The Headmaster's Diary - 1946. Victoria School - Kurseong. |
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Winter Vacation 1945 - 1946. “The condition of the school buildings is noticeably deteriorating. Unless serious repairs are undertaken without much further delay the damage to the buildings will be nigh irreparable.” The above remark by Mr Nugent, on June 14th 1945, on page 117 of this log is not an understatement. My first concern, therefore, for the winter was to get this state of affairs remedied. I decided to stay on duty throughout the winter except from Jan 4th to Feb 13th, when Mr Doyle kindly volunteered to be in charge. Mr A. Ghosh sub-divisional Engineer C & W. D. visited the school and promised to do thorough repairs and said he had asked for sanction for the same. In view of the great amount of repairs to be done it was decided, if necessary, the staff quarters should be left to term time. The whitewashing started on Boxing Day The woodwork was well on the way by Feb 1st. Mr Ghosh had called on Jan 17th. The readjusting of the corrugated iron sheets of the roof of the Assembly Hall – a big job – was started. The paint not having arrived in time, the painting was not begun till Feb 11th. This leaves us only 18 days before the arrival of the First Party on March 2nd. In view of that fact, the following order of priority was decided upon:- 1. The lockers of A&B
& C&D dormitories. Mr Ghosh called on Feb 10th. The overseer has ordered 100 men to be put on to the work. I have asked for other items 1 – 6 to be finished by Feb 23rd. I doubt whether all will be done. They will have first to wash and let dry the lockers and other woodwork, scrape off old paint where it has blistered badly, elsewhere, with the help of blow lamps, before they apply a brush. However we shall hope for the best. If necessary I shall make them work into the night and turn on the Electricity! The weather has turned for the worst and paint will take longer to dry. On 29th., 30th & 31st January, I interviewed parents, by arrangement with the I.E.S.B. at the Writers Buildings. These were two general trends in the subjects of the interviews. 1. Pleas of Poverty. The aftermath of this is already being felt. Many people’s salary (especially Railway men, who were embodied during the war) is now considerably reduced. Some are unemployed after discharge from he army and ancillary services.
I think it is very necessary to review the system of inspection by the Headmaster of a. lessons b. exercise books c. Examination papers & answers, not in the spirit of carping criticism but that of a guide & friend. January 29th 1946 was a milestone in the History of this School. The first “Old Boys Dinner” run by the Calcutta Branch of the Old Boys Association, formed the day after Sports Day 1945, was held at the Tea Rooms of Messrs Whiteaway and Laidlaw & Co. It was all very beautifully done. The credit for it is due to Rev. G.B. Elliott, Senior Chaplain, St Paul’s Cathedral, sometime Chaplain of Victoria School & Maurice Peters, an old boy. There were altogether 57 present – a number which exceeded the most optimistic expectation of all concerned. Mr E.C. Hessing, late Headmaster of this school, now Asst D.P.I., presided. Since 1941 the Rev Fr. C.E. Prior of the Oxford Mission to Calcutta, who has been visiting the school annually during the Pujah holidays, and I have co-operated in sending out to Old Boys a List of those serving in the Forces in World War II. A copy of the list, issued in November 1945 is placed at the back of this book, along with the list of those who served in World War I, placed there by Mr Hessing. The present list includes 192 names with the names of 15 others, who paid the supreme sacrifice. It includes one V.C winner – Leslie Manser. [Note: This list (Second World War), has been cut out of the Headmaster's Diary, the first World War is listed in this publication. Does anyone have a copy of the WW II List that is missing? For those who have just bought a copy of of Stanley Prins book, "Summoned by the Bell", there is a copy of the missing list. I will be creating a new web page to commemorate the old boys of Victoria School who served in WWII. Editor.] Along with this annual list was sent a letter giving a brief account of school news. From the correspondence that ensued from these letters there was no doubt there was in existence a great loyalty & tremendous affection for the school. In 1945 Old Victorians contributed almost Rs 800/- to the Sports Fund – an amazing figure. Fr Prior and I thought that this spirit should be captured and used for the good of the Old Boys themselves & the school & the good work begun in the War should not be allowed to end up after its termination. With the consent of Mr Nugent, we therefore invited Old Boys, who were present at the Sports in 1945 to form an Old Victorian Association. This they did. There were altogether 24 old boys present. The following are extracts of the minutes. Certain draft rules, drawn up by Fr Prior were provisionally adopted. The Prime Object of the Association is to keep old boys in touch with the school, so that they may both gain help and inspiration from the school, and may work for the welfare of the school, as occasion serves. An address book of all members of the Assn. Will be drawn up & sent to all members about every fifth year. The following Office Bearers were elected:- President: The Headmaster Minutes of the inaugural meeting, together with Application Forms for admission to the Assn. Were sent out with the Red Letter. Mr Doyle informs me that there are now 69 members on the roll of membership.
