1946 Christmas Term

School Notes
At the end of this, the autumn term, we are losing Mr. A. J. Morris, who returned to us during the summer term after his war service. He is taking a post as Lecturer at Eastbourne Training College, Essex.

Mr. G. W. Cordrey, who joined the staff at the beginning of the Christmas Term, 1945, is also leaving. He is retiring, at least for a time, from the teaching profession. We wish them every success in their new undertakings.

We welcome back Miss Bardens who now returns to us after a term at the Junior Technical College, Chatham, and we also welcome Mr. S. C. Stephenson B.Sc. (London), who comes to us from University College, Nottingham.

The thanks of the School are due to Miss Fleming for the gift of a handsome and valuable tea-urn. We hope she will come, on occasion, to taste the brew.

Near the end of term, a cheque was presented to Mr. and Mrs, Russell in recognition of their long and valued services to the School. The amount, £10, was subscribed by some of the Governors, the Headmaster, staff and pupils. A fund is being raised for a similar presentation by Old Students. Contributions may be sent to the School Secretary.

Mr. James Bastin, an Old Student, has recently been appointed Headmaster of Tavistock Modern Secondary School. We heartily congratulate him.

Old Exmothians' Reunion
A very enjoyable and successful reunion was held in the Assembly Hall on Saturday, December 28th, when about a hundred Old Students took part in a programme of games, cabaret and dancing. Refreshments were prepared and served by ladies of the Committee and others, assisted in the catering by Mr. Earp. Their efforts--and the refreshments were heartily appreciated. Mr. Earp also provided dance records and the amplifying apparatus. Mr. Neep played the piano for many musical games and dances, and, after the interval for refreshments, he conducted a very amusing quiz, with forfeits. All six of his voluntary victims failed to survive one minute's cross-questioning without saying yes or no, but all succeeded in paying, promptly and divertingly, the forfeits incurred, particularly Miss Pamela Mabley, whose plausible and voluble excuses for overstaying an imaginary A.T.S. pass would have melted the heart of any but the shrewdest C.O.

At the request of the Committee, the Headmaster made an appeal for the Old Exmothians' Presentation Fund for Mr. and Mrs. Russell. His speech was warmly applauded, and it is hoped that a fitting presentation may be made in the near future in recognition of their long and valued services to the School.

Items in the cabaret included a lively and beautiful violin solo by Mr. Donald White, accompanied by Mrs. White at the piano. Mr. Peter Creedy sang a clever and diverting song called " My Crinoline," wearing the appropriate costume—minus a hoop, which had unfortunately disappeared owing to the toy shortage. He also introduced a chorus-song with suitable patter and induced his audience to join in.

A short sketch, written specially for the occasion by Miss Patricia Bamsey and Mr. Richardson, was acted by the joint authors, with the essential help of Miss Mary Saunders at the piano. Between them they presented numerous characters, including the villain, the bucolic hero, an old gaffer, a pure and simple heroine and a scheming, exotic vamp—swift adaptations of costume and musical " interpretation " adding to the comic effect of this original farcical melodrama.

Attractive little prizes were awarded to the lady and gentleman who won the musical Hyde Park game, and to the winners in the " Team Beetle " competition and the Detectives' Observation competition. Stimulants to cool and accurate observation were supplied, during the last-named competition, in the form of excellent ices, but it is not known whether the winners were among those who made it a double." At any rate, the Hokey Cokey, Lambeth Walk and Boomps-a-daisy, interspersed among the more sedate and leisurely waltzes and fox-trots, served to restore any suspended circulations, and all joined warmly in the singing of " Auld Lang Syne " and the National Anthem.

Congratulations and thanks are due to all who worked to make the Reunion a success, especially to the ladies of the Committee and their helpers who spent much time and energy in preparing the refreshments and, though it meant missing much of the fun, in clearing up afterwards. Mr. Bampfylde acted as chairman of the Entertainment Committee, and Mr. Heath as M.C.

1948 Christmas Term

Headmaster of Exmouth Grammar School since it was built almost 28 years ago, Mr. D'Arcy W. A. Hughes will probably retire at the end of the .J une term. To mark his long and valuable service, his portrait in oils was pre- sented to the school by Alderman E. T. Linscott on Tuesday, during the Christmas reunion of the Society of Old Exmothians.

