THE YPRES TIMES
102
Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Vaughan of Eton College, Colonel and Mrs. F. G. Poole and the Rev.
G. R. and Mrs. Milner. The little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Allen, the headmaster
and headmistress, presented King Leopold with a bouquet, which had been prepared
for Queen Astrid, whose unexpected absence was universally regretted.
The annual prize-giving took place on the following morning, and it was a happy
inspiration that the Dowager Viscountess Plumer was present to distribute the awards.
The spirit of the gallant old Field Marshal seemed to hover in benediction over the
proceedings. In imagination one could almost hear him whispering, Adsum or
recalling his own words, I am not missing I am here."
It has been my privilege to attend these annual prize-days since their institution,
and it is gratifying to notice, year by year, the improvement in the appearance
of the children. Mentally alert and physically healthy, they reflect the greatest credit
upon both the curriculum and tuition. This feature is the more remarkable when one
remembers the difficulties that beset Jhyeir teachers at the. Onset. For example, when
the school opened its doors, many of the youngsters were unable to speak a word of
English others spoke it with a pronounced foreign accentwhilst, practically without
exception, all were woefully backward in general education. Books, however simple
in character, were useless because the pupils could not understand the meaning of
any sentence they contained. Were ever teachers more heavily handicapped? Mr.
Morris, the first headmaster, came to the conclusion that the only solution to the problem
lay in concentrating almost exclusively on the teaching of English and that for a time,
at any rate, other subjects would have to be entirely subsidiary. Consequently, English
became tbe headstone of the corner," the sequel to that wise decision being the pleasing
spectacle of well-educated and well-mannered boys and girls which was presented to us
on 30th July, 1934.
The day being brilliantly fine, the proceedings, as in 1933, took place in the open-air,
the school play-ground being thronged with visitors and proud mothers.
After a really excellent rendition of Elgar's Land of Hope and Glory by the
whole school, General Sir William Pulteney delivered a brief but impressive address.
After calling attention to the signal honour that had been accorded the school on the
previous afternoon by the visit of King Leopold, he thanked the prize-givers and con
gratulated Mr. and Mrs. Allen on the wonderful progress that had been made
during the past twelve months. He added that the essays, which it had been his good
fortune to read, reflected great credit on the youthful writers.
Mr. Allen prefaced his annual report by stating that the school was most fortunate
in the powerful driving force behind it. The past year, he said, had been in many
respects memorable. The health of the children had been good, despite the prevalence
of local epidemics, and the attendances had never fallen below 85 per cent. Elementary
book-keeping and shorthand had been added to the subjects taken by the top class
and science and chemistry were new features which were immensely appreciated by
the pupils. The swimming contests, which took place in the public baths, evoked keen
competition.
Lady Haig addressed the children and their mothers in a charming little speech,
and after distributing the awards, Lady Plumer referred to the deep affection in which
her husband had always held both church and school. Nothing would have delighted
him more," she added, than to have seen the wonderful improvement in the children."
Mr. Vaughan congratulated the teachers and pupils on the excellence of the drilling
displays, the singing, and the dancing which had just been given, and remarked that
real progress had been made in all directions.
The generous donors of prizes, which were numerous this year, were
