Extracts from "The Tower"

THIS CHANGING SCHOOL

By P. J. HARRIS, Deputy Headmaster

FOR the first time since 1945 this school will have no intake of pupils at 11+ in September 1970 or 1971. Our Lower School, as we know it today, will have disappeared. After this interim break a comprehensive pattern of education will be established in this school, as in the other Borough Grammar Schools, from September1972 onwards. It now seems to have become national policy to abolish selection at 11+ for secondary schools; our own local authority has fallen into line with this policy.

Education in Northampton is to be re-organised on the basis of a three-tier system:-

5- 9 years First Schools
9-13 years Middle Schools
13-18 years Upper Schools

In order to do this and to accommodate the increased numbers from the planned Development Area of Northampton, new schools are being built and others extended. We ourselves face a period of reorganisation for the next five years, whilst these projects are put in hand.

The three local Grammar schools will continue to operate as they do today, taking the General Certificate of Education at 'O' and 'A' levels and C.S.E. examinations, but for the next twelve months the number of pupils will fall considerably because of the absence of 1st and 2nd forms. In September 1972 they will receive a large number of pupils at 13+ from the town's newly-formed Middle Schools.

At Trinity Grammar School the number of pupils in September 1970 will be about 680 and in September 1971 will fall by another 100. In 1972, however, there will be a rise to 750-780 as we take in the 13+ pupils mentioned above.

The Sixth Form is growing continually and it is probable that in the next five years it will increase in size to about 275. The content of 6th Form courses is altering too. This year, for example, we have introduced sociology, as a new subject, into the Sixth Form course.

On the Physical Education side, the Sixth Form not only play Rugby Football but also Golf, Lacrosse, Hockey, Association Football, Squash and various forms of athletics.

Even in the examinations we find a change of technique. Essay-type answers are no longer required in certain subjects; the demands of computers must be satisfied-we must conform with the new policies.

ALDERMAN FREDERICK TOLLIT

THIS year Mr. Tollit, our Chairman of Governors for the last thirteen years, retired from public life.

Mr. Tollit's life serves as an example to our young people of what may be achieved by dedication and hard work. At the age of thirteen, he was obliged to leave school, where he had shown an interest in art and writing, to "help the family purse". In a time of massive unemployment, he was given a post in the boot-and-shoe industry, with a wage of five shillings a week. He left the industry as a foreman, in order to do insurance work, where he became active in his local trade union, soon to become president and, later, secretary.

Mr. Tollit first became interested in education when he was invited to become a member of the Borough Education Committee in 1940. As a result of a number of years' research into education policy, he advocated a scheme of comprehensive education long before it became government policy and he has always been a staunch supporter of co-education. In 1945, Mr. Tollit was elected to the Borough Council, a seat he held until he became Alderman in 1955. His role as Councillor has been to combat injustice (as local teachers can well testify) and to improve social conditions.

Mr. Tollit first became associated with Trinity in 1956, when he became a member of the Governing Body. The following year he was made Chairman of Governors, the position he held until his retirement this year. Throughout his period of office he has taken pleasure in the school's steady growth, and its development into an established grammar school. His hope for the school in the future is to see it play a full and successful part in a scheme of education organised on a fully comprehensive basis.

We wish sincerely to thank Mr. Tollit for his services to the school and his concern for its welfare over the last fourteen years; we wish him the good health to enable him to enjoy an active and happy retirement which, we feel, he has well earned, both as a member of the Governing Body, and as Chairman of Governors.

STOP PRESS!

BOROUGH TRIBUTE TO SENIOR T.G.S. STAFF

CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. E. G. Bennett, B.A., head of Modern Studies and Mr. J. E. Linnell, head of Crafts who have just received Long-Service awards for 35 years continuous teaching service in the Borough of Northampton.

SWISS HOLIDAY - JULY 1969

WE left on July 18th and travelled by various means from Balfour Road through London, Dover and Ostend, to Wilderswil, near Interlaken, in Switzerland.

The highlights of the holiday were trips to the major neighbouring towns and resorts.

Perhaps the most exciting of these was the trip made by railway to Jungfrau.

