School Magazine

The School Magazine

The first edition of the school magazine - “Gateway” - was produced in 1962. It was the initiative of the then head of English Mr. J. Crossley. Articles by staff and pupils were typed out on a stencil and then reproduced on a “Roneo” duplicator (a machine which is now surely obsolete) and stapled together - quite a labour intensive business much, if not all of it, done by pupils - exclusively female most probably.

In a foreward to the first edition Mr Hall stated: "It had been hoped that "Gateway" would be printed on a proffessional machine. Thanks to the P.T.A. sufficient funds are available for the purchase of a second hand machine, but unfortunately our search for a suitable one has not yet been rewarded." Whether that search was ever rewarded I do not know - but even seven years later the magazine was still being produced on a duplicator.

By today's standards the school magazine was a a very crude production - as a number of scanned pages included in the resumes given below well illustrate (several more scanned pages are to be found on the Annales page). But crude as the production may have been by today's standards I can still recall the excitement I felt when the first issue was handed out.

When I saw a copy of that first edition again after a gap of almost forty years I was quite puzzled by its name - why Gateway? A little later, however, I got to see the school badge once more (see the home page) and it was quite clear then were the name had come from and also what had inspired the cover's decoration.

I had forgotten too just what an active school Copthorne was until I re-read the first edition once again. Looking through the pages of the magazine the school really comes alive again. That there were so many clubs and societies was due to the dedication of the teaching staff. It is interesting to note how some clubs continued and thrived whilst others didn't - no doubt whether they did or not depended on whether a particular teacher remained at the school or not - some clubs, however, clearly did survive a particular teacher's departure.

Beneath are listed the contents of the first seven editions. Over time the magazine became more structured, larger and informative. The magazine undoubtedly provides the best record of the school. So far copies of the magazine up to 1968 have come to hand. I would be very pleased to hear from anyone who has copies of later editions - please contact me through theContact Page. if you have.

Paul Buttle

GATEWAY 1962

Page 1

Cover

Page 2

List of Staff. (reproduced on Members of Staff page)

Page 3

Foreword by Mr. L. Hall

Page 4

Editorial and “Annales” which :-

a) notes what teachers had left and started at Copthorne in the previous academic year (reproduced on Members of Staff page) and

b) lists of School visits to:- the Belgrade to see:- “Diversions for Five”, “Much Ado about Nothing” and "Happy Returns”; to the Technical College to see “Pride and prejudice” and to the Alexandra Cinema to see “Macbeth”

(to view scans of the Annales pages click here)

Page 5

Annales Continued.

Notes on a talk given by a missionary to Nigeria, Fashion displays, Marilyn Barrott attending Mayor-making ceremony, Pete Wileman and Christine Parnell attending a “School’s banner Service” in the new Cathedral.

A Radio Crossword Quiz by Anthony Smart 4s

Page 6

Drawing of the new cathedral by Les Ryder

Pages 7, and 8

School Clubs reports:-

a)Archery Club - "founded in 1959" - had approximately 30 members - all boys as the girls showed no interest. "During the winter, of course, it is impossible to shoot outdoors so the Coventry Archery Federation organises an indoor league. Copthorne was the only junior club competing..." [Sadly this club did not seem to survive the departure of Mr. R. G. Lewis who started the club - even though he could claim it to be "the most powerful junior club in the city". There is no mention of the club after 1964.]

The full achery report can be seen in the scan below - click on it to obtain a larger image.

b) Chess Club - Formed November 1961 by Mr. G.I. Lewis and chess boards and chess men were provided by the P.T.A. From thirty members a team of sixteen was chosen: Captain S. Pittaway (4T) was elected captain and vice P. “Ranse (surely Ranoe) was elected vice captain....(met) lunch breaks Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and Wednesdays at 4 pm.

c) Dancing Club - 2/- per term or 3d per night - 6.30 Monday evenings - two hours. Old Time formation team - the team was formed in April 1961 and is, as far as is known, the only school formation team in the district - "one person doing something different from the other fifteen shows up like a bright star in the dark sky."

Page 9 and 10.

a) Murder for Pleasure by P. Buttle 4s (a rant against bird shooting)

b) Steps in Science - an account of space exploration - by S. Charley 4s

Page 11

a) “Birds-eye demonstration” - an account by S. Robbins 4s

b) “Le Skieurs de Switzerland” - by M. Barrott 4s (in French!)

Page 12 and 13

“Ghost Horse” a story by JA. Lovett 1A2

Pages 14, 15. 16 and 17

Club Reports

a) Film Club - "In 1960 the school became the proud owner of a 16mm film projector. This is the fulfilment of a long-desired wish was the result of the efforts of the members of the Prent Teachers Association." The club was started in December 1960. Membership was open to the whole school and by early February 1961 had risen to 150. Films were shown about once a fortnight.

b) Model Railway Club - met Monday evenings. “Any boy in the school is eligible to become a member”

c) Radio Club - weekly subscription was 6d. Met on Saturday mornings between 10.15 and 12.30. Membership restricted to third year and above. "Before a member is allowed to start (they) must pass a simple test in soldering wires together. This consists of making a cube in copper wire and adding diagonal wire to each face. The cube must be one ince along face. When completed the cube is subjected to severe treatment - this explains why Mr. Ward can be seen jumping off the benches in room 10 whilst a crowd of eager spectators watch....should the cube hold together in the battered statethe constructor is deemed fit to proceed to the next step." Although open to girls reading between the lines its clear there were none

d) Scottish Dancing

e) Sports Report - a glowing account by Colin Fairbrother (teacher) of school’s success in the Malcolm Cup in under 13 Rugby - the final was won 13 - 3. Special mention is made of a Peter Silvestor. (More information on this acheivement is to be found on the Malcolm Cup page)

f) Student Christian Movement - meets Thursday 4 pm. Room 7 - Secretary Ann Garrett

g) Teenage Council - ten girls who “represent Coventry Secondary Schools” that meet staff of Owen Owen to “discuss views on fashion” - report by "M.B." most probably Marilyn Barrott

h) Tennis Club - subscription 6d a week -met every evening and Satiurday mornings. "Correct dress is insisted upon." report “MRP” (The club doubtlessly came in to being due to the enthusiasm of Mr. Evans.)

Page 18

“Weather Report” - an account of the school’s weather station by G.N. Cook (teacher)

Pages 19 and 20.

“The Continental Holiday” - an account of that year’s school trip to Switzerland by S. Jones 4s

Page 21.

a) “A Tennis Course at Lilleshall” - by “Tenrod” (surely Mr. Evans)

b) A poem - “Winter” - by Julie Ball 1a

Page 22

“Running Scared” - a story by Tony Gray 4s

Page 22 and 23

“Wild life of East Africa”- by C. Evans (teacher)

Pages 24 - 26

“The Mission” either a story or the true account of a missionary, Jannet Manning, in China by Marilyn Barrott

Page 27

Drawing of a “Belvedere” helicopter by Les Ryder

Page 28

a) An account of the Belvedere” helicopter and how it put the fleche (spire) on the new cathedral. by R. S. Smith 4s

b) “Winter Athletics in Britain” by P. Wileman 4s - an account of a new indoor running track.

Page 29 and 30

a) A poem about Noah and the Flood - by Ann Smith 4s

b) “Impressions of Jamaica” - by F. E. Keyte - this piece was actually written in Jamaica where Miss Keyte had gone to teach having previously been a teacher at Copthorne.

Page 31

“Coventry Cathedral” a description by M. Adey 4s

Pages 32 - 34

A story - (title unclear) set in Mexico - by Tonessa Richards - 3s

Page 34

Tricky Figures by W. Evans 4s:-

If you think that you are good at figures try the following....but think first

1) Take away 9 from 6, 10 from 9 and 50 from 40.

How do you arrive at the answer, which is SIX?

2) What does 5+1+5+1+500 spell

Page 35

A list of pupils who passed the pre-Technical Examination

GATEWAY 1963

Page 1

Forward by the head

Page 2

A List of staff (reproduced on List of Members of Staff page)

Page 3

Index

Page 3

a)List of school Prefects (reproduced on Liist of Members of Staff page) - there were 20 all told.

b) Editorial (presumably by Mr. Crossley)

"It would be impossible to write any commentry upon the activities of the school year without reference to the Artic climate which caused difficult working conditions unparalled in Copthorne's history, and samped "the Spring Term" as "the Term that was".....

Now our magazine goes to 'press' with the shadow of Public Examinations lying dark across the primrose path. "Ignorance", wrote Wilde, "is like a delicate exotic fruit, touch it and the bloom is gone." If only N.U.J.M.B. examiners were of this opinion, life for Senior Pupils would be bliss. To those, then who are to taste the awful majesty of the Examination Room, we offer our best wishes."

Page 4

Annales: Notes of what teachers had left and started in the previous twelve months. (reproduced on Members of Staff page) Lists of visits to:- The Belgrade to see: “The Government Inspector”, “Twelfth Night” , “Les Sylphides” and “Kismet”, Twickenham - schoolboys international - Wales v. England. (To view a scan of the Annales page click here)

Page 5

Two crosswords devised by V. M. Phillips 2s

Page 6

a) Another crossword - this time by T. Pearce 2a

b) Camera Principis Obscura - A quiz based on city place names - uncredited. Can you name the districts of Coventry which are hidden in the following clues: 1) The Weight outsde a container. 2) Part fish part pig, 3) A slope of floor covering. 4) Sleepy Hill. 5) Meadows of a small church. 6) Out of the large assembly room. 7) Did St. Christopher cross a wide river by this? 8) A small moor. 9) Run out of fuel here. 10) Ask Kenneth a question 11) Put coal in a fire box 12) Double spinney 13) Field entrance for a wide cow 14) I hear the dog is in good voice. 15) The Professor belongs to the peer. 16) A mountain between two colours belong to the first 17) The ban on ringing the bell is lifted 18) Mr Gabriel's Tomb 19) The elder citizen is feeling ill ? 20) A moor without any eastern metal. The answers are given at the foot of this page

Pages 7 - 11

School Clubs and Activity reports.

a) Archery Club - "Unfortunately, activity in the Spring Term (if such it can be called) was drastically curtailed when the severe winter weather put the heating system out of action in Room 15 and thus robbed the Club of any indoor shooting......Finally, a repeat comment made in last year's notes. Archery is NOT confined to boys only. Have we no 'Maid Marian' in the school to join the many 'Robin Hoods".

b)Gymnastic Club - met twice a week. Appears to have been just for boys. In an inter-schools competition Copthorne came 9th out of 16 competing schools.

c) Radio Club - reported a decline in interest and that meeting had become fortnightly.

d) Dancing Club- "Meetings have been well attended by both boys and girls." "The Annual Christmas Dance was eventually held on February 21st., yet another victim of the winter weather."

e) Old Time Formation Team - "One of the demonstrations given was at the Police H.Q. Ballroom at the National Savings Annual Meeting"

f) School Choir - "On two evnings some of the choristers sang carols on the Illuminated Carol Bus which tours the City collecting money for Old Age Pensioners. Ten Lucky singers were invited to a reception given by the Lord Mayor. We were honoured to have our photographs in the Coventry Evening Telegraph!

Some of our choir sang carols in Corley and Fillongley district, again collecting money for the old and needy of the area. The highlight of this was a delicious feast held in Corley Village Hall......

Forms 1A1 and 1A2 sang two songs in the Schools Music Festival auditions in May. The adjudicator gave a special word of praise saying they had created a good impression by their neat appearance."

g) Chess Club - had 35 members but none were female

h) Model and Model Railway Club - report by L. Ryder (5s) who reported that the club had to move out of its original base in the Art Room. "Mr Warden, the School, Caretaker, came to our aid. He produced a small room in part of the school rarely thought of - the changing room block. Here in the War-time Hostels. The Model Club, as it was renamed, settled in its new quarters." It is evident in this report that a keen interest was developing in aero-models - it was hoped the club could make use of the admirable facilities provided" i.e. the playing fields

i) Art Club - pottery appears to have been the most popular activity.

j) Outdoor Activities Club - "Begun in June of last year and although there was only a short time before the end of term all members spent at least one night under canvas at Corley. This year an earlier start has been made and everyone has obtained some camping experience....total membership this year is approximately twenty all from the fourth and fifth years....An annual subscription of half-a-crown is collected to help pay for extra accessories."

k) Film Club - had 13 programmes in the year. The club appears to have been run by Mr. Cook

l) Tennis Club - had a membership of 50.

Page 12.

a)Games Report

b) Rugby - Cricket.

Page 13

a )Requiem of A Walker - Report on a charity walk from Oxford to Coventry by M. Johnson. 5 s.

b) A poem - The Treasure Ship - by R. Lucas 1A1

Page 14

a) Athletic - report by “DAL” - (undoubtedly Mr. Lamb)

b) Coventry Music Festival - by June Smith 1A1

Page 15.

a) What Decision would you have given - a sports rule quiz by C. Mitchell 4s

b) A poem - “The Fisherman” by T. Holloway 3 c

Page 16

“A Disused Railway” - a descriptive piece by T. Gray 5s

Page 17

a) The Lord Mayor’s Reception by Beverley Clark 1A1

b)“A Visit to the Tulip Fields” by L. Mitchell (3s) Linda had apparently lived in Germany and this was her recollections of visiting Holland.

Page 18

Life in Northern Rhodesia - by Glynis Baugh 2s. Before moving to Coventry Glynis had lived in a mining town called in what is now Zambia. "Sport occupied most of the people's spare time."

Page 19

An account by P. Wileman 5s of a OAC (Outdoor Activities Club) ascent up Snowdon - 9th May - (a school holiday) led by Mr. Fairbrother and Mr. Evans

Page 20.

An account of a visit to the city archives - a party of 20 pupils led by Mr. Bannister - written by E. Clitherow and L. Mitchell

Page 21.

a) “Cathedral Workshop” - a three day course -report by C. Parnell 5s

b) “The Teenage Council” - run by Owen and Owen to heighten the fashion consciousness of teenagers. A report by “M.B.”

c) “Twelfth Night - at the Belgrade” - a report - no bye line - probably Mr. Crossley.

Pages 22 and 23

a) The Continental Holiday - an account of a school trip to Belgium, France and Spain which included a visit to Lourdes - by R. Teasdale 4s

Page 23

Mathmatical Miscellany - a series of trick questions which I suspect were posed by Mr. Ward - a scan of the page is to be seen below - click on it to obtain a larger image.

Page 24

“Life in Canada” by Anita Wilson 3s. Anita appears to have lived in Canada and she clearly thought it was a much better place than England - every thing was better even the size of the money - "much better to handle". "Canada today is a thriving country with big cars. appartment buildings and cheap food" I wonder did she ever go back? Her piece forty years on makes interesting reading even today. A scan of her words therefore appears below - click on it to obtain a larger image.

Page 27

The Elephant - a descriptive piece by J. McCall of 2A (see scan above)

Page 28

Bonfire Night - by David J. Blakemore of 2S

Pages 29 & 30

Just Too Late - a short story by Vicki Johnston of 2S

Pages 31 - 32

Sports Reports

a) Swimming - "Not only has everyone who attended the Baths learnt to swim, but our Swimming Team has acheived some notable success."

b) Tennis - "This has been a very successful year - the Club had fifty members" - report by F. J. Hammond (pupil)

c) Rugby - report by Mr. Lamb

d) Athletics - report by Mr. Lamb. In the city’s mixed secondary schools tournament Copthorne was just pipped from winning by two points in the last event - whatever that was.

Page 32

Sports results - in Rugger and Soccer in citywide competitions.

GATEWAY 1965

Page 1

List of School Governors and members of Staff

Page 2

List of Prefects (there were 18) and representatives of a) Junior National Savings Council, Junior Accident Prevention Council, Coventry Committee for International Understanding.

Page 3

From the Headmaster - “ a school is much better judged by the character of its pupils some ten years after leaving”

Pages 4 - 8

Annales - gives a list of staff members who left or joined in the school year and school visits made and visits made to the school. Notes the achievements of three pupils in particular:-

a) G. Brassington - for success in Soccer - played for Coventry Boys and Warwickshire Boys and was signed for Coventry City as an Apprentice Professional

b) D. Cadden - for his swimming prowess. He was again to swim in the National championships later in the year.

c) L. Payne - success in boxing - reached the semi finals of the A.B.A. championships

d) Notes £70 10s was raised for charity in the school - the most (£31 - 10s) going to Save the Children Fund.

e) Notes four past pupils were now teacher and one just qualified.

(to view scans of the Annales pages click here)

Pages 9 to 14

Society Notes

a) Art Club - report by R. Cook (teacher)

b) Chess Club - report by Stephen Coterill (5 CSE) - notes an upturn in membership - it had been languishing the previous year

c) Drama - report by D. Lamb (teacher) given in rhyme!. Four girls and four boys had performed “The Ghost Train” by Arthur Ridley.

d) Gym Club - report by E. Myers (teacher) Only for girls

e) Film Club - there were nine meetings and most of the films were travelogues.

f) Gym Club - report by “D M R”

g) Model Flying Club - successor to the Model Railway Club, report by L. Hemmings. Met on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6.45 to 9.00pm weather permitting to fly models on the school field. Six pence per week.

h) Outdoor Activity Association - report by C. I Caddick (teacher). This was a city wide organisation formed in April 1964 - Copthorne was a founder member. Seemingly boys (and it appears to have been only boys) from various schools linked together to go on various expeditions - the usual cost was 25/- per boy. Six trips are listed: i) Peak District - lightweight camping, ii) The Black Mountains - walking and some rock climbing. iii) 23 miles of canoeing to Evesham. iv) scrambling and rock climbing on Kinder Scout, v) Lanthgill Valley in the Peak District for rock climbing and “a little very tentative potholing," vi) Ross-on-Wye for a “riverside hike” and shooting rapids in a dingy

i) Swimming - report by D. Cadden (pupil)

j) Tennis Club - report by C. Evans (teacher)

k) Woodwork Club - report by K.W. Clarke (teacher) - met in the lunchtime break each day for three quarters of an hour. A club clearly just for boys.

