Societies & Clubs 07 (1961-62)

THE SIXTH FORM SOCIETY 

THE Sixth Form Society was formed with the aims of furthering the cultural and social activities of the Sixth Form out of school hours, of furthering co-operation between the Sixth Forms of St. Nicholas and St. Mary's Grammar Schools, and of providing a liaison between the Old Boys' Association and the senior school.

The Society ran two courses of dancing lessons during the year, and about 60 boys of St. Nicholas and 60 girls of St. Mary's were able to participate.

Various well-known personalities promised to speak to the Society in the future, and several speakers were procured for 1962-63.

During the summer term Mr. J. Winterton gave an interesting talk on the R.A.F. Escaping Society, which was formed to aid poor and disabled French resistance workers. He illustrated his talk with the fascinating story of his own escape through Occupied France.

It is hoped that the Sixth Form Society will be able to operate to a greater extent when the Sixth Form Common Room is finally opened.

STEPHEN J. BACON, M.VI.

THE POETRY SOCIETY 

The Poetry Society has always been one with a relatively small membership, but nevertheless it seems to be very firmly established. Last year members of the Lower Sixth were enticed into the society's meetings before the older members left the school, and they now form a group of fairly regular members sometimes supplemented by the present Lower Sixth. The society has now even made an inroad into the ranks of the Science Sixth.

In some of its meetings the society has discussed the work of Betjeman and, on two occasions, T. S. Eliot; and Mr. Kennedy, whose leadership keeps the society active, gave a talk on the poetry of Siegfried Sassoon. At another meeting members were invited to submit their own poems and, after a few delays and numerous assurances that strict anonymity would be preserved if possible (which it was not), a gratifying number of poems was produced. It is hoped that members will continue their efforts to write poems themselves; meanwhile the critical functions of the society continue.

N. J. DYSON, Lower Sixth Arts.

AQUINAS SOCIETY 

THE Society, meeting for the first time under its new name, found itself laced with the problem of electing new members to replace those who had left. In order to give a greater stability to the Society it was agreed to raise the limit on the number of members. Owing to the high standard of discussions at the Society's meetings there was no shortage of candidates for election.

The Society learned with regret at the end of the school year that its Vice-President, Mr. D. C. Owen, was leaving the school. On his advice Mr. Dixon was invited to become Vice-President from September, 1962. We record with pleasure Mr. Dixon's acceptance and subsequent election.

M. J. WILSON, M.VI.

SENIOR HISTORY SOCIETY 

THE Society continued to function successfully throughout the year. The number of members remained steady during this time, but it was disappointing to note the lack of support from the fifth forms and 4a. The subjects upon which papers were presented were varied. and included "The Society of Jesus during the 16th and 17th centuries" and "Germany today".

We were very pleased to welcome our first guest speaker when Miss Fuidge, former Senior History Mistress at St. Mary's Grammar School, presented a paper on local history, with special references to the Tudor period, upon which she is an expert. We also welcomed to this meeting a number of pupils from St. Mary's and it is to be hoped that this will set a precedent.

Other talks included: "Charles Stuart Parnell", by Freeman (L.6 Econ.) and "Burke, Paine and Others" by Rooke (M.6 Arts).

The society would like to express its thanks to Mr. Owen and those members of last year's committee who have left and also to Mr. Williams and Mr. Ricketts for their welcome support.

K. J. SANGWAY, M.VI.

ST. NICHOLAS DEBATING SOCIETY 

AFTER a poor start, attributable to the loss of a number of last year's more eminent and experienced speakers, the Society attained a reasonably proficient standard of debating.

Perhaps the most exhilarating debate in the carlier part of the year was that on the motion : "This House opposes the policies of CND." Duncan Rooke and Colin Wakeling were the principal Speakers.

The climax of the year was, once again, an encounter with Bishopshalt School. The motion: "This House abhors co-education". proposed by a team from St. Nicholas and opposed by Bishopshalt, was defeated.

E. F. CATTERMOLE, L.VI.

THE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP 

UNFORTUNATELY membership of the Christian Fellowship is still small, but we have a nucleus of members who are all very keen. This has enabled our many discussions to be of an informal and personal nature. We have, however, had longer attendances at the showing of religious films and at meetings to hear visiting speakers. These included the Rev. Martin Parsons, the Rev. A. D. Tucker. and the Rev. John Huxtable.

It may be said that, although we could have hoped for more members, the year has been interesting and worth while.

C. R. AUSTING, L.VI.

THE "FOCUS" FILM SOCIETY 

THE Society was formed at the beginning of the Autumn term to focus attention on outstanding examples of various types of film and to foster an awareness and appreciation of the art of filmmaking. The Society met during the Autumn and Spring terms, and each meeting was attended by between one hundred and three hundred members. There was a wide range of opinion on the merits of some films, as discussions proved, but others were unanimously acclaimed. Three films in particular were outstanding: the film of the 1936 Olympic Games, "The Wages of Fear", and "The General", featuring Buster Keaton. The occasion of the showing of "The General" was made more memorable and pleasurable by the presence of Mr. K. W. James, formerly Senior Master here, who played the piano accompaniment.

Mr. Proudman and I should like to thank all the boys, especially members of the Sixth Form and the ever-faithful 4c, who gave help during the two terms. We also thank Mr. Wallbank, who printed all our splendid membership cards, and the ladies who served refreshments at the marathon four-hour showing of the Olympic Games film.

B. R. TILBROOK.