1 Apr 1939
BECCLES AREA SCHOOL will be the last word in up-to-date equipment and facilities, and the boys and girls who are to receive their education in such delightful surroundings must count themselves privileged. In Mr GS Odam, at present at Grundisburgh School near Woodbridge, the school is lucky to have a fine Headmaster and many will learn with pleasure that among his staff will be a number of teachers from the Beccles Council and National Schools.
As an outcome of the provision of this school, the National Schools in Ravensmere are being closed. They will shut their doors to scholars as from today, the last of the month.
10 Jun 1939
BECCLES AREA SCHOOL: SUUFFOLK SCHOOL SPORTS [PHOTOS page 6]
19 Aug 1939
AREA SCHOOL: Mrs PL Ashford of Aldeby, the first woman Manager of the School. She was welcomed by Mr AE Jordan, Chairman
21 Oct 1939
PHOTOGRAPH: Evacuees at Beccles Area School in the Dining hall
31 May 1941
EMPIRE DAY: children at Beccles Area School addressed by Vice-Admiral EA Taylor, MP: “Today how proud they were of the Empire, and of the men and women from all parts who were fighting for them.”
EMPIRE DAY at Sir John Leman School: visit by Mr Loftus, MP. Hymn sung, “I vow to thee my Country.” Mr Loftus in an address traced the growth of the British Empire and showed how it was characterised by it love of liberty.
26 Jul 1941
HEADMASTER: Mr Leslie F Easter, a member of the Area School staff since its opening two years ago, has been appointed Headmaster of Earl Soham School near Framlingham. Several years ago Mr Easter came to Beccles as an assistant master of the now defunct College, which he left to join the staff of the late Ravensmere National School. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree.
He was a keen supporter of Beccles Cricket Club. He has done excellent work with the Evening Institute. since the war started he has been an Air Raid warden. His wife is a granddaughter of Mr Albert Mickleburgh, who was Mayor in 1919-21.
1 Nov 1941
BLACK-OUT CASE against George Odam of 89, Grove Road, Headmaster of the Area School for allowing a light to be visible in the school, which was being used for keep-fit evening classes. The light was being reflected through a glass door and then through two kitchen windows, which had not been blacked out because the kitchen was not in use. He has now given instructions that every room should be blacked out every night. The school has 500 windows. 1941
He was fined £5.
4 Jul 1942
VISIT to the AREA SCHOOL: “I ventured on a tour of the garden, where about forty boys were busy at various tasks. It was not long before a guide offered to enlighten me on the work I could see going on around me.
I learned that the garden of over one and a half acres was, during the war period, devoted almost entirely devoted to vegetable production. Long stretches of potatoes, plot after plot of carrots, parsnips, onions, and beetroot, trenches of celery, and rows of tomatoes were to be seen, all destined for the school canteen, which I was told, serves about 200 dinners daily.
Not that the educational side of the work was being neglected. I saw seed rearing grounds, manorial experiments in progress and plots on which the wares of rival seeds men were being tested. I learned too that the aid of such august institutions as the Cambridge School of Agriculture were being enlisted in the mysteries of soil analysis and mineral deficiencies.
Soon we came to a gate bearing the notice, “No admittance except to YFC Members.” “Young Farmers’ Club” said my guide. “For the enthusiasts it is on a profit sharing basis. They do all the work, making the fowl-houses, rabbit-hutches, bee-hives, fencing, painting and general repairs – all in addition to the feeding and management of the livestock.”
There was a flock of laying hens (14 dozen eggs had been ready for the collector on his last call) young chickens at all stages, ducklings, geese, rabbits, bees and goats. Calves were shortly to be added.
I saw boys at work on a part of the playing-field they had broken up, two girls feeding Nobby, the youngest goat from a bottle. But what impressed me most was the sight of two youths mowing hay. A lost art? Not for these youngsters, who were swinging their scythes with the skill of old hands. They had about two acres to cut.
18 Jul 1942
FRUIT PRESERVATION CENTRE to be established at the Area School, Mr AE Pye (Chairman), Mrs Odam (Vice Chairman & chairman of Townswomen’s Guild)), Mrs AR Emerson (secretary), Mr OL Smith (Treasurer). The purpose of the scheme was to ensure the preservation of fruit, which could not readily put into consumption in other ways. Persons with surplus fruit should contact the committee.