On the way up, a small avalanche focussed our attention just at the mouth of the tunnel which leads into the mountain. We went into a tunnel and made futile attempts to remain standing. On returning to the surface, we celebrated Mr. William's birthday by giving him the bumps, and then we had a snowball fight during which one girl felt the effects of the altitude; indeed, none of us could continue for long.

At Bern, the Swiss capital, we saw the Bear Pits in which incidentally, the bears must only be fed with carrots and the only man selling carrots has quite a business! After visiting the Swiss Houses of Parliament, we went to the historic Clock Tower, which bursts into action turning figures and bells ringing.

Next, we went to Lucerne where there is a glacier garden which is an area of deep, strangely-shaped holes, which were gouged out of the rock by melt water under the glacier during the Ice Age. We also noticed a memorial to a lion set in a tranquil spot near the glacier.

Brienz is a famous wood-carving town of the Oberland, dating back way into history. While swimming in Lake Brienz, on which the town is situated, Mr. Williams had the misfortune to lose his swimming trunks. On seeing the plight of his colleague, Mr. Collings saved the day by recovering the essential garment.

At Grindelwald we travelled up the chair-lift to the ski-school but there was no snow. The journey was very peaceful but our slumbers were arrested by jolting over the Pylons and the vain attempts at yodelling from behind.

Schynige Platte, an alpine garden, is only accessible by a rack railway; the angle of ascent is unbelievable. One of our number didn't believe it-and fell through the carriage window.
The final evening was spent at a Tyrolean Evening in Wilderswil, where we watched the traditional dancing, listened to the music and the strange alpine horn. One of the boys, who wishes to remain anonymous, insisted on giving a repeat performance of his fainting and did.

The return trip was undertaken very reluctantly. The trip it seems failed educationally; there have been no sounds of yodelling in school.
We extend our thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Collings for organising the trip and Mr. Williams and his fiancé who capably assisted in the running of our holiday.

NEWS AND NOTES

THE school extends a welcome to all members of staff who joined us during the past academic year, and is sorry to say farewell to Mr. Hill, who is to become Head of French at Bective; Mr. Austin, Head of Science at Daventry; Mr. Smith, Head of English at a school in Peterborough; Miss Collins who is also moving to Peterborough, and Miss Strover who is going to teach in Berkshire; Mr. Wiseman who is returning to his native Lancashire; Mr. Bishop who is launching himself into the world of big business; Mr. Hodson who is returning to his law studies; and Mr. West who is moving to the north to teach and play Rugby League for Wakefield Trinity. Our best wishes for the future go with them.

Congratulations to Mr. Smith and his wife on the birth of their second son, Daniel; Mr. Joy and his wife on the birth of their second daughter, Lara.

Congratulations, also, to Mr. and Mrs. Newton; Mr. and Mrs. Wiseman who were married last summer; and Mr. and Mrs. Hodson who were married in December. Best wishes to Miss Collins, Mr. Hutchinson, and Mr. West, all of whom are to be married this summer.

The Annual Carol Service at the end of the autumn term was conducted by the Rev. D. H. Palmer of Holy Trinity Church, and lessons were read by members of the school.

Just before Christmas the school presented a concert of musical, gymnastic, and dance items in the school hall.

Throughout the year the school has collected for a number of charities, and bought a Talking Book, 'Seven League Books' by Wendy Myers, for use by the blind. This was dedicated in a moving ceremony in the school hall to Elizabeth Howes who died so tragically early in the school year. The Elizabeth Howes Memorial Prize, kindly donated to the school by Mr. and Mrs. Howes in memory of their daughter, was awarded to G. K. Bignell (4R) and Janice Tipler (Form 4).

The Timken Essay prize was won by Walker of 6UM Patricia Tate of 6US won a prize in the Mayoral Essay competition for Grammar Schools.

A proposed 'Letter to the Editor' section for the magazine had to be abandoned because of a general lack of response from the school as a whole.

Two hot-drinks vending machines have been installed in school for the use of pupils.
The 6th Form Driving Instruction course continues successfully.

The school has enthusiastically welcomed the greater participation of staff in sporting events (Cricket, Soccer, Rugby, Tug o' War) and hopes the spirit engendered by these activities continues.

