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From 'Gleanings', Magazine of St Mary's College Crosby. Summer 1949.
Taken from the South Sefton Local History Unit, Crosby
OCR Transcript:
SPEECH-DAY AT THE LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL
DR. DOWNEYS PLEA FOR GRAMMAR SCHOOLS
Speaking at the annual prize giving in the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, last Sunday, May 24th, 1949, of St. Mary's R.C. College for Boys, Crosby, Archbishop Downey voiced the need in Bootle for more grammar schools to meet the heavy demands for Roman Catholic education. It was his hope that Bootle, as well as Southport, from where a great number of pupils also caine, would do something about the building of schools for themselves.
The Headmaster reads his report in the presence of and Mayoress of Crosby His Grace the Archbishop of Liverpool, the Mayor and Mayoress of Crosby and a distinguished platform party.
With 863 boys on the register last September, St. Mary's, he said, was probably one of the largest schools in the North of England. A great many entrants came from Bootle, because Bootle had no Catholic schools of the grammar school type.
He went on to say that he had taken the matter up, and recently a meeting of the priests had been held in Booth. At this meeting a resolution was passed to press for two grammar schools in the Booth area-one for boys and one for girlsso that in the near future some of the abnormal pressure on St. Mary's could be reduced.
This year seventy-two scholarships had been granted by Bootle to Catholic children. If there was no accommodation in the Catholic grammar schools, these children would be sent to non-Catholic schools.
Dr. Downey spoke of what lie called the general tendency today towards secularised education. “The mere accumulation of information,” he said, “is not education, although many educationalists seem to think it is.”
SQUANDERMANIA
There was a great amount of squandermania with regard to elementary schools to-day.
Liverpool,” he said, “ has kept a check on this sort of thing, but elsewhere, not very far
away, I have heard of a new infants’ school being built at a price of £400 a place, while not a great many years ago the same thing would have cost £10 a place. This is brought about by the mistaken belief that the more palatial a building the more education there will be in it. The whole thing is utterly ridiculous.”
NOT EASY
Dr. Downey congratulated the winners of prizes, saying, “To win a prize at St. Mary’s College is not an easy thing to do.” He sympathised with those who had not won anything, and pointed out that neither Mr. Winston Churchill nor Mr. Oliver Stanley, who had been in the same hall a few days previously, had won prizes or even been to universities. “ From this example, you see, all you boys who never win prizes have great chances of becoming distinguished men in the future.”
Delving into his past, the Archbishop spoke of the different types of prizes which he had given out. On one occasion he awarded a prize to a boy with the best set of teeth-before the National Health Act, of course. On another occasion he gave a prize to a girl “ with the nicest personality “-she could imitate a few film stars. Among the many other prizes which he had awarded were clocks, roller skates, alleged fountain pens-” I’ve got one; now and again it writes “-also penknives, “ for desk carving.”
Referring to the headmaster’s report, Dr. Downey praised the wide cultural achievements, especially in the music department, with the newly-formed military band and, of course, the school orchestra. He also paid tribute to the school choir.
He was very pleased to see how well the school was progressing in rugger, tennis, and athletics.
Dr. Downey concluded by saying that the school was living up to its motto of” A sound mind in a sound body.”
GROWTH OF SCHOOL
In his report, the Headmaster, the Rev. Br. J. B. Thompson, made a brief reference to the continued growth of the school, saying that the number of pupils on the register last September was 863, and this was due mainly to the excessive number of boys from Bootle, as practically all parents of Bootle Catholic boys assigned to grammar schools desired their admission to St. Mary’s. We admit them, knowing the alternative would be sending them to non-Catholic schools.”
BUiLDING EXTENSIONS
Br. Thompson outlined plans for the extension of the school. “The plans include a new science block for chemistry, physics and biology, a library, a crafts room and out-offices. Mr. Velarde, the well-known architect, has the work well in hand.
Religion occupied an important part in the school syllabus, and fifth and sixth form pupils had taken the certificate examinations of the Catholic Headmasters’ Conference, with very satisfactory results.