1 Mar 1939
CHURCH: BECCLES NATIONAL SCHOOL CLOSING: The Rector, Rev HL Birch, explained that after 31 March all children over 11 would go to the new Area School. Both existing schools [the Boys & the Girls Schools] would lose 50% of their scholars, while each would still have all the overhead expenses attached to separate schools. Had they insisted on keeping them there would have been insistence upon an expenditure, which would probably have run into four figures. So the Managers decided to close them.
8 Apr 1939
HEADMASTER of the National School, Ravensmere, Mr FB Watkis, received presentations on Friday when the school was closed. He had been Headmaster for 15 years. He is to take charge of the junior section of the Peddar’s Lane Council School.
20 May 1939
LETTER : Mr FB Watkis: Mr Watkis will leave Beccles to take up his new appointment at Snape, on 1 June 1939. May I, as father of a family taught at the National School, express my deep appreciation of his services there?
My experience of him is that he has been devoted to his scholars, studying them to the minutest degree, giving them his best and putting his complete self into the task of their all round training. His staging of the operas “May Day in Wellady”, “The Bohemian Girl” and “Maritana”, will be remembered by many, particularly the first, the proceeds of which were devoted to charity. He will be missed by very many.
Always ready to give good advice, always ready at hand in showing sympathy and giving direction to many of us who have made calls upon his time.
I am sure I am not alone in my appreciation of all this and wish to thank him through the medium of your paper. Beccles children will be much the poorer for his departure and I am sure all will join me in expressing the greatest and best wishes for his future. A Grateful Father.
2 May 1942
Mrs Emily Phillips, who has died at her home at Worthing, was Headmistress of the National School girls’ department until the amalgamation of the boys’ and girls’ department into a mixed school in 1913.
The Girls’ School log book records in Mrs Phillips’ handwriting: “I commenced duties in the school on Thursday February 1st” and that her predecessor, Mrs Anderson, left the school on January 31st, 1900. She continued at the school until 1922, a period of nearly 23 years.
25 Jan 1941
RESIGNATION of HEAD TEACHER: Miss BK Snell resigns as Head Teacher from Peddar’s Lane Junior School from31 March. Miss Snell began her teaching career at Beccles Infants’ Board School in January 1895 and except for eight and a half years under Surrey Education Committee has taught in the borough all the time. She has been a keen worker in the cause of National Savings and has made a fine contribution to the welfare of the Congregational Church, of which she is a Deacon.
It was decided to appoint Miss Gertrude Fuller, Head of Ravensmere Junior School to the post. Miss Fuller has been in charge of this school since it was built in 1913 and has had outstanding success teaching young children. She has done good service as Secretary of Beccles National Savings Committee. She is an ardent member of the Historical Society.
25 Jul 1942
SCHOLARSHIPS to the Sir John Leman School from Peddar’s Lane Council Junior School: Jean Greenacre, Austin Bates, Elizabeth Eaton, & Terence Collins. Robert Murrell has secured a scholarship to Yarmouth Grammar School.
15 Feb 1941
RAVENSMERE SCHOOL HEAD: Miss GM Woolner, only daughter of Mr & Mrs F Woolner, of Kemp’s Lane, Beccles. She has been on the staff of the Area School since it opened nearly two years ago and previously was at Peddar’s Lane
1 Aug 1942
SCHOLARSHIPS to the Sir John Leman School, from Ravensmere Council Junior School, of which Miss GN Woolner is head: John Hobbs and Robert Saker
2 Dec 1939
80 EVACUATED CHILDREN at St Benet’s School given canteen meal at lunchtime every weekday. The Mayor & Mr Loftus, MP visited them, & Mr Loftus told them: “You have come to Suffolk and Suffolk is quite the nicest county in all England, so you are very lucky. You have come to the ancient town of Beccles and Beccles is one of the nicest towns in the nicest County in all England. He was glad to see them all so happy and cheerful.”
1 Apr 1939
FUNERAL of ART MASTER: Mr Harold C Speed, aged 52, who had been Art Master at the Sir John Leman School for the past 19 years and at Bungay Grammar School for the last 5 years.
8 Apr 1939
CRICKET: Mr FP Glover, a master at the Sir john Leman School has been appointed captain of Lowestoft Cricket Club’s first eleven for the season.
3 Jun 1939
PRESENTATION to Mr JJ Craik, Head Postmaster of Beccles from October 1935 until January last on behalf of the Beccles Postal District. The presentation was made at the King’s Head by Mr AJ Clarke, overseer and second in command of two water colours by the late HC Speed, art master at the Sir John Leman School, depicting the River Waveney at Geldeston Lock and at Beccles Bridge.
