Class of '69 as fourth formers in 1965/66

4L, we are told, "was the usual collection of geniuses, musicians, delinquents, geniuses, sportsmen, artists and geniuses". Unfortunately, they were based next to the staff room, which soon made room 4 a Mecca for "irate and sadistic" prefects always certain of easy prey. Shame. The true function of Bussey, the form prefect, could not be ascertained, but one was always sure of benign spluttering if one spoke to him. Mr. (is there a doctor in the house? Bloomfield caused little trouble; the form report him fully housetrained. A spate of mysterious posters advertising the "CAG" appeared. Beat group? Member of staff? Time will tell. The story of Mr. Lewis's grandfather who wouldn't go to the workhouse will long be remembered, as will the "Latin lesson Exodus".

As 'O' levels approached, the boys remained calm. It was the masters who started having kittens.

Mr. Fox: "I think I would have failed that mock 'O' level." Mr. Jackson: "Don't let the fact that we have only covered two thirds of the syllabus bother you . . ." Mr. South: "You just don't know the words."

End of term was marred by the departure of the hairy Scot, Forman, who migrated to the Metropolis. - "Will ye no come back again? We hope not. . .

4S were rarely disturbed in the remote wastes of room 22. Those masters who did find them formed the impression that except for the "form brigands" who "had their heydays", they were "a good set of lads". This was due to "paternal guidance" from Mr. Haddon.

4A experienced the joys of living under a red flag and the weight of Mr. Firth's National Health Slipper. They all had an idea that they weren't much loved by a devil that lived in the other refrigerator (room 22) and accused Mr. Fletcher, their form master, of cheating by growing a beard to keep his face warm.

The windows of 4B suffered under the attacks of certain sadists. They were not only broken several times but used as billboards for advertising "Big L", "Swingin' Radio England" and "Caroline, the Sound of the Nation". Even the window ledges did not escape, they were used as chemical work-benches for a ginger-haired scientist. Mr. George understandably perturbed, nevertheless survived confidently.

4C admitted to "a comparatively good year", although they didn't say what they compared it to. We editors would appreciate details of the "elastic-wire-and-button sound effects machine" which was such a success in the war against "that other lot".

"Billy" again stole the limelight, though, by holding many post four o'clock "encores", especially when faced with the threat of the aforementioned "machine infernale". J. Hardy, the well-known linguist, invented a new language which was quickly picked up by some members of staff.