---

Athletics, 1957-58

 

The Athletic Society was formed just over a year ago to encourage and foster athletics in the school. With this aim in view the past year has been one of pioneer work. School members have been given more opportunity to train outside school hours and various outings have enabled members to watch first-class athletics in action.

It is unfortunate that our sports fields are so far removed from the school. Valuable time is lost and good intentions of training are sometimes destroyed by the thought of the effort required in getting there. To succeed, of course, in any pursuit requires a little self sacrifice.

We are very much in need of greater participation in this sport. Much talent is lying latent in the school. Field events are most enjoyable, objective and rewarding, and many people of average ability can become good performers.

I would congratulate the people who train so regularly and earnestly and who have their rewards as individuals, but must be sadly disappointed when team trophies are still beyond our reach. Only greater participation can produce a good all-round team. We must have Discus Throwers and Pole Vaulters as well as sprinters and half-milers.

The Athletic sports were held under trying conditions, the sports having been cancelled already on one occasion. The Pole Vault demonstration was once more abandoned owing to weather conditions. The first results were as follows : Fawsitt 358 1st, Lees 346 2nd, Walton 235 3rd. Many records were broken at this meeting which showed an improvement in the standard, particularly in field events.

In the Oldham Schools sports we were again unplaced, although, true to tradition, individuals ran well. Dronsfield ran a fine race to come 2nd in the 100 yds. final. We can win the Oldham Shield quite soon now if more attention is given to training during the winter and early season. Five boys competed for Oldham in the Lancashire Schools Championships at the White City, Wright Platt was placed sixth in the Pole Vault and R. James competed in the High Jump. Ralphs ran a creditable mile in 4-50 under a scorching sun. Dronsfield, who is rapidly developing into a good sprinter was unfortunate to pull a muscle in the 100 yds. and ran gallantly afterwards in the 4 x 110 yds. relay. Blackshaw ran a useful 220 and clocked 26 secs., an encouraging time.

D. Watts, the A.A.A.s National Coach for the North paid a second visit to the school to conduct an examination. He was impressed by the running of some of our athletes.

The Athletic Society visited the Highland Games in Wythenshawe Park and we were rewarded by a fine performance by W. Platt in the Pole Vault. Under trying conditions Platt dismissed his opponents to win at a height of 9ft. and received a medal. Wright Platt was awarded the first Athletic Colours at the end of the season.

The Manchester and District Athletic Committee have invited our school to attend the Winter Training sessions on Wednesday evenings under the floodlights at the White City. Two of our young promising athletes, Russell and Cook attend. They are thoroughly enjoying training on a track, where we must remember great runners such as Wooderson, Zatopek, Kuts and Chataway have run. We hope to see more of our athletes making the most of this great opportunity next term.

 

 

---

Cross Country

 

The cross-country season saw Greenhill Playing fields the centre of competition in Oldham. In the Inter-schools races, we did not do as well as in the previous year. However, with more schools taking up the sport, we were glad to have other schools to challenge us. Russell ran very well to win the Junior event.

Holt, McKenzie, Ralphs and Crumpton represented Oldham in the Lancashire Schools Championship meeting at Swinton. Holt 26th and Ralphs 54th ran very well. MacKenzie, Crumpton and Ralphs received the first cross-country Colours awarded by the school at the end of the season.

The Inter-house race was keenly contested and full teams were fielded by each house.

The 1958/59 cross-country season has of course already begun. Friendly matches, against other schools have been introduced for the first time. Our first encounter was against Hyde Grammar, who have a strong tradition, and who were unbeaten last season. We enjoyed entertaining them and hope to narrow the margin in the return match.

 

 

 

---

" The Happiest Days of Your Life "

 

Members of the Dramatic Society branched out into a different type of comedy with "The Happiest Days of your Life." The story is simple. Members and staff of a boys' school return after the summer holidays only to find that a girls' school is to be billeted in the same building. The play deals with the experiences of the two staffs and two sets of pupils.  

Tony Kerr made an excellent "R.A.F. type," as Tassell, the bold romantic P.T. master of the boys' school.

Kevin Dronsfield, as Billings, the shy and reserved junior master, was very pleasant to watch.

Miss Gossage, the girls' P. T. mistress, was admirably portrayed by Mavis Fielding, although at times she tended to have a little too much bounce.

Doris Harrison, as the object of Tassell's affections, Miss Harper, was as ladylike and feminine as one expects a young lady to be.

From Barry Schofield and Veronica Hetherington, as the Rev. and Mrs. Peck, and from Joyce Deane and Donald Kershaw, as Mr. and Mrs. Sawter, both parents of pupils, we received a pleasing representation.

John Lees as Hopcroft and Sian Davies as Barbara Cahoun, pupils of the respective schools, gave commendable performances.

Peter Eckersley made a very droll and amusing school porter by the name of Rainbow.

Frank Holden was excellent as the Headmaster of the boys' school. His voice, memory and movements were good, but he lacked the presence which his part required.

June Brooks, in the part created for Margaret Rutherford, that of Miss Whitchurch, carried the play through wonderfully. She had a praiseworthy stage presence and helped the less-talented and less-experienced people through.

The production was in the hands of Mr. Handforth.