School History 1933 Part 2

School Swimming July 27th 1933

A large company of parents gathered at the South Elmsall Baths for the first swimming gala for girls of the Hemsworth Grammar School. Miss Kenward was the judge and timekeeper, and Miss J. Harrison the organiser. The four "Houses" competed. Final placings were: Guest (53 points),  (2) Talbot (34),  (3) Price (20),  (4) Holgate (10). The results were:

Breast Stroke - (1) Peggy Barber (Guest),  (2) D. Hepworth (Talbot),  (3) Mary Austin (Price).

Diving Style -   (1) D. Hepworth (T)       (2) Sylvia Chapman (P)          (3) B. Williams (G).

Balloon Race - (1) Peggy Barber (G)          (2) Mary Austin (P)            (3) M. Hepworth (T).

Plunge -         (1) Rosalind Atkinson (T)  (2) Hilda Paley (T)          (3) May Madeley (P).

Umbrella Race - (1) Peggy Barber (G)        (2) B. Williams (G)           (3) Mary Austin (P).

Back Stroke -     (1) Peggy Barber (G)        (2) Mary Austin (P)          (3) D. Hepworth (T).

Breast Stroke (style) - (1) Peggy Barber (G)  (2) Mary Austin (P)           (3) B. Williams (G)

Free Style -          (1) Peggy Barber (G)       (2) Mary Austin (P)         (3) M. Hepworth (T).

Object Diving -     (1) B. Williams (G)     (2) Peggy Barber (G)             (3) Hilda Paley (T)
.
Two length, breast stroke - (1) Peggy Barber (G)  (2) Mary Austin (P)  (3) D. Hepworth (T).

"Bed-time" race - (1) Rosalind Atkinson (T)  (2)  Peggy Barber (G)      (3) B. Williams (G).

One length, back stroke - (1) M. Hepworth (T)  (2) D. Hepworth (T)  (3) Peggy Barber (G).

House Relay - (1) Talbot (10 points)  (2) Guest (6)   (3) Holgate (2) Tme of winning team, 1min.  56.2 secs.

 

September's Higher School Certificate Successes          
The Higher School Certificates were issued by the Joint Matriculation Board of the Universities of Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield and Birmingham.

J.H. Andrew, Sidney Fox, G. Grayson, Sybil Howson, J.W. Marriott, Hilda Paley, Herbert S. Perry, Alex Ramsden (with distinctions in Pure Mathematics and Chemistry), J.N. Thorpe, Millicent Webb, H. Williamson.
Thomas W. Marriott also gained a pass in the additional subject of Geometrical and Machine Drawing.

 

School Certificates

A greater number of Matriculations, and a greater number of failures than before.
Those who Matriculated: 
Boys: Harry Bradley, Foye W., Lionel Newby, Norman Senior, Clifford Wainwright, Carr E.H., Leslie Guy, Eric Ineson, James H. Turner, George B. Wainwright.
Girls: Winifred Bower, Constance Bull, Marjorie Harrison, Joyce Higgett, Estelle Rhodes, Mabel Townend, Joyce Warner.
Certificates were awarded to:
Boys: George Elvidge, Lewis Firman, Heath E.A., Hopkinson H., Joseph Keough, Skelding A., Wilson J.N., Vernon Barnsley, Baxendale D.E., Foster H., Fred Smith, Eric S. Whittle, George W. Woodall, James W. Baxendale, Arthur Keeling, Metcalfe W., David Stephen Moore, William Robinson, Scott T., Walsh E., Watson P.
Girls: Rosalyn Atkinson, Hetty Blanchard, Kathleen Cooper, Barbara Farmery, Doris Hainsworth, Doris Hall, Kathleen Liversedge, Betty Mulheir, Margaret Poole, Enid Toone.

 

Old Hilmians Rugby

The officials of the Club in 1933 were:
Captain - William Kirk;              Vice-captain - James Keenan;     Secretary and Treasurer - George Potts
            Committee - Harold Teale and Ernest Hedley Wright.
The School consented to allow the club the use of the school field for home matches, and all old boys of the school were urged to join the club.
For the fixture scheduled for September 16th 1933, the team was chosen from: William Kirk, D. Harrison, Harold Teale, Norman Senior, John Mellor, J. Moss, J. Marlowe, James Keenan, E.H. Light, F. Howitt, John R. Barker, K. Ellison, R.M. Slatcher, G. Brookes, Robert Thorpe, James Turner.

 

Please Give Us a Grimethorpe Bus Service!