Ald. Linscott, who has been a member of the Board of Governors since 1920, was introduced by Mr. W. E. Dean (Chairman of the Governors), who said that they realized with regret that they would lose their headmaster in the course of time.

It was as that time drew near that Ald. Linscott made a very fine gesture by suggesting and providing some memento Of Mr. D'Arcy Hughes's grand service to the school. Ald. Linscott recalled the days in 1920, just before the school was completed, when the governors were called upon to select a headmaster.

"It is a very serious matter at any time to select the head of a school," said Ald. Linscott, but it was especially difficult then, when we were starting a new type of school in this neighbourhood. We wanted a man of strong forceful character, blended with kindness and sympathy, to lay the foundation on which to build the spiritual, moral and cultural structure of the school."

The school was opened in May, 1921, and he knew that everyone would agree that after nearly 28 years' experience they had found in Mr. Hughes the man they wanted. Under his headship, the school had gone from strength to strength.

The first chairman of the governors, said Ald. Linscott, was then Col. C. E. Thorneycroft, whose portrait was presented to the school by his family and now hung in the hall.

"What could be more fitting than to have the picture of the first headmaster to keep it company and to have the first head and the first chairman of the governors commemorated in this hall."

The motto of the school was " Deeds, not words. " There is the deed—the portrait. My words are few, but I hope I have said sufficient to show you the affectionate regard I have for Mr. Hughes, and the high appreciation of the hard work he has put into this school for all these years."

Ald. Linscott hoped that Mr. Hughes would continue to be guide, philosopher and friend to all who had passed

1948 Summer Term

School Notes
We welcome three new members of the staff who join us at the start of the Christmas term. Mrs. K. M. Spencer, B.A. (Hons. , London) and Cambridge Teaching Diploma, who has previously taught at Ashford, Kent, and in Derbyshire.

Mr. A. R. Andrews, B.A., London, who comes to us from Beaminster Grammar School, and previously taught at Barnsley Grammar School (1925-43).

Mr. S. Fudge, Western Univ. Joint Board Certificate (including advanced P.T., Biology and Geography), who comes to us from St. Luke's College, Exeter. During the war, Mr. Fudge was a Leading Coder in the Navy.

1949 Christmas Term

Editorial.
This Christmas term has necessarily been one of transition, owing to the change consequent on the retirement of our first headmaster, Mr. Hughes, and the coming of his successor, Mr. Johnson. We may be thankful that the transition has been smooth and gradual, so that our new activities have grown naturally out of our old traditions.

During this term the constitution of the Society of Old Exmothians has been revised and re-established on a broader basis. On Mr. Hughes's proposition, Mr. Johnson was unanimously elected as the new President, and subsequently Mr. Hughes was unanimously appointed as our first Ex-President. A very successful Reunion, organised by the new committee, was held on December 28th.

At the end of term, a party organized by the Post-War Society was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Out-standing among the amusements were the splendid pictorial competition arranged by Mr. Driver and the clever narrative of hidden names contrived by Mrs. Boyden. Two very light-hearted entertainments were staged by 6A and 6B, one of which was honoured by a request for a repeat performance at the O.E. Reunion. Refreshments, as always, were delicious and abundant.

The Carol Services also held near the end of term were enjoyed in the right spirit, and incidentally raised £8 7s. 9d. which we sent to the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Hospital, Exeter. The Music Club has "gone with a swing" throughout the term, though no swing music was included in its varied programmes. The Radio Club, after a dormant period, has revived its winter activities.

The School Hockey 1st XI have lost only one of their five matches, having won two, and drawn two, including that against a redoubtable team of Old Exmothians. The School Football 1st XI have won 6, lost 5 and drawn I of their twelve matches, and in addition to these numerous fixtures a full programme of House Championship matches was successfully completed.

Old Exmothians' Reunion.
On Wednesday, December 28th, a very successful reunion of Old Exmothians (Old Students of Exmouth Grammar School) was held in the School Assembly Hull, and it "went with a swing" from the start. Over a hundred attended, including some of the present VIth Form, who find this a good opportunity of meeting their predecessors and who, we. hope, will in turn become new members. A letter of cordial good wishes was received from the new Headmaster and President of the Society, who was unavoidably out of the district. There were present, in addition to the Ex-President Mr. D'Arcy W. A. Hughes and Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Boyden, Miss D. Fleming and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur D'Arcy Hughes, and several members of the staff including Mr. H. Bampfylde and Mr. and Mrs. Heath ; the new secretary of the Society, Mrs. Coate, and other committee members.

