Extracts from "The Tower"

The Retirement of Mr E. G. (Taffy) Newell

Too often when a teacher leaves his school he ceases to exist as far as his old pupils are concerned. Occasionally, if he has been teaching there for a number of years, he may be presented with some memento, but in the case of a senior master retiring from the profession after many years of service, something more lasting than this is surely necessary. Mr. E. G. " Taffy " Newell, who leaves us this July, has been head of our Science department since the school was founded, eighteen years ago, and during that time his lively spirit and infectious humour have imparted something of real value to" Trinity High." This article about Mr. Newell is, therefore, intended to be both an appreciative tribute to him at his retirement, and an informative sketch of him as a teacher-and, as Mr. Newell himself emphasised should be made clear, it is in no way intended to be an obituary notice.

Although Mr. Newell is quite certain now that he could not have spent his time more profitably in any other occupation, he did not as a young man intend to become a teacher and had no feeling of vocation. It was, rather, a "trick of Fate" that decided what his career should be. For purely financial reasons, in 1926 he left his native Wales in search of a job, with a B.Sc (and a leek ?)under his belt, and the following year started teaching in London.  Then, in 1939, he came to Northampton as an evacuee and was on the staff at the College of Technology until 1946,when he was asked to take charge of the Science department of the newly-formed "Technical High School."

Over these 37 years of teaching experience, he has, as we would expect, formed definite views about schooling and education. Unfortunately, however, he is unwilling to admit he is well qualified to broadcast such opinions ". But on some subjects he is quite outspoken: for example, it is his firm conviction that "co-education is the only sensible preparation for ' co-living ' " and that separating boys and girls in secondary schools can do them nothing but harm. He is also very much in favour of the recently-proposed plans to introduce into the Sixth Form syllabus (to try to prevent over-specialisation) a certain amount of 'minority time' each week, which would consist of lessons in subjects other than those of the student's principal studies. He has for some time believed this to be necessary for a sixth-former's education to be complete. While recognising the necessity for exams, and the importance of careful preparation for them, Mr. Newell pays special attention to encouraging his pupils to enjoy the subject concerned, and to take a lively, practical, and general interest in it. This, he maintains, is far more beneficial to them than cramming them with a boring series of apparently incoherent facts with but one view in mind-the examinations.  Probably this philosophy is one of the main reasons for his success as a teacher.

But why has Mr. Newell now decided to retire, and how does he proposed to spend his time in his retirement? These are questions which many people connected with the school will now be asking.  He is retiring, he explains, so that he can spend more time on his hobbies-playing bowls, in particular-and be free from restricting time-tables and syllabuses. He also intends to write one or two books, though whether they will be on Physics, Teaching in general, or Bowls (or Welsh Tenors!) remains to be seen. Why he is retiring is, however, perhaps best summed up in his own words: " I’m just hanging up my boots because I feel I can't play in the First Team any more."

In wishing him every happiness in the years of retirement that lie ahead of him, we hope that most, if not all of his plans will be accomplished. And we look forward to reading the first of the books that he has promised us-whatever its subject.

SCHOOL NOTES 

IN July, after the G.C.E. examination had ended, a series of Wider Horizons" lectures and discussions was arranged in the School for our Upper-Sixth pupils. A wide range of subjects was introduced by visiting speakers and members of staff. The lectures are to be continued this year.

The School Inter-House Swimming Gala was held at Midsummer Meadow Swimming Baths on July 17th, 1963. The Fred Watts Inter-House Trophy was won by Burghley House.

The School's first Commemoration Day Service was held on15th October. 1963. In his address, the Headmaster described the School's growth and achievement from its beginnings in 1945 as part of the Technical College.

On October 17th, a most successful Careers Convention was held at Trinity High School. There is now an extensive Careers Library in School, from which books may be borrowed. Parents are welcome to come to School, by appointment, in order to discuss pupils' careers problems with the Careers Masters.

In October, members of the Upper-Sixth English group attended a performance of Harold Brighouse's " Hobson's Choice," given by Northampton Repertory Company. Afterwards they went back-stage and were able to discuss the production with members of the cast.

