WHEN YOU read the 'House News', you will notice that nearly all the scribes mention the completion of their sitting-rooms, where the boys
can spend their leisure hours, reading, talking, listening, or playing quiet games. I am sure that some of our Old Boy readers will be just 'green'
with envy to even read about these new domestic improvements, especially if they really think back to the comparatively austere conditions
they had to accept, and were possibly considered adequate.
In the last issue of THE GOLDONIAN I said that the work was already under way with these improvements, and here we are, in less than three
months, practically complete, at least with this stage of improvement. It must be very gratifying to the Headmaster to see his plans materializing
in this way, although he had to wait a long while before a start was made on the work, progress has been quite rapid since the builders moved in.
Is it too much to hope, I wonder, that ultimately each house will be the complete 'home' for the boy? By that I mean all house-parents would
be responsible for the entertainment and welfare of their boys when they are not at school or in shop, and that the communal method of
recreation, feeding and supervision will be the exception rather than the rule.
My personal opinion is that it is far better for the boys to have 'teachers' and 'parents', and not to mix the two vocations. Liaison and
co-operation, yes, but that is a different story. After all, those of us who have worked in factories and offices would not have been particularly
keen to have gone home and found the overseer or manager preparing our meals and organizing our spare time for us!
Great credit is due to the houseparents and boys who are backing them up, for the great improvement in the family atmosphere, and the
spreading of a happier relationship between staff and boys.

Spring Handicap
IN SPORTING circles 'Spring Handicap' would mean a kind of horse race, probably over hurdles, in which the horses carry different weights
to make the going a little more difficult for the stronger horses and so secure an exciting finish. The human race is not a flat race, but a
handicap. For the older amongst us it is perhaps 'The November Handicap' for we suffer the disabilities of advancing age and are no longer
able to do what we once accomplished with ease. Yesterday I felt I had already entered this autumn event in the racing calendar, for it was
upon my conscience that I had promised the Editor my contribution three days ago, yet there were so many problems claiming my time and
attention I despaired even of being able to think twice of a topic about which to write.
Do you believe there is a purpose in apparently casual events and an unseen power that works for us? I do! Right in the middle of this turmoil
of work I was told an old boy had come to see me. First things must take first place and an old boy who thinks enough of us "to pay us a visit is
number one priority. Is it not strange that this young man began life in The Spring Handicap', for from the time of his birth he had only one
hand. Seeing him again and knowing that he had won through despite the odds against him lifted some of my load and I returned to my work
refreshed.
There is no time of the year so full of beauty, life, and hope as Eastertide. To each member of our family I address this individual and personal
message. Try to approach Easter with a fresh and inquiring mind. Each of you has some private cross to bear—no one knows this better than I
do. When you understand the meaning of Easter and it becomes a reality for you, then you no longer have to bear your cross alone.

QUEENS' CUP
There is now a new trophy for which the School houses compete each term, to decide who is 'top house' for the term. The trophy is called
Queens' Cup, because it was donated by David Wheatley, who was a student of Queens' College, Cambridge, and won this cup for being
Cambridge University table tennis champion in his final college year.
Every boy is able to make a contribution to help his house win this cup, for a points system has been devised, which takes into account
anything which a boy can do for the benefit of his house or the School. At the time of going to press Pelham are in the lead[ by a short head.
It will be interesting to see, which house holds the the trophy for the first time. In each of the house sitting rooms a shelf has been fitted on which
to display currently held. A vase of flowers is a pretty ornament for this shelf, but with so many trophies to be competed for,
Each house will no doubt will try very hard to have a silver decoration on it to

