Boston Grammar School Speech Day 1938
From the 1939 issue of 'The Bostonian'
On Speech Day, October 4th, the prizes were distributed by Mr. W. Swain, C.I.E., late Inspector-General of Police in the Province of Bihar and Orissa, an Old Boy of the School and a former Parry Medallist. Alderman T. Kitwood presided; the Mayor of Boston (Councillor J. H. Mountain), and the School Governors were present.
After the singing of the School Song, the Chairman welcomed Mr. Swain, who was a very old friend. He went on to state that the School Governors contemplated asking the County Council to provide a school to accommodate over four hundred boys; land had already been secured at the back of the School for playing fields.
The Headmaster, after expressing his pleasure at Mr. Swain's being present to distribute the prizes, proceeded to to [sic] his report. He referred to the successes of K. W. and D. G. Andrews at their respective Universities, to the State Scholarship gained by M. R. Horne, and to the success of seven boys in the Higher School Certificate Examination, amongst whom M. R. Horne gained a distinction in Pure-and-Applied Mathematics. Twenty-nine boys had passed the Cambridge School Certificate Examination, eighteen qualified for the County Intermediate Scholarships, and sixteen gained exemption from London Matriculation. He again reminded parents that the examination was a test of industry, and that boys who had not worked would not be entered if they stood no chance of passing; homework was a necessary part of self-discipline. He emphasised the importance of physical fitness and hoped that organised games might soon be made an integral part of the School's curriculum. A cinema matinee was not a satisfactory substitute for a healthy game in the open air. In conclusion he remarked that, although a pass in French would no longer be essential for a School Certificate, this did not make the examination any easier, nor did it affect the standard required for exemption from Matriculation.
After presenting the prizes Mr. Swain began his address. He urged all boys to seek the co-operation of their masters, as this was the only way to obtain a good preparation for the battle of life; wisdom was not great learning; it was cleverness in dealing with human situations and the understanding of men. Personality was a great asset and might be acquired by kindness and consideration for others. In setting onself a standard to attain, it was always much better to aim high; a small ambition; hard work and hard play was a good motto. It was not good to grow up hypercritical, but it was necessary for young people to learn to discriminate between good and evil. The speaker continued, "You cannot learn to command until you have learnt to obey, and you therefore owe a debt of reasonable obedience and respect to parents and masters who are placed in authority over you. If you fail to render these, you inevitably lay up hangers and difficulties for yourselves when you succeed to the position of those in authority. When you feel contemptuous of older people, try to make allowances, to see their point of view, and to realise that you are starting with advantages made possible only by their self-sacrifice." Mr. Swain appealed to boys to consider a career in the British Empire abroad. The Dominions needed men, yet hundreds of thousands were unemployed at home; these were two problems for the modern generation to solve. From his own experience, life abroad was far more natural and more full than at home, and he strongly advocated a colonial career. He reminded all that they had a duty to their country and must endeavour to be worthy successors to great men.
The Mayor proposed, and Mr. W Kitwood seconded, a vote of thanks for Mr. Swain. Thank were also extended to Alderman T. Kitwood by Councillor A. C. Rysdale. He was seconded by Captain Marris.
The proceedings ended with the singing of the National Anthem, and cheers for Mr. Swain, the Governors and the Headmaster.
Prizes
Parry Gold Medal, M.R. Horne. Public Spirit Prize, R. Adcock. Ogle Divinity Prize, M. R. Horne. Form VI: Science and Mathematics, M.R. Horne, A.J. Harrison, G. H. Scott, R. A. Baxter, J. C. Woods. Literature, R. T. Booth. Form UVa: Form, R. H Garnham. Merit, D. J. Clarke, J. C. Appleby, R. H. Broadley, J. Bates. Form UVb: Form, F. Hawkesworth. Merit, E. R. G. Harris. Form LVa: Form, J. L. Dickson. Merit, P.J. Parnham. Form LVb: Form, E. H. Rabbets. Merit, N. C. Cowley. Form UIVa: Form, P. M. Walmsley. Merit, K. E. Upsall. UIVb: Form, A. Newton. Merit, P. D. Haigh. Form LIVa1: Form, A. D. Penhey. Merit, F. R. Bozeat. Form LIVa2: Form, P. R. Woolcock. Merit, M. F. Goodwin, R. Y. Van Smirrea [sic]. Form LIVb: Form, D. Agar. Merit, F. J. H. Langstaff. Drawing (Junior School), J. Cooke. Form IIIa: Form, C. W. Taylor. Merit, W. N. Chester. Form IIIb: Form, C. L. Read. Merit, J. A. Lawson. Form II: Form, L. A. Ripoll. Merit, J. A. Robinson. Form I: Form, B. H. Holland. Merit, R. W. Mason. Nature Study, B. H. Holland.