Crabowski, Mr. and Mrs. Robbins, Mrs. Keegan, Mr. O'Mahoney, Mrs. Lay ton, Mrs. P eacock, Mrs. Arcari, Mrs. Ahern, Mr. H arris, Mr. and Mrs. O yston, Mrs. Lewis, M r. and Mrs. Rapley, Mr. Quigley, Mrs. Eberhard, Mr. Trivett, Mrs. Wilson, Mr. C. H. Alien, Mrs Capon, Mr. and M rs. Sell, Mr. and Mrs. Sayer, M r. and M rs. Foyster, Mr. and Mrs. Smart, Mrs. Haettenschwiller, Mrs. Kolodziejczuk, Mr. E. Lemmon, Mr. and Mrs. McLean, Mr. and Mrs. Rutledge, Mr. and Mrs. Yates, Mr. ]ansen, Mr. and Mrs. Mullarkey, Mrs. Levy, Mrs. Holyoake, Mrs. Cullen, Mrs. Jones, Mr. Lawrence, M rs. Crawley, Mr. and Mrs. Brookes.

Address read by the School Captain to His Lordship Bishop Beck on October 8th, 1948:

My Lord Bishop, This is the maiden speech of a new School Captain, and it may

well fail to convey to you all the enthusiasm, all the joy, and all the Pride which fill the hearts of St. Michaels' boys to-day.

suppose it may have happened before that a school has had the pleasant task of greeting a bishop who has been one of its own boys, one of its own teachers, and one of its own headmasters. It has never happened to St. Michael's before. And while we are optimistic enough to believe that this occasion, unique up to the present moment, may be repeated in future years, we are rea listic enough [.0 understand that those now present will probably be greybeards when that repetition occurs.

We are then yielding unresistingly to the exhilarating feeling that we are privileged as none o f our predecessors have been before us.

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We find ourselves represen tin g generations of Michaeleans whose voices raised the echoes in this hall before we were born. Your name has been known to the School for many years, and known not as one who has passed by and been forgotten, but as one who has been in some way connected with a lmost every development that has marked the School's history. We even dare to suggest that your elevation to the high dignity of bishop is itself a stage in the history of St. Michael's. It is assured ly not only that, but it is that among other things, and that is the aspect of the event that we proudly wish to stress to-day.

We are proud to know that when you speak of .. my school," you will mean St. Michael' s. W e are happy to know that when we hear people speak of His Lordship Bishop Beck, we can say quite simply: .. H e is our Bishop."

W e are glad to know also that we have helped in some little way to provide one element at least of that ex ternal dignity which befits a bishop of Christ's Church, and that you will wear a permanent reminder of the strong bonds which bind you to St. Michael' s

!If ever there was an occasion, My Lord, when the boys of St. Michael's felt they had a right to ask for a holiday, surely this is such an occasion. T here were days when as H eadmaster here your painful duty was to curb the natural desire of boys to escape work. We feel sure that you will find it a much more congenial task to dispense the school from its labours for t he rest of the day. But please believe that the cheers you are about to hear from this assembly will not be mercenary ones. It is with deep affection and the very greatest respect that we greet you and beg your blessing.

SCHOOL NOTES

At the opening of the school year, it was learned with dismay and very sincere regrets by parents and boys that F r. Bernard had left St. Michael's. During a relatively short stay at the school he had won the affection and admirat;on of everyone. The memory of his passage here lives on as well in the material improvements for which he was responsible as in the keen scholastic spirit which his energy and unceasin g devotion to work did so much to fo ster and to root in the school. W e who benefit by the well equipped science laboratory, the bright Orlit classroms and the business-like woodwork room have F r. Bernard to thank. H e had to shoulder the financial burdens; he had to unravel great lengths of knotted red tape; he had to combine all the extra work involved in these undertakings with the innumerable responsibili ties and worries of his headmastership. The smiling welcome he always had for visitors, the liberal gift of his time and attention to the most minute matters concerning individual boys, a ll this concealed effectively the strain that work and pre-occupation must have placed upon him.

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We wish to record here the gratitude of the whole school, the affectionate remembrance of many friends, our regret that circumstances made necesary his departure for another post sti ll more onerous-and our good wishes for the reward of success in his present sphere of work.

* * * In the early day of the Christmas term a number of Knights and

Pages of the Blessed Sacrament were enrolled. S ome twenty-five boys responded to the proposal that the Crusade should be revived in the school. According to the spirit and traditions of the Knights it was decided from the be'ginning that what was intended was a personal loyalty towards Our Lord, a personal devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, the fulfilment of personal and freely accepted responsibilities and knigh tly duties, much more than outward demonstrations of any kind . The number of meetings was purposely reduced to a minimum, and the Kni ghts sought in no way to impress the rest of the school with external activities. Mass on Saturday mornings, tho ugh attendance is then normally free for the whole school, was, not in any obliga tory way, but by common assent, more particularly the Kni ghts ' mass, and few failed to honour The Blessed Sacrament by assisting at it regularly.

We may mention here an appreciation of an experiment which was made this year for the fir st time. Hitherto attendance at daily mass had always been obligatory a t St. Michael 's . This is a perfectly normal practice in Catholic boarding schools. There is a sound a rgu­ment for using this method to bring the boys to a due appreciation of their privilege in living in a house where the Holy Sacrifice is offered each day. But there are a lso good reasons for the other method of training whereby a Catholic boy, after having the value of daily attendance at Mass explained to qim, and while being given every facility for benefiting by it, is afterwards left free to some extent to use the privilege or not. It was decided to give this second practice a trial. We came to an arrangement which ensured that each day the boys of one of the dormitories would be got up for Mass and those in the other two would be free to get up or stay in bed. The results have been far from unsatisfactory. There have been always

." delegations present at M ass from the .. free" dormitories, and an appreciable number of boys have been regular in attending Mass every day. It is hoped that this manifestation of true Catholic spirit will become still more general, and we may look to the day when free daily mass will be the normal practice for the big majority of the boys in the school.

* * * Mr. G . Carty and Mr. ]. Robbins, who have worked on the staff

during the past year as Assistant Masters, have left us for other posts. The good wishes of the school go with them, together with our sincere gratitude for the help they have given in so many ways.

After Christmas, Father Anthony, bursar in the school for some time past, was called to other duties away from St. Michael's.

His efficiency as bursar and. his aptitude for genera l organising and administration had made of him a p illar of the school. To him also our thanks for much fruitful work by which the school benefited. He was succeeded in his post by Fr. Brendan Fox who, to many year, of experience as economus in France and at the Becket School, joins the knowledge of men and things gairied during several years of service as Army Chaplain during the war. He takes the manifold cares and duties of the bursarship in his stride. He has recently been appointed Parish Priest of Hitchin.

* * * It is here that we must pay our tribute to F r. Wilfrid M~nser.

After a quarter of a century's work in Hitchin, he has recently with­drawn to a life of active retirement in the Study House a t Capenor, Surrey. F r. Wilfrid came to Hitchin in 1925 . H e taught French and Geography in the school for seven years. Old Michaeleans of those days keep an affectionate remembrance of his classes, and a still more vivid recollection of the" Francis Darnit" on which he covered countless miles in all weathers on weekend pastoral work. He was for some time the school printer, producing programmes and other work on an ancient press which consumed muscle-power only. Early numbers of the school magazine bear F r. Wilfrid 's name on the editorial page.

H e became· Parish Priest of Hitchin in 1932 . In this capacity he was admired especially for the care with which he devoted himself to the maintenance of his church. He made its upkeep his very personal responsibility. H e was for ever improving, renewing, spa ring neither expense nor labour to make of it as worthy as possible a habitation for the King of Kings. On medical advice, F r. Wilfrid decided to relin­quish his pos~ in June of this year. Reports from the Study House indicate that this veteran is by no means out of place among the youthful members of the community there. If he has given up responsibilities, he has not given up work. M ay God grant him many years to enjoy the reward of rest after his many years of active priesthood.

* * Old Michaeleans of the Edmundian days wi ll have been sad to

learn from the Catholic papers of the. death, ea rlier this year, of Fr. Cher.ay. H e too worked both in the school and in the parish, and he left the memory of one respected and loved for his selfless devotion to his priestly tasks.

