Firth Park Grammar School 1964 - 1965

Taken from the 'Firparnian' magazine: June 1965

" The present school year, which opened in September 1964, is unique in the School's history in that, in addition to three first-year forms, a form of third-year boys (3W) was admitted without their having to pass through the ordeal of an entrance examination. They have settled down well, and already feel part of the School. We hope that the years ahead will be as happy for them as their first year with us has been.

There have been many staff changes during the year. In July 1964 we said farewell to Mr. R. R. Wragg, who has taken tip a post in the West Riding, Mr. P. Gadsby, who has gone to the Institute of Oceanography, Vancouver, and Mr. A. Burton, who is now Senior Biology Master at Ferryhill Grammar-Technical School, County Durham. In December Mr. H. C. Barnes, who had taught mathematics at the School for many years, retired, and Mr. J. Andrews left to become Senior History Master at Chaucer Comprehensive School, while at the end of the Easter term, 1965, Mr. J. B. Moorhouse left us for the Broadway Technical School, Barnsley. Our best wishes go with them all. A tribute to Mr. Barnes will be found on another page.
In September we welcomed on to the staff Mrs. K. A. Traynor (Biology), Mr. A. M. Dowling (Metalwork), Mr. D. E. Osborne (Chemistry), Mr. S. Pearson (Part-time Handicraft), Herr G. Wagner (German Assistant), and Monsieur L. Maclou (French Assistant); and in January Mr. A. A. Emerson (Mathematics), and Mr. P. Bumstead (History). We hope their stay with us will be a happy one.

Of the annual events, the Swimming Gala was held at the Hillsborough Baths on November 3rd, when the trophies were presented by Alderman Mrs. L. E. Graham, Speech Day at the City Hall on December 15th, when the guest was Dr. D. M. A. Leggett, Principal of the Battersea College of Technology, and the Carol Service at Firth Park Methodist Church on December 17th. The collection for the Save the Children fund amounted to £11 2s. 9d.
There have been regular attendances at the Hallé Concert for Schools and the Lunch Hour Lectures on World Affairs, while on July 14th and 16th boys from the upper school attended meetings of the British Association. On March 2nd, 1965, 170 Firth Park boys were present at the Faraday Lecture (this time a lecture-demonstration) at the City Hall, on 'Colour Television'. We have also to thank lecturers from the Bradford Institute of Technology, who have willingly come to address groups at the School, and Mr. St. John Rowntree, who visited the School in the Autumn term to give factual information about the danger to health of smoking, and to answer questions on this and related subjects.

On July 16th, 1964, a very successful Fifth Form Leavers' Conference was held at the School. Amongst the guests who were kind enough to help us, and to whom we give our sincerest thanks, were the Rev. Barry Parker (Leader), of the Sheffield Industrial Mission; Mr. F. L. Ashley, Mr. P. F. Avis, and Mr. W. I. Nicholls, of the Sheffield College of Technology; Mr. H. Daniel and Mr. H. Downing, of the English Steel Corporation, Ltd.; Dr. P. W. W. Gifford, of the Sheffield University Student Health Service; and Mr. D. M. Scott, Youth Officer to the Sheffield Education Committee.

On November 11th, 1964, a Careers Convention and Exhibition, attended by pupils from other Sheffield schools as well as from ours, was held in the School. It proved highly successful and aroused much interest. Much of the credit for its success must go to Mr. Taylor, who took a large part in its organisation.

Former pupils of the School will be interested to learn that Miss P. Swift, Clerical Assistant 1955-59, flew to Australia on March 26th, where she intends to settle.

Alan S. Roebuck (1941-46) has presented the School with a trophy which is to be awarded each year to the House which emerges as the winner in a seven-a-side football competition. We thank him for his generosity. Mr. Roebuck is now living in Mascot, New South Wales, where he is Resident Engineer and Representative of the Sheffield firm of Padley & Venables, Ltd.

It is with great regret that we have to report the death, since the last issue of the Magazine, of three former members of the staff: Miss B. Zeiher, on July 15th, 1964, Mr. W. G. Rhodes, on January 12th, 1965, and Mr. J. Gagan, on April 6th, 1965. Miss Zeiher for many years taught History, Mr. Rhodes and Mr. Gagan were Senior Chemistry Master and Senior Mathematics Master respectively from the very early days of the School until their retirement some few years ago. Both had led a very active life until the last, and death came to them suddenly. To Miss Mary Rhodes (the daughter of Mr. Rhodes) and to Mrs. Gagan and her son we express our deepest sympathy.

MR. H. C. BARNES
With the retirement Of Mr. Barnes at the end of the Christmas Term the School lost the services of a very highly valued member of staff who will be remembered with affection and gratitude by many Old Boys and present-day pupils. A native of Sheffield, Mr. Barnes was educated at King Edward VII School, and afterwards at Sheffield University, where he took the degrees of B.Sc. and M.Sc., and the Diploma in Education. For fifteen years he was on the staff of Thornes House Secondary School, Wakefield, where he became Senior Mathematics Master. He came to Firth Park in September 1943, and remained there to the end of his teaching career, over twenty-one years later, identifying himself very closely with the life of the School.

Quiet, patient, conscientious and unassuming, with a thorough knowledge of his subject, he was highly respected by all his colleagues, and many of his former pupils will pay tribute to him as a friendly guide through the thorny paths of mathematics. Whatever he had to do, he would do it down to the smallest detail, and nothing was too much trouble for him. The staff room does not seem the same without his presence. We wish him and Mrs. Barnes a congenial retirement and many years of happiness.

Related information:

• The Firparnian - Firth Park Grammar School Magazine

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