Saltus Grammar School - Yearbook (Hamilton, Bermuda)

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A selection of the more appropriate hymns has been made, with emphasis on those that lend themselves to mass singing. Christmas carols and a few simple rounds relieve the solemnity of the repertoire, eked out by a few secular airs of a more jaunty nature. In addition, the junior forms are being given regular instruction in sight reading, voice production and rhythm, which will have in time a decided influence in building up a nucleus for a trained treble choir. Singing will count as a contribution to inter-house com- petitions for the Nicholl Shield, and if more of the older boys would regard singing as an enjoyable pastime, a double- quartet could be formed in each house capable of rendering easy arrangements, and derive a great deal of satisfaction therefrom. THE GARDENING CLUB. By H. Richardson. On many afternoons and most Saturdays of the term boys, strenuously wielding mattock, hoe or spade, have been seen in various parts of the School grounds. It is rumoured that flippant onlookers describe them as the chain-gang. They are, in fact, the very cheerful and quite voluntary members of the Gardening Club. The Club is divided into two sections. One is making small flower and vegetable gardens. Another has visions of a shaded and beautiful sports field in the years to come and are digging enormous holes for the reception of young trees. This section is particularly commendable as they may never live to see the fruits of their labour. A third section has been suggested, having as its object the pruning and general care of school trees. But there are several difficulties. One is the absence of tools, another is the scarcity of soil-covered ground, which has been alleviated by Mr. W. E. P. Motyer, the donor of several loads of manure. In the near future we hope to see flowers, blooming, vege- tables flourishing, and young trees shooting up. And last but not least, the Kindergarten deserve to be con- gratulated on having prepared and edged a flower bed under their window, and we hope the seeds they have planted will add a bright spot of colour to the outside of the school building. THE CADET CORPS. By J. H. A. Linton. The difference between thirteen and thirty is seventeen, which shows that as far as keenness in the school is concerned, the Corps is definitely looking up With the 5

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School Activities. THE LIBRARY. By H. Richardson. Early last term it was decided that a library should again become one of the school institutions, so that boys could borrow books for home reading and study in leisure moments. A room was allotted as a library and the books of the Old School Library, of which many were so badly worm-eaten that they had to be destroyed, were moved in, thus forming a nucleus, round which a varied selection is being accumulated. This is done by offering liberal borrowing facilities to boys making gifts of books to the Library, and gifts of books or of money will be received with the highest appreciation. The magazine section is almost solely represented by the National Geographic, but other periodicals will be added when funds permit. There is hope that the library will shortly be enlarged by the inclusion of another room, so that one corner can be allotted to each house for the display of House Shields and trophies. In conclusion I must mention the Library Committee, which consists of E. L. Gibbons, S. M. Paschal and L Outerbridge. SCIENCE. By R. T. Gorton. The embryo of Science has appeared in Saltus. It is cling- ing to life with a tenacity that knows no bounds. In our miniature laboratory there is a seeking after truth reminiscent of the palmy days of the Royal Society. We out-Beebe Beebe. But we espy a cloud on the horizon. The time is fast approach- ing when an hour of voluntary science on Saturday mornings will no longer slake that thirst for enterprise and experiment that could only have been experienced to a similar degree by the Alchemists of the middle ages. Our need is greater than theirs But every cloud has its silver lining; our hearts throb with the unquenchable fires of a great hope. At the moment all is well and we look forward with eager anticipation to yet more tangible achievements. CHOIR AND SINGING. By G. S. C. Tatem and Miss D. Lines. The Headmaster is making a determined effort to strengthen the singing throughout the school. The choir has been augmented by several fine treble voices, and practises industriously under a great deal of energetic direction on our part! 4

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field re-echoing to words of command, thirty carbines slapped as one man, buttons burnished and glittering in the sunlight, five rounds coinciding on every target, and the Empire Shooting Shield in a place of honour in the Assembly Hall Well, we have not quite climbed to these dizzy heights as yet, but there is no reason why we should not begin now. No reason but one. We want a school nhooting range and a generous allowance of rounds per man for those who show themselves to be promising shots. And that, as the Duke of Wellington once remarked at the bar of the Officer ' s Mess at Waterloo, is not much to give. But apart from all that there is every cause for satisfaction. We have our carbines in an excellent armoury fitted up by the Scouts — for which we cannot be too grateful — we have our uniforms on the premises, and above all we have an able Sergeant Instructor who is already knocking the platoon into a shape which will soon be almost military. THE SALTUS SCOUTS. By L. J. Profit. Having been driven from pillar to post, we have at last come into our own in the old slave quarters underneath the Headmasters house. Perhaps that statement is hardly deserved, but we certainly do expect to be the scape goats for any odd job that comes along. For some time the Headmaster was dis- turbed by hammerings, plasterings and the noise of divers tools going on beneath his feet; and later, at night, by the clankings of the human bones, which we were unfortunate enough to dis- turb. However they now seem to have given up the uneven struggle, and each patrol has for its headquarters a separate room, rather primitively furnished, but decorated in vivid blues and greens. The Headmaster has got even with us for his dis- turbed nights by visiting us with a plague of bicycles, to an early removal of which we look forward, since our ' under- pinning ' and ' relaying of roofs ' has added considerably to the comparative safety of his own house. An Inter-Patrol Competi- tion is being started, and there is some rumour of sea-scouting on Saturdays and the buying of a ship ' s launch. But this must be far ahead. In the meantime we are making the most of the foundations laid by Mr. Whitfield, who has taken unlimited pains to keep the troop together. PHYSICAL TRAINING. By L. J. Profit. Definite progress has been made with the Physical Training throughout the school. At the moment this is carried out by forms each morning, but later, when the senior squad will all be 6