* * * St. Michael' s was cradled in France, as many of our readers will

know. The 16th October of this year will mark the 75th anniversar)

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of the foundation of the ~riginal Apostolic School which was, in 190 3, on the same date, transferred to Hitchin, and developed into the presen. college. A Happy Birthday, and ... ad mullo annos !

* * * Congratulations to the following who were successful in the public

examinations:

HIGHER SCHOO LS, J ULY, 1949.

A. P. D e Angeli.-Principals: English and History. Subsids: French and Italian.

R. ]. Gavin.- Principals: English and History. Subsid: French. M . A. ]. Hall.- Principals: English and History. Subsid : E lemen­

tary Politics and Economics. M. j. ' Smart.- Principals: Chemislry and Mathematics. Subsids :

French and Elementary Politic5 and Economics. D . Thacker.-P rincipals : English and History. Subsid : E lementary

Politics and Economics.

SCHOOL CERTIFICATE, JULY, 1948.

K. W. Berentzen.-Credits in English Language, English Literature, History, G eography, M athematics and General Science.

D . ]. Brett.-Credits in English Language, Chemistry and General Science. Pass in History and Mathematics.

]. Burke.-Credit in G eography. Pass in English Language, English Literature, French, Mathematics and Art.

A . D . Burnett.-Credits in English Language and E nglish Literature. Pass in History, G eography, M athematics and Art.

A. P . Grabowski.-Credits in History, ,Mathematics, Chemistry and General Science. Pass in English Uterature, Geography and Art.

A. A . Hall.- Credits in English Language, English Literature and Mathematics. Pass in History and Art.

M . F. Harris.-..!Credits in :Mathematics, Chemistry and General Science. P ass in English Language, English Literature and Art,

A. S. Leary.-Distinction in Geography. Credits in English Language, History, Chemistry and General Science. Pass in Mathematics and Art.

W. A . Milestone.-Distinction in Geography. Credits in English Language, English Literature, History, Mathematics. Pass in French.

F. ]. Moore.--'Credits in G eography, M athematics, Chemistry and General Science. P ass in English Language, English Literature, History, Art.

W. N. Picking.-Credits in E nglish Language and English Literature. Pass in History, Mathematics and Art.

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B. Sacher.-Distinctions in English Language, English Literature and History. Credits in French and M athematics. Pass in G eography and Art.

]. F. R. Wey.-Credits in English Language, English Literature, History, Geography, French, M athematics and Art.

SCHOOL CERTIFI CATE , DECEMBER, 1948.

A. A. H all.- D istinction in Art. Credits in English Language, English Literature, History, Mathematics. Pass in G eography.

M. H erdman.- Credits in English Language, Mathematics and General Science. Pass in English Literature, Geography, Art. .

P . I. Robbins.-Credits in English Language, English Literature, Mathematics . Pass in G eography, French and Art.

]. R. Sail.-Distinction in Geography. Credits in English Language, English Literature, History, General Science. Pass in Art.

CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC COLLEGES. EXAM INATIONS ,

EASTER 1949. Higher R eligiolls Cert'i/icate.-(VI Form) Credit: D. ]. Brett.

Pass: K. W . Berentzen, K. D . Burnett, A . A. Hall. Schoo l Religiolls Certi/icate.- (Vth Form Pass : T.]. Alien, f{. ]. P.

Arcari, M. J. Brookes, ]. A. Collins, S .M. Cox, A. ]. Coyne, J. O. Crawley, ]. E . Crawley, D. Deeks-Camagna, B. M. ElIis, P . M. Key, J. P. T. O'Mahoney, M. R. Oyston, E. G. W. Rapley, O. N. Smeeton, B. J. Smith.

* * * Congratulations also to the following who obtained prIzes for the

, current school year 1948/ 9: Form VI - I. K. W . Berentzen. Form U / V - I. T. J. Alien. 2 J. A. Collins. Form L/ V - I. D. Luckham. 2. V. Edwards. Form IV - I. A . Lawrence. 2. N. Woods. Form III - I . A. Krasinski.-2. ]. Sayer. Form lIa - I . H . P erzanowski. 2 . R. Game. Form lIb - I . M. Freund. 2. M . Hoey. Form 11 - I. N. Wheeler.-2 . E . Gavin. Christian Doctrine: VI. D. Brett. U / V . J. O. Crawley. L/ V. E.

Niedzwirski and A. Gavin. IV.]. Cartwright. rIl: J. H erbert. IIa. C. Carter. IIIb. S Breslin I. S. Barry.

Senior Art: M. Brookes. jllnior Art: D . D ennis. Violin: M. O'Reilly. Piano : M. Robbins. Senior Condllci : J. Sahl. j llnior Condllct : B. Martin. HOllse Points Prize: N. W ebster. MacCarthy Trophy for Winning HOllse : MORE.

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VALETE (Since July, 1948).

E. ]. Andrews, B. Capon, A. De Angeli, R. C avin, M. H all, P. T ar'ring, P. Jones, P. Peacock, M. Smart, B. R enaudin , D. Thacker, K. Wallach, ]. Burke, A. Dyson, M. Harris, A. Leary, W. Milestone, N. Mills, A. Crabowski, F . Moore, W . Picking, B. Sacher, ]. Sail, ]. Wey, M. Alien, C. Archer, D. Brunner, P . Crawley, D . Dear, B. H arvey, ]. ]ansen, B. Mullarkey, ]. Wilding, B. Barker, M. Bonner, A. Cunnold, ]. Carroll, K. Davis, A. F awcett, ]. F ergusson, B. Isherwood, A. Ki tchin , D. Kenyon, R. Pearse, c: Pearse, L. Ryan, ]. Strugnell, P . Walker, B. E llis, C. Mahoney, C. Cook, F. Jensen, ]. Lucioli, J . H aynes.

SALVETE (Since September, 1948).

]. Albone, A. Alexander, A. Anderson, A. Bain, A. Baines, S. Barry, P. Choynowski, B. Crossley, D. Cull , ]. Danilewicz, D. Ding, C. Fanfani, C . Ferguson, C. Forsyth, R. Came, E. C avin , E. Corman, ]. Cutteridge, P. Ivory, C. Jeavons, D. Kane, A. Kin g, 1. Kitchin,R. Kitchin, N. Mulkern, F . J . Morrissey, R. Morrisroe, E. Niedzwirski, H. Perzanowski, A. R ickard, T. Rickard, D . Robinson, ]. Robson, B. Shannon, C. Smart, B. Smith , M. T arran, M. Taylor, F. Tozer, ]. Whalley, N. Wheeler, N . Whitbread, W. Wrazej, P. Zwetloot, S. Breslin, N. BlackweH, A. MacHattie, M. Sahl, A. Watson, M. Whitty, T. Whitty, L. A slanowicz, M. Browne, R. Burrows, J. Burrows, M. Cernowitz, D. H ockey, D . Holmes, W. Maxwell , E. Morgan , B. Wilding, T. Wise.

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The V ery Reverend F a ther G ervais Quenard, Superior G enera l of the Priests of the Assumption, celebra ted his G o lden Jubilee as a pr iest on August 10th : H e was orda ined in Jerusa lem in 1899. Th e Holy See appo inted him G enera l of the Congrega tion in 1923 . W e offer Father Genera l our respec tful congra tula tions in his grea t achievement of fifty years of ac tive and fruitful pries thood , and our heartfel t wishes for s till many more y ears of apostola te.

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SCHOOL CHRONICLE

I, WINTER TERM.

Sept. 27th. Eighty-five boarders arrive after an extended holiday.

Oct.

New faces are many and various, especially in the Lower School. Sail H, it is rumoured, has no sweet coupons.

28th. Term opens with a solemn high Mass of the Holy Ghost, sung in the parish church.

29th. St. Michael's holida!T is rrserved for his second feast in May. Remember that, boys! First event of the school soccer season. One ot the new masters, F. Jos.eph Scally, is effectively disposed of, and spends the next three weeks

1st. 3rd.

5th.

8th.

9th.