R. F. W.

Chaplain's Notes
DURING THIS term we have been delighted to welcome to the Morning Service in Chapel several preachers who have sketched in for
us some of Church’s work throughtout the World. Mr. Gwynn Jones of the British and Foreign
Bible Society told us a great deal about the present work of the Society throughout the world, particularly stressing its needs and how we can
help in these. In the evening we watched a Bible Society film which emphasized in a very practical way the very things Mr. Gwynn-Jones had
been saying in the morning. Mr. Helft, who has himself worked for Missions to Seamen in Japan, spoke about the work of the Mission, and in
doing so reminded us all by his illustrations of our own great calling as Christians. Films in the evening showed the work of the Mission
overseas and in the Port of London. One aspect of the Mission to Seamen films which linked very pertinently with our life in School at the
moment was the reference to Confirmation and the preparation classes’s conducted by chaplains throughout the world. A seaman may have one
Confirmation class in Africa and the next in Japan. Whilst our classes are not scattered like that, they are nevertheless preparation for the same
thing, full personal responsible membership of the world-wide Church. Confirmation is a great event wherever it is held, and it signifies great
things. But these are demanding things and are the basic responsibilities of the Christian life from which all else should stem. We cannot meet
all these responsibilities alone, and as the Confirmation Service reminds us, we all need God's continual strength and protection to guide and
assist us. An exceedingly high standard in life is expected of Christians; let us therefore, being continually reminded by the words of the
Confirmation Service, pray that we may ever maintain in our lives the high calling of a Christian.
B. L. N.

Mr. A. E. Brookes, who is a native of Hertford, served his apprenticeship as a painter and decorator with
Messrs Richard Ginn and Son, and in fact spent the first 10 years of his working life with that firm Prior to
his appointment to Goldings staff in May 1935,
Mr. Brooks worked for himself, as at that time unemployment was at its peak, and provided one had the
initiative it was easier to get a living if you were on your own, than to get a job working for someone else
During The Second World War, Mr. Brookes became housemaster of Cairns house, and served with the
home Guard (Goldings Platoon), under Sgt. Penny (ex Printing Department) With shortage of staff during
The War years, many jobs came under the jurisdiction of Mr. Brookes, including Games Master, tractor
Driver,and lawn mowing, to name but a few
As with all progressive units, there have been many changes here at Goldings during the last 26 years, and
One of the most recent has been the formation of our Painting and Decorating Department as a craft
teaching unit, and in Januarv. 1957 Mr. Brookes was appointed head of this very popular department. This meant of course that apart from
being responsible for the general decorating of the home and workshops, he would also be resonsiable the training of boys as future painters
and decorators.
Already there are quite a number of boys who can thank Mr. Brooks for the start he has given them, also there must be quite a few boys who
have realized rather suddenly that painting isn't a job 'anyone can do'.
I think all members of the staff are agreed that in a job of this nature, a ready sense of humour is essential, and surely Mr. Brooks is not lacking
in this capacity. In fact some members of the staff are not always certain whether the story of the moment is 'fact' or 'fiction'.
Mr. Brooks is also a very keen gardener, and it is not unusual for him to be seen working away on his allotment before the majority of us have
thought about rising in the mornings.
The parish of Christ Church, Bengeo, also has a lot to thank Mr. Brooks for, as he is their churchwarden, and has been lay vice-chairman of
the Parochial Church Council since 1953. These appointments do not mean a couple of committee meetings a year, but lots of hard work and
the forfeit of many hours of spare time.
In conclusion I would like to suggest that should Mr. Brooks ever decide to register a family motto he could do a lot worse than adopt our
School motto 'The End Crowns the Work'.
N. T. P.

SEVERAL MEMBERS of the staff have spent some of their time under 'doctors orders' during the last three months. It is my pleasure to be
able to report that they are all completely recovered or well on the way to recovery now. The gentlemen in question are Mr. Wrangles, our
gardening foreman, who was away for many weeks with a very painful infection of the face; Mr. East, our senior printing teacher (last term's
personality), who co-operated very well with a certain surgeon at the Hertford County Hospital; Mr. Nunn, who also was the 'subject' of some
artistic 'hide carving' (now he can sympathize with those pieces of leather he carves up); finally Mr. Sims who, as reported in the last issue, is in
Ware Park Hospital. Mr. Sims has not yet been discharged but is making very satisfactory progress.
* * * *
The winner of the Crossword Puzzle (Winter, 1960), was one of our outside readers, Master N. Brigham, 102 Fore Street, Hertford. Well done,
Nicholas!
* * * *
Mr. Steele, the renowned housemaster of Aberdeen, has established a personal record in the local table tennis world, having played and won
forty-eight games in first team matches. This is a wonderful example to the rest of the team, and one that should ensure the team becoming
'champs'. David Lee, Mr. Steele's 'regular' first team player has won thirty-four out of forty-five games.
* * * *
I rather doubt if George Hill of Cairns House will in future try any 'short cuts' when out on cross-country runs, after his escape last week.
Despite the fact that George is no swimmer he tried to cross a fairly fast-flowing and deep river by going 'through' instead of 'over';
unfortunately the current won, and but for very prompt action by a gentleman who was nearby, Cairns house would be one boy short. George's
rescuer, like all people who do courageous deeds, did not hesitate, he plunged into the water, brought the boy to the bank, and applied artificial
respiration until the ambulance arrived and oxygen was administered. After one night in hospital George was returned to the School
apparently little the worse for his adventure.

