Resignations

Mr. S. O'Connell M.A.
While we congratulate the University of Surrey on their acquisition of an excellent Lecturer, our School must be the poorer for the absence of Mr. O'Connell. It is not only the fact that he has been the Senior Physics Master and then Head of the Physics Department over the past twelve years, nor the fact that the development of the Science Department is due in no small measure to his push and enthusiasm, nor that the Physics Lecture Theatre is the envy of many other schools, nor that the results he obtained have been excellent, but in the range of his activities and abilities. He gave outstanding service in the electronic field, assisted with the sound arrangements for school drama and operatic productions, installed speakers in the Hall, often gave lectures to the Harrow Schools Visual Aids Society on all forms of audio-visual aids. He was a most cheerful companion in the Staff Room, a regular member of the Staff Football Team (often to the delight of the pupils) and could always be relied upon to assist in anyway in any project for the good of the school. We all wish him well in his new post, and look forward to a brilliant future for him.

Father Aelred S.D.S.
Every school needs someone who is capable of being a good accountant, an excellent First Aider, a memory which is without horizon, an ability to keep parents happy and to have the required depth of sympathy and understanding in difficulties, one who is expected to know the name, address, birthday, hobbies, foibles, hopes and aspirations of every pupil. Such a person must also have an encyclopaedic memory for the phone numbers not only of all the departments in the Borough and its services, but also for all the suppliers from the needs of the Tuck Shop to those of the Senior Scientist. When a school possesses such a paragon and one who can add to that rare competence with the Film Projector, one who is a Group Scoutmaster and at the same time a priest, one who has seen the school grow from a one form entry to a three form entry school, then one may have some idea of the loss to a school the services of such a one would be. We lost this and more when Father Aelred resigned his job as School Secretary to take up pastoral duties in St. Josephs. He has still not severed his association with the school but can be seen almost every week in charge of the Projector at the Film Society's Show. We wish him a very fruitful pastoral career and extend to his successor - Miss Bloemendal -a hearty welcome and hope that her stay will be long and enjoyable.

Mr. Eric Martin
When the new building was opened in 1961 a new course in P.E. and Gymnastics was possible in the new Gymnasium and we were lucky in finding a competent man to fill the post. Mr. Martin came to us with the highest references from his former school, and was soon to show us that his references did him justice. He threw himself wholeheartedly into his task and very soon began the establishment of the swimming section of the school, the annual ski-ing trip at Christmas, the organisation of trampoline exercises and instruction in Table Tennis -very practical instruction which included the building of tables for the game - and showed particular skill in the Woodwork Department where he began the building of canoes and gave instruction in the manufacture of guitars. In all the drama productions he played a very full part and crowned his association with this section of school life by playing a major role in the production of the 'Pirates of Penzance' this year. After secondment for a Handicrafts course he felt that he should seek a Department post in Handicrafts, and in his future field of endeavour we wish him every success.


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