The Goldonian 65A

THIS ISSUE of THE GOLDONIAN is published only twelve weeks after the Spring edition at Easter, which is probably why it has been even more
difficult than usual to get enough copy to make publication worth while.
I am sure it will come as a great shock to many of our readers to learn of the untimely death of one of our boys while on an adventure course. Mr.
Brooks has written an admirable appreciation about David, and no additional words of mine can lessen the tragedy. Fortunately nature does not
insist that we dwell on these fatalities, but one cannot emphasise too strongly, that when one undertakes adventure training, and unfortunately far
too few do, the rules of the game must be followed. Let us not forget either, the terrible shock suffered by David's companions and his old P.E.
master and now Youth Officer, in charge of the expedition—Mr. Newton. The irony of the situation is unparalleled.
It is always pleasing to be able to write about changes for the good, and one function that had become more or less traditional at Goldings, the
summer camp at Dymchurch, now will be only a memory. There may well be some old boys who will think this sad, but I feel sure they will agree
that it is far better to get all the boys away to their relations and friends and enjoy a complete break from school. This change came about, without
any fanfare of trumpets, at Christmas when all boys went 'home', and it is now the policy of the School to get all boys away for the Christmas,
Easter, and Summer holidays. This scheme also enables house-parents to enjoy a well-earned break.
'Cadet Notes' will be noticeable by their absence in this issue as readers will have noted in the Spring edition, 'Skipper' Culver has now retired
from Cadet service, and Mr. Whittaker, who has taken over command, has been unable to get notes in for this issue, but promises full publicity in
the Winter issue. One hopes that perhaps the brass band will be tuning up in their new (ex-Parkstone) band hut by then too!
No doubt many of our readers will have been watching the Wimbledon tennis championships on the television again this year, and apart from seeing
some very good tennis will have probably noticed the ball boys carrying out their duties as efficiently as ever. I know all our boys consider it a
great honour to be selected for this duty, but unfortunately only a comparative few are seen by the millions of viewers, viz. those who appear on
centre and number one courts. To these and all boys on outside courts, plus card room boys and the crows nest observer, we say 'well done!'
Mr. Clarke, who left us at Easter, writes a farewell message on page 16. In answer I wish him every happiness in his new vocation. His new friends
will have a friend indeed.

As THESE notes go to print Mr and Mrs. Wheatley are presumably enjoying a well-earned rest in Austria and another record is broken, this being
the first time in twenty years Mr. Wheatley has missed writing this column himself as Headmaster.
Records, the pundits say, 'are made to be broken', yet I wonder how many of us set ourselves out to break worthwhile records? Only this week-end
another runner broke the four-minute mile. Moro Shigematsu, a Japanese economics student, blasted a gruelling 26 miles 385 yards course in a
world record time of 2 hr. 12 min.
In the world of space travel we all gasp and wonder 'what next', when we hear that the American Ed. White floated in outer space for twenty
minutes, 103 miles up, suspended only by a specially toughened cord to beat the amazing feat of a Russian space hero.
For the greater part of my life Mt. Everest was a mountain which defied all climbers until 1953, when the world was thrilled, particularly all Britons
when a party led by Sir John Hunt incredibly reached the top and another record succumbed to skill and endurance. We at Goldings will have good
reason to recall this astounding achievement, as Sir John has accepted an invitation to be our honoured guest at the opening ceremony of the new
school building in November.
The will and ability to carve a successful niche in life is within the capacity of each one of us particularly if opportunities are seized when presented.
Few establishments offer better facilities than Goldings, as statistics have proven, and with a broadening of the syllabus the outlook for the present
and future generations is greater than ever. To all boys I would say, 'grasp these opportunities now' and even if you do fail to get recognition on the
honours board or are not privileged to win a prize, prove yourself by going all out to be a better person than when you came to Goldings.
L. E.

IT is with great pleasure I write the notes for this term's personality.
Until he was of school-leaving age Mr. Stevenson had lived in London and was educated at St. Marylebone
Central School, and later studied printing subjects at the Central School of Arts and Crafts.
In 1930 he commenced his apprenticeship as a compositor with the Hertford firm of Simson Shand.
. Mr. Stevenson was a very keen cricketer and a well-known member of the Pilgrims, a side of no
mean repute.
Shortly after completing his apprenticeship Mr. Stevenson, a Territorial, was called to full-time soldiering
with the Hertfordshire Yeomanry, in September, 1939. Eventually he landed on D-Day on the Normandy
beaches. As an Observation Post Assistant it was his duty to advance with his Troop Commander in company
with infantry, and radio orders back to the guns when opposition needed to be shelled.
No one at the gun position envied him this job and he thoroughly deserved the American award of the
Bronze Star, won during the vital battles as we crossed the German border for the first time.
Demobilized in December, 1945, Bombardier Stevenson returned to Simson Shand, where he remained,
working as compositor and Monotype keyboard operator until he joined the Printing instructional staff
of Goldings in October 1953.
For some years now he has been entirely responsible for the production in the senior composing room and
his ability to oversee fourteen apprentices and progress work through the department is of a high degree.
During his service at Goldings he has taken a keen interest in all the sporting activities, but is possibly best known for his work as secretary of the
Goldings' Old Boys' F.C. which is currently in the Premier Division of the Hertford and District League.
At present he is on a diet, but however much he slims he will remain a great character.
R. S.

