Firth Park Grammar School 1962 - 1963

Taken from the 'Firparnian' magazine: June 1963

" Change is in the air. The wind does not blow in Africa alone.

Not long after the publication of proposals for the re-organisation of Secondary Education in this city, beginning with the Northern Region, similar proposals were announced for Manchester.

Any such proposals are, of course, tremendously important to the schools involved, to Staff, boys, parents and Old Boys-in fact, so far as this school is concerned, to the readers of this magazine. It might thus, at first sight, seem strange to find in these pages no comment or discussion, no outburst either of protest or of approval. Published as it is but once a year, and then after many weeks of preparation, the 'Firparnian' is not a suitable medium for the discussion of matters so topical, so susceptible to significant development between one issue and the next.

Let us just say this. Sheffield must guard its assets well, using them to the best advantage for all her citizens - and every well-established school, with its own atmosphere, individuality, and hard-won traditions, is an asset. The city must also use its opportunities, and not every opportunity for improvement is necessarily to be found within the existing frame. In the last resort, every scheme must be judged by its degree of success in actual operation.

What is vital, all would agree, is to ensure that Sheffield boys (and girls) receive an education the quality of which compares favourably with that available outside the city, and are able to compete on an equal footing with pupils elsewhere, for places in University, Training College, College of Advanced Technology, or employment.

WE WELCOME
Mr. L. C. Beeley, B.Sc., (Chemistry), Mr. A. Wood, B.Se., (Mathematics),Mr. R. A. Wragg (Metalwork) as new members of the staff,
and all boys who came to this school for the first time, either at the beginning of the School Year last September, or during it.

WE CONGRATULATE
Mr. Higginbottom, Mr. Horsfield and Mr. Humphreys on their marriages, Mr. Burton, Mr. Moorhouse and Mr. Humphreys on the birth of their daughters,
Mr. Pallister on the birth of his son,
Mr. Palmer, his team of helpers, staff and boys, and the cast (all-male this year) on their production of "The Duke in Darkness",
Mr. Parry, choirs, orchestra and soloists in varied groups for a successful School Concert on April 4th, contributions to Speech Day and the Carol Service, Alan Yates on his Scholarship at Magdalene College, Cambridge, D. Hatton and D. 1. Stott, who gained State Scholarships in the last year in which these were awarded,
D. 1. Davies on selection for the Yorkshire Grammar Schools' XI and for
Schools' Week at Oxford University,
Philip Ayres and David Hudson on winning the Queen's Scout Badge,
A. J. Woodward on acceptance (subject to medical examination) for Voluntary Service Overseas,
Those who have been given the Instructor's Certificate, Award of Merit or other R.L.S.S. award, and finally the following record number of boys winning university places:

or places at Colleges of Advanced Technology:

or Training Colleges:

D. Sargent (Rose Bruford College-Speech and Drama) and to A. Murray (Nottingham College of Art).

WE THANK
all boys of the school who have shown willingness to help others, through support of the Freedom from Hunger Collection (£133. 3. 2), giving toys for the Carol Service, and food for Old Folk at the junior Assembly Harvest Festival.

Mr. P. V. Pascoe and the Rev. G. E. Fooks for all their help during the year as part-time members of staff.
Mr. P. F. W. Preece of Oxford University Department of Education for his pleasant and valuable help in Physics and Mathematics during the Spring Term.
John Ackroyd, Alan Yates, David Hudson and all other Prefects and Sub-Prefects for willing co-operation and invaluable help throughout the year,
and, once again, all members of Staff who have liberally, in their leisure hours, helped groups of boys either through School Societies or Expeditions or in any other way, to widen their horizons.

WE ALSO OFFER GOOD WISHES
to all who, as this magazine comes from the press, will be approaching ordeal by examination, and to all Old Firparnians who read these words,

AND APOLOGIES for any inadvertent omissions from the list of those to whom appreciation is expressed.

Related information:

• The Firparnian - Firth Park Grammar School Magazine

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