Elocution and dramatic art had received increased attention, while the orchestral training had occupied an important place in the school.
A Cadet Force of some 300 boys had been formed from the senior school, as well as a military band.
The scenic demands of the College theatre had brought forth much artistic talent in the pupils. Pottery and modelling in clay had been put on a new basis by the provision of a school kiln of the modern kind.
Games were continuing to flourish, with the Rugby team taking pride of place on the sports side. The first eleven won 21 out of their 26 matches. The school was also very strong iii cricket and tennis. The tennis team had won ALL their matches, and the cricket teams had put lip very creditable performances. Concrete wickets were being provided for net practice, while the pavilions had been renovated and equipped with all modern amenities. Athletics had also taken a prominent place among the school activities, with the boys bringing home tile Waterloo Harriers’ Schools Shield last August.
In the examinations, 30 obtained Higher School Certificatesthe highest number ever; there were 64 School Certificates, 12 University Awards, 78 Higher Religious Certificates, and 42 School Religious Certificates.
Bro. Thompson concluded by paying tribute to the College Staff “for their loyal and devoted fulfilment of their duty.” He said that there was a very palpable spirit of co-operation.
SIXTY-PIECE ORCHESTRA
Prior to the prize giving ceremony, a concert was given by the school’s sixty-piece orchestra. who played a selection from “ Rigoletto” (Verdi) ; Barcarolle from “Tales of Hoffman” (Offenhach), and March from” Carmen” (Bizet).
The choir of over 300 boys sang in prim, clear treble, with the orchestra, “England” (Parry) and, by themselves, “To a Wild Rose” (McDowell), “Drake’s Drum” (S. ColeridgeTaylor),” Song of the Jolly Roger” (Candish) and” Creation’s Hymn (Beethoven).
A violin solo was rendered by Michael DUffiC1d, accompanied by Mr. F. Slade.
Verse speaking by the junior forms brought the concert to a conclusion.
The concert was a fine achievement by these boys, but credit must also be given to the trainer and conductor of the orchestra, Mr. Eugene Genin ; Mr. Frederick Slade, in charge of the choir, and Miss Sylvia A lien, verse speaking.
Among those present on the stage were the Mayor and Mayoress of Crosby (Alderman and Mrs. S. F. Chaffers), Mr. H. Williams (chairman of the Education Executive), Mr. H. J. Brazendale (Divisional Education Officer), Councillor j. Hebbert, and Mr. S. L. Baxter (headmaster, Waterloo Grammar School).
UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS:
Cambridge Scholarship £1.00, King’s College : Arthur do Miitiitiz (Modern Languages, French and Spanish).
Crabtree Exhibition. St. Catliarine’s College, Cambridge : Peter Darby (English Literature).
Medical Scholarship : Robert Hugh rrIiornas.
Open Scholarships to Hull University (in Science Subjects) : John Sherwen, Peter Deary.
Lancashire County Major Scholarships : George Brian Walker, Peter Darby, Peter J. Deary.
Lancashire County Bursarv : John R. Cope.
Liverpool Senior City Scholarship : Brian J. Hockenhull.
Bootle Exhibition : john Kennedy.
FOUNDATION AND OTHER SPECIAL AWARDS
Archbishop’s Prize for Religious Knowledge : Denis McCann. Duggan Prize for Matheinatics : Peter J. Deary. Leahy Prize for Latin : Michael J. Nolan. Mulkerns Prize for History : George B. Walker. Headmaster’s Prize for English Literature : Peter Darby. Debating Society Prize : Henry Cassidy. Classics : Denis Dundon. Applied Mathematics : Robert H. Thomas. Physics : Brian J. Hockenhull. Chemistry : Peter J. Deary. Biology : John P. O’Shea. French : Patrick Dillon. Art : Harold C. Parr. Geography: James M. Winstanley. Music: Edward Green. Fergus Gower-Adams Cup: Peter Darby and Henry Cassidy.
Extract from The Crosby Herald, May 30th, 1949.
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