12th.

in hospital. Who will be the nex t to get the black spot '~

Brother Thomas More finds a use for his" jemmy. " A. Hall is elected School Captain , and Prefects are named. Two of them at least have highly developed pugili~tic tendencies. Cave! Father Bede celebrates very quietly the twenty-fi fth anniversary of his religious profession. We greet .. our" Bishop, the Right Reverend George Andrew Beck, A.A.; his Lordship grants us a whole holiday. Pride goes before a F aul, who happily suffers no serious damage. An enterprising Maths pupil, with a passion for modern methods, introduces a new text-book into algebra class. F r. John is slow to appreciate the new formul re as expressed by the author of Tales of M ))sler)) and / maginaliol1.

14th. The members of Form IV face tribulation bravely as they are torn from their books and carried off in a tumbril to the potato fi elds.

18th. Salh goes about with a professional air. See the Concert note for an explantion of his pensive mood.

22nd. A last year's prefect returns to visit the schoo l and is surprised to fi nd it still running.

23rd. Walwsorth Boys' Club fa ils to appear, and since A. Kitchen is hardly an adequate substitute, the First XI have a day off.

24th. More Old Boys visit the School. Is their look of melan-choly yearning put on for our benefi t , or do they mean it ?

28th. The Senior Schoo,1 enjoys an interesting talk on careers in the R.AF.

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Nev.

Dec.

1st. 5th.

6th. 8th. 9th.

10th.

14th. 17th. 20th.

2 1 st.

3rd.

7th.

9th. 12th. 18th.

Half-term heliday. Sparks after supper, including seme ef Father Antheny's specials. Mastersen gees Sailing dewn the Rese-strewn path. Tu queque, Trivett ! Why the vivid blushes, Paul ? Y eu had yeur weellies en ! .. Feetball is net a manly game ", by a member ef the First XII. Pictures in the evening. .. The Ghest ef St. Michael's ". F r. Hilary nearly leses the Kitty. The First X I wins a match. It is neticed that Ryan is the referee. The Scheel Debating Seciety is re-launched, with a dis­cussien en the pres and cens ef cempulsery Military Service.

The winter sessien ef the Jeint Beard examinatiens begins fer feur candidates fer Scheel Certi,ficate. Increasing neise and bustle in the regien ef the stage heralds the approach ef the cencert. Is the piano. to. be en or eff the stage. We recerd here the varieus manifestatiens ef symp tems ef "pugilitis" ebserved in the Scheel. Dennis spar:; fer an epening, while Berentzen reperts the less ef £2. Fr. Bernard is given a warm welceme by beth parents and beys when he appears at principal guest at the third perfermance ef the Cencert.

22nd. The" rest" ef the bearders leave fer heme.

I!. EASTER TERM.

The Bearders return, to. find the Beys' library in fin e ferm, the Sixth F erm in pessessien ef the spacieus bursar's effice, and the stage deing duty as music reem.

J an . 11 th. Inter-Heuse matches start. Mere v. Fisher. 2- 1. Fr. Antheny leaves fer his new pest at Capener.

18th. Fr. Brendan, the new bursar, arrives to. take up his duties.

19th. F r. P revincia l, en an efficial visit to. the cemmunity, grants us a heliday.

22nd. We are visited by the barber, it' s a pity Lewis is ne t a hearder ! \

Feb. 2nd. Feast ef the Purifi catien. F r. Dunstan blesses and distributes the candles at 7. 15 a.m.

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Feb. 3rd. The weather continues unkind, and outside activities are reduced to a minimum.

Mar.

April

13th. Charlie Chan on the School screen. Who wa it that yelled in the night?

15th. The School is represented by members of the staff and of the Sixth Form at a meeting at Luton, organised as a ' protest against the trial and imprisonment of Cardinal

17th.

21 st.

25th.

26th.

27th.

1st.

2nd.

5th.

6th.

7th.

11 th.

13th.

19th.

26th.

29th.

5th.

Mindszenty.

We offer our congratula·tions and sincere good wishes to Mr Carty and to Miss Mary Burns on the occasion of their wedding, at Stevenage.

The Lenten examinations begin. So does a 'flu epidemic.

His Lordship, Bishop Beck, AA, pays us a brief visit. He is to preside at a meeting at Letchworth.

Beginning of half-term.

Whist Drive in the Art Room.

Jack Hulbert comes with his camels. Screams of laughter.

A sh Wednesday. The ashes are blessed, and we return to work.

Snow, and the traditional fun that goes with it.

The Old Boys meet the School on a field full of slush and mud.

F r. Bernard and some members of the Becket School staff have to return to the alma mater to find rest and relaxation durin g their half-term break .

. The epidemic continues to rage. The Art Room becomes an extended infirmary. Matron has things and people well under contro l.

Even members of the staff fall victims to the ' Au. For this relief, much thanks !

The Scouts take part in a concert at the Town Hall.

Fr. Bede is missing at morning school. It is Boat Race day, and the Semi-Final at Highbury. Some people

have all the luck.

Bro. Aloysius develops pneumonia and is taken to hospital.

F r. David begins at short Retreat for the boys.

Some of the boarders leave for home. Most of the seniors do not, but have rising hopes .

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W. SUMMER TERM.

May 2nd. Return of the boarders. F r. Michael has been busy during the holidays and we congratulate him on his crop of poppies, wheat, and other growths, even grass, on the once bare patch at the top of the field .

8th. Sunday! So this was why St. Michael' s holiday was deferred till May ! We give the School Captain definite instructions about to-morrow. Meanwhile, as a prelim­inary celebration, we have pictures in the evening, and are thrilled by "J amaica Inn". Inter-House Sunday afternoon cricket matches are inaugurated and become a feature of the summer term timetable.

9th. Holiday in the afternoon. Good for you, Captain.

12 th. First visit of the season to the baths. A trainer is on duty at the pool to in&truct non-swimmers, and to perfect the standard of those who know.

14th. Mgr. Filmer speaks to us about the Guild of Our Lady of Ransom.

19th. A solemn High Mass begins the celebration of the feast of St. Dunstan. After M ass the School Captain presents our good wishes to the H eadmaster and offers him a token of our gratitude in the form of an electric razor. The day is a whole holiday.

19th. Ascencion Day. The School cinema opens in the evening for a Will Hay programme.

* * * 31 st. As the result of advanced scien tific experiments in the

Lab., we hear the wail of the siren calling together the gallant fire-fighters of the town. The drive is soon blocked with fire engines and police cars. After a brief encounter with the confla gration, the chief fireman is able to telephone his report ,to headquarters: one waste paper basket and its contents damaged beyond repair.

June 7th. We relax after Sports Day. The Choir boys go to London for their a nnual outing. They return loud III

their praises of ,Mrs. Arcari 's substantial contribution to the day's pleasure.

8th. The First XJI is o.n its best behaviour. Its opponents are the Police!

16th. The hospital continues to have a busy time patching up the damage caused by flying cricket balls.

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J ulle 24th. We pose as elegantly as possible for the photographer.

26th. The school takes part in the Corpus Christi procession in the grounds of the Sacred Heart Convent.

27th. By now the water in the swimming pool has reached a temperature that the most sensitive skins find bearable. Even Ballerini was seen to probe the surface with a tentative toe.

July 3rd. A pleasant interlude is provided by the music pupil s who entertain us for a short time in the early evening. An unrehearsed number was the" Symphony of the Broken Chairs. "

6th. Tense fa ces in the Upper School. T he examinations begin to-morrow.

7th. The rumour ,that swimming is to be compulsory sends shivers down more than one back.

1 7th. Torrential rains swamp the Old Boys' ma tch and flood parts of the school. Scouts to the rescue.

20th. Advance packing, under Matron' s watchful eye. This time, Hunt is persuaded to keep a pair of shoes for the journey home.

22nd. Prize giving. Our tennis star is dressed for the occasion. After Benediction in the Parish Church, and tea, the school disintegra tes.

THE BEE CLUB

Bee-keeping has unquestionably a high educational value. I t can give purpose to the study of biology ; in its demands for hives, fram es and fittings it requires no mean skill of the carpenter ; and as character training, in self-control. patience and gentleness, it is a past-master.

In this last respect the bee is a paragon of virtue, a model fo r all men, passing her brief, unselfish life toiling incessantly unto death for the common good .

.. Creatures that by a rule of nature, teach The art of order to a peopled kingdom."

