|
have not the numbers of senior boys that the other schools have. There are always some good times and distances at the meeting, which serves as a try-out for athletes going on to the Scottish Schools competition. However, we have sometimes produced strong individual athletes, like Robin Watson a few years ago, who are capable of winning their events. It appears from the records of past school sports that the baton was originally a prize for a relay race only. That was an invitation race over 660 yards. The baton was given by the Commissioners in 1949, and we see that in 1950 several schools sent in teams to compete for it in a relay race at our own School sports.
On 23rd June, a party of some 40 boys, with the Headmaster, Messrs. Finlay and Malkowski, and Miss Bruce, the Hospital Matron, had the privilege of a trip on the frigate H.M.S. " Puma." This was in connection with the scheme " Look in on the Navy." When the party reached the " Puma " via another ship, the " Empire Rosa," they first had an issue of life-jackets and sea-sickness pills. They then toured the ship as she sailed down the Clyde. When the weather cleared, two group photographs were taken. After a meal they were shown films about life in the Navy. Then there was an impressive display of gunnery, and visits to other sections of the ship. The trip ended at Gourock, where the boys were given pamphlets about the Navy and copies of the photographs taken earlier. The party found it a fascinating excursion, very well organised. Only one boy was sea-sick, though back at the School the state of the weather caused some speculation about what might be happening at sea that evening.
The most notable leaver this term, recorded in the Valete column, is the Senior Monitor, Dougald Robertson. He has just completed the fifth year secondary, and is awaiting the results of S.C.E. examinations. He has decided to spend the last year of his school education at home, attending Wick High School. As will be seen from the details in the Valete, he has been an outstanding figure in several departments of School life, as Captain of Rugby and Cricket and Boy Pipe-Major. Unfortunately an operation for appendicitis limited his activities in his last term. This has been a blow to School cricket particularly, for, with due respect to other members of the School eleven, Dougald was estimated to be worth three or four of them in the tally of runs scored. He has been a tremendously popular figure in the School, and takes with him the special good wishes of all Victorians.New buildings are still going up, and more new projects are in hand. The new library is taking recognisable shape inside, with carpenters busy at bookshelves ; and work continues on the new staff quarters. The renovation of the pipe-band room and the drum-store is well on. A play hut for Wavell boys, a new pavilion, and hard tennis courts are also promised. One bit of work that gives little cause for
|
satisfaction is the raised area on the playing-field that was to provide new rugby or football pitches. A great deal of fresh digging has been done in an effort to drain it properly, but the fact remains that after three years the area is quite unsuitable for games and still looks far from being ready for play.
This summer there were over 100 candidates for admission to the School, some of whom had to be eliminated before the Admissions Board sat, on account of age. The board selected 44 boys. The distribution of places by father's category was as follows :—Royal Navy 2, Scottish Regiments 18, Other Army 14, R.A.F. 10. Among these were some sons of Old Victorians, to whom we refer in the Old Boys column. Admiral Crombie, who has long given his services on the Admissions Board, has now retired from this work, and his place was taken this year by Major-General Graham, who will in future serve on the Board, the other members being the Commandant and the Headmaster.
From the silver collection taken at the School play, a sum of just over £8 was donated to the Erskine Hospital for permanently disabled servicemen. From the chapel collections fund, £50 went to the general fund of the Church of Scotland, £10 to St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Dunblane, £10 to Quarrier's Home for Children and £10 to Dr. Barnardo's Homes, Scotland. There has also been a donation to the Scottish Council for Spastics from fines imposed on boys who leave their property about. When this term's contribution has been completed and sent off, the total given to this fund in two terms will be well over £5. A pleasing feature of this collection has been the disposition of a number of boys to put in a bit more than their fine. Also, when the collecting-tin was being shaken under the noses of senior late payers, there was a rush of Wavell House boys offering to put in their pocket-money.
Following the example of Keith Douglas last year, A. D. M. Richardson this year attended the Flying Award training scheme, and, like Douglas, is now a qualified pilot, and has gone to the R.A.F. with a direct commission.
All Victorians, and especially those who were here between 1957 and 1963, will be glad to hear, if they do not know it already, that our Headmaster of that period has recently been promoted and is now Colonel A. L. Fowler.Two senior members of the School have been to Holyroodhouse on official occasions this term. D. Marshall represented the A.C.F. at the royal garden party to which Scottish and Commonwealth students and representatives of young people's organisations were invited. Two days later, M. Owens went there to receive from H.R.H. Prince Philip the Gold Award of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
|
