Firth Park Grammar School 1966 - 1967

Taken from the 'Firparnian' magazine: June 1967

" There have been a number of Staff changes. At Easter 1966, Mr. Oliver left us to return to the Percy Jackson Grammar School, Doncaster; and Mr. Plumbly left us for Hadleigh Secondary School, near Ipswich. In July 1966, Mr. Clarke went to teach at the Services School in Singapore; nearer home, Mr. Humphreys became a lecturer at Padgate College of Education; and in Sheffield Mr. Hollands became a lecturer at Totley Hall College of Education, Mr. D. A. Smith went to Ecclesfield Grammar School and Mr. Swain to Abbeydale Boys' Grammar School.

During the year we welcomed the following new members of Staff: Mr. Blades to teach P.E.; Mr. Jones to teach French; Mr. I. Lewis, Mathematics; Mr. Rowe, English; Mr. Tompkin, History; Mr. C. Harrison English., and we welcomed back to Firth Park from Abbeydale Boys' Grammar School Mr. Higginbottom, and from Oxford University Mr. Turton, an Old Boy of the School.

We are glad to have the part-time assistance of Mrs. E. Garde with English, of the Rev. D. J. H. Sparkes with Religious Education., and to have with us Herr Hohmann, our German Assistant, and M. Moche, our French Assistant.

During the three weeks in the Autumn Term that Mr. Emerson was seconded to the Introduction to Industry Scheme, we were glad of the help of Mr. H. A. Ellis. This year sees a record number in the Sixth Form of 176. In addition to the 93 boys who entered the First Form in September, 22 boys transferred to the School from Hartley Brook and Southey Green Schools.

Speech Day was held at the City Hall on December 15th. The prizes were presented by Mr. E. Barker, Chief Constable of Sheffield, who gave advance notice to the School of the Police's appeal for public co-operation in the Crime Cut, Sheffield programme and put crime in a true, unflattering light.

Alderman J. W. Holland, Chairman of the Governors, told us this was the last of the many occasions on which he has presided at our Speech Day. The Headmaster thanked him for all he had done for the School, and for education throughout the city, during his time on the Education Committee.

A repeat performance of the School Concert (given at School on March 9th. and 10th.) was given on March 16th. at Firvale. On May 26th. 1966 a choir of over 100 First and Second Formers took part in Dr Barnardo's Centenary Commemorative Service at St. George's Church.

At the annual Carol Service, held at Firth Park Methodist Church, a collection for the Save the Children Fund totalled £10.17.6.

Collections on Thursdays in School for the Freedom from Hunger Campaign have realised £118.5.4. since last Easter. A special collection for the Aberfan, Disaster Fund totalled £10.17.6.

At the end of the Summer Term the sporting personality to present the trophies was Wilf Smith of Sheffield Wednesday.

R. H. McKay and D. Keys represented the School in the Sheffield Schools Public Speaking Contest.

Boys from the School who took the Cycling Proficiency Test in the Summer Term were 100% successful.

On December 21st. the Prefects held their usual Dance and, an innovation, the Staff held a Dinner at the Grosvenor on December 22nd.

During the year, 4W have visited Division Street Fire Station and Castle Green Police Headquarters as part of an investigation of the role of public services. Highlights included the call-out of the entire Fire Brigade complete with guides to a false - though well intentioned - alarm. The biggest disappointment was that the Police Charge Room was already in use on their arrival. 5W and Sixth Formers visited a City Council Meeting. Sixth Formers visited the Assizes and found the Judge in good form.

On January 30th. Detective Superintendent Bowler gave a talk to Sixth Forms on "The Menace of Drugs".

Almost 160 boys from the Sixth, Fifth and 4A attended this year's Faraday Lecture on "Nuclear Power, Today and Tomorrow", which was given in the City Hall on 7th. December by Mr. R. V. Moore of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.
The lecture, which had been organised by the Institute of Electrical Engineers, was of the usual high standard, with films, demonstrations and talk well integrated into a fascinating whole.

An interesting and useful afternoon was spent at the College of Technology on its Open Day, by a party of boys from our Lower Science Sixth, on 16th. February. They were able to see, and in many cases operate, apparatus which is not available in Schools. and obtain valuable information on courses offered by the College.

A new project has been started with the cooperation of the Data Processing Centre of the Parkgate Iron and Steel Co.. Rotherham. On March 8th. Messrs. B. Aickling and A. Hall (an old boy of the School) gave an excellent lecture with colour film and this was followed by a visit to the rolling mills on 16th. March. Other visits are proposed and it is hoped to give some training in the programming of the KDF6 Computer.

On March 12th. about thirty boys from the Scripture Union attended the afternoon service of the Blind Institute, which was conducted by members of the group.

We congratulate two of our old boys on honours which have been awarded to them: Frank Gardner, Chief Librarian of Luton and last year's President of the Library Association, on the award of the C. B. E.; and Charles Joyce, a Chief Executive Officer with the Ministry of Transport, on the award of the M.B.E..

W. Ralston had been appointed Area Accountant for the Yorkshire Electricity Board.

Malcolm Palmer gained M.B., Ch.B. (Sheffield) with Honours and was appointed House Physician to the Professor of Medicine.

The work of Peter Furniss with Youth Action Sheffield has been praised in "The Sunday Times" and other national newspapers.

B. W. Jones won the prize for Highest in Order of Merit (General Service Efficiency) on the first course of the newly instituted Craft Apprentices Training Scheme at No 1 School of Technical Training, R.A.F., Halton.

We heard with very deep regret of the death of Peter Onions (1960-66) in early April at Lodge Moor Hospital. Peter took A levels in French and Russian in 1966 and had started his career in the Attercliffe Branch of the National Provincial Bank."

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL
When I arrived on the first day
The bigger lads were very gay
At first I thought I wouldn't like this school,
Expected to be bullied and have a fight every day:
But when I learned all the rules I noticed the bigger ones left us to our play.
The only thing wrong with this school I thought
Is there just isn't enough sport -
Swimming once a fortnight,
Football the same way too.
Why can't we have them once a week? I'm sure we'd like to.]
I'm speaking for the lot of us and this is what I say:
Why is it the masters always get their own way?

K REDFEARN 1W

Related information: The Firparnian - Firth Park Grammar School Magazine

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