Mr Craik is now Postmaster at Lewes.
3 Jun 1939
SIR JOHN LEMAN SCHOOL Speech Day. The Headmaster, Mr Richard R Hancock, spoke of the death of Mr HC Speed, after an illness of long standing, causing much suffering that was gallantly endured. It had deprived them of a colleague of unfailing courtesy and consideration.
He welcomed to the staff Mrs Sellors as physical training instructor for the girls and Mr RE White, ATD
who had assumed the art teaching.
“The advantages of a spell in the Sixth Form are for those waiting for a post no less than for those preparing for a definite examination, and not simply from a purely material point of view. There are other less tangible but even more vitally important aspects. We consider rightly that one of the gravest moral and spiritual dangers in the contemporary world lies in the regimentation of thought, and the deliberate crushing of independence and individuality which are to be seen in so many countries. systems thus inspired by ideals differing so widely from our own lay their foundations in the schools, and if we are to preserve our heritage of intellectual freedom of the right of the individual to remain master of his own destiny, if the community that is to receive service based on full knowledge and free and willing choice, instead of blind and forced obedience, we too must begin in the schools.”
Miss MG Duff, Principal of Norwich Training College [for teachers] distributed the prizes: “If we are going to get through the next few years, it seems to me that the only hope for our civilization is independent, clear, honest thinking by people of your generation. Otherwise we are bound to go under. If you have a real independent thinking mind which cannot be bullied and brow-beaten by propaganda, a light-heartedness, and a real delight in simple things, you will have some pretty good equipment to start you off whether you choose teaching or any other career in which to serve your day and generation.”
[3 PHOTO of SPORTS page 6]
15 Jul 1939
THE HEADMASTER of the SIR JOHN LEMAN SCHOOL, Mr Richard R Hancock is leaving to become Headmaster of the Boys’ Northern Secondary School, Portsmouth, which has three times the number of pupils.
12 Aug 1939
SIR JOHN LEMAN SCHOOL HEADMATER: Mr Gordon Humphreys has been appointed to succeed Mr Richard R Hancock as Headmaster. He was educated at Monoux Grammar School, London and King’s College, London, being a University Scholar in English Language and Literature. He is an MA and an Associate of King’s College. He holds a diploma in pedagogy.
For the past three years he has been Headmaster of Callington County School, Cornwall, his previous experience having been gained at Harvey Grammar School, Folkestone, Chiswick County School and Hornsey County School, London. He has published “The Active English Course”, a course in grammar and composition, English in the Civil Service preparation series and a number of school stories.
In 1935 he married Miss Joan Muditt, daughter of Mr W Draper Muditt of Woodford Green, Essex, a director of Mac Fisheries and Lever Brothers, Ltd.
7 Oct 1939
HEADMASTER’S DEPARTURE: Mr Richard R Hancock, who has been Headmaster of the Sir John Leman School since April 1937 left to take up a similar appointment at the Boys’ Southern Secondary School, Portsmouth. A Cornishman, Mr Hancock came to Beccles from the Boys’ Secondary School Portsmouth, where he had been senior history master since 1932.
14 Oct 1939
SCHOOL LEAVING AGE: Parliament had approved the raising of the school leaving age from 14 to 15 to come into force this year. Because of the present wartime problems the Education Emergency Bill suspended that provision.
In Suffolk however the age had been raised to the age of 15 some years ago and it was hoped that this would remain in force.
In all evacuation areas and most neutral areas some schools were still closed. In reception areas some schools were working double shift or some other expedient, there was great difficulty in providing some sort of education between the ages of 11 and 15.
23 Dec 1939
RETIREMENT of Miss CP Deeley from the Sir John Leman School, where she has taught Chemistry and Science. A BSc of Birmingham University, Miss Deeley came to Beccles in 1906 and was at the old pupil teachers’ centre in the Lecture Hall, Fair Close, until its absorption in the Sir John Leman School eight yeas later. She will make her home in Birmingham.
THE NEW HEADMASTER of Sir John Leman School, Mr GS Humphreys of Callington,, Cornwall takes up his appointment on 1 January, Since Mr RR Hancock left 3months ago, Mr FP Glover has been acting Head Master.
27 Jul 1940
SCHOOLBOYS TO FELL TREES: Next month senior boys of the Sir John Leman School, together with male members of the staff are to undertake felling of trees at Broome under a Government scheme. The Headmaster, Mr GS Humphreys will be in charge and the catering at the camp will be carried out by mistresses at the school.
