of Governors, and no man has ever taken a keener interest In the life of the school. He was a man with a whimsical sense of humour. In the Church and in the Sons of England Society, in both of which he reached the heights, he was a stickler for law and order, and his ability to produce the well-turned phrase put him alwayson call forthe wording of ritual and prayer. His son. Bill, who was at Kearsney in its early days, was killed in the Western Desert. In his memory,Rev.and Mrs.Irving presented to the school the very fine Communion Table in use in the chapel. Through it, we shall remember not only son, but parents. The question of a memorial to Mr. Irving himself is now under discussion. FiNNINGLEY PHANTASY Finningley House suffered more vicissitudes this year than for many years. We have had our ups and down, and as with Life, the downs have loomed rather too largely. A School is a microcosm of Life, and a School House is, perhaps, a mirror of the School. Finningley came a close second in the Annual Athletic Sports. Once again Gillingham beat us by their more efficient team work. In the Inter-House Rugby, Cricket and Tennis we were unsuccessful, but not disgraced. The dimming Honours came to us; we won by a big margin. Our Shooting Teams, particuiarly the Junior Team, did well to win the Derek Robbins Trophy. Let us draw a discreet veil over our achievements in the academic field. Although we have apparently emphasised our achievements, and our faiiures in the sporting life of the School, there are two matters of greater importance we wish to discuss. First, we hope deariy that the falilng-off in the high standards of our communai and corporate life is mereiy a passing phase. We believe it is, and that 1958 wiil see a return to those high standards of integrity and good-mannerliness upon which we have prided ourselves in the past. There is no good purpose served in our indulging in recriminations. Let us go forward,confessing our faults, determined to restore a just pride in Finningiey. Secondly, too few realise that the primary purpose of our schooling is not achieved unless we strive to do our best in our aca demic work, and do all we can to maintain the highest standards 284
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