Miscellaneous Items published in 1940

The Elliott Removes!

On January 22nd. The Elliott Central School For Boys began work in the Old School, St.John’s Woking. This was a great thing for us, for it meant that the school had found a home for itself and was now working as a unit. No other school or member of another school was to be mixed with us and, although the association with other units had been pleasant and helpful in an uncertain time, yet we were glad to be at last alone and able to pursue our own aims without modification.

Yes, the Monday when we met for the first in the pleasant neighbourhood of St.John’s was a day never to be forgotten. All felt the importance of the occasion: a new lease of evacuated life which had been granted us. There were difficulties to start with, and there are still some difficulties. Two forms were without seats, and groups of boys were without desks. For a week the first and second years had to take what rest they could get by standing up and standing still. Presently the necessary material began to arrive from certain London schools, and both boys and masters were able to take school life a little more comfortably.

Then the shortage of coal. We were driven to fall back upon open coke fires which proved obstinate in combustion. Sanitation was primitive during the severe frosts and the open chimney-like ventilator in the temporary art-cum-science room was a perpetual torment. Now all is as it should be and no school could be happier in its immediate surroundings. Our dug-outs (air-raid shelters) are the best in Surrey: the brickwork and concrete being admirably constructed and with an unusual amount of care.

We are lucky, too, in having a very fine sports field within five minutes walk of the school. Our football team has played a small series of matches and a goodly number of cricket fixtures are promised us, no less a school than Eton being among those whom was shall meet.

(a contributor).
 
Notes from the Elliott Boys’ School

It is nearly 18 months since we, the Boys, had the privilege of conveying news to you, the Girls, of our activities here in Woking. To begin with, our settlement at St.John’s, where we have a school building of our own, has been an unqualified success. The situation of the old Church School which we occupy amid sylvan surroundings and overlooking the old canal has much to recommend it. The aspect is west, and the playground gets the full power of the mid-day sun, one shelter being sunny, the other shady.

We have two excellent A.R.P (Air Raid Precaution) shelters in addition, such that the Oxford boys were able to do a good deal of their work in one of them. Electric light was a godsend and a luxury.

There have been staff changes. Mr.Armitage, our Science master, has been called up to serve the country and is now busy on research work of a highly important character. Mr.Dowsett has left us temporarily to teach French.

Cricket and football have both flourished with us. Notable matches have been played against Eton and King Edward’s School. Matches against local schools and other teams have been played.

The Lido here is being provided with shelters so that it may be opened again in the summer months. But swimming is not confined to the “posh” and public places. We are able to retire to the Wey Canal at Trigg’s Lock and there, in greater seclusion, indulge in aquatics.

The garden at the rear of the school has been a source of concentrated energy since Christmas. The ground has been dug and re-dug and early potatoes have been sown, as also broad beans, shallots, spinach, lettuce and herbs.

On the scholastic side we have the results of the Oxford to report, eleven boys obtaining the Certificate. Twenty boys are likely to be sitting for this same examination next December.

Finally, we should be glad to see over here any members of the Girls’ School – Staff or Girls. Woking may not have the historic associations that Guildford has, but its surroundings link up with the country town and share to the same extent in its glories.
 
Finally, from the Headmaster’s Desk re the paper shortage!

Control of paper (No.48) Order, Direction No.3. stated the aggregate weight of paper which may used for school magazines. We are allowed 6½% of the amount consumed over a period of 12 months. Covers have had to go, Illustrations also and, once more, the Elliott must practise the art of using the best of the means available. It may be that one of the lessons learned from this war is the more effective use and greater appreciation of vast and varied resources. It is also well to remember that a packed tool chest does not make a craftsman. Many a sailor has constructed beautiful models with a penknife and bradawl. Some boys have recently placed models at an exhibition in Woking, made out of scraps of wood and with few tools. Use them to the benefit of the things that be at hand, and do not refuse work or forsake the hobby because all that you might require is not there.

(This has been edited from an indistinct copy of the original and some words completed or filled in where necessary).
 

Note: this is a transcription of a document at the London Metropolitan Archives researched and copied by June Broomer (Austin).

 

Menu

If you have come here by a search engine - Please click here to get to the main site