We have come to expect from him at Staff play-readings a performance worthy of, and sometimes superior to, the West End stage, and we regret that, unlike St Simeon, he is unable to remain with us 'for an immense period'. In Staff v School matches, even at games in which his lack of skill or ignorance of the rules was far-famed. Mr Smith has distinguished himself where the 'experts' have failed. When another Mr Smith joined our ranks, and the distinguished initials. H. A., were allotted to 'old' Mr Smith. they rolled roughly off the tongue. One pupil solved the problem by asking at the Staff Room door for Mr 'Ordinary' Smith, but this convenient label never survived, for the very reason that it never harmonised with its wearer, whose energy and innumerable interests made him an 'extraordinary' Mr Smith. If I might prophesy for a moment, Mr Smith will not be forgotten: he will become a legend (as his friend, Mr Marshall, has become): and these legendary figures are recalled not with awe, but with affection. I am sure Mr Smith will prefer to be remembered this way. The Indefatigable Miss Stonebridge The School has suffered severe losses during the present year through the resignation not only of our Headmaster, but also of several senior members of the staff. Now, so soon after having to say farewell to Mr Withrington at Easter, we must part with Miss Stonebridge, our first Senior Mistress, who has been a veritable tower of strength to the School since its opening in the war-clouded Autumn of 1939. To all members of Greenford County School younger as well as older must be apparent the wide range of Miss Stonebridge's activities and the extent to which she shall be missed, not only in her own department, where the Religious Instruction (she was originally hired to teach French) of the School owes so much to her wide scholarship and sympathetic personality, but also in so many aspects of the general life of the School. With her genius for organisation, Miss Stonebridge created and ran through the most difficult war years our dinner scheme which, in days when we were allowed some independence in administration, proved so successful as to be adopted as a model by other schools. Though we may have exercised our English privilege of grumbling now and again, when our favourite dish did not appear often enough for our liking, those of its well acquainted with its practical results very readily acknowledged our gratitude for the adequacy with which we were fed in spite of raids and rations. Her work at Tardebigge and Torquay is mentioned elsewhere. Prospice continues: But it is in the routine of daily life at Greenford that we shall miss Miss Stonebridge most keenly and probably only those closely associated with her there realise something of the personal cost of her devoted service to the School in toll of health and vitality. Often working under great difficulties, she has never spared herself, for with her it is axiomatic to put the interests of others before her own. Now she is ordered to rest for a time before taking up work in her home town of Bedford. Staff and pupils alike will sorely miss her guidance and friendly counsel which will long be remembered at Greenford. She was the third of the original five to leave. Epitaph James A Rogers BSc, ARCSc, DIC, who is a Geophysicist, writes from Brazil (after 41 years involved in oil exploration in 15 different countries). He was one of the original intake and we will give him the last word on the Withringion era: The School was blessed with marvellous teachers of vision and faith and there were the years of the war, of danger and death and sometimes not much hope. Marvellous were the Morning Assemblies, the discussion periods, the debates, the School Choir (Hiawatha) and the Orchestra. I have passed the School many times and decided not to risk breaking the memory of those days. Many times in danger overseas I have called upon the moral resources I gained at that School. Mr James Takes the Reins There was an interregnum from April 1946 to November 1947 waiting for agreement on the appointment of a permanent Headmaster. Mr James, the Senior Master, and Biology Master since 1939, was finally appointed. Miss Drayton was appointed Senior Mistress to replace Miss Stonebridge, Mr Sheldrake became Senior Master. IMAGE Mr L James page 46