3 Aug 1940
FOUR TEACHERS at SIR JOHN LEMAN SCHOOL to go into Services.
Mr Frank Glover, senior master, in charge of athletics to go into the army. He served throughout the last war finishing with the rank of Captain. He came to the school when the present building was opened in 1914. He is a well-known cricketer, having captained Lowestoft & played for Suffolk.
Mr Robert E White, Art master at Grammar Schools for the last year was married at Guildford on Saturday and joined the RAF on Wednesday. He was presented with a standard lamp by the Headmaster.
Mr F Newborn, the PT organiser & Mr Lindsey R Tilney, swimming instructor have been appointed to the RAF. Mr Tilney who is an all-round athlete has been instructor for secondary & elementary schools in the East Suffolk area. He is due to leave next week.
28 Sep 1940
SIR JOHNLEMAN SCHOOL: Miss Varley of Lowestoft Technical School has been appointed art mistress in place of Mr R White, who is serving with the RAF. She holds a London University Diploma and is an expert at handwriting.
19 Oct 1940
SIR JOHN LEMAN SCHOOL First Aid Lectures are being given by Dr Wood-Hill
19 Oct 1940
SIR JOHN LEMAN SCHOOL: Mr W Johnston Browne, BSc (London) was appointed to the staff of the School to teach Maths & Science.
8 Feb 1941
AIR TRAINING UNIT to be started by Mr GS Humphreys, Headmaster of the Sir John Leman School at Beccles. Any boy of 16 and over interested in belonging to an aircrew or ground staff may apply.
29 Mar 1941
AIR TRAINING UNIT formed by the Headmaster of the Sir John Leman School, Mr GS Humphreys assisted by the Science Master, Mr Johnston Brown, was formed in February and has now 70 or 80 members between the ages of 16 and 18.
31 May 1941
EMPIRE DAY at Sir John Leman School: visit by Mr Loftus, MP. Hymn sung, “I vow to thee my Country.” Mr Loftus in an address traced the growth of the British Empire and showed how it was characterised by it love of liberty.
7 Jun 1941
SIR JOHN LEMAN SCHOOL SPORTS [Photo page 1]
7 Jun 1941
SIR JOHN LEMAN SCHOOL SPEECH DAY: Headmaster’s Review
Mr. G. S. Humphreys, the headmaster, reviewed another successful year, in which noteworthy features were the contribution made to the war effort and the achievement by entrants for the School Certificates examination, when he presented his second report at the annual prize distribution of Sir John Leman School, Beccles, on Wednesday. The event followed the athletic sports, and was attended by a large company.
The Rev. H. L. Birch (Rector of Beccles and Chairman of the Govern¬ors) presided, supported by the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. Allden Owles), the Deputy Mayor (Dr. Henry Wood Hill), Mr. Leslie R. Missen (secretary to East Suffolk County Edu¬cation Committee) and Mrs. Missen, Mr. D. L Hewitt (headmaster of Bungay Grammar School). Mrs. Birch, Mrs. I. Pagan, the Rev. E. G. Clowes, the headmaster and Mrs. Humphreys.
Stating that the past had been a year marked by difficulties and problems of a special character. The Rector con¬gratulated Mr. Humphreys on his leadership, saying that the school owed a great deal to his ability and courage.
ENCOURAGEMENTS, TOO: “There have been difficulties in plenty, but there have been many encouragements, too,” said Mr. G. S. Humphreys. “The result of the School Certificate examination was, from many points of view, the most satisfactory in the school’s history. Nineteen can¬didates gained a certificate, this being the largest number ever awarded at one examination. Nine at the entrants secured exemption from Matriculation. One of the most gratifying results of this success was the emergence of a robust sixth form working towards the Higher School Certificate
One of the responsibilities - by no means the least important - of education is the right use of leisure,” the Head continued. “To leave school with a School Certificate is very desirable. to leave it with a Higher School Cer¬tificate is more desirable, but there is something much more important than these academic achievements. It is that the pupils, on leaving, should be well qualified in mind, manners and also morals, to play an active and, at the same time, a happy part in the community to which he belongs. In this connexion he should know how to use his leisure aright. There is no place in our age and generation for the loafer.”
