The 1936 School Magazine

The old School has a new face. Thanks to the generosity of the Government, its walls have a more worthy and attractive appearance, but beneath the fresh surface are concealed the same old stones, of the same old School which men knew when they were lads generations ago. We imagine that Old Boys will enjoy and praise the improvement, but that many of them will fail to forget old marks and stains which, for one reason or another, are closely associated with their own time. One wonders just how many of them realised what the future held for their alma mater. Very few, indeed, we are inclined to think, spared a single thought for such matters, acting as perfectly normal schoolboys, some attaining distinction in scholarship, some in sport, each one imbibing, though he knew it not, that spirit of camaraderie, that esprit de corps which is incapable of conscious study. Only after some years of struggle with the caprices of a changeable world did they awaken to realisation of the depth of their affection for the School, and of the permanence of its influence upon their lives and conduct.

These things set one moralising on permanence and change. As the old building stands the same, 'neath its new coat, so the old spirit which has always characterised the B.G.S., its fine old traditions, stand and must stand, for they are good. On the other hand, new incidents must attach as the years pass; that spirit and those traditions must find new forms of expression to meet new and changing circumstances.

The building is a sound one, and suffers little depreciation. Spiritual things, on the other hand, suffer depreciation more readily. As increasing vigilance is the price of safety, so also it is the price demanded for the preservation of ideals and high traditions. We must hold fast to those which our predecessors have given us. More, so far as they are to be modified or developed — and spiritual things are not static, they are either growing or dying — be it not forgotten that we are also to that extent makers of the School traditions, as well as custodians.

There is a proper reticence about such things, but the occasion, the specific incident calling for decision, always shows how highly they are valued. This journal may be forgiven for the brief reminder of the responsibility which rests upon each and every member of the B.G.S., and which we believe is being borne worthily.

In 1935–36 the President was Mr. J. E. England (who, with Vice-Presidents Mr. S. D. Tozer and Mr. R. C. Hancock, received the guests at the OBA Ball). At the 1936 Annual General Meeting Mr. S. D. Tozer was elected President for 1936–37.