Saltus Grammar School - Yearbook (Hamilton, Bermuda)

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14 CONCERNING A NI W DEVELOPMENT In an age in which specialists govern much of our thought and work, there are still certain matters which tl)e average modest human reserves for his own special consideration. Rarely does a man argue with a loco- motive driver, seldom will he reject the advice of a tried physician or lawyer, but he is rarely without clear viev s upon the best way of educating his children. The pedagogue is allowed a certain competence, but he is notori- ously conservative and cannot be expected to know the child so well as the parent does. Moreover schools have so often aimed at so little, however essential that little may be; knowledge of the 3 R ' s and a smattering of grammar and wider subjects is a useful modicum of learning, but what about those long out-of-school hours and the whole process which we may con- viently call character building? Those hoary institutions the boarding or public schools offer a solution, the parent is eased of a load of responsibility and the pedagogue takes charge. Perhaps it is unfair to see in the products, some of the uni- formity and consequent defects of this method of mass production. In any case many parents feel that the lack of home influences during long periods of a boy ' s life is a definite loss and schoolmasters have evolved some sort of compromise. Day secondary schools have developed in organisation and scope, for certain useful features of boarding-school life have been adapted to their needs. The house-system, delegation of power and duties to prefects, a stress upon games and athletics — all foster a corporate spirit and a feeling of individual responsibility in the actual school life. More practical sub- jects such as handicrafts and commercial courses have invaded the already over-burdened curriculum. But perhaps most important of all these developments, is the growing interest in and consideration for out-of- school activities, — debating societies, a school magazine, dramatics. Scouting and other activities of undoubted educational value, to occupy part of the boy ' s out-of-school or leisure time. A boy ' s leisure is not so much time to be wasted and the problem of filling it with enjoyable yet useful recreation is difficult. All can appreciate the wide educational value of organised games of any sort, play-acting too and the imitation of the old heroes of history and legend have a natural appeal to the boy which hides the real education by example. If we bear these two factors in mind we get some conception of the ethical purpose and the practical method which justify Scouting as an educational move- ment. Baden-Powell founded the Boy Scouts because of his conviction that the race was deteriorating; comparative ease and security and the decline of personal skill and effort in a machine age, were destroying the virile individualism of the old race. The schools did not seem to be making great efforts to combat this evil but numerous other youth movements saw the danger and each in its sphere, was fighting the menace. Scouting was

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13 ing, especially for the smaller boys. The camp is always made most com- fortable, and beneficial for all boys, and I would like to take this oppor- tunity of asking the parents of all boys, who are members of the Corps, to allow their boys to come to camp. When we have left camp, drills are again commenced in the first week of the Christmas Term. They are held every Wednesday, on the School grounds at 2.30 p.m. The training for the year consists of marching, platoon formations, war formations and all the general work, such as turning, forming fours, etc. Promotion generally takes place during camp. The Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Cadet Corps now is Major Murdoch, who is liked by all the boys very much. The present instructor is Sergeant Major Price, just recently come out from the depot in England. R. L. Browne, Form VI. Sgt. of S.G.S. Platoon. Scout Notes Last year in September, the whole Scout Troop of Bermuda was re- organized. Instead of having outside troops, each school was to organize its own, each troop to choose its own colours and uniform. Mr. Loyns, who had previously been in charge of a troop in England, was given charge of ours. Under his command we managed to get three full patrols. Patrol leaders were chosen by vote, and they were allowed to pick their own seconds. At first we had to use the Trinity Hall for our meetings. This hall proved an excellent meeting room, being a large room without any uprights or posts of any sort to obstruct our games or drills. When the school is properly settled, we shall have a hall of our own, and then a keener interest will be taken in Scout work. With four Patrol-leaders chosen, we then picked the members for each patrol. Names were chosen and then came the difficult problem of deciding the senior patrol. Mr. Loyns suggested a tournament lasting the first three months. The Hawks won it by a close margin, and are the seniors for this year. Mottos were chosen, the Bulldogs, under P.L. K. N. Doe, have We hold on. The Eagles have We fly high, their P.L. being E. H. Young. The Hawks have We take all, their P.L. being Ferguson. When the H.M.S. Danae was in port, we received an invitation to visit her with the rest of the Scouts and Guides. The invitation was eagerly accepted, and the Troop turned out in uniforms of khaki. On Board we were shown all the points of interest from stern to bow, and from the deck to the top of the bridge. All the technical points about the guns and tor- pedo firers, were ably explained by the officers. A delicious tea was served and then we left for shore. This summer we hope to have a camp and here we feel confident that many merit badge tests will be taken and passed. R. L. Ferguson, Sen. P.L.

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15 offered as an ideal, a method and an organisation; the general public was not slow to appreciate this novelty, but it is only in the last few years that the official guardians of youth, the teachers, have taken this move- ment seriously. With the coupling of the two forces there is reason to hope for a strength- ening and widening of both. Scouting aims at developing that practical self-reliance and spirit of cheerful and efficient service, which many find missing from among us today. Its methods are not essentially new, but their grouping is novel and stimulating; its world-wide popularity and steady growth are indications of its appeal, when adequately presented. The school on its academic side cannot do much more than furnish the boy efficiently with the learning he needs, any activity which may equip the boy more adequately for the more complete life has its educational value and as such must call for the attention and careful consideration of all. P. G. L. Sports, Etc THE FOOTBALL SEASON, 1931-32 The Sports Field of the Saltus Grammar School was enlarged by the Government to give the boys a chance of playing games. Owing to the difficulties of enlarging the field, and of getting grass to grow on it, the field was not ready to be played on this year. The Bermuda Athletic Association was kind enough to lend their field to us twice a week. We all hope that our field will be ready next season. Every year the boys of the present school play against the Old Boys. This year the present boys intended to revenge their defeat of last season. We won the first two games; they won the next two, and after some hard fighting we managed to make the next match a draw. Owing to the lack of practice, the team was not up to the usual standard this year, but as we hope to have our field next year, we will stand a better chance of regaining the cup. Mr. Hallett, one of the masters, is our Sports Master. He works ex- ceedingly hard in all our games, encouraging and showing us our mistakes. Mr. Hallett is also a notable sportsman in Bermuda. The School is divided into four houses: Saltus, named after Mr. Saltus; Watlington, after Mr. Watlington; Butterfield, after Mr. Butterfield, and Darrell, after Mr. Darrell. Mr. Saltus was a merchant in the town of Hamilton. In the year 1888 Mr. Saltus founded the School. Mr. Darrell, Mr. Butterfield and Mr. Watlington were the worthy trustees of Mr. Saltus, and still are the Trustees of the School. There is a captain of each house, and the competition in all sports between houses is very keen. In the last season ' s games Butterfield House won all of the games that it pla ed. R. E. Freisenbruch. CRITIQUES R. L. Ferguson — Goal keeper. Would make a good player with plenty of practice and instruction; but at present is lacking in knowledge