WAR EFFORT: Mr Humphrey referred to the loss the school had sustained by the entry into the RAF of
Mr FW Newborn and Mr H. White, whose places had been filled by Mr. H. M. Y. Eaton and Miss Varley. Turning to the war effort Mr. Humphreys said the school was proud of the many old boys and girls who were now serving King and country. Some pupils belonged to Youth Service Squads and assisted in the collection of salvage. Others be¬longed to various useful organisations. The school itself had taken over a large plot for the production of vegetables.
The Head made special reference to the Air Training Corps. “When the Air Ministry announced its pre-entry scheme at the beginning of the year,’ he said, ‘I felt at once that this was an opportunity not only for the boys of this school, but also for others in the town. So a flight was formed and it has enjoyed the support not only of the governors but of the Education Committee and the borough, whose Mayor has been cordial in his backing. Dealing with sport, Mr. Hum¬phreys said there was a successful football season and the girls had an outstandingly successful hockey season
After thanking the staff for their co-operation, and making. Reference to the Old Students’ Association, the Head Master concluded: “I remind myself and venture to remind all of you who, as parents or teachers, are responsible for the well-being of these young people, that it is essential that they learn here at school the right attitude to life and its responsibilities. I understand them as being here to learn, not the art of passing examina¬tions, but the art of living, and living unto themselves but unto God and to the blessing of the age to which they belong.”
CHIEF AWARDS: The chief awards were distributed by Mrs. Missen as follows: School certificates, P. J. Chatters, P. C. Phipps, A. J. Taylor, P. Taylor, E. J. Titman, J. M. Elliott, J. V. Fairhead, I. J. Pettitt and B. V. Platten (also Matriculation exemption), C. J. Aldred, D. V. Harrison, P. Seppings, E. P. Bazeley, 0. I. Denny, V. M. Ladd, D. Pye, H. V. Sillett, M. M. Snowden and E. C. Tripp.
Form prizes, I., W. H. Faulke; II. H. A. Lee, B. Balls; III., P. J. Bowen, R. M. Davies; IV., M. Cox, D. I. Chalker; Lower V., A. W. Bowen, N. E. Clutten; Upper V., J. J. H. Payne, A G. Cutting.
Special prizes, Hobbies exhibition, P. J. Bowen, D. Pye; domestic subjects (given by Mr. Frank Foster), B. Barkway; Watson memorial, E. J. Titman.
Shields: Gilbert, P. Taylor; Barne, B. V. Platten; house conduct, Greeks
Patsy Kerridge presented a bouquet to Mrs. Missen.
CONGRATULATIONS; Offering congratulations to Mr. Humphreys and the school on its record, Mr. Leslie R. Missen said the Head’s report was as good as might have been expected for a first-rate year of peace. He could say that the school gave the Education Committee and the Governors no cause for worry and he was quite sure that in war¬time, as in days of peace, it lived up well to the high standards set there since its beginning. When he visited a school the first thing that pleased him was to find an atmosphere, which indicated that it was a happy place. There were strong evidences of the community feeling, which was another good feature. Then there was an atmosphere of freedom in a good school, with the result that, as at Beccles, one found a large number of boys and girls playing their part in school activities.
ON PLAYING FIELD: Although the track was not in first-class condition, there were some splendid performances in the sports. Sons of Councillor A. E. Pye, a well-known athlete in his younger days, Arthur and Richard, were outstanding competitors. The former won the senior boys’ championship with 72 pts. P. Chatters being runner-up with 63. Richard was junior champion with 49. The senior girl champion was Evelyn Farrington (59), with E. Tripp (47) runner-up, the juniors’ honours going to M. Thompson (45).
Arthur Pye ran the 13-15 group boys’ 100 yds. Hurdles in the record time of 15 2-5 sec.. the previous best being 16 sec. by P. Harrison two years ago. Richard established records in the 100 yds. (11-13 group) and 75 yds. hurdles (ditto). In the former he beat his brother’s record achievement in 1939. Chatters made a record of 13 2-5 sec. in the 100 yds. hurdles for boys over 15. The previous best was 15 1-15 sec. by J. Watson in 1939. With 4ft. 5in. E. Farrington won the Moyes cup for senior girls’ high jump, Burchett clearing 4ft. to secure the Throckmorton trophy for the junior boys’ event. Events end winners were:
BOYS:
Cross-country: Over 16: 1 Nichols. 2 Baxter. 3 Keeble. 22 min. 15 sec.;
13-16 years: I) Burchett, 2) Culpin. 3.) A. Pye, 22 mm. 20 sec.
