End of Term Report on the Cabinet

POLIT1C.4L COMMENTARY By ALAN WATKINS BOTTOMLEY, A. G. Arthur tries hard, and his elocution lessons are going well.

BROWN, G. A. Another year of ups and downs. George, if he must make threats, must learn not to do so unless he intends to carry them out. Otherwise it reflects upon the whole school. He must also learn that people from other lands do not always necessarily see eye to eye with him, and that shouting at the top of his voice is no way to impress strangers. He shows some signs of being over-influenced by young Pompidou from the Lycee. However, his command of French im- proves weekly—though he must be careful not to exploit his advantage in conversation with those less gifted than himself. There has been some question during the year of George's loyalty to his juniors in the house, but for my part I am confi- dent that an unhappy impression has been created by those unable or unwilling to appreciate his exuberant sense of fun. Sometimes, however, this goes too far, as, for example, when he persists in indiscriminately kissing members of visiting teams. His confidence in his own capacity remains unabated. Although he cannot in all honesty be described as a good influence, his presence would be sorely missed.

CALLAGHAN, L. J. Jim has had a good year. During the summer months, when tempers throughout the house were understandably frayed, there was a rumour that he wished to sup- plant the head of school. I am happy to say that this rumour proved unfounded and that Jim settled back easily into his old routine. His capacity for resisting temptation and saying a firm 'No' has much impressed the chaplain. How- ever, there is a danger that he may be turning into something of a prig. His position as 'Guard- ian of Sterling'—a hallowed and traditional school post of a purely honorary nature—some- times seems to lead to an unnecessary solemnity in one so young. He should be encouraged to cut loose occasionally and, from time to time, to say

'Yes.'

CASTLE, B. A. As a girl, Barbara's position is a difficult one. However, the scenes of rough-and- tumble which she must inevitably witness, and in which she must occasionally even take part, com- pletely fail to embarrass her; indeed, she gives the impression of enjoying them. I must confess to having mixed feelings about this tendency of hers, but by now it is probably too late to do anything about it. Her thorough and painstaking work on the road and rail scale model project in the geography room has impressed everyone. It only remains for her to put her ideas, many of which are promising, into practice at some future date, when times are easier.

CROSLAND, C. A. R. A good but unobtrusive year. He continues to be friendly with young Jenkins, even although the latter receives so much more attention at the moment in the school. The time may come when Tony will have to push him- self forward more. Nevertheless, in the past year there were signs that he was beginning to mix more freely with the 'hearty' elements and the boys of the tea-room set. He was even occasion- ally to be seen talking to boys who held views dif- ferent from his own. He has reacted in a thoroughly manly and sportsmanlike fashion to the disproof by events of various social and economic ideas advanced during his days in the junior school.

CROSSMAN, R. H. S. Dick continues to stimu- late all those with whom he comes into contact, sometimes too much so, either for their good or for his. In a placid and orderly school he .is a dis- turbing influence, although he must be exempted from any malicious intent. His merry laugh, his twinkling eyes and his appalling indiscretions add greatly to the gaiety of the place. The head of school values his advice, and he has struck up a warm and wholesome relationship with young Silkin. Yet despite his elevation last summer, I believe Dick misses his involvement with the New Building Fund. He continues to be strong on political theory, and this interest of his—which, by the way, is not encouraged in the school—has led to some embarrassment in the past year. It is earnestly to be hoped that in the coming months he will concentrate increasingly on parliamentary practice and procedure, a subject more appro- priate to his new position, and one which he has still thoroughly to master.

GARDINER, G. A. There must be some doubt as to whether Gerald is suited to the post he is being asked to fill in the school. Indeed, there must be some doubt as to whether he is really suited to the school at all. Although he works hard, and tries his best, he has appeared too much involved with the interests of his friends from the days before he came to us. He entered school late, and it is often difficult to change one's ways.