Page 14

a poem - The River - by P. Shield (B1)

Pages 15 - 17

Reports on Athletics, Cricket, Rugby, and Soccer - all made seemingly by the masters involved except for the Under 15 Soccer report which was written by a pupil - G. Brassington (D 4)

Page 17

The Olympic Games - by J.A.C. (presumably Mr Crossley)

Page 18

National Savings - the school had a School Savings Bank - the school’s representative was J. Baton (D1)

Page 19

Crossword for Football Fans - set by M. Simms (B1)

Page 20

Pop Alphabet - by B. Waldron (C2)

A is for Animals Eric Burdon’s the name

B is for Beatles who have risen to fame

C is for Cruisers, Dave Berry they back

D is for Dreamers, no gimmick they lack.....

Other names included are Dusty, the Hermits, the Ivy League, the Kinks, Lulu, the Mindbenders. Proby, the Stones and the Yardbirds.

Page 21

Educational Visit - by L. Bassett 5S - report on a visit by four girls to Warwick Central Hospital

Pages 22 & 23

Crossword by T Ayres (B1)

Page 23

a) A nonsense Poem - by Ian Walford (B1)

b) Ten Minute Teaser by M. Moore (5GSE)

Page 24 and 25

Rhodes - by Mr Evans - a report on his visit there the previous summer.

Pages 25 and 26

The Taming of the Shrew - a report on a performance at the Belgrade by Lesley Foster (D1)

Page 27

A Crossword - set by S. Wankling (C2)

Page 28

Sports Quiz - by A.Sheffield (5 CSE)

Pages 29 - 31

Dresden - Summer 1964 - a report on a visit to the city made by “thirteen young people” from Coventry by Linda Mitchell who was one of the group.

Pages 31 - 32

Continental Holiday - Easter 1965 - a report on the school trip to the low countries by C. Connor (C2) and G Gardner (D1)

Page 33 - 35

What Really happened to kate Brown? - a short story by V. Johnston (C1)

Page 35

Who said it? - a quiz set by Mr. P. Bannister (teacher)

Page 36

The Mystic Rose - a mathematical poser set by Mr. V Barr (teacher)

Page 37

Crossword set by P. Holloway (5 CSE)

Page 38 - 41

The Truth About the Atom - a short story by N. Brassey (C2)

Page 41 - 42

Coventry Junior Accident Prevention Council - a report by L. Brian (D1) the school’s representative on the council

Pages 42 - 44

The Coventry Committee for International Understanding - a report by L. Bassett (5S) the school’s representative on the committee

Page 44 - 46

A Visit to the Tower of London - by J. Llewellyn (C1)

Page 46 - 47

A Camping Trip to the Wye Valley - by W. Faulks (5S)

Page 47

The Hungry Wolf Pack - a short story by Ronald Lucas (C1)

page 48

A Woodland Walk - by J Poynton C.3.

GATEWAY 1966

Page 1

List of School Governors. members of Staff and prefects (there were 12).

Page 2

Editorial

Page 3

Annales

a) mentions Mr. G. Lewis and Mrs Hocking were to leave the school.

b) explains a “House Merit-Demerit” system had been introduced - the “houses” were Collins, Hales, Lanes and Whites which hitherto had only functioned for sporting activities.

c) Lists School visits and other activities

d) reports that four girls (Beverley Clarke, Jane Smith, Janet Snell and Stephanie Williams ) were “undertaking welfare work” one afternoon and one evening a week at Everdon Lodge old People’s Home.

e) reports £33 - 18s -3d was raised for charity - the most going to Oxfam (£22 - 12s - 3d)

f) reports that a past pupil (Brian Wileman) had become a senior Lecturer in Engineering at Scunthorpe Technical College, that Betsy Reade had qualified as a teacher, that Heen Johnstone had returned from two and half years in America, that Shirley Judd had been awarded three first prizes in her S.R.N. exams and that Christine Taylor had won the Midland Championship 80 yards hurdles.

(To view scans of the Annales pages click here)

Pages 6 to 14

Clubs and Games Reports

a) Art Club - report by R. Cook (teacher)

b) Chess Club - report by G. Lewis. “Once again the girls of the school have shown little or no interest in chess. May I suggest that this could be taken as further indication of the absence of logic in the female mentality?” (No teacher would get away with saying that today - perhaps Mr. Lewis was only prepared to say it because he was on the point of leaving!)

c) Drama - report by D. Lamb (teacher) The year’s production had been “Paper Chain” a murder mystery.

d) Girls’ P.E. - report by J. Wild (teacher). The report speculates that girls may take part in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme in the future and that a Movement - or “modern dance” club - may develop.

e) Outdoor Activity Club - report by C. I Caddick (teacher). No reference to the Outdoor Activity Association this time. A full account is given of a camping trip to Youlgrave in Derbyshire. “So far this term trips have already been arranged to The Peak District, The Long Mynd and the Lake District.” It is not clear from this statement whether these trips had taken place or where to take place in the future.

f) Swimming - report by C. Evans (teacher)

g) Tennis Club - report by C. Evans (teacher)

h) Soccer - report by R, Cook and C. I. Caddick (both teachers)

i) Rugger - report by P. Wood (teacher)

Page 14

poem - The Long and the Short of It - by M. Mackinnon (B1)

Pages 15

Drama Course for Young People - a report by H. Downie (C1) on a two day course at the Belgrage held in January 1966 which “about a hundred” had attended including ten pupils from Copthorne

Page 16

Crossword set by S. Wankling (D1)

Page 17

Beaulieu Motor Museum. Hampshire - a description of the museum by A. Griffiths (C1) it appears not to be a school trip

Page 18 - 24

Continental Holiday 1966 - a seven page report on the school’s Easter holiday abroad to the Low Countries and France - almost certainly the longest article ever to appear in the school magazine. It is uncredited - the most likely author would appear to have been the school head.

