No. 13 March, 1930

Editor: D. THOMSON. Easter,

SPEAKING EDITORIALLY.

We are sorry to see that of the football results recorded in this issue of the Monovian the "L's" sadly outnumber the "W's." But if sports prowess has been unsatisfactory, the more intellectual and aesthetic side of school life has flourished. The Chess Club has gone from victory to victory. The Instrumental Society recently gained the distinction of coming first in the London Secondary Schools Musical Festival. The Debating Society has been so successful that it has outgrown its former meeting-place, and now utilises the more spacious accommodation of the Assembly Hall. The ever-active Dramatic Society has held innumerable meetings, taken part in pageants, and visited, read, and produced plays. There are also rumours of an opera in the near future. The term promises to be a lively one. There is the production of The Fourth Wall. There are the School Sports. There are rumours of at least three House Teas; hence the strains of a jazz hand which occasionally issue from the Hall. To all who will have undergone the ordeal of examinations before our next issue appears, we wish the best of luck and the greatest success. Finally we would draw the attention of the whole School to the message sent by Mr. E. A. H. Goodchild at the Old Monovians' Dinner :- "Tell them to he vital in all that they do; to walk on the sunny side of the road; to speak out, work hard, laugh, and fear nothing. Life holds the choicest treasures for those who woo her with the gayest courage."

No. 14 June, 1930.

Editor: D. THOMSON.
Asst. Editor: K. E. ROBINSON.

The period of activities chronicled herein has been lively. The end of last term saw the School Sports, the production of The Fourth Wall, the Mock Trial, and no fewer than three House Teas. This term has seen the Inter-School Sports. But the liveliness of the present term has been subdued partly by the quiescence of School Societies, partly by the sense of laziness occasioned by warmer weather, but most of all by the eternal skeleton at the feast - examinations. We trust that when the School goes under canvas in July, the skeleton will have been left safely behind; although the cynic may suggest that even the bare bones of a skeleton might prove welcome to the ravenous cannibals of Pett. It is our experience that the School passes not through annual, but through biennial phases of development. Each phase is ended by the exodus of most of the older members of the School. It is remarkable how such changes affect that part of school life outside the everyday curriculum. Such a phase began in 1928, and has ended this year. The Captain of the School, the Athletics Captain, the Editor of the Monovian, and, Whittingham excepted, all the House Captains have remained the same throughout the two years, thus ensuring unity of development. This period is, we suggest, noteworthy for the accentuation of two growing tendencies, The first might almost be called a democratic tendency. Any feeling of Upper School exclusiveness, which previously existed, has been broken down. Many factors have contributed. The School Camp has undoubtedly created a wider fellow-feeling amongst all forms. House spirit has a similar effect; and House spirit has been encouraged by more team events in the Sports, and House Teas have become more and more popular. Societies have adapted their activities so as to make the widest possible appeal. Whatever the cause, it remains a fact that School activities have become more representative of the efforts of the whole School. The second tendency is the natural result of the first. The School is undoubtedly looming larger in the lives of more of its members. School activities have become so varied that it is possible for everyone to find some interest in school life besides doing homework or gaining marks. The School is awakening more enthusiasm. There is more magnetism in being a Monovian. If the Scout movement is weak in the School, it is because the School suffices. The formation of the Christian Union hints at still further development along these lines. The same tendency is expressed in other ways. For the last two years our Sports have been held on our own ground. In the last two years the School's own Library has grown enormously. There are prospects of our own Gymnasium and Dining Hall. The School is becoming more and more self-sufficing. It is not implied that such tendencies did not exist before. It is only suggested that they have gained strength in the last two years. But, changes noted, equal mention must be made of the permanent influences which have enabled its to develop naturally on traditional lines. First, there is the ready sympathy and encouragement of our Headmaster, whose generous rule has made possible our multifarious activities; secondly, there is the consistent energy of all the Masters who lead the various Societies. The steady co-operation of the Staff runs throughout. We would like, for the first time, to make grateful acknowledgment of the services rendered by Mr. Rothery who, both as proof-reader and business manager, has for years shouldered much of the task of producing the Monovian. It will be noted that the editorial "we" is now truly plural. And so, having duly prefaced this, our last effort, and having duly rung down the curtain on an era of eventful growth, we would bow our successor, with the best of wishes, into the editorial chair.

No. 15 November, 1930

Editor : H. E. ROBINSON.
Christmas, 1930.

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After much searching, we have been reluctantly compelled to the conclusion that that the interesting piece of furniture, the Editorial Chair, mentioned by our illustrious predecessor is a mere figment of his Celtic imagination. But, did it exist, with what awe would it inspire upstart newcomers like ourselves! For above it looms the dread shade of Holdsworth, and there rises the plaintive voice of Payling, complaining, in Gilbertian phrase, that "The Editnrs lot is not a happy one," and the . . . - but Thomson is still with us. Discretion bids us pause. For the Monovian has a genuine tradition. It exists to create a public opinion, to foster a tradition, to give the School a sense of organic unity. It is a focus for all that goes to make up that comprehensive being we call "the School." It serves as a link between past and present, between School and town. And so its Editor must ever beware of unduly favouring any one interest. Its lighter vein, if ill-received by harassed men of the world, may delight readers yet oblivious of care, whom its measured exhortations may disgust. But above all it is a School Magazine. The spirit of these aims is, we hope, embodied in the present issue. Besides chronicling all that goes on at School it records plays at the Girls' High School and an addition to the Connaught Hospital; gives prominence to the great historical pageant, held to celebrate the anniversary of Charter Day: and includes a review of the old Monovians' first public performance of a three-act play, Bird in Hand. Thus are School and town, present and past brought together.