Many requests had been made by the School to the Yorkshire Traction Company for the reinstatement of the direct bus service between Grimethorpe and Hemsworth which had previously been stopped by order of the Ministry of Transport. Pupils travelling to School from Grimethorpe had to change at Shafton Two Gates, and wait without shelter for a connection to Hemsworth. Ald. Price and the West Riding Education Committee were requested by the Governors of the School in October 1933 to negotiate with the Traffic Commissioners or the Ministry of Transport for the establishment of a direct connection between the two places.

 

A New Grand Piano

At the beginning of the Autumn Term, the Headmaster and his family presented the gift of a Grand Piano to the School. On the morning of its first use, the Head Girl, Sybil Howson, voiced the thanks of everyone for this generosity.

 

Sorry, Still No Cricket Pavilion and No Tennis Court

In October 1933 the Clerk to the Governors, Mr. Charles Crossley, reported that once again the County Council had deferred the question of the provision of a cricket pavilion and an additional hard tennis court "until the next estimates". It would seem that money for these added amenities was still in short supply.

Final Approval for the Mining Centre

In October 1933 Coun. A. Flavell was able to report to the Governors that the Board of Education had finally sanctioned the erection of a technical school adjoining the grammar school.

 

November Suggestions                 

The North Walk - After much trespassing into the school grounds in this area, the County Committee suggested the erection of an iron railing at a cost of £55-0s- 0d.

Teachers' Evening Work - If Secondary Teachers wished to be employed in evening institutes, then the County Committee did not object to this, provided it did not interfere with the teachers' ordinary work. It was suggested that three evenings a week might be granted to any teacher wishing to do this additional work. The Headmaster, Mr. Jenkinson, thought that this course of action should be encouraged.

Needing a clock - Mr. Jenkinson requested the provision of a reliable clock for use in the School, saying that because no such clock was used in School, it was difficult to begin anything punctually! He suggested the purchase of a synchronised clock at a cost of £18 /10s / 0d (£18.50) from which a number of small clocks could be worked. The existing clocks within School were all "25shilling things."  (£1.25)
One of the Governors suggested getting a clock with cigarette coupons, but the Headmaster insisted on a reliable clock. As might have been expected in those times of stricture, the matter was deferred.

 

 

Twelfth Annual Speech Day, Wednesday November 8th 1933

 

 

Wise words from a Chief Constable - "Crime is Caddish"

The twelfth annual speech day of the Hemsworth Grammar School was held on Wednesday at the Hemsworth Hippodrome. Lieut. - Col. F. Brook, Chief Constable of the West Riding, gave an address, and the prizes and certificates were presented by Mrs. Brook.  Ald. G. Price, M.P. (chairman of the Governors) was unable for the first time since the school opened to preside.

Captain L. Hallam (vice-chairman) deputised, supported by Mrs. Dooley, Mrs. Schorah, Messrs. E. Ford, J. Dunleavy, W. Exley, C.E. Jagger (Governors), Mr. A.G. Jenkinson (headmaster), Miss M.A. Griffiths (headmistress), and Mr. C.L. Crossley (Clerk to the Governors).

The Chairman apologised for the absence of Ald. G. Price, M.P., who, although he had greatly improved in health and was at the re-opening of Parliament on Tuesday, had been advised not to make the special journey to Hemsworth. He paid a tribute to Ald. Price, and said that none of his public work was nearer and dearer to his heart than that of the Grammar School. The Governors were highly satisfied with the efficiency of the school. Its success had only been brought about by the extraordinarily hard work of the headmaster and staff, to whom the Governors were grateful. Welcoming Lieut.-Col. and Mrs. Brook, the Chairman said that at the outbreak of the war he and Col. Brook had joined the same battalion and served together for a time.

Mrs. Brook distributed the awards, and was presented with a bouquet by Sybil Howson.

 

Headmaster's Report
Mr. A.G. Jenkinson stated there were 440 pupils in the school, (254 boys and 186 girls) compared with 417 at the beginning of the year. He again advised parents to consult the staff in the matter of careers some time before the time for pupils leaving. He was pleased to record three scholarships gained:

► A Junior County Art by Eileen Morley, one of two awarded in the whole of the Riding;
► A County Major for Mathematics by Alec Ramsden, now at Manchester University; 
► A County Technological by Thomas W. Marriott, now taking an engineering course at Leeds University.
► Eleven of sixteen candidates passed the higher school certificate examination, and 48 of 69 the school certificate examination. Eighteen matriculated, an increase on any previous figure.

► An old pupil, Fred Williamson, crowned a successful career at Manchester University, where he was captain of cricket and rugby, by taking first-class honours in history and winning a research scholarship. 
►Another old pupil, Walter H. Wright, had been appointed history master at Maltby Grammar School - the first old student to obtain a secondary or grammar school post. Other former students were also doing well at the Universities.

With the increased numbers, the middle and lower forms were larger than they should be, and another form was needed. He hoped before the end of the year the Governors might be able to obtain the appointment of an additional teacher. Rugby, cricket, hockey, tennis, swimming and athletic sports were successfully maintained .The choir continued to compete in festivals, the arts and crafts exhibition on Parents' Day was up to standard, and a helpful new feature was a summer camp for girls organised by Miss Harrison.

 

The Under-Valued Parent
He expressed his indebtedness to the senior mistress, Miss Griffiths, for her helpful and loyal co-operation in the administration of the school, and to Mr. Crossland, the senior master, and the staff generally. He was grateful, too, to parents for their continued confidence, endorsing the statement of the headmaster of the City of London School in recent address, that "Parents are grievously under-valued." He took off his hat to many a parent who, at much self-sacrifice, was determined his child should have every educational advantage he could possibly give it. He was also appreciative of the co-operation of the Governors, with whom it was a pleasure to work in the interests of the school. He also explained some of the reasons for the changing of the School's name.

In conclusion, Mr. Jenkinson said that:
"Education continues to offer many problems to those who are responsible for the administration of our schools, and it is certainly a perplexing business, but when all is said and done the fact remains that what you teach in a school is not nearly so important as how you teach it; for you cannot get away from the simple statement of the true aims of education, which are to train the mind, to develop the body, and to form habits of self-discipline and unselfishness. I hope that we are doing something in this direction and on the right lines."

 

A Grateful "Old Boy."
Lt.-Col. Brook said it was a great pleasure for him to speak under the chairmanship of an old comrade. He was glad also to be present because he was an old Grammar School boy, and he was happy to be associated with school work. He was glad to acknowledge publicly his indebtedness to the old Grammar School at Batley. He was wondering what the children would expect a policeman to say. They would perhaps like him to tell them some exciting stories of police life. He must refrain from that, but he could tell them that the police today were just as much a social service as any other. Some people might think the object of the police was to repress and keep people in order. That was true, but beyond that the police force was an organisation for helping people to a better and more useful life.

The Duty To Tradition
An idea was abroad that there was something romantic and glamorous about crime. "Believe me, crime is sordid, mean and caddish. Remember that when you admire criminals on the stage, in the films, or in books. There is nothing admirable about them."

Lt.-Col. Brook said that nobody was entitled to accept the privileges of a school with a tradition who was not prepared to maintain that tradition. They could not have its privileges without responsibilities.

 "One of the things that has to be guarded against is 'side.'  Wear your caps and colours with pride but not arrogance. Show those less privileged that there is something in being respectful and polite. People of my generation are apt to run down the young folk of today. My view is that they are just as good as in other days. There is not much difference. They have the same emotions and traits of character, but I do sometimes think that our young folk fail to realise the value of respect. Some mistake civility for servility. There is nothing servile about paying respect to your elders and those placed in authority over you. One of the signs that you have been to a school like this is demonstrated by setting an example of respect."

He wished the school success, and hoped those who had attended it would be of value in the district, because unless a school like that made its presence felt amongst the community it was failing in its object.

 

After the ovation received from the School for this impressive speech, the Headmaster presented two books to Lt.-Col. Brook, who, with Mrs. Brook, was thanked by Mrs. Schorah and Mrs. Dooley.

A programme of music and plays was given by the pupils, conducted by Miss P.E.M. Wright.

.

 

Mrs. Brook presenting House Championship Trophies to Ida Farmery, the Holgate girls' captain and Herbert Perry the School captain. It may be assumed that Mr. Jenkinson stands next to her. The photograph shows Captain Hallam, vice-Chairman of the Governors, and on his left Lieut. Col. Brook,  Chief Constable of the West Riding, who gave an inspiring address. On his left is Mrs. T. Schorah, a Governor.

 

School Prizes
In addition to the certificates the following prizes were distributed: 
For gaining County Technological Scholarship...   ...   Thomas W. Marriott; 
for gaining County Major Scholarship   ...   ...   ...   ...  Alec Ramsden; 
for gaining Junior Art Scholarship   ...   ...   ...   ...   ...  Eileen Morley; 
for distinction in School Certificate...   ...   ...    Lionel Newby, Eric Ineson, George B. Wainwright, E. Walsh;
 for "all credits" in School Certificate...   ...   ... Marjorie Harrison, E. Carr, George B. Wainwright. 

