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How then to sum up the first 75 years of this School. Long before our opening in 1908 the first Headmaster of another great school wrote, "an old School has pride and dignity: a young School must have energy". This, it seems to me, is the key to success in most endeavours. I am happy to say that Queen Victoria School bristles with energy and long may it continue so.
Having written of the past I must say something about the future. Readers of these Notes will know that in recent years the School has implemented a variety of measures aimed at economy. Staff levels have come down from 94 to 67, happily without -any loss of academic subjects or reduction of teaching staff. Contract catering was introduced successfully last September and contract cleaning will begin in 1983/84. Nevertheless QVS remains an expensive establishment, with annual per capita costs on a par with similar boarding schools which, of course, now charge fees often in excess of £4,000 per pupil per annum. On 16th February 1983 the School was visited by Mr Jerry Wiggin TD MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Armed Forces, and on 21 st February by General Sir George Cooper KCB MC, the Adjutant General, who notified us that MOD had decided to commission a
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civilian firm of management consultants to examine whether the School could be made less dependent on public funds. Assurances were given that closure was not an option to be considered in this Study and that the School's character and traditions were to be maintained. I told parents of this intention in a letter at the end of March. The conclusions and recommendations of the study are unlikely to be known before early 1984 and HM Commissioners have reserved their right to comment on these before any decisions are taken. Obviously it would be unwise to speculate but I remain confident of the future, essentially because of the excellence of the School's reputation and the support we enjoy. Those who will decide these matters are aware that Queen Victoria School is unique. When the Navy's losses in support of the Army during the Battle of Crete in 1941 became so appalling that it was suggested to Admiral Cunningham that he should withdraw what was left of the Fleet he replied, "It takes three years to build a ship. It would take three hundred to rebuild a tradition." Something similar applies here.
It is my hope that many Old Victorians will gather here on Grand Day to mark the 75th Anniversary and to relive memories of their past. Could I, without seeming
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