Christmas, 1913, part 1

Extract from Christmas, 1913 Part 1

By the time that this number of “The Bridge” appears the first term of the School year will be nearly over; but the most interesting function, Speech Day, is yet to come.  This has been fixed for Monday, December 15th.

With regard to football matters it is to be deplored that as soon as a boy develops into a likely player, especially for the first eleven, he leaves the school.  In consequence of this the teams have been very unsuccessful.  This is most certainly not due to slackness or lack of talent, but simply to the fact that other schools have teams very much heavier than ours.

In the House matches, however, there is less certainty of the result.  On one or two occasions the weather has not been exactly perfect, yet a very satisfactory spirit of keenness has been shown.  Amongst the Juniors this spirit has been so much in evidence that we should like to suggest that they restrain their ardour sufficiently not to play twelve a side.  The results, too, have been somewhat surprising.  We have been told that an Old Boy remarked, when he heard the result of the School v. Soho match “Time indeed brings many changes, and wonders will never cease.”

Boys who were not present at the Inter-School Swimming Sports, on October 17th, besides showing a lack of school spirit, missed one of the most exciting and interesting evenings that we can remember.  Our boys turned up in force, despite the long journey, and succeeded in making themselves heard: indeed an epidemic of sore throats was prevalent next day.  Although our first team was inferior in point of size to the seconds of other schools we made a capital show and won the cup for “Runners-up.”  “Had it not been for so & so” seemed to be the general comment outside when referring to our failure to win the shield.  Those two points – what a difference they made!  The Headmaster showed his recognition of the merit of the performance by granting a half-holiday.  Strangely enough, the sore throats disappeared upon this announcement.

The N.H.S. exhibition was held on November 8th, and was very successful.  At one time it seemed as if there would be a deficiency of exhibits, however the boys responded very well to a late and urgent call.

Instead of a lecture, a display of colour photographs was given by Mr. Hadfield.  Also the camera section of the society had made a very successful beginning with new lumière plates.

There were some very interesting slides for the microscopes and stereographs, also there were some good photographs illustrating natural history taken by the camera section.  A large part of the evening could well have been spent in examining any of these alone.  But there were so many other exhibits that it was impossible to inspect everything closely.  It was evident from the arrangement and classification of the specimens that elaborate care had been spent on the exhibition to make it a success.

The Tea had the happy effect of making all boys at peace with the world, and desirous both of enjoying themselves and of contributing to the enjoyment of others.  This mood infected everyone, including a worried and overworked committee, so that the evening passed of happily.  The high spirits of some of the junior members of the school were expended in the applause with which each new colour-slide was received.

Since our last issue the corps has renewed its experience of camp life.  Thanks to much improved weather, those who attended had a better time than ever, and returned in good health and spirits.  Since then the Tuesday and Friday parades have taken place as usual, and also a few on Saturdays.  In addition, examinations for promotion, and for certificate “A” have been held.

L.C.
B.J.P.
R.W.