Form Prizes: Va, Lionel Newby;  Vb, George W. Woodall;  Vs, George B. Wainwright; 
                      IVa, Gordon  Hopkinson;  IVs, R. Wass: 
                      IIIa, Matilda Cunningham;  IIIb, Vera Parkinson;
                       IIa, Mary Ineson;  IIb, A. Evans;  IIc, Elsie Smith; 
                       Ib, Mary Sykes;  It, Eunice Strutt;  Ic, Ursula Dunn. General Information...   ...   J. N. Thorpe.
Star Prizes...   ...   ...   ...    Olive Boulton, Elsie Smith, Audrey Parker, Mary Sykes.
Special Prizes for head girl and boy of the school (given by Capt. Warde-Aldham) - Hilda Paley, Alec Ramsden. 
Special prizes for Latin (given by Captain Hallam) - Lionel Newby, Winifred Bower.
Needlework Prize... ... ...  Mary Ineson. 
General Progress... ... ...  G. Wade, B. Earl. Stanley Sykes. Caroline Banks.
House Challenge Cup ... 1. Holgate, 1,086½ points;  2. Talbot, 964½;   3. Guest, 891;  4. Price, 831½.

 

Armistice Day

In 1933 this day of commemoration fell on a Sunday, and so the Headmaster held the Service of Remembrance in School on the Friday before, and a sale of poppies realised the sum of £42/3s/10½d (£4.70) 

 

The Scottish Play

The Osiris Players, who gave a successful rendering of Richard II earlier in February, came to School on November 15th to play "Macbeth". Once again, their skills were much appreciated. The review written by George Elvidge (5A Talbot) in the School Magazine, said, "........The play we considered enjoyable, for excellent and versatile acting, aided by skilful lighting and effective make-up, gave to us, who must study the play, a new outlook, and to those lower in the School (this with a sagacity borne of our ripe years an insight into the beauties of Shakespeare which might be missed in the routine-work of study). Congratulations on a most praiseworthy performance!

The Osiris Players  

Perhaps an understanding of this troupe of actors might be enlightening, as they were to re-appear at the school by invitation for several years to come. The Osiris Players were Britain's first all-female professional theatre company, which was founded in 1927 by Nancy Hewins. The new company's first production was The Merchant of Venice. They performed on improvised stages in village halls, schools and munitions workers' canteens throughout the country. They travelled in two Rolls-Royces, one cream and white, one sheer black, because Hewins maintained they were the only vehicles that could carry the scenery and the costumes. The company was never larger than seven women, and everybody did everything: acting, props, cooking and changing tyres. On stage, scenes were cut and transposed to make the doubling work. Nancy Hewins played Lady Macbeth in a 'ferocious' red wig, changing her make-up at top speed so that she could become the Porter within a few lines. By the time the company closed, in 1963, Nancy Hewins calculated that she had taken 129 parts herself, in 55 plays. A small core of two or three actors stayed with Osiris for many years, but it was tough going, and few lasted so long. The women slept where they could, in barns, tents, on school floors, even in a park cafe. They worked without subsidy and pay was frugal.

Nancy Hewins was a pioneer of the concept of using theatre as education. From unpromising and often farcical beginnings she developed a company which became a force to be reckoned with. She believed that through the power of storytelling, society could be changed by touching each individual and harnessing the power of a collective imagination.

 

Old Hilmians in a Farce - 29 & 30th November 1933 - "The Whole Town's Talking"
The review in the local newspaper gave credit to Mr. James Keenan as Chester Binney. Without overdoing his part, he gave a fine portraiture of an unromantic lover. Mr. Edwin Taylor's diction was good, and he was perfect as the aristocratic manufacturer. His amusing attempts in the first act to smarten his slovenly partner were memorable. Miss Doreen Raine was a success as a modern lover, and Mr. George Potts performed well as the film director, along with Miss Ethel Midgeley's matronly Mrs. Simmons. Mr. William Kirk was a distinct success as the jealous lover. Miss A. Leonard (Sadie Bloom), Miss Alice Scott (Letty Lythe), Miss Grace Mills, Miss Olga Kirkham and Miss Marjorie Harrison all took supporting parts splendidly.

 

This successful production owed much to its producer, Miss Margaret Foster, its Stage Manager, Mr. John R. Barker, and the Business Managers, Messrs William Kirk and George Potts. On the opening night, after the final curtain, the lights fused throughout the school, and the members of the audience had to grope their way out of the building. Bearing in mind the title of the farce, this could have been a case of Life reflecting Art!