New Entrants during Winter Term, 1961
CHAN, VICTOR: from Village Home, to train as Printer.
CLEWER, MALCOLM : from Shotley Park, to train as Carpenter.
CRAIG, JOHN: from Scotland, to train as Painter and Decorator.
DUNN, ALEC : from Scotland, to train as Carpenter.
HILL, GEORGE : from Shotley Park, to train as Painter and Decorator.
HILL, SAMUEL: from Shotley Park, to train as Painter and Decorator.
KINDLE, MICHAEL: from Shotley Park, to train as Carpenter.
IRELAND, WILLIAM : from Glascune, to train as Carpenter.
KING, BARRY : from Shotley Park, to train as Painter and Decorator.
MALLION, RONALD: from Village Home, to train as Carpenter.
MOODY, JOHN : from Village Home, to train as Carpenter.
MUNRO, BERNARD : from Eastbourne, to train as Sheet Metal Worker.
POOLEY, JAMES : from Eastbourne, to train as Printer.
RAYSON, GORDON : from Boarding Out, to train as Carpenter.
ROBERTS, ROBERT: from Surrey, to train as Printer.
ROSE, GRAHAM : from Village Home, to train as Painter and Decorator.
STEELE, MICHAEL : from Scotland, to train as Painter and Decorator.
TAYLOR, RUSSELL: from Village Home, to train as Sheet Metal Worker.
THOMPSON, PAUL : from Parkstone, to train as Printer.
TURNER, JAMES : from Kirkstall, to train as Gardener.
WITLEA, WILLIAM : from Village Home, to train as Bootmaker.
Boys Left Winter Term, 1961
CAPON, ROY: Aberdeen; August, 1957 to December, 1960. Sheet Metal Worker. Trade situation (apprentice).
DUXBURY, JOHN: Cairns; February, 1959 to January 1961. Prefect 1960. Carpenter. Trade situation.
FURLEY, PHILIP: Cairns; January, 1959 to February, 1961. Bootmaker. Trade situation.
HARVILL, BARRY: Cairns; November, 1959 to December, 1960. Carpenter. Restored.
HOLBERRY, HAROLD: Pelham; September, 1959 to January, 1961. Carpenter. Prefect, 1960. Colours for Boxing, 1960.
Trade situation (apprentice).
KELLY, MICHAEL: Aberdeen; August, 1958 to January, 1961. Gardener. Trade situation.
OSBORNE, WINSTOX: MacAndrew; September, 1957 to December, 1960. Sheet Metal Worker. Trade situation.
PETERSON, MICHAEL: MacAndrew, May, 1958 to December, 1960. Carpenter. Trade situation.
RICHARDSON, ROXALD : Aberdeen; September, 1957 to January, 1961. Prefect 1960. Carpenter. Trade situation apprentice).
STEPHENS, MALCOLM : Somerset: November, 1956 to February, 1961. Bootmaker. Prefect 1959, School Captain-1960. Member of A.C.F.
Trade situation.
TAINSH, IAN: Aberdeen; January, 1960 to December, 1960. Printer. Restored.
TOYNTON, MICHAEL: Aberdeen; April, 1957 to January, 1961. Bootmaker. Trade situation.
WHITEHEAD, TERENCE: MacAndrew; September, 1957 to December, 1960. Prefect 1960. Colours for Football and Cricket, 1960. Trade
situation (apprentice).