Page 25

a) Two poems:-

i) Night - by S. Long (C3)

ii) “I’ve been told to Write a Poem” - by P. Wood (teacher)

b) Coventry Junior Accident Prevention Council - a report by L. Brian (5S) which said: “As there has been no meeting of the JAPC this school year there is no information to report.”

Pages 26 - 29

Trip to Ebbw Vake - by T. Warrington (5S)

Page 29

“The Far Off Lands” - a poem by V. Harvey (C1)

Page 30

Football Crossword - by J Crowley (C1)

Page 31

For Football Fans - a quiz set by C. Jones (C1)

Page 32 - 34

“She Stoops to Conquer” - by V. Johnston. An account of a performance of this play at the Belgrade Theatre which was seen by a party of fourth and fifth years from the school.

Pages 34 - 36

“The Drop” - a short story by J. Llewellyn (D1)

Page 36

Teenage Fashion - a poem by Diane Bates B1

Page 37

A crossword involving the names of counties - set by B. Clark (D1)

Pages 38 - 39

“Traveling in Germany” by C. Evans (teacher): “On looking back three things stand out in my mind: the magnificent motorways, the excellent camping sites and the absence of litter.”.

Pages 40 - 43

“The Raid on Essen” - a short story by R. Bennett (D1)

Page 44

“Ten Pin Bowling” - by B. Carr who was Coventry Girls’ Junior Champion for three successive years. A Saturday morning session cost five shillings.

Page 45 - 47

“The Car that Wouldn’t Go” - a short story by V. Johnston (D1)

Page 47

“The Sound of Music” - “On March 31st a party of 3rd, 4th and 5th girls went to see the very popular film “Sound of Music”. J Smith (D1) who was one of the group gives an account of what they saw. But why did no boys go?

Page 48

a) Pop Alphabet - by L Williams (D1). Similar to that of the previous year - names mentioned this time include: Donovan, the Everlrys, the Hollies, the Isley Brothers, the Kinks and Lulu again, Ringo (“whose son is called Zak”), the Searchers, the Trogs, the Yardbirds and the Zombies.

b) a mathematical puzzle set by R. Hemmings (5S)

Page 49 - 50

“The Murder” - a short story by D. Alcock (5CSE)

Pages 50 - 51

‘The Opening of New Coventry Swimming Baths” - by Elizabeth Stokes who was chosen to represent the school. The date was April 23rd.

Page 51 - 52

The Fat Man - by R. Lucas (D1)

Pages 53 - 54

CSEs, GCEs, Pre-Technical and Pre-Commercial examination results of the previous year.

GATEWAY 1967

Page 1

List of School Governors. members of Staff and prefects- (there were 16).

Page 2

Editorial

Pages 3 - 7

Annales

a) mentions Mrs. B Patch (Music) and Mr. J. H. P. Wright (Art) joined the staff at the beginning of the academic year and Mr. F. Hefford (Maths) in January.

b) Lists School visits and other activities and examination dates - CSE from 22nd April to May 10th - Pre Tech and Pre-Commercial from 1st May to the 5th - GCE 9th June to 23rd.

c) reports £200 was raised for charity - a big jump from the previous year - but £145 of this was raised on “The Long March” for Christian Aid. (See below)

(To view scans of the Annales pages click here)

Pages 7 - 9

News of Ex-Pupils - this has become a growing feature of the magazine and now has its own heading - thirteen pupils are mentioned mostly for gaining further qualifications or sporting prowess.

Page 9

The Long March - 17 boys, 6 girls and two members of staff (Mr Lamb and Mr Evans) set out to walk a 30 miles circular route. Three of the girls and ten of the boys appear to have completed the route - “The amount raised was in excess of £140”

Pages 10 - 11

Valedictory - most probably penned by the head. Four teachers were leaving at the end of this year:- Mr Crossley to become a House Master at President Kennedy, Miss Wild who was giving up teaching for “health reasons”, Mr Wood who was moving to Surrey and Mrs Kaines-Thomas who was moving to “Westlands High School”. .

Page 11

Report of a marcher - A Griffiths (D1). The march he was on was the Long March referred to above (page 9). It was a city wide event - 2000 took part. Jimmy Hill fired the starting pistol. The marchers watched a film at the Gaumount cinema showing the work of Christian Aid before they set off. They left in groups of 60 from the cathedral ruins - the Copthorne contingent set off just after midnight. They finished at 9.15 pm. The date was the 28th May

Pages 12 - 20

Clubs Societies and Sports Report

a) Art Club - report by “J.P.H.W.” (no doubt J. P. Wright the art teacher)

b) Chess Club - report by F. H. (no doubt F Hefford head of maths). “H.F.” explains in his report that as the new head of Maths he had been pressed to run the club - the initiative therefore came from the pupils who felt it was his duty to do so as he was the new head of maths! Sessions were held at Wednesday lunchtimes in room 9.

c) Choir - appears to have been girls only group - from the 3rd, 4th and 5th year. They met twice a week at lunchtime. “we do not aim for a concert performance, only to gain some pleasure out of singing songs we otherwise would not know.” Report by “B.P” ( presumably Mrs. B. Patch.)

d) Drama Society .- report by D.A.L (has to be Mr Lamb) In the previous academic year there were two productions: a nativity “A King is Born” and “Miss Mabel”. 36 pupils took part in the first and eleven in the second

e) Girls P.E. - report by “J.W” (no doubt Miss Wild)

f) Outdoor Activity Club - report by “ C.IC. Two parties visited Dol-y-Moch Coventry City’s outdoor education centre which opened in 1966 (the school visits were made in November 1966) - see pages 47 - 50 for later reports. Youlgrave and The Long Mynd were mentioned weekend destinations.

g) Rugger Report by “P.W.” (P. Wood) “With ever decreasing number in this age group (Under 15) great difficulty has been found in selecting a strong enough team to meet the power of a majority of our opponents.”

h) Swimming - report by “P.W.”

i) Soccer - report by “CIC”

j) Tennis Club - report by “C.E.” (unquestionably Mr. C. Evans) - had 39 members “many of whom were first years a great improvement on the year before when few joined”

k) The Maths Club - report by “F.H.”

l) Proposed Stamp Club - the proposer was “F.H.” - it appears however not to have come in to existence.