With the assistance of the " Astoria " Dance Band, a varied programme of dances and games was thoroughly enjoyed. The winners of the spot dance were Miss Marguerite Saint and Mr. Godfrey Smith ; Mr. John Saturley was the lucky winner of a magnificent Christmas Cake, and Mr. Bampfylde of a large box of chocolates. Supper was served in the gymnasium by a very capable catering committee, who later also supplied ices.

During the supper interval, opportunity was given to see the Memorial Plaque which is to be set up in the Assembly Hall, to the memory of Old Students who lost their lives in the war. It is hoped to hold the unveiling ceremony during the spring term, when the relatives of all those whose names arc inscribed on the plaque are invited to attend.

After supper, the hall was ready for a short play which was amusingly presented by members of VI A.; Anne Harwood and Michael Short made a typical middle-aged married couple, terribly thrilled by their unusual experiences. Pamela Jones looked devastating as the romantic heroine, and Graham Bowden obviously enjoyed his part as the romantic hero, despite the terrible experiences he had to undergo to prove his devotion to her and " the cause." Anthony Hall proved a terrifying villain, ably assisted by the equally malefic Christopher Everest. Mr. E. C. White joined the cast at short notice and wound up the  performance in capital style. This "comic melodrama", produced by Mr. H. G. Heath, was heartily appreciated and caused convulsive laughter, particularly at sundry veiled allusions to a certain "antediluvian motor-car ' of recent fame.

The success of this reunion, the first after the reconstitution of the society, augurs well for the future activities of the Old Exmothians.

1949 Spring Term

School Notes.
On March 10th six candidates for the position of Head-master of this School were interviewed by a joint Committee from the Board of Governors and from the Devon Education Committee. The new Headmaster then appointed was Mr. L. W. Johnson, M.A., Cantab., of Oldershaw Grammar School, Wallasey, Cheshire, and formerly Headmaster of  Shebbear College, Devon. Mr.  Johnson takes up his duties on the retirement of the present Headmaster on September 1st, 1949.

1949 Summer term 

Editorial.
This summer term, 1949, will be remembered chiefly for one outstanding fact,—the retirement of the Headmaster, Mr. D'Arcy W. A. Hughes, who has been our Head since the inauguration of the School in 1921. During that time he has won the affection, respect and gratitude of many " generations " of pupils, of the staff and governors, and the enduring quality of these feelings is shown by the warm regard for him of innumerable Old Students, and others who have known his care or shared his work. Presentations on behalf of all these, present pupils and staff, Old Students and Governors—are recorded in these pages, and may serve as a slight index of the sincere gratitude and high esteem of all concerned.

As President of the School Magazine, the Head has always shown the keenest interest in " Exmothiensis." So it is fitting that the frontispiece of this issue should be his portrait, and that " Exmothiensis " should record and sum up the many expressions of regret at his leaving, grateful appreciation of what he has done, and earnest wishes for his future happiness and that of Mrs. Hughes. Goodbye, Mr. Hughes ; thanks for everything you have done for the School, and best of luck for a long and thoroughly happy retirement. May all go well for you and yours, always.

Some of our readers may not know of the great work for education done by Mr. Hughes beyond the range of the individual school. He was for some years Chairman, for Great Britain, of the Mixed Schools Committee of the Headmasters' Association. He was, for over a quarter of a century, a member of the Devon Minor Scholarships Board, afterwards the Devon Selection Board, and Chairman of that Committee for the past ten years. Thus his work and his sound judgment have helped to frame and guide educational policy over a wide area during a critical period of development and change.

Several older members of the staff will remember that Mr. Hughes was a keen tennis player, and some of our happiest memories are of the tennis parties on the lawn with him as our genial host, or of the expeditions when we took a staff team to compete with other Grammar School Staffs in the district,—and did very well too. But generations of Old Students will rernember him, not only as the respected Headmaster, but as a cheerful participant of the games and dances at School Parties and Old Students' Reunions when good fellowship was the key-note for us all.