From antiquity the honey-bee has been valued and extolled for her surpassing diligence. The Church ordains that in her liturgy candles made from pure, noble wax be used. Wax that is the fruit of virgin bees and fragrant blossoms, and therefore an excellent figure of the most pure and holy flesh which the Son of God assumed from the

virginal womb of Mary Immaculate, who was replenished with the good order of every grace and virtue.

The Bee Club is happy to study these marvellous creatures which do so much for the beautifying of the world; we are equally glad to appreciate palatably the fruit of their labours.

We regret that this term the Club has not been functioning consti­tionally, owing to the dearth of competent apiarists. Indeed, the only really active members have been from the Community. Now that we, the leaders, have some practical knowledge of the working hive, we may hope that next year the Club will be its former buzzing se lf.

MUSIC NOTES

Our first word of appreciation must be without hesitation in the direction of the Chapel Choir. It has gone from success to success, and from good to better. Looking back to the concert, last December, we remember the quaint charm of .. Lulla]) my, Li1eing.," followed by the cheerful ring of " Ding Dong, merril]) on high." This standard has even been surpassed in Church by the finished rendering of T allis' "Bone Pas/or" and of Hasler' s 15th Century Mass" Dixi/ MaTia," of which the Cloria in particular is a real test for youngsters who have only a very limited time for practice. Providence has been most kind in Schosland, and of Bro. Aloysius, in Bass and Tenor parts. The Trebles have been ably led by V. Edwards and the Altos by]. Sahl. If only there were no such thing as a voice-breaking age!

The recent innovation of unaccompanied singing in church has given full value to the high quality of vocal harmony achieved, and has at the same time ensured a reverence and a dignity which are in the best traditions of ecclesiastical chant. But the practice is possible only with a ' choir, which hard work and keen interest have brought to a high pitch of excell ence in tone, precision and responsiveness. The members of the Choir are worthy of praise in t hat neither willingness to work nor keenness have been lackin g.

The Orchestra made a shy and somewhat squeaky debut at the concert in D ecember. Some violinists have made very good progress under Miss Collin 's able guidanoe. Others need more assiduous prac­tice. More instruments are needed-mainly wind instruments, and drums~before anything even mildly ambitious can be attempted in the way of orchestral work. I f among our readers there is anyone who has an idle instrument to dispose of, we should be happy to adopt it.

A notable event in the Michalean world of music was the acquisi­tion- in time for the concert- of small but powerful baby-grand piano.

15

This is housed very conveniently on the stage, which now does duty as a music class-room. The arrangement makes it possible, by simply drawing back the stage partition, to ,set the scene for a musical concert to a hall full of people. The piano pupils gave one such impromptu performance early in July, and showed incidentally that there is no lack of budding talent in the school. Something of a much higher level took place on the last Sunday of the term, when we had the unexpected pleasure of a short entertainment by Mrs. Robertson, a most talented Czech pianist. She held us all spell-bound during her recital. It was a pleasant relief to realize that we now possess an instrumen t not unworthy of even such an accomplished performer.

Class singing during the year has been reasonably good, though this year's concert performance by the Junior School was probably less astisfying than on previous occasions. Special praise is due to Form lIb. Their academic reputation is not very high . . . but they can certainly smg.

SPOR TS DAY, ) 949

The English weather, an always unpredictable factor to be considered when arranging any outdoor sports, smiled with favour on the large gathering of parents and friends who came to witness the annual Sports. The day · was memorable as well for the wonderful weather as for the presence of Mgr. Beck, late headmaster of St. Michael's, and now Co-Adjutor Bishop of Brentwood. The visit of our Bishop atforded the large number of O ld Boys and friends the opportunity of renewing school day acquaintances and of otfering belated congratulations on his elevation to the hierarchy.

The Sports themselves were well up to standard. We should have liked to see a few records broken to mark His Lordship's visit. It was expected that A. Hall would clip a second or two otf the quarter mile, but the heat of the day, coupled with his earlier exertions, told against Lm. As it was he did the Hundred Yards in the excellent time of 10.9 secs. He finished the day a worthy Victor Ludorum and carried otf the Senior Challenge Cup. Another outstanding feat in the Senior events was the powerfu l throw of ]. Harkins. Though only Ii fteen years old, he almost equalled the ) 925 record for throwing the cricket ball. His throw of 94 yds. 7 ins. was ,just over a yard short of the record.

The Junior events were dominated by the performance of M . O'Reilly who totalled during the afternoon six "First," a truly remarkable achievement. Not only . did he excel in running but took the long and high jump events. His tota l of eighteen points won for

16

CR ICI{ET : SECOND X I , 19-19.

M.O' Rei ll y, R. Eberhard, A. Hicka rd, D. Duff , M. Hurley , J. Payne, R. \Vilson , D.Den ni s.

J. Rose, V. Edwards, M. Rose, Fr. Eric, P. 'vVithers, J. Sahl.

CRICI{ET: F IRST XI. 1949 .

B. Ellis , Fr. Eri c , J. Harkins , P. Quigley , N . Woods, M.Oyston, J. Crawley, Fr. Joseph, A. Long.

R. Arcari, M. Watkin, J . Crawley, M. Brookes, A. Coyne , A. Thurlow, B. Mu llarkey.

him the Junior Challenge Cup, his nearest rival heing !'1. Rivenell, with seven points.

T he Junior Mile was again won in masterly style by B. Corney, who finished well ahead of the field. Though most of the Juniors were overshadowed by M . O 'Reilly in running, yet A. Rickard and R. Kitchin deserve mention for their great effort to surpass him in the high jump. They both reached 4 Ft. 1 in. , a creditable performance for boys under fourteen.

The House Cup, after fl uctuating between More and Fisher in the earlier hours of the a fternoon , finally went ·to More House, with a decided balance in their favour.

T he feat of M. O'Reilly, winning six events assured the Lower fifth of the Inter-Form Trophy. Others who contributed to this victory by their individual performances wer·e D. Luckham, ]. Harkins and A. C avin.

There were a large number of Old Boys present on the field, but a good deal of cajoling was necessary on the part of Fr. Ambrose at the microphone to persuade them to enter for the 0 ld Boys' events. The Present avenged last year's defeat in the Relay, but the T ug-o-war seems destined to remain with the Old Boys. Their vcitory won for them the coveted poss-ession of the new Challenge Cup presented by ]. P etitt for competition in this event. Thi s- handsome trophy is inscribed in memory of his brother, B. Petitt, and of Old Boys killed in the 1939-1945 war. Members of the O.M. Association will join us in warm appreciation of this thou ghtful gesture.

To all the host of willing officials who helped both on and behind the scenes, and without whose untiring co-operation we could never have achieved the smooth and efficient organ isation which visitors admired ; to the ladies who catered for hungry and thirsty spectators; to all those who. by generous gifts helped to make an all-round success of .the day, the School offers its whole-hearted appreciation and thanks.

S PRINTS

100 Yards :­U nder 10.

Under 11.

Under 12.

U nder 13 .

* * * RESULTS

1. N. Wheeler (14.5 secs.). 2. C. Smart. 3. M. Browne

I. A. Bain (14 secs.) . 2. ]. Morrissey. 3. P. Z wetslooot.

I. A. Horwood (14 secs.) . 2 . N. Thacker. 3. J. Lucioli.

1. R. Came (14 secs .). 2 . P . Woods. 3. A. Cavin.

J7

Under 14.

Under 15. Under 16. Over 16.

220 yards :-

Under 10.

Under 11.

U nder 12.

Under 13.

Under 14.

Under 15.

Under 16.

Over 16. Old ,Boys.

440 yards :-

1. M. O 'Reilly (12 .5 secs.) . 2. M. Rivenell. 3. D . Chamberlain.

1. D . Luckham (12 secs.). 2. D. Duff. 3. ]. Payne. 11. M. Oyston (12. 1 secs.). 2. J. Harkins. 3. S. Cox. 1. A. H all (10.9 secs. ). K. Burnett. 3. D. Brett.

r. N. Wheeler (36.5 secs.). 2. E. Gavin. 3. M . Browne.

r. A. Bain ( 34 secs.) . 2. ]. Morrissey. 3. P. Zwetsloot.

I. A. Horwood (35 secs.) . 2. ]. Lucioli. 3. T. N eedham.

1. A Gavin (34 secs.). 2. R. Kitchen. 3. D. Smith.

1. M . O'Reilly (31.4 secs. ) 2. M. Rivenell. 3. D. Chamberlain.

1. D. Luckham (29.5 secs.). 2. D. Duff. 3. ]. Payne.

1. S. Cox (30.2 secs. ). 2. ]. H arkins. 3. R. BaIIerini.

1. A. Hall (28.2 secs.) . 2. D . Brett. 3. K. Burnett. 1. S. Duncan (29 secs.). 2. M. Schosland.

3. ]. Robbins.

Junior. 1. M. O'Reilly (1 min. 9 secs.). 2. A. Zwetsloot. 3. N. W ebster.

Senior. I. A. Hall ( 1 min . 2 .8 secs.). 2. D. Luckham. 3. ]. Payne.

Old Boys. 1.]. Strugnell (I min. 4.7 secs.) . 2. T. Nicholas. 3. ]. Robbin s.

DISTANCES.

H alf-Mile :­

Junior. Senior.

1. M . O' R eilly. 2. A. Gavin. 3. D . A nse l!. 1. A. Hall (2 min. 24 secs. ) . 2. D . Brelt.

3. ]. H arkins. MJle:­

Junior. Senior.

1. B. Corn ey. 2. N. Webster. 1. D . Brett. 2. P . Robbins.

* '-'

Inter-House Relay: -1. Stone. 2. More. 3. Fisher.

Past v. P resent Relay was won by Presen t.

18

3. ]. Barnes. 3. J. P ayne.

Junior Obstacle :-I. C. Carter. 2. M King. 3. ]. Barnes.

Senior Obstacle: -I.D. Langridge. 2. P . Withers. 3. P . Sai l.

Junior Consolation Race:-I. F. Robson. 2. P. Choynowski. 3. M. Knight.

Senior Consolation Race: -I. A . Coyne. 2. ]. Sahl. 3. C. Fanfani.

F IELD EVENT S

High Jump: ­Junior. 1. M. O'Reilly (4-ft. 2-ins). 2.A. Rickard and

R. Kitchin. Senior.

Long Jump: ­Junior.

Senior.

1. M . Brookes (4-ft. ll -ins). 2. D . Brett. 3. M. Oyston and M. Rose.

1. M. O'Reilly (14-ft. 9-ins.). 2 . A. Zwetsloot. 3. D . Chamberlain

1. K.Burnett (16-ft. 7-ins.) . 2 . A. Hall. 3. M . Oyston

T hrowing the Cricket Ball: -Junior. 1. M . Rivenell (65 yds.). 2 D . Ansell.

3. S. T hompson. Senior. 1. ]. Harkins (94-yds. 7-ins.) . 2. M. Oyston.

3. M. Brookes.

P ast v. P resent T ug-o-War was won by the Past.

TROPHIES

In ter-House Challenge Cup :-Winners- More House, 77 points. Runners-up- Stone, 59 points. Third- Fisher, 55 points.

Senior Challenge Cup:-Winner- A. H all, 14 points. Runner-up- D . BreH, 10 points. Third- ]. Harkins, 8 points.

Junior Challenge Cup :--Winner- M. O'Reilly 18 pts. Runner-up-M . Rivenell , 7 pts.

In ter-Form Cup: -Winners-Form Lower V, 42 points. Runners-up- Form I, 24 points. Third- Form VI, 22 po ints.

The Relay Cup was won by the Present.

T he T ug-o-war was won by the P ast. T he Leete Cup, fo r the H alf-Mile, by A. Hall.

The Raban Cup, for the One Mile, by D. Brett.

19

SCOUT NEWS

The first thing worthy of note in the activities of the School Troop was the Summer Camp, held in August, near Aberdeen. We spent our time enjoying the normal camp activities and a two-day tour of the Highlands. We were blessed with Scotch mists and some good solid downpours, but this only added to the value of the Camp as the training time par excellence of the healthy Scout. All voted the Camp an unqualified success .

W e resumed normal meetings on the return to School in September, and , under the guidance of Fr. Anthony and Mr. Schos land, were able to pass tests and prepare for the traditional part we play in the annual School Concert. Echoes of this may be found elsewhere in the Magazine.

Arriving back at School for the Easter term, we lea rned of the sad news of the departures of both Fr. Anthony and Mr. Schosland. The former had ably skippered the Troop since May, 1943, and the lat ter passed through the stages of Scout, Patrol Leader, Troop Leader and A.S.M. A big thank-you from all of us, past and present members of the Troop! The expression of our gratitude to F r. Anthony took the verbal form of a poem couched in the trocaic measure of Hiawatha , with apologies to the Shades of Longfellow.

Providentially, we were not abandoned to disintegration. F r. Ambrose, who founded the Troop in 194 1, willingly re-shouldered the burden and has continued to lead the Troop from strength to strength.

One sad item to report is the dissolution, for the time being, of the Senior Troop. This was decided in Council with an eye to the urgent need of extra Itime for the ' more academic side of preparation for citizenship. The Juniors, with almost regular weekly meetings, have forged ahead . . An idea of our progress may be gained from the number of tests passed. In all, thirty Proficiency Badges have been gained in the past year. In the last term alone, two have completed Tenderfoot seven Second Class, and two First Class. The numbers of separate tests for these, and uncompleted Badges, are: twelve Tenderfoot tests, one hundred and eleven for Second C lass, and sixty-one for First Class.

Special praise is due to our Troop Leader, Brian Ellis, who has gained his First C lass, and possesses the Scout Cord, with eight Proficiency Badges. Well done, Brian ! We are sorry to lose you.

The last Troop meeting of the term took the form of .. Operation Flood", when we were called upon to save the School from the deluge. At the end of term, we look forward with great eagerness to our Summer Camp. This is to be held near St. Lawrence, on the Isle of Wight, at the end of August.

]. CARTWRIGHT.

20

TENNIS

Our Tennis season was this year blessed with long periods of fine weather. Every advantage was taken of this fact and both courts were in constant use apart from the short period during ' which they were being re-surfaced.

Members of the Senior School showed considerable talent, and put it to good effect in a tournament. Their outstanding players showed no lack of style, and at times surprised spectators with many excellent strokes. In general, however, play proved ragged through inability to foresee the next move of an opponent, and to place the ball well out of reach.

Coyne and Cox reached the finals of the Senior Doubles, in which they met p, Quigley and G. Fanfani. The former, possessors of a more talented and stylish play, were able to win the first set, but were beaten in the last two by the slower and more deliberate strokes of their opponents. F anfani reached the finals of the Senior Singles, his adver­sary being S. Cox. ,

G. F anfani met S. Cox in the Senior Singles. Although relatively a novice to the game, he won the championship with the same ease and mastery he had shown throughout the 'lournmenL H e lacks the style and orthodoxy of stroke which only practice can bring, but his strategy more than compensated for this deficiency. Cox found it difficult to reach the well-placed shots of his opponent and seldom had the occasion to use the fine strokes which he had used so freely in the eliminating games.

The members of the Junior School were this year shy and some~ what lacking in enthusiasm for the tournament. The play, in general, was satisfactory for such small boys, and showed promise for the future.

]. Sayer and ]. Sahl reached the Under Fourteen finals, to beat J. Collins and J. Payne, in a long and ,arduous duel. Both sides produced a variety of good strokes and put them to advantage.

In the Under Fourteen Singles, Sahl quickly disposed of hi s rival, C. Mc Aleese, a good fighter but no match for the steady play of the victor.

P . Cartwright, in the Under Twelve Singles, out-matched his opponent, S. Barry in the finals for this group.

The following are the results:-Under Fourteen Singles- ]. Sahl v. C. McAleese; 6- 2, 6- 2. Under Fourteen Doubles- ]. Sayer & ].Sahl v. ]. Collins &]. Payne ;

4- 6, 6-2, 7- 5. Under Twelve Singles-Po Cartwright v. S. Barry ; 6- 0 , 6- J . Senior Single- S o Cox v. G. F anfani; 2- 6, J - 6. Senior Doubles-A. Coyne & S. Cox v. P. Quigley & G . F anfani ;

6-4,4-6,3-6.