On Thursday, 7th November, the sixteenth annual Whist Drive was held in the School Hall. This was a most pleasant and successful social occasion which provided eighty pounds for the School Funds.

At Christmas, as a result of a collection, donations and special efforts such as carol singing, the School was pleased to send ninety pounds to the Lord Mayor's Fund, ninety-five pounds to Oxfam, and nineteen pounds to the Northamptonshire Association for the Blind.

The School's production of " Iolanthe " will be given on the evenings of 10th, 12th and 14th December, 1964.

We are pleased to record the engagement of two of the School's former pupils, Bonita A. Cosford (1954-59) and John E. Forth(1954-61).

Audrey Chamberlain, Secretary of the School Debating Society, has been presented by the Northampton Drama Club with a cup for the most outstanding speech made this year.

We congratulate Audrey Chamberlain (6UM) and Gordon Bromage (6LS) on their each winning 1st Prize in the Mayoral Essay Competition open to the Grammar Schools of the Borough.

At the end of the Autumn Term we were sorry to lose the services of Mr. G. N. Syer, and, at the end of the Summer Term, those of Mrs. A. Payton, Mrs. M. Queensborough, Miss P. Stroud, Mrs. B. Taylor, Mile M. G. Borros, Mr. D. Holland, Mr. A. Rayton and Mr. R. Waller. We wish them every happiness and success in their future careers.

TALKING POINT

Following the success of last year's articles on C.N.D., the Editors asked for contributions on the subject of capital punishment.

Correspondence is invited.

CAPITAL punishment is the punishment of offenders by death.  There are four offences in Great Britain today which carry the death penalty: treason; some forms of murder governed by the 1957 Homicide Act; piracy with endangering of life (the last reported case of which was in 1894); and arson of Her Majesty's dockyards or ships. The death penalty is usually death by hanging, but technically the execution for treason can still be performed in public and the full ritual of beheading and quartering can still be ordered. In war time or time of emergency the Treachery Act of 1940 applies and offenders, like spies, can be shot, as was Joseph Jacobs, in August, 1941.

The capital crimes listed above are all dangerous to society.  If a person murders by use of a firearm, then he presents a real danger to the rest of society, and society in the form of the Law must seek to protect itself. The object of punishment must be to prevent the criminal from repeating his act and also deter other members of society from following in his footsteps. In other words, the punishment should show that ' crime does not pay.' Since the deliberate and premeditated act of taking the life of another is the worst crime of all, the punishment must be the most severe society can impose. This punishment presents itself in the death penalty. Any abolitionist must, in denouncing the death penalty, put forward an alternative punishment which is comparably severe. If the abolitionist suggests imprisonment or an intensive programme of readjustment for the criminal then the cost of this is borne by society, by the same society that the criminal has wronged. Is it right for society to support these alien parasites? I suggest not, and until a satisfactory replacement can be found, the death penalty should remain.

Let us look at a country which has already abolished the death sentence, Mexico. Is it not very revealing to note that this country has the highest murder rate in the world, an average of 42.45 per day?  Also, over half the murderers are eventually released. Obviously, the abolition of the death penalty is not a success there and why should we think we can do any better here? Even with the death penalty, the highest murder rate in Great Britain was in 1945 with242 murders.

The Homicide Act reduced the types of capital murder to six, where before all types of murder were punishable by death. Surely the victim is just as dead if shot through the heart, which is a capital crime, as if chopped up by an axe, a far more grisly way of dispatch, and this is a non-capital offence. Analysis of facts and figures immediately before and after the passing of the 1957 Act shows arise in crimes of violence and a six per cent rise in the number of murders. It is obvious that if punishment is reduced more people will try to get away with the crime, and the deterrent value of hanging is removed. Life imprisonment, as a deterrent? The figures released not long ago reveal that a criminal imprisoned for life, on average, is released after eight years eight months. This in deterrent value cannot compare with that of the death penalty.

One case which recently came into prominence was that of Christopher Simcox, who murdered his wife in 1948, was reprieved and then, after his release, again committed murder and was reprieved. Evidently a prison sentence is not an answer to such crimes. I suggest there is no alternative to capital punishment and that it should be kept.