Many will remember him as a steel-helmeted Air-Raid Warden, shepherding pupils to shelter on the day when the school was bombed, though fortunately only a few splinters hit the building. But we need not dwell more on memories, for Mr. Hughes is still in Exmouth and still ready, as he said in his farewell speech, to help us in any way he can.

We welcome our new Headmaster, Mr. Leslie Wade Johnson, who comes to us at the beginning of the Autumn term. Some of us have already talked with him, and we can assure him  that the wish, expressed by Mr. Hughes in his farewell speech, that we should give the best support we can to our new Headmaster, will be fulfilled. Mr. Johnson was educated at Bradford Grammar School and at Pernbroke College, Cambridge, of which latter he was a Scholar. He read Mathematics, gaining First Class Honours in the Mathematical Tripos Part I and Senior Optime in the Mathematical Tripos Part II. He is also a " double blue,' having gained his " Blue " as a member of the Cambridge University Cross Country Team and also as a member of the University Athletics Team.

Mr. Johnson was Senior Mathematics Master at King Edward VI School, Stourbridge, and Second Mathematics Master at the City of London School, before becoming Headmaster of Shebbear College, North Devon, in 1933. In 1942 he accepted the Headmastership of Oldershaw Grammar School, Wallasey, from which he comes to us.

Another departure at the end of this summer term is that of Miss G. Cheer, who has been our P.T. and Games Mistress for the last three years. On making a presentation to her on behalf of the School, Mr. Hughes expressed high appreciation of her work and efficiency. All were sorry she was leaving and wished her every happiness for the future.

We welcome Miss Judith McNeill, who comes to us from Audley Park Modern Secondary School, Torquay. Miss McNeill was at the Dartford College of Physical Education, of which she obtained the Diploma as well as the Diploma of London University in Physical Education.

1950 Summer Term

Editorial.
Ideal weather on Sports Day, Wednesday, July 19th, helped to make this occasion the fitting climax of a very active summer term. Several records were broken and the general level of attainment was very high, so that on the whole the day was a great success. Hurdling, introduced for the first time, proved a popular and interesting event, though the lack of proper hurdles for practising was a handicap. It is hoped that these will be available next year.

We are very grateful to Mr. Ronald Delderfield (whom we are proud to claim as an old student) who is presenting a House Championship Shield for the Boys' Annual Inter- House Athletics Competition.

Honours in Athletics have also been won by our boys in other fields, particularly the Wilkins Cup, awarded for a series of events for boys under eighteen, and the Garbutt Knott Shield for boys of 13 to 15 years. In the Devon County Junior Athletic Championships, two of them became County Junior Champions, one breaking the Long Jump Record.

The School Cricket 1st XI. has had a very successful season, winning nine and drawing one of its 14 matches. School Tennis and Rounders Teams have also done very well, and all the usual competitions, including the Inter- Form Cricket Handicap and the Tennis Singles Champion- ship, have been carried out with undiminished enthusiasm.

In the recent Higher School Certificate examinations nine of our ten candidates passed, all but one obtaining Intermediate exemption, and in the London General School Certificate examination 32 out of 38 were successful, 12 also obtaining Matriculation exemption.

The various reports and accounts of organised visits, etc., in this issue, will show that this has indeed been an eventful term.

School Notes.
At the end of the Summer term we said goodbye to two members of the staff, Mr. H. Bampfylde and Mr. S. C. Stephenson. At the final assembly, Mr. Bampfylde, who has been a master in this school for twenty-six years, received from the Headmaster an original water-colour by Ayling and a cheque, from the staff and pupils, in recognition of his services to the school and to mark his retirement on August 31st. A presentation of a cigarette lighter was also made to Mr. Stephenson, who is leaving to take up an appointment at Sutton High School, Surrey, and a further presentation by the boys took place privately, later on. We wish Mr. Stephenson the best of luck in his new post, and Mr. Bampfylde a long and happy retirement.

We welcome two new masters who come to us at the beginning of the Autumn term, Mr. Dnouglas Collinge, B.Sc. (London) and Mr. Geoffrey Hill, D.L.C. Mr. Collinge was at the University College Of the S. W. , Exeter, from 1940 to '42. During the war he served from 1942-3 as a seaman in Destroyers, R.N. From 1943 to '47 he served as a Royal Naval Schoolmaster and Instructor Lieut. R.N. He comes to us from the Municipal College, Portsmouth, where he was studying from 1947-50.

