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| The Website for all former pupils of the Prescot Grammar Schools |
| The Autumn Term
brought a great deal of sadness to those of us
who have been associated with the School for two
or three years for, in addition to the personal
grief of Mr. Baxter's death, and our sorrow for
Mrs. Clare who taught at the School for barely a
week, we lost two of our most memorable former
Masters Ernest Wood (1922 - 1962) and Ewart
Heywood (1948 - 1969). Both men in their very
different ways had enriched the School and had
endeared themselves to many generations of
students. Both were remarkable men with a breadth
of culture reinforcing their specialist abilities
as mathematician and English scholar. Tributes to
them in former editions of the Prescotian are
there to remind us of them. These several shocks to our system called for a great deal of adjustment. Not only had we started the year with a large number of new staff, but at Easter we were also to lose Mr. J.D. Swain who as Head of Middle School had brought such common sense, sympathy and good order to the special problems of that age group. For his sake we could not regret his translation to the Deputy Headship at the Selwyn Jones High School, Newton-le-Willows. Mr. L.N. Atkinson's arrival as Deputy from Hindley and Abram Grammar School was therefore most welcome in April, and he has already shown himself in full control of a difficult brief. Fortunately this summer a number of departures in the staff room has been fewer than in past years. Mr. and Mrs. Freestone's move to Pudsey has deprived us of immeasureable talent in matters creative and technical and the fact that we called on their assistance on "Zigger Zagger,' and the Dent Camp at and beyond the end of term indicates how much we owe to them. Adjustment has also been necessary to the new system of local government. It is trying enough to remember that our postal address has changed from Lancashire to Merseyside; what has to be realised is that the whole structure has changed and we can only hope that improved services will compensate for the loss of our Lancastrian birthright. At least Knowsley is a direct descendent of the County Palatine and should surely inherit some of its qualities of character, if not much of its wealth. Adjustment, too, is anticipated with the plans for comprehensive reorganisation. The waiting has been long but inevitable. Meetings of the Education Officers with teaching staff and parents, and the proposals of the Education committee add a touch of certainty to the prospects for 1975. Most school events are recorded in the papers and all have been mentioned in the half term newsletter to parents. The new arrangements for Prizegiving permitted more intermingling and conversation, and avoided the boredom of long processions and intermittent applause. This year's sermon at Founder's Day by Dean Patey of Liverpool Cathedral was surely the most invigorating for years. Within the School the increasing size of the Sixth form has made our accommodation problems more insoluble but the greater freedom the pupils have been permitted has reduced the pressures and brought encouraging results. Whatever the controversies that surround us, it is deeply pleasing to know that over 905% of our boys are engaged in one or other of our successful activities, giving a sense of identity which itself promotes loyalty and high standards. J.C.S. Weeks |