At the end of last term Fr Picacchi, the RC Catechist asked me if something could be done to incorporate R.C. religious instruction in the Time Table. The existing arrangements, by which all the Senior School are taken together on Sunday & the Junior School on a weekday was wearing to the Catechist & educationally unsound. I promised to look into the matter. I consulted Rev Solomon, the CoE padre. In February I arranged a meeting between the representatives of the two churches & the following cordial agreement was arrived at. The classes were to be grouped & both CoE & R.C. religious instruction were to take place at the same time. Thursday 1st Period. 8:50
– 9:25. Wednesday 7th Period. 1:50
– 2:25 Wednesday 6th Period. 1:15
– 1:50 Thursday 2nd Period. 9:25
– 10:00 One of the most unsatisfactory conditions that have existed here for years will thus be illuminated – R.C. boys will no longer be left with nothing to do & unsupervised during school time.
Sporadic & fruitless efforts have been made during the past two or three years to make a contribution towards this campaign. The causes of failure have been our lack of knowledge & skill, the disinterest of the malis put to the work & the destruction in the winter by monkeys and hares. The Hillman is essentially an agriculturist. Many of our servants have plots of their own on the khas land between the headmaster’s house & the forest. They work them successfully. They are interested & have the knowledge and the skills. I therefore decided to place at their disposal any suitable land, within the school boundaries, for their use. We won’t get the produce but food WILL be grown. 28/2/1946 Repairs – All my fears expressed on page 127 have been unjustified. The new contractor from Darjeeling, who came in on the 11th Feb. has worked fast & efficiently. The interior of the whole of the main building (except the Assembly Hall), the dining hall & the whole of the Commercial is now ready. For lack of wood, for which the contractor is dependant on the C & W.D., work on the corridors can’t proceed. The men are now engaged on the exterior of the buildings. The Staff quarters, the two churches & the Servants Lines remain to be done.
Mr A Ghosh, sub-divisional Engineer visited the school to inspect the work. He has promised to send up the wood as soon as possible. It is ready at Siliguri & is awaiting transport. It has been decided to renew the whole of the ceiling in the Assembly Hall. This work we have arranged should be done in April. As Mr E.V. Staynor, mathematics and Senior master, on release from Military duties, will be taking over charge of the school vis, the day after the beginning of term, I thought I would jot down here some notes for his information so that he may have an appreciation of the situation.
Boardman (3 boys, coming from England), Tennant (2 boys on account of difficulty of kit), Ward (1 boy – measles), Grainger (?) stepbrother to Ward, Murray D, sick. Mrs Sadler wrote yesterday to say that her family have been granted priority passage, I have permitted her to use this letter as a notice & to withdraw the boy whenever necessary. Beds. – 194 in dormitories. There are at least 6 scattered in staff quarters. Mattresses- 191 in dormitories. There is sufficient cloth and coir in stock to make 5 more. Desks – Over 200 (excluding Art Room, History Room & Geography room). Preparations for school & class 1. Dormitory lists made and
issued to all concerned. Requisitions. Linen and crockery – All orders placed but not all yet executed (see file) Science – All orders placed but not yet executed. Manual – Order not placed. Await Mr Hill’s return. FOOD – Statutory rationing comes into force on the 11th March. 1. We have asked for combined
ration card for rice, sugar & flour for approx 200 boys. Rice – 6 maunds, 19.5
seers 4. I have asked for new ration
cards for all teaching staff and domestic staff. The age & name
of each member of the family have been submitted FUEL Wood – Contract arranged.