Pages 21 - 22

External Examinations - some thoughts from the Headmaster. The purpose of the piece seems to have been to encourage pupils to stay on an extra year to take CSE or GCE - the raising of the school leaving age was then only two years ahead.

Pages 23 - 28

House Reports. This was a new feature in the magazine and must reflect the fact that a greater emphasis was being put on the house system. Each house had pupil “House Officials” - Captain, Vice Captain, Secretary and a Games Captain for both boys and girls. The reports mostly give inter-house sports results and Merit/Demerit marks - and also the saving achievements of each house. Pupils were clearly given much encouragement to save - but not very successfully. What figures there are suggest the average pupil had much less than a pound saved - (collectively there was £259 10s 10d saved) - the school had only 32 regular savers.

Pages 29 - 30

Easter Continental Holiday - no credit is given for this article but presumably it was penned by the headmaster - again the holiday was to the Low countries and France. The battle fields of the First World War were visited in the course of the holiday.

Page 33 - 34

Crossword set by B. Clark (5S)

Page 34

Sea Fishing Quiz - set by W. Berry (D2)

Page 35 - 36

A History of Coventry City F,C - by J Cowley. (D1) It was founded in 1880 by the Singer cycle firm.

Page 36

A Typical School Day in 2067 - by V. Harvey (D1) A short but imaginative piece. Pupils arrive by “hover scooter”. The head’s “hover Jaguar” is equipped with a “record player , television and cocktail cabinet”. Maths was done in front of a computer. (What foresight!)

Page 37

Karting - by A. Collins (D2)

Page 38

Meeting of the Teenage Fashion Council. a report by V. Johnston (5S). Twenty girls from Coventry Schools were entertained by Owen Owen and given gift vouchers in exchange for their views.

Page 38

The Tramp - a poem by J. Williamson (D3)

Page 39 - 40

Visit to Devonport - June 1966 - by A. Sherriff (D1) An account of a three day visit to Devonport provided by the Navy Careers Office which forty boys from the fourth year went on.

Page 40

My Shaddow - a poem by J. Williamson (D3)

Page 41

a) Meeting of the National Savings Jubilee year - report by V. Johnston. At a civic meeting school representatives were handed out certificates which they in turn were to hand to their respective heads the next day.

b) Snow - a poem by M. Thompson (B2)

Page 42

The Water Hole - a short story by J. McCall

Page 43

a) The Scarecrow - a poem by J Williamson (D3)

b) Desert Slave - a poem by G. Hughes (B1)

Page 44

Saving - an article extolling the virtue of saving - uncredited. It ends with a quotation: “He who spends all he gets is on his way to beggary” S. Smiles.

Pages 45 - 46

A Crossword - set by A Burgess, C. Connor and N Spicer (5GCE)

Page 28

Coarse Fishing Quiz - set by W. Berry (D2)

Pages 47 - 50

Dol-y-Moch - two reports on the two week long visits a party of girls made to the centre and then a party of boys made. The girls report was made by P. Shield and V. Harvey (D1) and the boys by R. Day (D1) - the boys seems to have fallen in to streams a lot!

"In the afternoon we went rock-climbing. Barry Hetherington got stuck and was forced to go back.....Barry Hetherington and his partner got lost on their way and were found by an instructor.......Jimmy Whelan managed to climb the unorthodox way of hands and knees for half the climb with a very irate instructor at the top trying to get him to use his feet....On one stream I fell in after stumbling on a stone and began to float around, Malcolm Wallam followed me in to the water and Angus Cotton was laughing so much he fell in...."

R. Day's full report can be seen in the two scans below - click on each one to obtain a larger image.

Pages 51 - 52

Julius Caesar - an account by Mr Crossley of a performance of the play at the Belgrade theatre followed by an account of two lectures on the play pupils attended at the theatre later on followed by an account of the Film “Julius Caesar” by Mr. Bannister which pupils also went to see four months later. The play was, of course, a GCE set text that year.

Page 53

a) “1940” - BBC Television - a report by “P.B.” (Doubtless Mr. Bannister). This was a special two part programme - possibly made specifically for schools. The bombing of Coventry was featured in the programme and Mr Hall related his own memories of the event afterwards. “We were all thankful that the school possessed a new Television Set thus enabling us to see it.” This suggests the TV set was a new acquisition.

b) The Lighthouse - a poem by B. Bell (D1)

Page 54

T.I.E. (Theatre in Education) Visit - report by Mr. Crossley. Work was done on the theme of “The Great Fire of London”

Pagge 55

Visit to the Coventry Technical College - made by a party of 3rd and 4th year girls and reported on by H. Downie (D1)

Pages 56 -60

The Evacuation of Crete - a story by Richard Bennett (5S)

Page 60

b) Junior Accident Prevention Council - a report by V. Johnston (5S) The meeting was attended by representatives and the Lord Mayor and Sandy Powell who was then appearing at the Coventry Theatre. Campaign literature was handed out seemingly.

a) Viewpoint - a poem by R. Dixon (D1)

Pages 61 - 62

5th Year Art Trip to London - report by J. Llewellyn. As well as visiting art galleries Carnaby street was also visited. “....there were not as many shops and they were not as impressive as one might have thought. There were a few shops selling novelties, if they could be called that, such as old weighing scales, primus stoves and the like”

Pages 63 - 64

“The Agony of a Soldier at War” - a short story set in Vietnam by R. Lucas

Pages 65 - 66

Ballad of Suspense and Horror - Anon.