21

THE CYCLING CLUB

This year the c.c. has been moderately busy with one or two enjoyable runs off the beaten track. The chief obstacles to be overcome were the Soccer and Cricket matches that ever and anon called some of us away from the afternoon's cycling.

D uring the S ummer term we had an enjoyable afternoon and evening at Roxley, where we went for the Corpus Christi Procession. The girls from St. F rancis' College happened to be ,there and, female-like, they must needs make their presence felt by letting down our lyres and throwing ,the valves all over the show. Unfortunately, we were unable to retaliate, since they had returned home much earlier.

Another enjoyable outing was made to Marden Hill, an old country house belonging to the late Lord Desborough. It is situated just outside Hertford. We took plenty of provender with us and bought bottles of pop at " Teas". (This establishment is thus called because the only visible sign was a large and weather-worn board advertising after­noon tea. At M arden Hill we relished our teas in the woods, while F r. P hi lip was very kindly entertained by Mrs. Lyons, the present owner of M arden Hill.

The Christmas term rides, with the exception of two, were just our normal ten-milers, when weather permitted. On one trip, to the Chalk H ills, whilst we were walking along admiring the view, we suddenly saw a dark object rocket down the hillside. Investigation revealed Barnes, under a small stone, utterly exhau&ted! The other one was our picnic at P egston, at the tip of the Chiltern Hills, when Brett brought his portable wireless set, and everyone drank more pop than was really wise.

The Spring term was quite uneventful, except for the run t<, St. P au l' s, Walden, where MacHattie got a large puncture and had to push his bike all the way back to School.

Well, hoping for less windy weather to come, this is the Cycling Club saying good-bye and good cycling, until next time.

Y. EDW ARDS, Lower Y.

RAMBLINGS OF A TIRED SIXTH FORMER

Two men had a duel; one called Nott, and the other Shotl. Who was killed and who was not ?

Nott shot Shott, but Nott was not shot by Shott. So Shott was shot and Nott was not. But the shot that shot Shott was shot by Nott, and not by Shott. In other words, Nott shot the shot that shot Shott, and not ShoH. Indeed, the shot that Nott shot also shot Shott, and not the shot that Shott shot. So we may say that one was Nott and one was Shot, and one was shot and one was not.

D. BRETT.

22

THE MECCANO CLUB

Leader: Reverend Father Hilary. President: Robert Ballerini. Treasurer: Michael O'Reilly. Secretary: Joseph Cartwright.

The Club, which was inaugurated in October, 1948, flouri shed during the two winter terms under the guidance of the above-named offi cials. It numbers at present fourteen members, nine of whom have their own M eccano sets at the School.

A chievements on a much larger scale than those of last season are expected next winter, when the Club will be more fully organised, and more working material available. Of its nature, the Meccano C lub cannot open its doors Ito a very large number of members, but for those who are interested and who are eligible for membership, the Club's sessions provide hours of absorbing and quiet pa&time, together with no mean amount of practical experience and instruction.

M embers are divided into two groups: -The Nuts: M . O'Reilly, A. Lawrence, C. Mahoney, R. Kitchin ,

M. Sahl .. ]. Sayers, and F. Tozer. The Bolts: R. Ballerini , M . Hurley, ] . Cartwright, P . McKay,

T. N eedham, and A. MacHattie.

TENSE MOMENTS

Outside it was dark and dreary. Inside the log cabin there was a menacing silence, more terrifying than any noise. Sitting hunched in his chair, he had a presentiment th at no reasonin g could shake off. Some­thing was going to happen.

Jim O 'H ara had left Ireland three years previously, intent on making a for tune. H e had bought a ranch and had settled down to a hard life of toil and trouble. He was a hard man , hard on himself. and hard on others. Resolved to make good at all cost- and the costs were often settled at the exp!'!nse of others-O'Hara had made enemies, enemies who were as hard and as tough as he was him·self.

There had been that gang of rustlers who carried on nefarious activities in the neighbouring valley. O'Hara had been on the side of law and order in the battle against those thugs. It was on evidence supplied by him that they had been one day rounded up and put safely away in the Sta te prison. It was a ll very satisfactory from Jim' s point of view. In one stroke he had d isposed of his most dangerous rivals, and had made friend s of the police. Who wou ld suspect him, the ga ng­breaker, of bein g himse lf an unscrupulous rustler?

23

..

All very satisfactory. But one cloud remained in the otherwise blue serenity .of the sky. When the rustlers had been rounded up by the sheriff and his men, one had evaded the net. H e was away from the ranch when the ra id was made. He must have learnt of the part played by O'Hara in the breaking up of his gang. T his was the black spot in Jim's thoughts. There was a fugitive at large, and he would be thirs·ty for something other than water. O'Hara's blood alone would satisfy him. H e w.ould strike sooner or later. But when ? Where?

Jim went to bed at about eleven o'clock. H e d.ozed fitfu lly for an hour or so. Then thr.ough the mists of a tired mind a noise ~_ hru st itself and jerked him into full and throbbing consciousness. There was someone in the next room. T his was il! O'Hara eased himself off the bed, grasped at the same time his loaded riRe. With inrfinite caution he crept to the door between the two rooms and listened, holding his breath . Y es, there was a sound and movement. T he slightest creak of a loose board. The faintest scraping of feel slitherin g cautiously acr.oss the Roor, feeling their way to where he was standing. J im was no coward , bu t a thrill of fear crept up his spine. H e must know what was there on the other side of the door. If ever attack was the best form of defence, it was now. O'Hara suddenly grasped the door-nob, turned it, kicked the door open, and then crouched back, Rattening himself against the wall. T he o ther would have to show himself first. H e stared, fascinated, at the white patch of light flung by the moon just across the threshold of the door. And while he sta red , it came into view. A stealthy form, silvery-black in the moon light, its eyes, two pa le discs of gleaming menace. And behind the eyes . . . the rest of the ranch cat, in search for mi lk.

]. HARKINS, Upper V.

BOXING NOTES

The season turned out t.o be a crowded one, but despite the fact that our minds were set in one direction , we can truly say that we have enjoyed a certain success.

Entries were made, after some difficulty, for the National Schoolboy Championships. The ven ture was main ly in the nature of an experiment, in order to build up a tradition for boys of later years to follow. That we did not get past the second stage .of the Championships is a minor point. W e were fairly confident that we would give a good account of ourselves without perhaps winning a single contest. As it was, of the boys that boxed a t Slough, four won their bouts; W . Berentzen boxing and winning twice. At Oxford the following week, we lost all our bouts. but we can console ourselves that the decisions were very close.

Presumably it would be necessary for us to win National Honours

24

to prove that our boys are of Championship standard, but even then there wo uld still remain something to say. It is, however, to our credit that we have made a move in the right direction and that we were not shy but willing to pit our inexperience for the first year outside the School.

A short note of sympathy for D. Dennis should be entered here. Misfortune seemed to dog his steps throughout the season. First, when illness prevented his appearance in the initial stage of the Champion­ships. Secondly, when he failed to stop O'Reilly in the quasi competi­tion that took the place of the School Championships this year. D enis is certainly of Championship class, but unfortunately he stands alone in his weight and age group. Willingly, however, he conceded many pounds to 0' R eilly in their contest. We wish him better luck next season and a few more pounds in weight.

To mention other names, praise and encouragement must be given to Rose ltI and 0' R eilly for their keenness ' and the progress made, which is for them a personal achievement, while to all those who took part in the Schoolboy Championships, we wish a. greater success next year.

Thoughts of the coming Championships dominated all else at the beginning of the Easter term, so much so that 'One may say that this. preoccupation has had a salutary effect throughout the boxing classes. It is a great pleasure to be able to write that the standard of boxing the School has risen generally, perhaps more particularly amongst the youngsters who benefit by the example set by the 'Older boys. Experience is still lacking and obviously so, since without contests against unknown quantities it will continue to be missing amongst our boys. A move was made at one time to give the seniors a chance to show their worth outside by permitting them to enter contests at public shows.

A high-light in the boxing life of the School took place on Saturday, February 19th, when an inter-club tournament was arranged with Hitchin Youth Centre. Sincere thanks are due to those parents and friends who rallied to support the show and to make it the financial success that it was. W e are confident that those who saw the show will agree that it was well worth supportin g, and will be pleased to assist us next term when other shows are likely to take place. The programme included fourteen bouts, of which our boys won six . The sllccessful contestants were :-]. Rose, M. O'Reilly, D . Dennis, M. Bonner, ]. Jansen and K. Burnett.