R. A. FAREY (6US)

R. P. JONES (5AL)

MEN OF OUR TIME

THERE is, somewhere in this country, a very talented young man who is known by everyone, and who is mentioned to an increasing degree in our daily conversation. This man's name is ... Any Fool.  The extent of his activities seems unlimited, but it will perhaps help us to understand him better if we examine one or two of the various fields in which he is making his presence felt.

He is probably best known for his political abilities. It is by now a well-known fact that Any Fool could run the country better than the present Government is doing. He could probably do it single-handed, too, as we all know that Marples must go, Beeching has blundered, and most of the rest have made their little slips - which Any Fool could easily rectify.  From what has been said recently, it is also just conceivable that he has already taken over as Head of M.I.5. Who else could be capable of thinking up two such ingenious espionage systems as the so-called "Brain Drain" and the Channel Tunnel?  Any Fool can see that by sending our scientists to America we have discovered the perfect method of finding out just how far ahead of the Soviet Union they really are. And what else but the constant threat that a Channel Tunnel may be built could keep De Gaulle so negative in his policies?

In the realm of entertainment he seems to enjoy using his authority. It was surely he who saw to it that TW3 was taken off the air so that there would not be too much attention paid to the promises which will be made in profusion some time this year.  It is obvious to him that BBC-2 will not be a success unless it drops its symbol of two kangaroos and adopts something more acceptable to the public-like Elizabeth Taylor, for example. As this year is the four hundredth anniversary of Shakespeare's birth, we can perhaps presume that Any Fool may be right in his choice of a certain newly-married couple to play the leading roles in " Anthony and Cleopatra."

Naturally, Any Fool is also capable of growing his hair longer and making as much noise as the well-known vocal and instrumental quartet from Liverpool.             

JENNIFER HEARD (Form 5)

TEN-PIN BOWLING

TEN-PIN bowling is a fascinating and skilful sport. It entertains not only you, the player, but also the surrounding spectators.

The first time I approached the lanes, I frantically tried to see what other people were doing and reminded myself at all costs to let go of the bowl. My friends all seemed to know exactly what to do and assured me that at the worst 1 could only fly down the lane with my thumb or finger stuck in the bowl. The light was dull and on sitting down I announced that I should like to bowl last. As my friends walked up into the lighted area, one after another, I saw how bright it was and how isolated they were, with no hope of being inconspicuous. It was suddenly my turn and I walked up and chose my bowl.  I walked steadily up the step leading to the highly polished lane, followed by the remarks of "Remember to let it go" and, "as long as you don't smash the lane up"!  And cackles of laughter.  I turned round and made an acid reply, then took my position.  Now, I thought, "Five steps to the lane.  Swing your arm back on the third, and on the fourth slide on your left foot, cross your right leg behind and then let go"!  At the third step I wondered if I was on the right foot, and then, forgetting to swing my arm I released the bowl.  It bounced on to the lane and then barged into the left gully, shuddering down until it hit the back pad.

I am pleased to say that I have now improved my style and skill and score "strikes" and "spares".  Also, in the future, instead of travelling to Corby for the evening's entertainment, I shall be able to enjoy myself at Northampton, where a 32-lane bowling alley is being built.

AMATEUR DRAMATIC WORKSHOPS SOCIETY

WHEN the Autumn Dramatic Workshops Society re-formed in the Autumn of 1963, its membership consisted of five Sixth-Formers.  However, as there was little work involved in making props for the Christmas Concert, there was no need to seek help from the Middle School. After the Christmas Concert - which was very successful - work began on the props for the Annual School Play which was to beheld in March, 1964. It was an American play called "Our Town", and was unusual in that we took the props onto the stage in full view of the audience, the curtains being fully closed only at the end of the play. From the reception it received the play was obviously a success.

Some time before the School Play, some of our Fourth Year members, who joined us after the Christmas Concert, had started preparing for the production of "Iolanthe" in the Autumn of 1964.  At the same time, our stage manager, Mr. Clarke, had to leave us to practise for his leading part in this production.

The Society offers its thanks to Mr. Clarke for his guidance during the past year and to Mr. Bamber and Mr. Price for so kindly agreeing to be joint stage-managers during the coming year.          J.N.W.

Performance of Iolanthe