Pages 66 - 67

Expo 67 - by P. Daniels (B1)

Page 67

Trees - a poem - by M. Thompson B2

Page 68

Try Photography - by F.N. Barlow (5CSE)

Page 69

The Mysterious Intruder - a story by M. Mckinnon (C1)

pages 70 - 71

Coventry Speedway - by H. Day (D1) “Speedway first came to Coventry in 1928”

Pages 73 - 75

Not Quite Human - a science fiction story by J Llewellyn (5S)

Page 75

The Ffestiniog Railway - an account of the railway by R Macarthur (B1)

Pages 76 - 77

A geographical crossword puzzle set by B. Clerk (5S)

Pages 78 - 79

CSEs, GCEs, Pre-Technical and Pre-Commercial examination results of the previous year.

GATEWAY 1968

This was the first edition of the magazine edited by Mr Bannister as Mr Crossley had transferred to President Kennedy the previous year.

Page 1

Contents

Page 2

List of School Governors. members of Staff and prefects- (there were 12).

Page 3

Editorial

Pages 4

Valedictory - Three teachers were leaving at the end of this academic year:- Mr. C. Evans who was retiring (see page 12 below) - Miss S. Calvert who was about to be married and was moving to Bournemouth (she appears to have been P.E. teacher) and Mr. Guppy who was transferring a primary school in Warwick (he also appears to have been a P.E. teacher)

Pages 5- 7

Annales

a) mentions Mr G. P. Bates left the staff at Easter and Mr Smales absence due to illness.

b) Lists School visits and other activities and examination dates - The CSE exams were from 3rd May to May 24th - and the GCE exams from the 11th June to 25th. (Significantly the Pre Tech is mentioned - it seems highly probable with the advent of the CSE it was no longer - Mr Hall ad said in the previous year’s issue of the magazine that the pre-Commercial was being discontinued with.)

(To view scans of the Annales pages click here)

Page 8

The Rich and Poor - a poem by J. Williamson (D3)

Pages 9 - 11

News of Ex-Pupils - fifteen pupils are mentioned - four for getting married (two couples to each other) - two for either having been awarded a degree or reading for one - and one, Peter Jenner, a sprint cyclists for being short listed for the olympic games.

Page 12

Charles Evans - an appreciation by Mr. Hall - reproduced below - click on each image to obtain a readable version (note the year given in the opening line is a typing error - it should be 1951):-

Mr Evans was the first member of staff to leave Copthorne to retire (as far as I’m aware the only other member of staff to do so was Mr. Hall.). On July 10th (very probably the last day of term) he received a presentation from the school.

Page 13

The Prisoner - a poem by J. Williamson (D3) (see above)

Pages 14 - 19

House Reports. Again these give inter-house sports results and Merit/Demerit marks - and saving “achievements” which appear to have been much worse than the previous year. Collins House had only two regular savers. A new innovation in the house system was an art competition.

Page - 19

The Garden on the Shelf - a poem by P. Wankling (B1)

Pages 12 - 32

Clubs Societies and Sports Report (not in alphabetical order this year)

a) Camping - report by “C.I. C.” (no doubt Mr. Caddick). 25 boys and three members of staff went on a weekend camp to Youlgrave once more. This appears to have been the only outdoor activity undertaken in the previous school year. "....25 boys and three staff set out for an eight mile walk along the hills to Moneash. A simple enough task, but rather complicated by the ignorance of town boys when confronted with contry situations. A classic example of this was the boy who, when confronted with a field full of cows, hesitated. Eventually he realised that if he advanced on the herd, the cows moved and made room for him to pass. Unfortunately he could not distinguish a bull from a cow. He learned very quickly from his experience in the next field."

b) Inter House netball - report by “S. C” (Miss Calvert)

c) Swimming - report by “S.C. and P.G” (Miss Calvert and Mr Guppy) Swimming this year has been confined to the lessons.

d) Gym Club (Girls) - report by “S. C.” . Had 34 members and a “high per centage attendance”.

e) Badminton Club - report by “S.C.” Even though this was for 3rd, 4th and 5th years only membership was so large it was difficult to find time for everyone to play - “in future membership will be limited to the 5th year and those whose play is of a high enough standard for a school team. It is clear this was a mixed club - a rarity in the school.

f) Rugger Report - by “P.G.” Due to the declining numbers at the school the games teacher was clearly finding it difficulty to field a team that could compete against other schools - the school appears to have won only one match.

g) Cross Country - report by “P.G.” This is the first time that this activity is mentioned in the school magazine and apparently the school did well against other school scoring several wins.

h) Soccer - report by “C.I.C”. Despite the fall in school numbers the school held its own against other schools. Of the 18 games played 8 were won 8 were lost and two were drawn. “There was no player spoken to by a referee. There was no need.”

i) Tennis - report by “F.H” (Mr. Hefford?)

j) Chess Club - report by F. H. (no doubt F Hefford head of maths). “ In September and October meetings were held during the lunch hour on different days of the week. Often there were too many for available boards and unfortunately it became obvious that some pupils had no real desire to learn the game, they only wished to shelter during break. Consequently meetings were held on Thursday evenings and although this curtailed numbers, those who attended coul;d enjoy a game in a quiet atmosphere essential for necessary concentration.”

k) Maths Club - report by “F.H.”. members were drawn from the 5th Form and D1. It now had two calculating machines the use of which seems to have been the club’s main attraction. Instruction in the use of the slide rule was also given.

l) Netball - report by “S.C.” Out of 26 matches the school won 15, lost 10 and drew 1

m) Art Club -report by Roger Sharpe (D1)

n) Drama Society - report by “D.A.L.” (Mr. Lamb) The play performed this year was “The Winslow Boy”,. The members of the caste (nine in all) each penned a piece about their character.

Page 25

Tennis - a poem by Pamela Last (A1)

Page 26

The Long March 1968 - report by J Elson (D1) 10 girls, 23 boys and one member of staff took part this year’s 30 mile walk - 22 finished. The date was the 2nd June.