Forrest dept delivering & the wood is being stacked. TIME-TABLE Suggested last year’s time-table to be followed for the first week. QUARTERS On the opening of school there will be no problem. But on the 8th March Mr Hill returns with wife and two children. Mr West, his predecessor, occupies single quarters. If Mr Clark returns as English master, it will be all right. For he will live with his wife, who at present occupies married quarters. If he does not come back, there will be problems. STAFF Mr Clark is on leave till the 6th March. If he returns, Mr Murray-Smith has to go. He has been informed. Mr Doyle (Offg English Master) reverts to post occupied by Murray-Smith 1/3/1946 I received a copy of a letter from Mr T.W. Clark to the Inspector of Schools, today, requesting an extension of leave to the 27th March. The copy was sent here by Mr Clark. I received a letter from Mr Hill informing me that he will be arriving with his family tomorrow, tomorrow 2nd March! I immediately wrote him a letter, to meet him at the station on his arrival, that he was not due here till “on or after the 7th March,” (on which day Mr West Games master, his predecessor, is due to go) & requested him to make his own arrangements for accommodation in the station. Till Mr West goes, there are no quarters available. It is not advisable that Mr Hill should live in the school while his predecessor is here. The latter is very sore at having to go. Mr Hill’s presence, in the circumstances, will upset the peace and harmony of the school.
I,
Eyre Vere Staynor, took over the duties of Headmaster of the school
today from 10 am. Today. I must first record my appreciation of the spade work done by Mr Prins as Officiating HM during the holidays and the first few days of the new term. I know from past experience the amount of work and planning a headmaster has to do getting the school ready for a new term and what a lot depends upon how this is done. The worries are even more complex in this Institution because the beginning of term coincides with the end of the financial year.
I had a meeting with the prefects. Discussed the meaning of Leadership and what training in Leadership implied.
Mr Olliver, who has been officiating as Science Master, left today to take up a permanent post in another school. The Senior boys invited him to a farewell lunch. Mr Olliver was deservedly popular with the boys. He taught them sympathetically and ably. He ran the “Scouts” and edited a School ‘Rag’. The boys have lost a good friend and the school a good master.
Staff Meeting: Discussion on new class Time-Table and the distribution of work. Definition of School bounds. Masters were appointed to take charge of Boxing, the Cadets, the Cubs, and the Junior Debating Society. The supervision of the Scouts and the Senior Debating Society remains to be settled. I called the attention of the staff to their duty to attend school ‘events’ whenever they possible could: The presence enhanced the value of these ‘events’ in the estimation of the boys: it promoted life and corporate life and encouraged the boys.
Election Holiday. I thought this a suitable occasion to address the Upper School on the need for keeping their school orderly neat and tidy.
The Cadets left for camp. They will return on the 17th.
The Cadets returned. The Platoon Commander reports that they acquitted themselves well.
The renovation (or should I say ‘replacing’; because the school building has been literally disintegrating) of the school is proceeding well. The P.W.D. have at last got on to the job after a lapse of 8 years.
The cricket season was well under way and a competent side was developed. The weather was adverse. St Paul’s School, Darjeeling, sent their 1st eleven down, but rain at lunch prevented further play. Mr V.C. Prins left on transfer
to the Ranjamati (?)Hill Tracts to be headmaster of the Government School
there. A farewell party was arranged in the school dining hall. The weather still continued inclement and little cricket was possible. It was with great difficulty that the House matches were completed. The school was still without a History Master and difficulties were being experienced in securing a suitable candidate for the Art post. Mr Bloud was asked to take the History classes until an appointment was made. The
pressure on the staff, caused by the shortage, was considerable, but
though the important classes were taken, it was not possible always
to provide supervisors. June 1946 Mrs M. Sharman, Lady House Keeper, was appointed Middle School Matron in the salary of a Preparatory School Mistress, on the 8th of June. She was put in charge of Std III, which till then had been taken by Mr Pervis, who was then transferred to Std IV, which class had been without a full time teacher as Mr Bloud was in charge of the History classes. Std III were then moved from the dark unsuitable room at the south end of the main school building to the Commercial. Shortage of staff had made an earlier move impossible. I cannot stress too strongly the necessity of having a woman teacher in Std III. The boys are too young to be handled by men. The Director of Public Instruction did a great service to the lower school by recommending the appointment of a lady teacher to this class. The move to the Commercial was a great improvement. The original room was gloomy and created an atmosphere which militated against successful work. At the time of the move, arrangements were made for Std II and Std III to have meals together in the old billiard room. Thus the two lower classes were segregated from the upper school, with the exception of those boys in Std III who were housed in A Dormitory because the Commercial Dormitory was too small to take all the boys. It then became obvious that the Commercial Dormitory needed to be extended to house at least 55 boys. The complete separation of the lower school from the middle school and upper school was a great gain to both.