P revious to this tournament, a contest was held against the St. John Fisher School, over twelve bouts. This has become an annual event and as on the two former occasions the representatives of St. Michael's were a credit ·to the School.

25

Before closing this brief summary of the boxing events of the year, a final word should go to those boys who willingly became the pioneers from St. Michael's in the Schoolboy Championships. Their enthusiasm and perseverance during their training are worthy of comment and an example to those who follow in their footsteps. May their hard work be amply rewarded in the near future.

Boxing colours were awarded at the prize-givin g to J. Rose, M. O'Reilly, D. Dennis, and A. Watkins.

lit may be of general interest to know that the Co llege is affiliated to the Schools Amateur Boxing Association, and in recent n~on t h s to the Amateur Boxing A ssociation itself.

THE FOOTBALL SEASON

If results are the only criterion of a successful football team, our School First XI could not be said to have passed an altogether brilliant .season. Yet, though on the losing side more often than we wished, nearly every game was as enjoyable as it was heartily contested.

A general weakness in the forward line was undoubtedly the cause of our poor showing in some matches. Changes which one would like to have made were not possible, owing to a very limited choice of suitable players. Again, the lightweight forwards whom we had to field found the going hard against opposing backs, who were heavier and stronger.

Of the forwards, Coyne and Oyston were perhaps the best. They tried hard to put punch into the line, but there was always lacking a suitable centre-forward to finish off their work.

The defence, receiving little relief from its own forwards, had nearly always to work under pressure . Much praise fo r keeping the goals down must go to Crawley (the Captain) , Brookes, and Brunner. This indomitable trio played some magnificent games . The cool and skilful positioning of Crawley at right-back was a marked feature of every game. Brookes, at centre-half, was a tower of strength, who used both and head with professional skill. Brunner, in goal, pulled off some marvellous saves, and was well worthy of his position between the posts .

The following played for the First XI during the year: ­

Brunner, Gavin, Thurlow, Crawley I. (CapL) , Sail, Cox, Brookes, Burnett, Luckham, Harkins, Coyne, Oyston, Hall.

THE COLTS Xl's Our Junior teams had a more successful season than the First XI.

They commenced the year by winning their first two matches, but their winning form was upset when they lost to Hitchin Grammar SchooL

26

However, their analysis of twelve matches played, and six won, is a good achievement.

As a team, they were a well-balanced side. The forwards knew how to work together and swing . the ball around. The backs were steady, but fau lty at time in positioning themselves.

They would have been a better team if it were not for calls upon their best players to help out the First XI on various occasions.

A player worthy of mention is F anfani . H e has shown himself to be the trickiest of forwards, possessing a wonderful ball-control and the ability to shoot hard. Piiyne n, at half-back, showed every promise of being a good player and should be a useful addition to next year's First XI. Team :-Sahl, Lindsey, Duff, Payne H, Watkins (Capt.), Ennis, Rose I, F anfani, Dennis, Collins, Corney; also Withers, O'Reilly, Crossley, and Robbins have played.

HOUSE MATCHES

House Matches were the usual after-dinner attraction. Competition was keen and even, since each House had three teams. Cheering from the touch-line helped to work up a spirit of enthusiasm. It is a pity that there is not more of the School present at Newfield to cheer on the teams engaged in the Inter-House competition.

,More House came out the Winners of the Cup. They had a closer fight to win the League, in which they played sixteen matches, winning twelve of them. I

FIRST ELEVEN RESULTS

Hitchin Casuals (Home) .. . .. ... .......... ... ......... ...... won 8- 3 Alleynes Grammar School (Away) .. . ..................... lost 2- 11 Welwyn Grammar School (Home) . . ............... . .. .. . .... lost 0- 2 Hitchin Grammar School (Home) ........... ..... ........... lost 0- 7 Hitchin Youth Club (Home) ........... . ..................... lost 0-5 Letchworth Saints (Home) ................................. draw 2- 2 Sherrards Wood (Home) ................ .. ...... . .. . ........ won 9- 2 St. Christopher School (Away) ... .. .... .... . . . . ... .... ..... . lost 2- 6 St. John Fisher School (Home) .. .... ...... . .... .. ..... ...... won 8- 1 St. Christopher School (Home) .................. . ........... lost 1- 8 Alleynes Grammar School (Home) ........... . ............... lost 1- 8 Hitchin Yo uth Club (Home) .... . ..................... . . .. . . . won 6- 1 St. Christopher School (Away) ....... .. . ; ................ draw 0- 0 Luton Grammar School (Home) ......... . . . ................ . . lost 0- 4 Sherrards Wood (Away) ............................. . . .. . .. won 5-2

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Letchworth Saints (Home) ... . . .. ............................. Iost 2- 3 St. John Fisher School (Home) ........................ .. ... . . won 3- 2 Old Boys (Home) ............................................. Iost 4- 7

Analysis; - P. W. D. L. F. A. 18 6 2 10 52 72

THE COLTS RESULTS

AIIeynes Grammar School (Home) .... . .......... . . . . . .. .. won 3- 1 Welwyn Grammar School (Away) ....... .............. .. .... won 2- 1 Hitchin Grammar School (Away) ......... ....... ....... .. .. lost 0- 5 St. Christopher School (Home) ..... .. ............ . .......... won 4- 2 Alleynes Grammar School (Away) .......... ....... . ........ . Iost 2- 7 St. Christopher School (Away) .............................. draw 2- 2 St. Mary's Welwyn (Away) ................................. lost 0- 6 St. Christopher School (Home) .............................. won 6- 1 Luton Grammar School (Away) .............................. Iost 2- 4 Welwyn Grammar School (Home) .. . ..................... won 3- 2 St. Francis' Shefford (Home) . .... ........... ...... ........... won 3-2 Luton Grammar School (Away) ................... . ...... .... lost 3- 2

Analysis;- P. W. D. L. F. A. 12 6 1 5 28 35

CRICKET REPORT

At the opelllng of the season it seemed ·that never before had we to appear in the field with a less promising team. Only three of last year' 5 players remained. but there was consolation in the fac t that two of them had been the spearhead of the attack. Brookes and Coyne.

Practice matches produced a find in the person of Thurlow. who though young enough to play for the under fourteen team. topped the averages of the First XI and was throughout the season a dependable batsman. in spite of very bad luck in a few matches . He also showed promise as a wicket-keeper. but unfortunately in the very first match. a sharp ly rising ball struck him in the mouth. breaking a tooth and injuring his tongue. so that for the rest of the season Crawley I kept wicket in his place. performing his duty with ease and efficiency.

A win in the first match inspired a little confidence and hopes that were indeeed very low. However. these were short lived. as only one further win was recorded. The team was too unbalanced and. on the whole. too inexperienced to expect great things. but most certainly Brookes as Captain. with Crawley and Coyne ·lo help. did all that was possible to find a solution to a grave problem. The tail of the team

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was constantly changed in an effort to consolida te the lead made by the opening batsmen. This, if it did nothing else, enabled younger players to have their chance and also gave them experience for coming seasons.

Although it cannot be said that the season has been a success ful one in the maller · of wins, yet members of the teams must receive praise for playing cricket to the best of their abi lity. They should, remember nevertheless that fie lding is a lso part of the game; that a greater alert­ness and initiative in positioning this season, could quite easily have given them a victory in a number of those matches that were close at the fini sh.

The Under 14t team has had a moderately successful season, and but for one or two minor changes has remained stable. Rose iI , as captain, managed his team well in spite of his earlier apprehension. He received valuable advice and help from Edwards and Sahl on the question of selection, while it is due to the unfailing efforts of all three a t the nets ·that the standard of play improved.

Hurley tops both the batting and the bowling averages with a slight lead in each case. His batting, though not spectacular, has been consistent and he has made a number of very useful scores. The lack of freedom in his batting is also apparent in his howling, but he has the power to turn the ball quite sharply and can keep a good length.