Page 33

Harvest - Christmas - This was a report on the two religious services held in the school. Report by “H.C.” presumably Mr. Chamberlain

Pages 35 - 37

Continental Holiday 1968 - The holiday was again based in Belgium - report by E. Stokes (D1)

Page 37

Copthorne - a poem by Jennifer Williamson (D3

C is for Copthorne the best school today

O is for orders we try to obey

P is for pupils that’s us - boys and lasses

T is for teachers who take charge of the classes

H is for headmaster that’s Mr. Hall

O is for office where we sometimes call

R is for rules we all try to keep

N is for notices that are read when we meet

E is for education which leads back to C

and you know what that stands for, so say it with me COPTHORNE

Page 38

The Royal Show 1967 - report by “F.H.” A visit to the Royal Show became an annual school event - this was a report of the school’s first visit. 1967 was the fourth year that the Royal Show had been based at Stoneleigh.

Page 39

Rotary Club Meeting. Mr Hall was vice president of a Rotary Club and he took two boys, Roger Sharpe and H. Downie, with him to one of its meetings to learn more of the organisation. This was H. Downie’s report of the occasion.

Page 40

“Henry V” - the 5th year attended a performance at the Belgrade - it was the theatre’s tenth anniversary. Later on two successive Fridays lectures were given at the theatre on the play which again 5th form pupils attended. Mr Banister reported on these three visits.

Page 41

Theatre in Education - came twice this year to the school and worked on performances - one based on the early nineteenth century ribbon trade in Coventry. Report by Mr. Bannister.

Page 42

a) Film “A Man for All Seasons” - a party of 50 pupils went to see this film - which cinema is not mentioned. Report by Mr Caddick

b) Film “Macbeth” - “A party of fourth year pupils visited the Empire Cinema on the 2nd May” - report by Mr. Bannister.

“Twelfth Night” - “several of the pupils from the school” saw this play performed by the “Wheatsheaf Players” at Butts College Theatre. Report by H. Downie (5S)

Page 44

Mayor Making - report by Helen Downie (5S) who attended the event along with representatives from other schools. This was not the first time a representative of the school had attended this event but this appears to be the first report of the occasion.

Page 45

a) Meeting of the Teenage Fashion Council - report by Linda Carter (5S) “On October 7th 1967 twenty girls from many different schools met Mrs. Urpendine, the staff supervisor at Owen Owens to give their views and ideas on current fashion.” Apparently it was to be a monthly event. Why Owen Owens wanted to do this I can not fathom.

b) “Murder in the Cathedral” - report by R. Sharpe (D1) The play was performed at Brooklands Little Theatre and a party of fourth years went to see it.

Page 46

“The Sound of Music” - report by Susan Talks. A coach trip was made to the Gaumount in Birmingham cinema to see this film. “I have now seen the film three times, twice at Birmingham and once at Leicester, the film is so worthwhile seeing I would go again if another trip was arranged.”

b) Night is Here - a poem by C. Long. (C2)

Page 47

Coffee Evening and Mannequin Parade - held in the evening on the 16th April in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind - £46 was raised. 45 girls took part in the “Mannequin Parade” “showing a variety of clothes made at the school” - there was also displays of Woodwork, Metal Work, Art, Craft and Needlework and also stalls selling Bread and Hot Cross Buns, Handicrafts “Bottles” White Elephants and Plants. There was apparently a large audience. No one is credited with this report.

Pages 48 - 49

Turkey - by Mr Evans. An account of his summer holiday there.

Pages 50 - 51

Stranger on the Shore - a story by Helen Downie (5S)

Pages 52 - 53

The Unknown World - a short story set in India by V. Harvey (5S)

Page 53

The Kill - a poem about an eagle by J. Strong (A1)

Pages 54 - 55

Winter Seashore - a descriptive piece about an unidentified location by T. Bennett (D1)

Page 55

Summer is Gone - a short poem by C. Long (C2)

Pages 56 - 57

The Fisherman - a short story by R. Dixon (5S)

Pages 58 - 59

Crossword set by A Griffiths, R. Bromage, I Wilson and C, Jones all of (5S)

Pages 60 - 65

The Specimens - a science fiction story by I. Wilson (5s) Being almost six pages long this is by far the longest work of fiction to appear in the school magazine so far.

Page 65

Country Life - a short poem by J McClay (A1)

Pages 66 - 68

October in Dingle - by T. Bennett (D1) An account of the authors sea fishing excursion to west Kerry.

Pages 69 - 70

The Olympic Games - by R. Sharpe (D1) - The 1968 Olympics was to be held in Mexico

Pages 70 - 72

The Roman Games - by A. Griffiths (5S)

Page 73

A drawing of a Roman Trimere - by A Griffiths. (This illustration and that which appeared on page 75 were the first illustration to appear in the school magazine since the second edition.)

Page 74

Quiet - a creative piece of writing about, surprisingly given the title, motoring by J. Richardson (5S)

Page 75

A drawing of a 1929 Alvis by J Richardson

Page 76

Pond Life - a descriptive piece by J. Johnson (A1)

Page 77

Dawn - another descriptive piece by D Morgan. “Most people never see the dawn, but those that do never forget the power of it.” (I wonder if this was an experience gained on the "Long March"?) A scan of this page is shown below - click on it to obtain a larger image:-

Page 78

Football Quiz set by C. Cope (C1)

Pages 79 - 80

The CSE, GCE, Pre-Technical and Pre-Commercial examination results of the previous year.

Answers to the Camera Principis Obscura Quiz set on page 6 of the 1963 edition.

1) Baginton, 2) Finham, 2) Tile Hill, 4) Mount Nod, 5) Chapelfields, 6) Exhall , 7) Longford 8) Little Heath 9) Wood End 10) Wyken 11) Stoke, 12) Copsewwod, 13) Broadgage, 14) Berkswell, 15) Earlsdon, 16) Brownshil Green, 17) Toll Bar End, 18) Walsgrave, 19) Aldermans Green, 20) Westwood Heath.

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