Half-mile - Over 15: 1) P. Chatters, 2) D. Nichols. 3) G. Austin, 2 min. 30 3-5 sec.;
13-15 years: 1) Culpin, 2) A. Pye. 3) Burchett, 2 mm. 40 2-5 Sec.:
11-13 years: 1) F. Lawrance, 2) R. Pye, 3) Cullurn. 2 min. 53 sec.
440 yards - Over 16: 1) P. Chatters, 2) A. Taylor, 3) D. Nichols. 60 2-5 sec.;
13-15 years: 1) A. Pye. 2) Woodward. 3) Burchett, 68 sec.
Long jump - Over 15: 1) P. Chatters. 2) Wigg. 3) A. Taylor, 17 ft. 6 in.
13-16 years: 1) A. Pye, 2) Woodward. 3) Jackson, 14 ft. 7 in.
11-13 years: 1) Bruce, 2) F. Lawrance, 3) Curtis, 14 ft. 1 in.
Cricket ball Over 15: 1) Wigg, 2) Beck, 3) Austin. 79 yards;
13-15 years, 1) G Durrant. 2) A. Pye, 3) Culpin. 60 yard’s;
11-13 years, 1) Bruce. 2) Coles, 3) F. Lawrance. 53 yards 5 1.1.
High jump, under 11: 1) Faulke, 2) P. Kerridge. 3) Mather;
11-13 years: 1) Bruce, 2) Brown, 3) F. Lawrance;
13-15 years. 1) A. Pye, 2) Bowen. 3) Burchett, 4 ft. 5 in.
100 yards - 11-13 years: 1) A. Pye, 2) Plant. 3) F. Lawrance. 13 3-5 sec. record broken;
13-15 years: 1) A Pye. 2) Woodward, 3) Jackson, 12 1-5 sec.;
Over 15: 1) Chatters, 2) Wigg, 3) Nichols, 11 1-5 sec.
75 yards - under 11: (also for girls), 1) Faulke. 2) H. Stevens. 3) Ashford, 11 sec.;
50 yards, ditto: 1) J. Seago, 2) Faulke, 3) Mather i.
75 yards hurdles - 11-13 years: 1) R. Pye, 2) F. Lawrance, 3) Bruce. 13 1-5 sec.. record;
13-15 years: 1) A. Pye, 2) Jackson, 3) Durrant, 15 2-5 sec., record;
over 15: 1) Chatters, 2) Barber. 3) Taylor, 13 3-5 sec.. record.
220 yards - 11-13 years: 1) R. Pye. 2) F. Lawrance, 3) Coles, 32.9 sec.;
13-15 years, 1) A. Pye. 2) Woodward, 3) Jackson, 30 sec.;
over 15: 1) Chatters. 2) Nichols. 3) A. Taylor. 27½ sec
High jump - under 14, for Throck¬morton Cup, 1) Burchett, 2) eq. Bruce and Plant. 4 ft.;
over 15, 1) Chatters, 2) Wigg 3) Payne. 5 ft.
House relay - I1-15 years, 13-15 years, and over 16 - Trojans.
Tug-of-war - Trojans beat Greeks.
GIRLS
75 yards - 11-13 years: 1) M. Thompson 20 M. Bashford., 3) B. Cross.
150 yards- 11-13 years: 1) J. Pearce. 2) E. Farringlon, 3) V. Martin.
220 yards - Over 15: 1) H. Tripp. 2) J, Lawrance. 3) S . Westgate.
Standing broad jump - l1-13 years. 1) H. Bashford. 2) B. Cross, 3) M. Thompson;
13-15 years: 1) E Farrington. 2) M. Watling, 3) R. Davies;
over 15: 1) D. Pye 2) E. Turner, 3) 0. Denney.
Long throw - 11-13 years: 1) M, Thompson. 2) eq. B. Cross and. H. Bashford;
13-15 years. 1) E. Farrimgton, 2) H. Watling 3) G. Beamish;
over 15: 1) B Beamish. 2) E Turner 3) B Platter
75 Yards hurdles - 11-13 years: 1) M Thompson 2) B Denney 3) B Cross
13-15 years: 1) E Farrington 2) V Martin 3) J Pearce 12 3/5 sec
over 15: 1) D Pye 2) E Tripp 3) M Cross 12 2-5 sec
High jump - 11-13 years: 1) B Cross 2) M Thompson 3) M Bashford
13-15 years: 1) E Farrington, 2) M. Watling, 3) V Martin, 4ft. 5 in
over 15: 1) eq. H. Sillett, M. Cross, E. Tripp, and S. Westgate, 4 ft. 4 in. each.
100 yards - l1-13 years. 1) B. Cross, 2) M. Thompson, 3) B. Denny’, 14.3 sec.;
13-15 years: 1) B. Farrington. 2) V. Martin, 3) S. Pearce, 13 1/5 sec.;
over 15: 1) E. Tripp, 2) .7. Lawrance, 3) S. Wesgate, 12½ sec
Egg and spoon - 13-15 years: 1) B. Farrington, 2) A. Faulkner, 3) G. Beamish;
over 15: 1) B. Beamish. 2) A. Cutting, 3) B. Platten.
Flower pot. 13-15 years: 1) E. Farrington, 2) 0. Bearnish. 3) P. Penman;
over 15: 1) E. Tripp, 2) B. Platten, 3) A Cutting.
Hockey dribbling - 11-13 years and 13-15 years: 1) Saxons 2) Normans, 3) Britons;
over 55, 1) Normans, 2) Britons, 3) Saxons.
House relay - Si-iS years: 1) Saxons, 2) Normans, 3) Britons;
15-115 years, 1) Britons. 2) Normans. 3) Saxons;
over 15: 1) Normans, 2) Britons, 3) Saxons.
Other results - Old students’ races— Boys: J. Dicker; Girls: Ena Tripp.
Fathers’ race, W. Johnson.
Visiting children’s event: A. Jackson.
Mr. H. Tilney was starter, Mr. A. E. Bunn, Miss W. M. Saunders and members of the staff acting as judges.
14 Jun 1941
SIR JOHN LEMAN SCHOOL helping the War Effort by joining the Youth Service Squads by collecting salvage, which of course becomes increasingly important. The Red Cross, St John’s Ambulance Brigade first aid party, Auxiliary Fire Service and Home Guard are organisations in which the boys and girls are rendering service. Others do duty as firewatcher. The “Dig for Victory” campaign also receives good support. Miss Jones, one of the staff and a group of helpers are busily engaged three evenings a week on a large plot of ground that has been taken over for vegetable growing. A successful Air Training Corps has been established by the Headmaster, Mr GS Humphreys.
19 Jul 1941
BECCLES SCHOLARS from Sir John Leman School will render national service during three weeks of their summer holiday felling trees at Dunwich. They will travel daily by motor coach, taking their lunch with them.
19 Jul 1941
SCHOLARHIPS to SIR JOHN LEMAN SCHOOL: Stella Daines, Rex Butcher and Raymond Bartram of Ravensmere Junior School, and Ann Taylor of Peddar’s Lane Junior Council School.
19 Jul 1941
BOOKS FOR TROOPS: Mr Humphreys, Headmaster of the Sir John Leman School has been visiting isolated units in Norfolk & Suffolk over the last year in connection with the Army Educational Service. He asked every scholar to bring along spare books so that a library could be formed. Between 200 and 300 have been contributed.
6 Sep 1941
SIR JOHN LEMAN EXAMINATION SUCCESSES: In July a whole form took the Oxford School Certificate examination. Results received this week show that all the 18 boys and girls were successful, 15 of them securing exemption from the London matriculation. Surely the achievement has never been surpassed in the school’s history.
Certificates with matriculation exemption: J Aspin, G Austin, GE Balls, GE Goddard, GWE Keeble, JJH Payne, FA Reed, SF Skevens, EJ Ade, B Barkway, BM Beamish, MI Cross, AG Cutting, MJ Turrell and DS Westgate. The following gained Certificates: RE Keeley, E Turner and GM Hanner
Many of the scholars have been rendering national service of one form or another during the holiday. Some of the senior boys who did forestry work at Dunwich for the first three weeks have since been engaged in farming.
The Headmaster, Mr GS Humphreys, has been on a course in connection with his duties as Commanding Officer of the school flight of the Training Corps, while Pilot Officer W Johnston Browne, ATC, a member of the staff has been at an aerodrome.
Miss G Lisle,BA, Hons, is coming from London as assistant French mistress when the new term starts on 16 September.
Mr and Mrs Adams are the new caretakers. Mrs Adams was formerly senior cook at the Area school.