The English Department organised theatre visits to "When thou art King" at Stratford; "The White Devil" at the Old Vic, London; "The Alchemist" and "Huckleberry Finn" at the Nottingham Playhouse; "Richard II" at the Alexandra, Birmingham; and "Hamlet" at Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

SCHOOL v. STAFF TUG-OF-WAR

PRIOR to this important battle, the amazed crowd were bombarded with fascist propaganda. The Staff had fully realised the value of broadcasting to the masses.

The school team marched on smartly showing what a smooth, well-disciplined lot they were, while the scruffy Staff hung about making the field look untidy.

"Tank" Smith, when asked what he thought the school's chances were, confidently gave his usual reply, which cannot be printed here.
The rest of the team, which consisted of Churchman, Raphael, Morgan, Gates, March and Garner, looked fairly confident as they faced the rather unkempt staff team, who had Mr. Bishop, his roots firmly in sociology, as anchor-man. He had discarded his blue romper suit, and was dazzling the spectators with his trendy rainbow shirt (Brierleys 4s. 6d. for twenty). His attire was rivalled only by Mr. Hutchinson in his Carnaby Street gear. The other staff members were "Crusher" Collins, "Wobbley" Wiseman, "Butch" Frost, and "Wildman" Winkworth. "Hostile" Hodson replaced Mr. Meakins after the latter experienced a bad attack of pre-tug blues. I noticed most of the team were wearing "bovver boots" but it seemed as though the rugby-booted school team would trample the staff into the ground. Unfortunately, we were wrong.

Mr Grimshaw acting as international observer, aligns the rope. Our gallant lads dig in, ready for the ensuing battle. The strain is taken up ...

Dick Churchman, at the front of the line grits his teeth and looks menacingly at "Wobbley" Wiseman who must be quaking in his boots. By some misfortune the school is slipping! Quickly they retaliate ... the staff are on the slide. . . . "Big Bish" is looking puffed, but a sudden heave and the school are now losing traction ...they're going ... they've been pulled over the line.

The two teams retire to lick their wounds. The staff are jumping up and down to try and ease their aged, aching muscles. They discuss their plan of action and the two-teams return to the rope.

The teams take the strain. The School immediately take the staff by surprise, rhythmically pulling together, in complete contrast to the more liberal uncoordinated techniques employed by the staff. A sudden reprisal from the staff and the school is again slipping! But what's this? There seems to be a Knavish scheme afoot ... Yes! Mr. West is cunningly helping the staff ... the crowd is in uproar! The brave school team cannot hold this extra effort. They are desperately claiming the ground, trying vainly to regain control. But it is all over ...

The Staff did their "oggi, oggi" thing and walked off while the school showed its appreciation in various ways.

Mr. Bishop, when asked to comment, said, "I thought it was all a joke, but when I saw that lot march out as they did, I had the fright of my life."

He need not have worried!

IAN SALLIE (6LM1).

SCHOOL v. STAFF RUGBY MATCH 1970

THIS year saw the first of what we hope will be a regular fixture. The staff team contained a number of celebrities, including the England reserve fly-half, Ian Wright; Saints players, Andy Johnson (hooker), who played prop on this occasion, Steve Watkins (centre); Bob Kottler (scrum half); and Trevor Crane (wing forward) from Loughborough Colleges. Bryan West, who unfortunately received an injury at Murryfield against "Bonnie Scotland," played out of position at referee.

The School kicked off and it became apparent from the ensuing rucking that this was going to be no easy match for either side.

Steve Britton scored for the School after twenty minutes from a defensive error by heavily-bandaged Hutchinson who received his injuries the day before during an effort "to get fit"! The conversion attempt by Howard Cooke just failed and passed narrowly by the left hand post. At half-time the score remained at 3-0.

The Staff levelled the score by a try by Steve Watkins early on in the second half. The conversion attempt failed; then Wright showed his England class by cutting through the School defence and laying on a try for Trevor Crane. The try was converted by Ian Wright.
The School replied through a try by Howard Cooke who backed up "Freddy" Faulkner and did well to beat defenders (Bishop, Hutchinson and Price). The conversion attempt having failed, the staff were hard pressed to hang on to their lead of 8-6 in the late stages of the game and they were very much relieved to hear the very efficient whistle of Bryan West signalling full-time.