 

School Play 13th & 14th December 1933

 

         This is the only written account of this School Play.

 

 

Circular 1428 - Economy and Fewer Teachers

The economic realities of the 1930's meant that schools in the West Riding were directed by the Education Authority (who in turn had received instructions from the Board of Education in London) to economise. The various methods suggested were discussed in a lively Governors' meeting at the end of December 1933. Instructions had arrived in Circular 1428 as follows....

► reduce the number of teachers required by altering the internal organisation of the school.
► combine two or three classes to be taken by one teacher
► let pupils travel from one school to another to make class sizes viable
► allow classes of children to have private periods to work by themselves
► share teachers with other schools
► combine schools with technical colleges, thus reducing the need for teachers.
► limit the number of specialist subjects to three or four

    

While he agreed that having to provide one teacher for one or two pupils was an extravagance, the Headmaster viewed the transference of pupils from one school to another for lessons as unworkable. Coordinating the timetables would be difficult, and much time would be lost in transport. He could see that the transfer of pupils in their entirety when they reached the Sixth Form, although undesirable to a certain extent, might be a defensible proposition. On the one hand, the pupils would suffer by the change of teachers, methods and environment, and the school would suffer from the loss of its most useful members, but on the other hand they might possibly benefit from the increased competition of a larger class. 

 

The suggestion that two or more Forms might combine was deemed impractical. There was no accommodation in school for 90 to 100 pupils to be taken by one teacher at a time, and anyone who was conversant with the discipline necessary in a school would hesitate to leave a lower Form of 30 girls and boys to work by themselves.

 

The chairman of the meeting, Captain L. Hallam agreed with Mr. A. Flavell's opinion that if the Circular were adopted, then there would be no opportunity for students who were training as teachers to receive any training in schools at all, particularly in secondary schools. In summarising the discussion, Capt. Hallam stated that amalgamation with other schools was not practicable; neither could they share teachers with other schools, as it was their object to see that the students had every facility to progress as far as possible. The Headmaster said that the Yorkshire Association of Headmasters had been asked to send representatives to meet the County Education Director (Mr. J. Hallam) to discuss the Circular. The meeting decided that the Headmaster's observations and the Governor's objections to the Circular be forwarded to the County Education Committee.

The comment of one of the Governors, Mr. Exley, seems to sum it all up. He said it was all a question of "finance and boiling down."

 

Practical Matters

Tenders for the school supplies during 1934 were accepted by the Governors.

Groceries...........H.E. Brooks, South Elmsall.......£18 / 0s / 10 3/4d (that's three farthings) (£18.04)
Meat...................W.J. Townend                            £36 / 6s / 3d (£36.31)
Milk....................C.S. Hanley                                1/3d per gallon (6p)
Vegetables.......H.E. Brooks, South Elmsall.

►Approval had arrived from the West Riding Education Authority in December 1933 for the laying of a new water main at the school at a cost of £70 / 0s / 0d.

►The sum of £130 /0s / 0d was to be expended on the redecoration of several rooms in the school.

►The matter of the supply of requested fire extinguishers to the school, however, was deferred until "later", as was the request for railings for the north boundary wall.

 

In March 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt became President of the USA, and later in the year Prohibition finally ended. When Roosevelt came to power the banking system in America had collapsed and 13 million Americans were unemployed. The 'Great Depression' was now being tackled by his 'New Deal' which had the goal of giving relief, reform and recovery to the people and the economy.

 

In Hemsworth only vital necessities were provided for the school in this year of tightened belts (although one must question the wisdom of deferring the purchase of fire extinguishers!) and yet the pupils thrived, gained their qualifications and prevailed in sports and music. Outside groups such as the Osiris Players, or visiting lecturers were utilised to broaden the minds of the pupils. Encouragement was given to each willing child in performance skills such as acting, singing or giving concerts, and always on the horizon the students could see or hear about the success which had come to those Old Hilmians who had applied themselves to developing their talents at University or College.

 

There had been brief mentions of illness concerning Miss Griffiths and also Ald. Price, but there seemed many other willing hands to deputise for them, and the 'flying flak' from the issues of the boundary wall and change of name had seemed to settle by the end of 1933. Compared with the disturbing social upheavals happening in Europe, life in Hemsworth, although lacking in monetary riches for many, was settled in its everyday routine, and School was as usual guiding its pupils towards achieving their potential. This calm and ordered atmosphere meant that no-one could have foreseen the tragedy which was to affect everyone in the following year.