GUNTER, R. J. Ray has had a difficult year, and at times has appeared somewhat out of his depth. Economics has never been his strong subject, and his efforts to make it comprehensible, both to himself and to the younger boys, have not, on the whole, been crowned with the success for which he, and I, would have wished. Although the tone of his remarks has been of the highest, and as such much commended by the chaplain, there have been some who thought that he tended to gloat unduly upon the fortunes of those less well- placed than himself. His continuing affability, however, has ensured the maintenance of ex- cellent relations with the 'gentlemen of the press.'

HEALEY, D. W. Denis's work continues to be of the highest quality, but his public appearances, in the debating society and elsewhere, have been something of a disappointment. He has a strong personality and can quell other boys with a glance. However, this formidable aspect deserts him when he gets to his feet in some public place. He is an avid reader of American magazines (of, I hasten to add, a perfectly wholesome nature) and places great importance upon the views of our cousins from 'across the Atlantic.' This tendency of his sometimes leads him into trouble with some of the more patriotic elements in the Corps. How- ever, we are not I hope a flag-waving school— even although the head of school has different views—and young Denis is a credit to us all.

JENKINS, R. H. Everything considered, this has been a highly successful year. Towards the end, it is true, various boys under Roy's care managed to abscond, to be recaptured only with difficulty, if at all. Such inevitably well-publicised episodes, I need hardly say, do not do the reputation of the school any good. They incite a morbid and un- healthy curiosity on the part of those who do not understand, or wish to understand, our own special problems. However, this must rank as a minor blemish on a sound and at times brilliant year's work. At the same time, Roy must be care- ful, if he wishes ever to be really well thought of, not to appear patronising to boys less well- endowed than himself. This is an error which the present bead of school never makes. Roy, how- ever, does have around him a circle of younger boys who admire him greatly. In normal circum- stances this is something which I would never permit, but I am satisfied that in this case there is nothing unwholesome in the relationship. He must see to it that these easily impressed young- sters do not make over-extravagant claims on his behalf; an ugly scene with the head of school was in the summer months avoided only with difficulty.

LEE; F. As Fred will shortly be leaving us, it only remains for me to say how much we have all appreciated his cheerful company and willing ways during the past few years. Good luck, Fred! LONGFORD, F. A. Frank has a good word for everyone. I only wish I could say everyone had a a good word for Frank.

STEWART, R. M. M. One is sorry to say so, but this has been a disappointing year. Michael has fallen back since he represented the school with such distinction at Oxford in a leach-in' on the grievous problems of Vietnam, to which the chap- lain recently referred. Michael's new position does not seem to suit his undoubted abilities nearly so well. His invitation to 'sneak' on 'price rises' caused a bad impression, although I am sure he acted, as he thought, for the best.-He needs to give more attention to his manner on television. The head of school, however, continues to value his talents highly, although, to be honest, I cannot for the life of me see why. But despite all setbacks he continues to be a good influence.

WILSON, I. H. Harold's achievements as head of school over the past year are doubtless so well known that I need not go over them again. How- ever, he must learn to trust and take into his con- fidence masters and senior boys who only wish him well in his chosen career. He continues to see too much of Wigg, G., who may, however, not be with us for very much longer. He shows a remark- able aptitude for playing games of all descriptions. In the match against Rhodesia (which, unhappily, school failed to win) he succeeded in kicking the ball in opposite directions at one and the same time—a remarkable athletic feat in such a young player, and one which confused the opposition as much as it did his own side. Well done! It needs to be said, however, that despite all his accom- plishments, and despite his strong and continuing interest in chapel, the scout troop and, more recently, the sea cadets, he cannot really be des- cribed as an influence for good within the school.

We can only hope that this will change in time.

Some weeks ago I wrote criticising the imposi- tion of a sentence of Borstal training on Christo- pher Britton for an alleged offence under the Race Relations Act. I was extremely glad to see that this week the criminal division of the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction.