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Boys Preparatory School - 1938, Page three

The following Boys had the happiness of making their First Holy Communion this year: -

Niall Murnane, Bernard Cox. Patrick Porter. Martin Tucker. Frederick Sandy. Derek Slattery. Peter Cullis. Michael Brooks. Alan Heron. Malcolm North. Michael Lanng. Peter Lewis.

At the end of the Easter Term we gave a Concert in aid of the C.D.F. Form II acted a Historical Sketch called " A Night with Crowned Heads."

The Story is about a school boy who falls asleep in Madame Tussauds, and all the characters mentioned in his History Exam. paper come to life and accuse him of telling lies. Henry VIII, extremely well acted by M. Burke-Gaffney, is the self-appointed judge, and a jury is hastily summoned with little attention to the correct number; for, as Henry VIII says. " I can come in with the verdict as well as they." Edward the Black Prince, who is acting as Usher, reads out the fatal Exam. Paper, much to the horror of the trembling Culprit.

Each Sovereign in turn steps forward to prove the falsehood of many of the generally accepted Historical statements put down to his name. This leads to much argument and many amusing quarrels, all of which are swept aside by the domineering Henry, who is determined that the Prisoner shall die, if only to amuse his six wives, who sit smilingly watching the proceedings.

The Farce ends with the unfortunate boy standing on the steps of the gallows, the masked Hangman Marlowe just about to place the noose round his neck; when he awakes with a yell to find Madame Tussaud's porter standing over him waiting to lock up the building; and he realises that all was a dream.

The characters were as follows:

William the Conqueror - J. Jenkins.
William Rufus - N. Murnane.
Henry I - J. Burke-Gaffney.
Stephen - P. Pratt.
Matilda - J. Lewis.
... Henry II - R. Holmes.
Richard the Lion Heart - J. Kennedy O'Byrne.
John - J. Knighton.
Edward III - M. Tucker.
Black Prince - F. MacGinnis.
Henry V - B. Baffley.
Henry VIII - M. Burke-Gaffney
 Katherine of Aragon - H. Bond.
Anne Boleyn - R. Elliott-Bateman.
Jane Seymour - M. Collins.
Anne of Cleeves - K. Batten.
Catherine Howard - N. Pearce.
Catherine Parr - B. Greensmith.
Mary Tudor - J. Sweet.
Princes in the Tower - T. Potter and P. H. Garner.
Hangman Marlowe - B. Sandy.
A Porter ... B. Bailey.
Boy Culprit ... P. Hull.


Our photo shows the 'Cats in our Christmas Play'.

Form I acted a play called " The Golden Goose," the story of a Princess (John Talbot), who would not smile, but who, thanks to the kindness of an old witch (Ian Vokes) was cured; and all ended happily. After this they gave a version of the March from Iolanthe on their Percussion Band.

The Babies caused much amusement in their little Play about the "Naughty Crows," in which they were all dressed up as very realistic birds.

The Elocution Pupils gave a Scene from " Kidnapped," which they presented later at the Bournemouth Festival.

Form II acted a scene from the Mikado, complete with fans, gaily coloured kimonos and pigtails. They sang the opening chorus of the Opera, after which John Knighton sang Koko's songs, " Taken from a country Jail " and " I've got 'em on the List " with great success and well supported by the Chorus. " Behold the Lord High Executioner" was equally well sung by the boys of Form II, who then gave a rendering of the song on the Percussion Band.

To end up our Concert we sang our Jubilee Song followed by God Save the King.

We had a beautiful sunny day for the, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, and four of us had the honour of strewing flower petals in Our Lord's Path. Our Banner was carried by Bernard Sandy, and we decorated our own part of the route by which the Procession would pass on the way through the Convent grounds to the Tennis Courts, where the Altar had been erected and where Benediction was given.

The Wireless was in great demand again during the year, and we listened t the Boat Race, Trooping the Colours, the launching of the Queen Elizabeth, and of Armistice Day to the Ceremony at the Cenotaph and the Concert in the Albert Hall in the evening; for part of which we stayed up late. We have also followed French Course and Concert Lessons, which perhaps accounts for some of the surprising answers given on Friday afternoons at Mr. Leeson's singing lessons.

Before the recent Crisis, A.R.P. work in the Convent was already well in hand, and the Nuns were trained in Gas-mask assembling and fitting. A concrete roofed cellar had been whitewashed and prepared for us boys; but we were very glad it was not needed. When we heard about the Peace Fact we raised such a hearty cheer that Mr. Chamberlain might have heard it in London; and we celebrated the event with extra Rec.

Many of us were completely floored at the General Knowledge Test, held in the Summer Term, which was carried out on entirely new lines. We came out better in the Observation Test which the Romans won 70 to 65. The Latin Verb battle aroused still more enthusiasm, and the French Verb Test put the Greeks up ten points. Our final Spelling Bee gave the victory to the Romans.

Lately we have had several new additions to our School Museum. Some water hogs' tusks and shells from Tanganyika kindly presented by Mr. A. R. Potter, a magnificent brass gong, and a native sword from British North Borneo, presented by Dr. J. Kennedy O'Byrne, also some Chinese ornaments, coins and baskets.

Father Ryder, S.J., an English priest from Estonia, came to tell us about his work in that country. He gave us a lecture and told us beforehand a little about the ceremonies of the Slavonic Rite, showing us some lantern slides, so that we should be able to understand better the Mass which he celebrated in our Chapel the following day; but even so we found it rather strange and very long. Earlier in the year Father Cary-Elwes, S.J., came to give one of his famous lectures on British Guiana, showing slides which were photos that he had taken himself.

It was most exciting to return to school after Easter, as we knew we had to get ready for the Jubilee Celebrations, which were to be held on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd June. Preparations were soon in full swing, and what with learning our parts, rehearsing and singing for the Pageant, we were fully occupied.

Some of us helped to cut out flowers for the decorations, when we had finished our school work; and we also painted the armour for our Crusaders' costumes. On the 1st June we had Pontifical High Mass in our Chapel, at which seven of us had the honour of serving and afterwards the House was opened to all the visitors.

Our Corridors and arches were decorated with bands of gold and green studded with flowers; and in each classroom there was an exhibition of our handwork, painting and drawing.

On our staircase was a gallery of photos of past and present Boys, including our first boy, who came to our School in 1901 at the age of four and stayed till his twelfth year. Our Playroom was commandeered as a luncheon room for the visitors; and, beautiful as it looked with banks of ferns.

On her Feast we had our annual procession in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes, to thank her far keeping us free from sickness again this year. Carrying candles and saying the Rosary, we made a tour of the Grotto where we sang the Lourdes Hymn.

We kept Reverend Mother's Feast on March 17th with a Fancy Dress Party. Before the Grand Parade, presentations were made to her and flowers offered. We then gave a Display of Country Dancing, followed by Figure Marching; each Form showing its best work.

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