0' Reilly is developing into a reliable wicket-keeper. His a ler tn ess and coolness behind the stumps inspire confid ence. Withers, P ayne and Rose Ill , have batted confidently and possess good scoring strokes.

Two matches were played against Old Hale Way School, in wh ich T hurlow, Watkin, Arcari and Long were able to play ; Thurlow parti­cularly making a match-saving 50 runs in the second game.

The teams that played W elbury School were stronger this year than formerly and played well to win each time. W ebster had an exciting innings to make 23 not out on his first appearance.

The Old Boys' Match, due to be played on Sunday, July 17th, was once more washed out by the rain, no play at all being possible on the only wet Sunday of the term.

TEAMS

First XI- M. Brookes (Captain), j. O. Crawley (Vice-Captai n) , A. Coyne, A. D . Thurlow, J. H arkins, A. Watkin , R. Arcari, M . Oyston , j. E. Crawley, P . Quigley, B. Mullarky ; also played-N. ,Woods, A. Long, S. Cox, M. Faul, M. Hurley, M. Rose. In Club M atches-Fr. Eric, F r. ]oseph, Mr. T. Daly, M r. M. Lynch.

Under 14t-M. Rose ( Captain) , V. Edwards (Vice-Captain), J. Sahl, j. Rose, M. Hurley, j. P ayne, M. O'Reilly, P. Withers,

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A. Rickard, D. Duff, D. Dennis; also played- R. Wilson. M. Shannon, B. Corney, A. G avin, B. Carroll, J . Sayer, N. Webster, M . Rivenell.

The following matches were played: -

FIRST XI Opponents Results

May 21 St. Christopher School. ........ .. .... won 8 1- 42 May 25 Letchworth Grammar School ..... .lost 36- 102 dec. May 28 Corinthians C. c. ...... ....... ........ lost 41 - 46 June 4 King's c.c. ........................ lost 88- 102 June 8 Hitchin Police c.c. ............... lost 137-139 for 6 June 1 1 Corinthians C. C. ................ . .lost 44- 1 1 5 June 15 Luton Grammar School ........ ... . drawn June 16 Becket School .................... .lost 35- 79 dec. June 18 Alleyne's Grammar Schoo l. ........ lost 42- 108 dec. June 25 Hitchin Grammar School ........ .lost 42- 108 dec. June 29 St. John Fisher School ........ ... .lost 38-101 dec. July 3 St. hmes' c.c. ..................... won 125- 39 July 9 St. Christopher School. .............. lost 108- 124 July 20 Alleyne' s Grammar School ......... lost 49- 80

UNDER 14i XI M ay 2 I St. Christopher School ........ . ... ... Iost 33- 101 dec. May 25 Letchworth Grammar School ...... drawn June 18 Alleyne's Grammar School. .. ..... .lost 28- 75 June 19 Wellbury School .................. won 78 for 6- 46 June 22 Old H ale Way Modern School ... won. 103 for 8- 31 June 25 Hitchin Grammar School ......... lost 69- 83 f~r 3 July 6 Old H ale Way Modern School ... won 102 for 5-97 dec July 9 St. Christopher School. .... .. ...... . .lost 5 1- 58 dec. July 10 Wellbury School .............. .... won 68 dec.- 26 July 20 Alleyne's Grammar School. ......... won 69 dec.- 56

OLD BOYS' NOTES

1928- 1949. The Old Michaelean Association comes of age. With a particular pleasure, therefore, we note that since the last edition of these jottings, our first chairman has heen consecrated Co-Adjutor Bishop of Brentwood. .. F r. Andrew Beck, proposed by P. C. Cahill and seconded by J. Owen, was unanimou5ly, elected chairman" say the minutes of the first Annual General Meeting on July 21 st, 1928. We

30

are deeply indebted to Bishop Beck for his leadership and encourage­ment in these early days and gladly take this opportunity of renewing our sincere wishes that the Blessing of God will remain on him and on his Episcopal Work.

A lmost in the same breath we regre tfully announce that Mr. Godfrey has been forced, by ill health , to resign from the Council to which he was firs t elected at that memorable meeting of 1928. He was Treasurer from 1930- 1933 and was again elected to the Council in 1947, when the A ssociation, lickin g its war wounds, resumed activities. Our warmest grati tude and sympathy goes to Mr. Godfrey; we hope his restoration to health will no t be long delayed.

A hearty welcome to Fr. Dunstan Caselaw, appointed H eadmaster of SI. MichaeI's last year, and who, in accordance with tradition , becomes President of the Association. F r. Dunstan needs no ambassador to Old Michaeleans. His kindness and gentleness have endeared him to a ll who know him and we hope to enjoy many years of his presidency.

Indeed we need such a compensation fo r the loss of the energetic and enthusiastic Fr. Bernard Rickett, who is now Headmaster of the Becket School, Nottingham. Already it has been given to him to taste the success of his own efforts and those of his predecessors in Notting­ham. We congratulate him and his teaching staff , among whom ·a re several Old Michaeleans, on obtaining Governmental ' recognition I:> f the school.

Fr. Aidan Kenny, who was a master a t Hitchin from 1925 to 1931 , when he went to the Becket School as found er and first Superior, is very much in our thoughts at present. Apart from the fact that he used to wield the stick just like dad, he celebrated on July 3 1st the Silver Jubilee of his ordination to the Priesthood , and we should like to take this opportunity of offering him our sincere congratulation s.

F r. P aul M cNicholas arrived from Rome to be raised' to the priesthood by Bishop Beck at Nottingham Ca thedral. Several Old Michaeleans were present at the ceremony.

F r. Wilfrid M anser, who taught for many years at St. MichaeI's and then became parish priest, is enjoying a well-earned retirement at Cape nor, N utfi eld, Surrey. On-the-spot observers assure us that he is in the best of spirits and is, if anything, get ting younger. H e is now really specia lisin g in clock-making and repairing.

SPORT .

A mixed bag! O n March 6th, hard on the heels of a howling blizzard, an Old Boys' XI travelled to H itchin for the Annual Football Match against the College. A morning of brilliant sunshine had raised hopes that play would be possible, but after lunch the skies closed in

31

and snow began to fall in so gentle and leisurely a fashion that even the "super optimists" saw that the storm was in no hurry to leave Hitchin. The match was arranged for March 27th , when the Old Boys were rather fortunate to emerge victorious by seven goals to four. It was an affair of fluc·tuating fortunes, and after half-time when the College rallied strongly to wipe out a three goal deficit, they seemed to have the game well in hand. The Past, however, weathered the storm, but only in the closing minutes did the score become, shall we say, " respectable " :

On Sports' Day, June 6Lh, honours were even. Under a blazin g sun, we won the tug-o-war and with it the Cup, presented by M r. Pettit in memory of his brother who was killed in the war. In the relay race the Present team was just too good for us.

The Annual Cricket Match , fix ed for July 17th, was completely washed out. Not a ball was bowled.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Two Council Meetings have been held in London Slll ce the last Annual General Meeting.

A design for the Plaque commemorating the Old Boys killed 111

the War has been approved and it is hoped that it will soon find its resting place in St. MichaeI's.

The Annual General Meeting and Dinner will take place in London later in the year. Old Boys will be notifi ed of the arran gements.

P.S. - We offer our congratulations and good wishes to C. F. Cahill and Miss Eileen Brankin, who were married in Portadown, Co. Armagh, in June.

32

AN ASSUMPTIONIST PILGRIMAGE TO ROME

for

The Holy Year, 1950 Leaving London on 23rd May, approxi mate ly, is being organised. Pilgrims will be 6 nights in the Holy City incl uding Whit Sunday (28th May) assisting at the Canonisa tion of Blessed loan of Valois, Queen of

France.

I nclusive Fares range from £31 : 15 : 0

The Journey by the short sea route wi ll last 11 da ys in a ll, with 2nd class travel on the Continent, 2 nights in Florence a nd half a day at Assisi on the way out, a nd a possi ble day in Padua on the way back. The E nglish group wi ll join with an Assumpt ionist

pi lgrimage from France at Turin.

Numbers are strictly limited, so apply early.

ror all illformation al/d bool?iugs:

Assumptionist Pilgrimage ( Group Travel Department),

Havas l~ravel Service Limited

154, Strand, London, W. C . 2 Telephone : TEMple Bar 0593