THE SAD and stunning news of the accident in Wales came on the Sunday evening of what should have been a happy and exciting week-end.
Four boys had set out, along with others in the town, to participate in a hike which was organized for the Silver section of the Duke of Edinburgh
Award Scheme. Towards the end of the hike mist and rain descended on the Brecons and David was separated from the remainder of the party.
At the inquest it was stated that some time previously David had picked up a virus which may have contributed to a large extent to the accident.
Recriminations, blames, are out of place. David has gone and no amount of talk can bring him back. We must learn from the past, we must still
retain the sense of adventure, but it must be adventure tinged with caution.
Although David had only been in the School twelve months, he had been here quite long enough to make a sizeable contribution to the life of
Goldings. A printer by trade and a footballer for enjoyment, he had represented the School at soccer and basketball, and his House (Pelham) at
soccer, cricket, and athletics.
With the death of David Abdi I shall miss a smiling face, a quick humour, but above all I shall miss a friend. I am certain that the staff and boys
will join with me in offering sympathy to David's mother and family. Let us also be thankful that we had the pleasure of knowing David.
G. R. B.

THE NEW SCHEME
DURING THIS term, the educational structure of the School has taken on a new look, with School and shops working in close co-operation. To
outline the scene briefly all boys now go through four stages, designated 'A' (Reception), 'B', 'C', and 'D'.
The 'A' group enables all newcomers to find their feet and spend three-and-a-half days in school, with half-day each at three different crafts. After
a period in this group they drop one craft and enter '.B' group which allows them one whole day at one craft and half-day at their second choice. On
attaining 'C' group status they spend five half-days at the craft of their first choice, this is at the age of I5 years, and finally they go into 'D' group,
spending two complete days, and three half-days at the craft of their final choice, and then they are prepared for apprenticeship.
This term has been used to pilot this scheme, and later all the snags will be sorted out, so that when the new school block is complete, the whole
scheme can be put into operation, with the handicraft (trades) section taking over the old school block for the 'A' and possibly 'B' groups.
It is not possible to show all the benefits that this scheme can achieve, but I am reproducing an exercise set collectively by three 'B' group boys
whose SECOND choice is printing. The exercise was set during two Friday mornings, the boys having first learned where the various letters appear
in a case of type, and were shown how to set the letters in a setting stick and to justify each line to its correct length. After that they were on their
own, and whether or not they ever become printers, they have achieved something they would not normally have done.
N. T. P.

SIGNPOSTS IN PRINT
Starting out to learn a trade is often a puzzling business and it is always necessary to have certain signposts to guide one along the right road—the
road to efficiency. These signposts take the form of rules and instructions for the guidance of all students of the trade. Such signposts are used to
lighten the burdens one must carry during the whole of one's career as a printer. They are doubly important in the early stages while one is learning
the trade.
It is important that all boys who are going to become printers should know certain basic things about the trade. Thus all will find these signposts
lead along the same way for a time, even if some intend to be compositors, setting up the type, while others decide to be machine minders, doing
the actual printing.
They must learn the same things; do the same exercises for a time. Later the work divides and each will carry along a different branch, running
almost parallel to one another.
So all boys in the Printing Department, whatever section they intend to follow must start in the Junior Room all doing similar work; learning the
cases, type sizes; the tools and materials of the trade.
Compositors will learn something about presses and machine minders about type setting. The understanding of the other fellow's job is always of
interest and help in doing one's work.
So think of rules and instructions as signposts showing the surest and quickest road to a thorough knowledge of Printing.

SOMERSET HOUSE
Admissions
None
Leavers
BLOWER, DAVID : March 1962 to April 1965. House Captain. Situation as Carpenter.
KANE, SHORNE: September 1962 to April 1965. Table tennis colours. Situation as Sheet Metal Worker.
JACKSON, ANTHONY: June 1964 to April 1965. Restored.
GOOD ALL, PAUL: May 1962 to May 1965. Situation as Carpenter Apprentice.
ROWLANDS, VICTOR: August 1962 to June 1965. Situation as Painter.
MCSWEENEY, KEITH: August 1962 to May 1965. House Captain. Football colours. To Waterford Verney. Printer Apprentice.
BUGGS, ROBERT: January 1963 to June 1965. Printer Apprentice.

CAIRNS HOUSE
Admissions
None
Leavers
WHARTON, ROBERT: August 1963 to April 1965. Restored

ABERDEEN HOUSE
Admissions
HARRINGTON, GEOFFREY, from Bushey
HAINES, STEVEN, from Yeovil
HORRELL, IAN, from Southend
Leavers
ENNIS, DAVID : January 1964 to April 1965. Swimming colours. Restored.
BOWDEN, RAYMOND : September 1961 to April 1965. Situation as Gardener.
STOCKTON, BRIAN: September 1961 to April 1965. Table Tennis colours. Situation as Painter.
FORSEY, PATRICK: September 1964 to April 1965. Restored.
BARTLETT, JOHN: March to May 1965. Restored.
LINNELL, MICHAEL: September 1962 to May 1965. Situation as Carpenter Apprentice
BISHOP, KEITH: September 1962 to May 1965. Situation as Painter.
LAWRY, ROY : January 1963 to April 1965. Situation as Carpenter Apprentice.
COPPIN, ROGER : September 1962 to June 1965. Printer Apprentice.

PELHAM HOUSE
Admissions
ADAMS, JAMES, from Barkingside
CULLING, CLIFFORD, from Norwich
Leavers
PFAFF, GEORGE: August 1962 to April 1965. Restored to Local Authority.
CAMPBELL, WILLIAM : September 1962 to May 1965. Situation as Painter Apprentice.
LANGLER, DAVID: August 1962 to May 1965 House Captain. Football and Swimming colours. Situation as Carpenter Apprentice.
AGER, DENNIS: October 1963 to May 1965. Football colours. Situation on farm.
BAINS, THOMAS: April 1963 to May 1965. Situation as Gardener.
WEST, BARRY: September 1962 to June 1965. Printer Apprentice.