A 20-page prospectus, published circa 1963. Continued.
The tone and quality of a Grammar School are very deeply influenced by its Sixth Form. Not only are the Captains, House Captains and Prefects recruited from this Form, but the behaviour and industry of its members are taken as a model by the rest of the school. It is therefore a cardinal point of our policy that every pupil whom we consider capable of benefiting from the Sixth Form should be strongly encouraged to enter it. The opportunities for initiative and responsibility, the pleasures of advanced study, the closer and more personal relationship with the staff, all these are character-building factors whose call no talented pupil can lightly ignore.
There are in the Sixth Form three types of pupils:
All members of the Sixth Form work toward the Advanced Level of the General Certificate of Education; but those whose aim is not primarily an academic award are not pressed into entry for all the subjects (three are normally taken by those seeking an award), if this seems likely to cause strain.
It is, of course, not possible for all pupils to enter the Sixth Form, because of the academic standard required; but parents are earnestly advised that, where the Headmaster and Staff recommend it and financial circumstances permit, they should give their child this opportunity.
The wide variety of careers open to a Grammar School pupil and the need to think ahead in this matter are constantly being brought to the attention of scholars. There is a large notice board in the main corridor which is kept up-to-date with careers' literature; comprehensive information is always available in the Library; talks and films on careers are frequently given.
The Headmaster interviews all parents by appointment in the fourth or fifth year, to discuss future careers in a general way and to see if a pupil is likely to need particular qualifications in General Certificate of Education subjects. Towards the end of the fifth year all pupils meet the Youth Employment Officer and talk with him. Often, as a result of this meeting, the Officer sees parents for further discussion. The general object of this service is to ensure that all pupils aim as high as possible and take a long-term view. A person of education who takes work which gives insufficient scope to his special aptitudes may face a lifetime of regret and frustration.
The Maltonian, the magazine both of the School and of the Old Maltonian Association, is at present published twice a year. Every pupil eceives a copy, which is paid for as described on page sixteen. A Committee of Scholars takes a very prominent part in both securing material for and editing the magazine, and every encouragement is given to pupils in all Forms to make contributions. All members of the Old Maltonian Association also receive a copy of each issue; news of old scholars and of the activities of the Association forms a special section in the magazine. A complete set of Maltonians is kept in the Library and forms the present School's chief record of its history.
On leaving School all pupils are cordially invited to join the Old Maltonian Association, thus keeping up their contact with the School and with their old school-fellows. The Annual Subscription is 5/- and the O.M. receives a copy of each issue of the Maltonian, which has a special O.M.A. Section. Members also receive notice of the Annual General Meeting and of the various activities of the Association. The Association's chief event is an Annual Reunion Dinner and Dance during the Christmas holidays. The Memorial of the O.M.A. to those of its fellows who gave their lives during the Great War takes the form of a prize, awarded annually to a pupil who is leaving the School for some place of further education. The Association raised also a Memorial Fund to commemorate those who fell in the World War of 1939-45. With the bulk of this the new Encyclopaedia Britannica was purchased and forms, in a separate bookcase, the centrepiece of the beautiful new Library. The rest of the Fund has been used to buy further library books, particularly those more expensive books whose cost cannot easily be met from ordinary sources.
Parents are cordially invited to join the School's Parents' Guild. Its aims have been admirably expressed by Mr. T. A. Williams in the following words:
No excuse is offered for devoting a separate paragraph in this brochure to the School Library. Our School Library is not only beautiful in itself but it is, so to speak, both a power-house and a mine of information. To suggest that a Grammar School pupil should pass by a single opportunity of reading books is like suggesting that a carpenter should do without his tool-kit. We ask you, therefore, to reinforce our own efforts by constantly encouraging your child to make the fullest possible use of the Library-for reference, for serious or light reading, or simply for browsing. Books may be borrowed daily and there is a good supply of newspapers and periodicals to read. There are also separate booths, each with its own table and light, for quiet study.
Our School is a member of the Yorkshire/Lille French Exchange Committee. This provides a splendid opportunity to scholars of making a first visit to a foreign country under ideally friendly conditions and of introducing French children to our country and way of life. The system is a simple exchange, whereby parents offer hospitality to a French child for two weeks in July and the French family then returns the hospitality. Your child will travel to France with his or her French counterpart. The function of the Yorkshire/Lille Exchange Committee is two-fold:
The School day opens with Assembly in the Hall, the first part of which is a short religious service. The service is quite undenominational and all scholars may attend without fear of offence to their religious principles.
To foster a spirit of healthy rivalry in both work and games the School is divided into four Houses. Their names are: Fitzwilliam, Holgate, Carlisle and Willoughby. The connection of the first two names with the School has been explained in the description of the School Badge; the Carlisle and Willoughby families are associated respectively with Castle Howard and Birdsall House.
The Education Committee meets half the cost of games travel; but the other half of this sum and most of the cost of hospitality to visiting teams has to be met by the School. It is obvious that this commitment should not fall upon those who have been honoured by selection for assistance.
The Club has a team in the York and District Chess League and school competitions are held annually. Lessons are given to beginners and friendly or practice play takes place every dinner hour.
Practice runs are held weekly or oftener and any keen pupil is made welcome and given every help. An Inter-House Cup is competed for annually.
The School has its own Company of Guides which meets weekly at School and holds one or more camps every year. New members are always welcome.
This is the School's Debating Society. At present membership is confined to the Fifth and Sixth Forms. The aim of this Society is to encourage elder pupils to speak without shyness in public.
The Club meets fortnightly, practising developing techniques and learning what constitutes good photography. Members discuss each other's work and outside speakers or exhibitors are invited.
Boys and girls who join this group believe that Christianity is the most vital force in the world; but they are not afraid to face the problems of its application in our modern age, and they meet to discuss these problems and strengthen their faith.
The School has officially adopted Dr. Barnardo's Homes as its charity. A Committee entirely composed of pupils organizes events to raise money and encourages other pupils to help. Younger pupils are found to be particularly useful.
School Dances are held at least twice each Term for scholars of Form III and upwards. To help beginners, classes in ballroom dancing are held each year during the Autumn Term.
The School is always interested in the formation of new Clubs or Societies, and any boy or girl who would like to see a particular Club come into existence should let us know about it.
The following are competed for annually: