The 1928 School Magazine

What an important part the Public School plays in moulding the characters and destinies of men! The primary conception of education at a Secondary School is to acquire a knowledge of certain subjects, so that a position in life may be afterwards attained. If Secondary Schools only functioned thus, their importance would not be such as it is. Their greatness lies in the fact that they help to build up the character, not only of the individual boy, but of the whole nation, for "what you are the race shall be."

There are various ways in which boys' characters are built up at a Public School. There is the influence of sport, which teaches to "play the game," to place duty and honour before praise and reward. But chief of all is the influence of the Headmaster, whose duty is not merely to direct the school curriculum, but to train those under his care in the principles of honour and integrity.

The B.G.S. has been singularly fortunate in having had at its head, for nearly twenty years, such a man as Mr. Bousfield. He was more than a great scholar: he made himself a guiding star to the boys who came under his influence while at school, and moulded their characters by imparting to them the highest ideals of life. Though we regret to lose him, we wish him health and every happiness in the retirement he has so well merited.

"And when Youth's summer day is vanished, / And Age brings winter's stress; / Her stores, with hoarded sweets replenished, / Life's evening hours will bless."

The Annual General Meeting (November 1928) was chaired by the retiring President, Brigadier-General C. H. Foott. For the Presidency, General Foott proposed Mr. F. S. N. Bousfield (the recently retired Head Master), "retaining his valuable assistance and guidance"; there being no other nomination, Bousfield was declared elected President for 1928–29, and General Foott continued as a Vice-President. The meeting also recorded the appointment of Mr. Stuart Stephenson as Head Master.