29 Nov 1941
SIR JOHN LEMAN SCHOOLMASTER leaves for military service: Mr HR Thomas, of Kilbrack Road, who joined the staff a few years ago. Since the beginning of the war he has rendered loyal service as an air raid warden. The Headmaster, Mr GS Humphreys, presented him with a sleeping bag and book tokens for £4. Mr Humphreys said that Mr Thomas was the third member of staff to go for military service, and wished him well in the Royal Corps of Signals. [The list of men serving lists him as a Staff Captain in the 19th Indian Division]
13 Dec 1941
NEW TEACHER APPOINTED to Sir John Leman School: Miss C Proudlock, BA Hons of Manchester University & education diploma of Cambridge University.
7 Mar 1942
SIR JOHN LEMAN SCHOOL: Miss L Jones resigns, who has been a member of the staff for a quarter of a century. She has been in charge of the preparatory department and games.
The school has taken over the second floor of Peddar’s Lane Council Junior School as a special subjects block. Art and manual instruction are among the subjects taught there.
2 May 1942
FIRE at SIR JOHN LEMAN SCHOOL: Considerable damage was done on Friday afternoon by a fire, which started in a false roof. The new term had started only the previous day. There are 300 pupils on the roll, but only 220 were in the building at the time. All left in perfect order and calmness.
The outbreak which was detected shortly before 3 o’clock, was fought by the staff and senior boys using extinguishers and stirrup pumps until the NFS arrived in response to a telephone call from Messrs H & J Poll’s saw mills in South Road. From the mills it had been noticed that smoke was coming from the school roof.
Fire service units were quickly on the scene and reinforcements came from the district. The fire burned furiously, but the firemen succeeded in getting it under control later in the afternoon. The roof of the main part of the building was destroyed, but firemen confined the damage by flame to the upper part of the school. Some of the windows were unbroken, and the walls appeared to be quite sound structurally. The main hall was undamaged, as was the caretaker’s house, which adjoins the main part of the building.
A great deal of the equipment of the school was got out by men and women members of the staff, senior boys and helpers from houses in Ringsfield Road close by. This salvaged property was put on the tennis courts and afterwards removed to houses and garages in the immediate vicinity.
The whole of the equipment of the school flight of the Air Training Corps was saved
“I was thrilled to be able to retrieve from the wreckage an old school bag of 1640 which was in the museum,” said Mr Humphreys, the Headmaster, “It was only a little stained. This leather treasure belonged to a pupil at the original Sir John Leman School.”
The most serious loss was sustained by sixth formers, due to take their Higher Certificate Exams in the summer, who had lost their books and notes. The records of the school were quite safe. Both his and the staff room were undamaged.
The 150 children who took their mid-day meal at the school would be able to eat at the British Restaurant at 11.45 am each day, thanks to Mrs JE Coney’s prompt assistance. Some of the school would be housed at Peddar’s Lane Council Junior School, and at the Area School through the kindness of their respective head teachers. There were no casualties in the fire.
2 May 1942
SIR JOHN LEMAN SCHOOL in the First World War: The opening of the school occurred on 14 September 1914, and within a month had 90 pupils on the roll. Soon after the opening the military authorities approached the Governors with a view to handing over the premises for the billeting of troops during the winter months. After giving very careful consideration to the educational and military aspects the Governors, for purely patriotic reasons, and with the consent of the East Suffolk County Education Committee, decided to offer the use of the building to the army for the ensuing winter. However the Staff Captain of the Welsh Border Mounted Brigade, which was stationed at Beccles at the time, wrote to the committee’s secretary stating that the military authorities had decided to erect hut accommodation for the troops in the area and that accordingly, the school would be undisturbed.
Among the assistant teachers at the outset were Mr FP Glover & Mr P Cross, who are still doing excellent work on the staff, and Miss Dealey, who retired comparatively recently.
6 Jun 1942
SIR JOHN LEMAN SCHOOL Prize Day. The school intended for 160 children now had 300. Repairing the school after the fire required sanction from the Ministry of Works for the necessary steel and timber, but this has now been granted. The Bishop of St Edmundsbury (Dr Richard Brook) distributed the prizes and spoke about education. [PHOTO of Sports Day, page 1]
25 Jul 1942
SCHOLARSHIPS to the Sir John Leman School from Peddar’s Lane Council Junior School: Jean Greenacre, Austin Bates, Elizabeth Eaton, & Terence Collins. Robert Murrell has secured a scholarship to Yarmouth Grammar School.
1 Aug 1942
SCHOLARSHIPS to the Sir John Leman School, from Ravensmere Council Junior School, of which Miss GN Woolner is head: John Hobbs and Robert Saker