Fosterian Magazine 1979 - Old Fosterians and Lord Digby's Old Girls

Generations of boys will recall vividly and with deep affection the partplayed in their lives by Mr. McKay, both within the classroom and beyond. Hejoined the school in 1946 after war service in the Middle East, and over ninetynineterms since then his spirit ofscholarship has been transmitted throughout theschool. He taught History with a measured, precise, but always colourful style toboys from the first form to the upper sixth. His lessons were spiced withanecdotes, subtle asides and references to characters, their sayings and theiridiosyncracies. He established firm standards of industry, organisation and clearthinking in his students, but did not stifle enthusiasm or ideas in the process.Mr. McKay's presence was never far away from corridor and stage as wellas classroom. He was prepared to put the errant firmly on the straight and narrow,but just as ready to give a patient, friendly hearing to the enthusiast and anencouraging word to the uncertain. His love of drama led him to the stage asperformer and producer. He played in and c~ordinated Commoners' Concertsas well as acting with local renown for the Amateur Players of Sherborne. As aproducer he had the gift of attracting loyalty from his team of actors.Versatility thrives in a small school, and Mr. McKay had further interests inthe Cadet Force, the Library and the Duke ofEdinburgh Award Scheme. He alsore-introduced Latin in his last two years before retirement, and this reflected hisever youthful outlook to changing circumstances.Although Mr. McKay had firm views on many matters, his sensitivity to theideas ofothers was a feature of his friendliness to colleagues. So was his sense ofhumour, impish, twinkling, but above all honest and open. Younger members ofstaff will remember gratefully his extremely helpful advice in their early dayswith him.Above all and beyond all, Foster's will miss a gentleman; a man who careddeeply about people, about standards, about the school; a man who generated acivilizing influence around him and who gave his scholarship a human ring.Foster's School is indebted to Mr. McKay for his span ofdedicated service. Wewish him and his wife, June, a very long and happy retirement, and look forwardto seeing him with us on many future occasions.MR. E. L MALTBYMr. Maltby joined the staff to teach Art in September 1947, and retired atChristmas 1978. During this long period ofservice to the school he contributed inmany varied and memorable ways to school life and activities.In the classroom. in addition to his main subject, in which his own gifts andskills as an artist inspired so many boys, he was a lively teacher of English andHistory to junior forms, and his kindly, humorous approach will long beremembered. Always calm and patient, he never appeared to be rumed by any ofthe demands that were made of him.Older generations will remember him with affection on the soccer field, as acricketer who must have been one of the longest playing stalwarts of the staffteam. and at Army Cadet Force camps, the source of many an entertaininganecdote. Mr. Maltby contributed greatly over the years to Sports Dayorganisation, and in various departments of school life where his skills incalligraphy were always in demand. Over a very long period he was responsiblefor the creation of scenery and stage sets that were admired and appreciated byactors as well as audiences, and without which school productions andCommoners' Concerts would have lacked brilliant visual effects. He has alsobeen known to appear himselffrom time to time in Commoners' productions, in atleast one of which his fellow actors, ifnot the audience, were aware that a strawhat was a quite indispensable part of his costume.Colleagues will miss his courtesy and friendliness, and the cheerfultemperament that so often enlivened the atmosphere ofthe common room with anamusing reminiscence or an apt comment Evidence of his artistic skills remainsin the school. All who knew Mr. Maltby at Foster's will wish him and his wife along and very happy retirement in which they may continue to enjoy from time totime their particular pleasure of travel abroad.Our congratulations to:CONGRATULATIONSDavid Rose on being presented with the Rotary Club ofSherborne Aubrey Alienaward for service to the local community.Brian White on his inspiring fight against cancer ofthe arm and shoulder and onthe example he has set for all of us.Jason Brack on being awarded an unconditional place at Hertford College,Oxford to read mathematics on the strength of an interview and of his academicrecord at school.Matthew Frost on being awarded a place at Wadham College, Oxford to readModem History and Economics.Duncan Griffiths on being awarded a G.E.C. Marconi sponsorship to readMechanical Production Engineering at Brunei University.All those boys who raised the magnificent sum of £ I ,200 for charities this yearand especially those in form III who raised £230 in one afternoon from a superblyorganised Indoor Fete.All participants in the inter-House Music, Public Speaking and Readingcompetitions, especially those who were performing in publi C;; for the first time.Members of StAldhelm's House on winning the Inter-House competition.Stephen Kilvington on his performances for the Dorset Schools Under 15Cricket team for whom he played in all oftheir matches this summer. He scored afifty against Powys.William Stafford on achieving a National Qualifying time in the 80 metresintermediated hurdles event.Jason Brack (Progressive Equality Party) and Fabian Tassano (Labour) whostood as candidates in the Mock Election organised by the Sixth Form Societyand did not lose their deposits!Stephen Wheatley on surviving a rigorous two week Sail Training Associationvoyage on the Sir Winston Churchili, which took him to Holland and the ChannelIslands.H9