CROSS COUNTRY

THERE was a considerable amount of interest in the Lower and Middle School for cross-country this year. This interest was reflected in the numbers who turned out for training throughout the rain, snow and hail of winter. The first year produced some fine runners, many of whom replaced second years in the Under-13 Team; in fact, for most of the matches we were able to put out two teams.
During the season Apicella set up a school record for the new Under-13 course as did Fiske in the U/15 team. Both of these runners won their events in the inter-house championships. The senior champion was Morgan.

In the Town Cross Country Championships, Pancoust, in the 1st year race ran brilliantly to win quite easily, helping the U/13 team to be placed second. He represented the Town in the County Championships and was placed 10th. Other good performances in the Town Championships were:-

U/13-Atkinson 15th, Pegg 21st
U/15-Snook 13th, Gotch 16th
U/17-Fiske 8th, Seymour 12th

Fiske went out to represent the Town and was 22nd in the County Championships.

The school championships closed the cross country season with Kelvin winning from Burghley.

HOCKEY 1st XI

THIS season the team suffered more severely from Saturday morning jobs. Perhaps next season we shall have to keep to mid-week fixtures. However, the standard of play from the regular team members was good. Gill Newton was selected to play for the Junior County 1st XI and we were very proud that she was also selected as a Junior Midlands further reserve.

The playing record for the school team could have been better had the forwards scored some goals! In one game though Ginny Allen did score a hat-trick! At least the team always looked the part, as they had all invested in matching red shirts and socks with their green skirts - very smart turn-out.

Sue Smith and Janet Gulliford, Captain and Vice-Captain did well to keep interest and enthusiasm high.

FIRST XV

AFTER last season, which was the School's best ever, it was expected that a lean period would follow, and so it proved. First of all, there was no strength in depth so that when the best fifteen players were selected, the remainder formed a very mediocre team which was not good enough to take on other grammar schools' teams so that the fixtures obtained for the 2nd XV had to be cancelled.

The main problems in the 1st XV were at full-back, hooker and scrum-half. The forwards were generally adequate in the loose, but lost possession in the set-pieces and our backs were often called upon to do much defending when they would have preferred to go forward.

Seven players were sent to the first county trial and then five, C. Morgan, R. Catlin, H. Cooke, C. March and M. Curtis were selected for the final trial. C. Morgan was eventually chosen for the 1st, County side as a centre, and H. Cooke and C. March for the second XV as fly-half and prop forward respectively. C. Morgan was subsequently chosen for an England trial and became a travelling reserve for the England side.

The School was again invited to take part in the national Seven-a-side tournament held at Llanelli in Wales, and Mr. West kindly undertook to be in charge of the party.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL & HISTORICAL SOCIETY

THE Society has been kept alive this year only by the enthusiasm and loyalty of a relatively small band of mainly middle-schoolboys. In an attempt to overcome the problem of dwindling membership, at the beginning of the year the Committee decided to extend the scope of the Society's activities to include anything of historical as well as archaeological value.

The year's programme opened with a detailed study of two battles fought in the Pacific Ocean in 1941 and 1942 which clearly demonstrated the role of the aircraft carrier in naval warfare. Graham Harrison astonished us all with his erudition - not to mention his pronunciation of Japanese names!

At our next meeting Gary Dudbridge gave a helpful and comprehensive introduction to the study of local history.

"The Jurassic Palaeontology of England with particular reference to Northamptonshire" was much more obscure in its title than in its content. Sean Hayes has made a study of fossils his particular interest and his specialist grasp of a complex subject was very impressive.
"A General Introduction to Archaeology" was Paul Courtney's subject. This talk was intended for the beginner and proved to be both informative and useful.

Robert Gill then spoke to the Society about the early days of the canal system in England, outlining some of the problems involved in their construction and the benefits they conferred.
The Society then held an open meeting to which members of the School were invited to bring any items of archaeological or historical interest for examination, discussion and possible identification. The response to this invitation was limited but the idea was a novel one and produced an interesting variety of items, including fossil collections, Roman nails, coins of doubtful origin and an early 19th century receptacle whose true purpose baffled the experts.

At the time of going to press only one more meeting is planned for this year when Graham Harrison will talk about the Battle of Waterloo.
On July 8th the Society is to visit Blenheim Palace, Oxford, Northleigh Roman villa and Broughton castle to bring to an end a varied and stimulating year.