Mr. Hill is a native of Manchester. He, too, served in Destroyers, rising to the rank of Lieutenant R.N.V.R. He comes to us from Loughborough College, which he entered on demobilisation, obtaining his diploma at the end of a three-year course. He is a keen amateur photographer and is interested in swimming and sailing.

Michael Short has been accepted for the Education Corps, but for ten weeks basic training is stationed with the Green Jackets near Winchester.

Miss Nellie Moore, B. A. , one of our earliest Old Students, is teaching in Tripoli, North Africa.

Amongst holiday activities of pupils of this school we noted the following :-

The Long Swim : Monica Peel completed this exacting test, which was won by an Old Girl, Marguerite Saint. Two boys, P. Gifford and A. J. Cooper, who left last term, completed the Men's course, which was won by an Old Boy, Peter Tribble.

Robin Bussell attended the Scout Canoe Cruise, 1950.

Two boys, Edward Bloomfield and Peter Walker, hitch-hiked to London along the South Coast and back, spending over a week exploring a part of England unfamiliar to them.

Roy Telford had a thrilling and exacting time during his three weeks membership of the Outward Bound Mountain School in Cumberland. We hope to publish more details of this in our next issue.

We welcome to our school, and to the Staff, M. Micheli, a graduate from Paris, who has come to spend a year with us. He will study the English methods and participate in the teaching of French. We trust he will have a very enjoyable and valuable time in our midst.

1952 Spring Term

Prizes and Awards.
Form prizes : David Luxon, Beryl Matthews, John Pym, Heather Minor, Terence Smith #, Janet Havill, John Cole, Joan Acland, Jean Manning, Robert Quick, Anne Skinner, Eric Perry, Mary Passmore, Fay Sampson, Margaret Cochrane, and Michael Parr.

English prizes : Robert Ellis, Ursula Southwell, Christopher Dunham, Diana Newman, Richard Reed, Sheila Seymour, Desmond Pratt, Marilyn Norris, Edith Tucker, Michael Johnson, Catherine Harwood, Ernest Tanton , Shirley Venus, Barbara Newman.

W. J. Delderfield prize, Anne Skinner ; R. F. Delderfield prize, David Bindon ; R. P. Horsley French prize, Dorothy Griffith-Jones, Daphne Hall and Charles Reader ; Old Exmothians' prize, Patricia McCarthy and Michael Rex , Stevens mathematics prize, Michael Rex, Daphne Hall, and Harry Quick; Wimbush divinity prize, Elisabeth Meads.

State scholarship : Michael Rex.

Devon County scholarships : Donald Andrews, John Charlesworth, Dorothy Griffith-Jones, Brian Keats, Michael Rex, Michael Roberts and Eric Sage.

Devon County awards : Marian Coate, Helen Maunder, and Pearl WiIlatt.

General certificate, advanced level : Josephine Bonner, Charles Chapple, John Charlesworth, Marian Coate, Maureen Curtayne, Dorothy Griffith-Jones, Pamela Jones, Brian Keats, Helen Maunder, David Murch, Michael Rex, Eric Sage, Ronald Smith, and Shirley Thompson.

General certificate, ordinary level : Geoffrey Axon, VVilliam Beed, Leonard Bolt, David Burch, Gerald Down, Peter Forbes-Harris, Albert Froud, John Gibbings, Anthony Guest, Anthony Harwood, Graham Helson, Allen Howard, Patrick Keegan, Richard I„angworthy, William Langworthy, Colin Lawes, Brian Norrish, Brian Perry, Eric Perry, Peter Phillips, Harry Quick, Charles Reader, Dennis Rendell, Keith Sandland, Robin Smith, Fredk. Sussenbach, Ernest Tanton, Dennis Thorn, I,ewis Trump, David Willatt, Anthony Withers, Winifred Ash, Jean Bond, Dorothy De'Ath, Constance Duxbury, Daphne Hall, Jocelyn Hellier, Carole Herbert, Kathleen James, Patricia Kelly, Mary Lewis, Elisabeth Meads, Barbara Newman, Mary Passmore, Monica Peel, Shirley Perkins, Fay Sampson, Shirley Venus, and Eileen Wiggins.  # Brother of Robin Smith who attended the school, 1955-1962