Mrs M. Shaw was appointed to the Art post on the 22nd July. Though we were still one member short it was now possible to attend to most of the classes. The
Glee Club was founded at this time. Senior boys met once a week in the
Headmaster’s House to practise songs. The club was voluntary and
about 30 boys joined. It formed a valuable was of passing wet monsoon
evenings when there was no organised school activity. September Mr T.H. Doyle, English Master, left for England on study leave on the 5th September. His departure so late in the year, when there was no hope of replacement caused serious staffing troubles. The Headmaster had to take on his senior classes, which clearly could not be left to piece-meal arrangements, and the rest of the staff had their time-tables increased. We welcomed the opportunity which had come to Mr Doyle but regretted that replacement arrangements had not been made. A gymkhana fete was held on the 9th September. The weather was excellent and we had a good day. The arrangements made by the staff were excellent. The confirmation of the Anglican
boys was performed by the Metropolitan of India on the 29th September,
the feast of St Michael and All Angels. His Lordship stayed in the school
for a long week-end. He met the confirmation candidates and the members
of staff of Victoria and Dow Hill schools on different days at the headmaster’s
house. A relay team was invited to take part in the St Paul’s Sports at Darjeeling. The team consisted of five boys. They beat their opponents by about 30 yards. On their return they found that the transport arrangements had broken down, and they had actually walked as far as Tung before they managed to board a bus. The Rev Fr Prior was in school for a month. B Dormitory benefited greatly for he read to them every night. The sports were arranged for the 19th October. On the 18th evening it began to rain. At 7am next day it was still raining and we had to cancel them. The 24th was fixed for the occasion. This time the weather was good. There was a large crowd of spectators including many old boys and parents. The inter-school 220 yards was contested by three schools. Our visitors being Goethals and St Paul’s, the latter attending for the first time. A magnificent burst of speed in the last 20 yards by Badiali gave Victoria the victory. Goethals had the second and third places. The day was marked by the signal prowess of I. Badiali, School Captain and Head Prefect. He won 8 events, including the 100’s, 220’s, 400’s and 800’s with school records in the last two. His performance was an all-time school record. The 25th saw Victoria at Dow Hill School on the occasion of their Sports Day. On the 26th we were up early to make arrangements to receive His Excellency Sir Frederick Barrows. GCIE (?) Governor of Bengal, and Lady Barrows. Boys and staff were busy all the evening and the Steward had the servants out at 5.30 am. His Excellency and party arrived in a fleet of jeeps at 1 pm. They were received by the Headmaster and the Senior Master. His Excellency marched to the Saluting Base to receive a Royal Salute from the Cadet Platoon. Then, attended by two ADC's he inspected the platoon. The school which was lined up on the main corridors watched with great interest. The staff were presented to H.E. and Lady Barrows, and the party walked along the upper flat to visit the Anglican Chapel. After lunch at the Headmaster’s House, the party came down to the Assembly Hall which had been delightfully decorated with flowers by the ladies of the school. After the Annual Report in which the Headmaster stressed the necessity for combining cultural and modern trends in eduction, the importance of learning Indian languages, and adumbrated [look it up in your dictionary, just like I had to! Editor], the programme for 1947, H.E spoke of the value of a wide education for the Anglo-Indian community and supported what had been said in the report about Indian Languages. Lady Barrows then distributed the prizes. The Glee Club sang two songs as a finale, but the strain of shouting at two Sports days had told on their voices, and they cannot be said to have given of their best. When the ceremony was over H.E. and Lady Barrows were invited to visit the Roman Catholic Chapel. They then had tea in the dining room at the High Table with the Headmaster, Staff and Prefects. The party left school at about 4.15 by the Forrest road to Ghoom.
The last month before the exams was free from entertainments and the hours of preparation were increased. The senior boys worked very hard, harder than I have known any class work in the whole of my long association with Victoria School. The school exams were held at the end of the month.
The batches departed on the 1st and 2nd as usual. The Cambridge class remained for the exams. The results which were published in 1947 were very creditable to the boys and the staff. Htaw, Namey, and Malla passed in the first grade and seven boys were placed in the second grade. The Juniors results were also good. T.Y. Pemba passed third in Bengal with 7 ‘A’s, and 2 ‘C’s out of nine subjects. Then
the P.W.D. began work. There was promise of great things – Special
Repairs in lieu of the quadrennial repairs which had not been done on
account of the war. The result however disappointing: a new ceiling
to the Assembly Hall, new railings on the lower flat, some new floor
boards and oddments. The glass which had been long promised had not
materialised when the Headmaster returned from Calcutta at the end of
January. He was told that there were no more funds! Argument however
produced other necessary funds and the glass began to be put in. But
no new paint, and many structural repairs were not carried out. The
school still looked dilapidated in spite of the Special Repairs.
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