MCJS Through the Years

History of MCJS - MCJS Timeline

The following are taken from 'A Centenary at Monkton Combe Junior School', by R G Symons

The 1880s

From small beginnings...

In L H Gamlen's first term the eight boys were playing cricket with their Headmaster.  Gamlen says, "Howard was wicket-keeping with a bowler hat on.  A boy at square leg picked up an iron bar about 2 feet long and tossed it up in the air.  It cut through the crown of Howard's bowler and, I presume, penetrated his skull.  I was fielding at silly point at the time and saw the whole thing.  I don't approve of wicket-keepers wearing bowler hats; but it certainly saved Howard's life.  He did not seem much hurt at the time; but he was certainly out of action for the rest of the term and, I think, for the next two terms.  Nor was he ever the same again."

For the rest of the term there were some makeshift arrangements, the boys being moved down to the Senior School for the last three weeks.  Next term they went back to Combe Lodge under a newcomer, Herbert Marriott.  "The latter's punishment was sending boys out of the room.  One day I was sent out and wandered about the farmyard.  Miss Bryan ( a daughter of the Senior School HM) came along and said, 'Oh, you good little boy, allowed out of school!  Come in the garden and have some fruit.'"

A Goodly Heritage; A F Lace

The 1890s

Advice to New Boys from the Magpie of 1899:

Don't brag at any time, but especially when you first come; if you are good at anything, it is bound to be found out pretty soon.

Don't tell everyone of your sisters and all about them; be quiet and reserved till you are used to your School fellows and the School in general.

Don't make yourself objectionable by thrusting yourself forward and trying to have a finger in everything; it will only make you unpopular.

Do not always be talking about home, or other School's you have been to; it is apt to become very monotonous.

Don't - during the first week of term - imagine you've got every illness under the sun, and rush to the Matron's room; the only illness you have is home-sickness and the best remedy for that is to join in hard in games.

Be gentlemanly, kind and amiable, even if it puts you out of your way to do so.

Be respectful to your Masters always, whether in the the School, Field or Gymnasium; it is your duty, not only to them, but also to your parents who have put you under their charge.

Finally, be careful in the choice of companions.  Stand by all the things that are right, manly and gentlemanly.  By carrying out these rules, you will not only be popular at school, but also be a man whose society will be cultivated and sort after.

The 1900s

Morning Baths

The 1910s

Fire Practices

At times there were fire practices, when we escaped from the windows of the dormitories by sliding down canvas chutes.  Quite alarming.  Experience taught us to regulate our speed by pressing our feet against the sides of the chutes, but beginners and some others, went down like sacks of coal, sometimes banging their heads on the window-sills at the start.  And I recall one luckless boy who had a nightshirt instead of pyjamas.  It went over his head on the way down and he arrived at great speed into the arms of the matron below, much ashamed.

A Sopwith

School Meals

I can only remember scrambled egg, because it was made from powdered stuff.  You see, in the War you couldn't get eggs, so you had powdered stuff called Cooks Powdered Egg.  I used to dislike this.  I can remember on Sunday there were three puddings; apricots and custard, jelly and chocolate blancmange.  It never changed.

Col. R E Noel-Clarke

Rabbits

This term, boys over 11 may keep rabbits.  The School will provide food as far as it is possible, and purchase both rabbits during the term and hutches at the end.  The rabbits are for purposes of food only...(!)

From The School Record of 1918

The 1920s

After 'Lights Out'

And for those who were caught...

Detention was given in multiples of a quarter of an hour, mainly for so-called idleness and misbehaviour in class.  It consisted of copying out from a book, usually a history book, for the given time.  At least there was no need for a boy to write fast.  All awards of detention were read out by Mr Easterfield in Assembly at the end of the morning.  If he found that a boy had so much detention that it amounted to two hours or more, he said "Come to the study", the boy then had it 'whacked off'.  A boy could also go himself and ask to 'have two hours whacked off'.  This was a merit in Mr Easterfield's eyes: he liked a boy who showed spunk.

My Own Trumpet; A F Lace

The 1930s

Various Changes

Of material changes the most important is the installation of electric light...

Magpie, 1931

The most notable feature of games this term has been the introduction of hockey.  The first game, fortunate in having a most efficient and enthusiastic coach in Mr Morris, made rapid progress and acquitted itself well both in the two outside matches and against the staff.

School record, 1933

Some things never change...

The Prefect's Room was soon discontinued - it was generally in a mess, like the Staff Room, only worse.  It was turned into two music rooms.

J Walker's 'Diary of the Jameson Era'

The 1940s

War-time

...the Junior School made itself responsible for putting piles of stones onto the Rugger field to prevent enemy landings.  It is hoped such will be unnecessary.

Magpie, 1940

Supplies in bulk are impossible, so it would help us much if each came with a piece of splendid soap for his own use, and a tube or two of toothpaste.

Notice to parents, 1941

Modelling begins - a dangerous occupation!

The 1950s

The uses of a balaclava helmet...

...I received a balaclava helmet to protect me from the gales howling across the rugger fields.  In dormitory one night, I was demonstrating its remarkable protective capabilities and a friend bet me I didn't dare rush a window with it on.  A few seconds later a crashing, tinkling sound produced the remarkable sight of Peskett's head on the outside of the window and the rest of him inside.  J.H.C.W., who was on dormitory prowl that night confiscated the offending article for the rest of the term for being 'conducive to madness'.

R H Peskett

The Carol Service - held in the new Bryan Hall

Someone had the bright idea of putting the candles in two tiers; good in theory, but in practice the top layer melted and bent over, pouring wax on the assembled parents below.  Members of the Staff performed prodigies of valour in cutting down operations.  The choir on the stage had a good view of proceedings and one fears that not all eyes were invariably fixed on the conductor.  Subsequent carol services were held in Chapel.

J Walker's 'Diary of the Morris Era'

The 1960s

An Archaeological Discovery

The removal of part of the wainscot in 1B classroom, to release a too venturous hamster, has led to the discovery of an interesting document from a bygone age - a letter from a mother written in February 1937.  It begins, 'Your letter was very short this week wasn't it?' and goes on to express the hope that 'you will make up your mind to overcome your mental laziness'.  

The full significance of this discovery has yet to be assessed, but it is thought that it may well throw an entirely new light on the habits and characteristics of our forbears - suggesting, as it does, that in some ways they differ very little from ourselves. (The same could be said today -WM)

Magpie, 1965

The MCJS Golf Club

Sham Golf Course is not yet listed in official guides, perhaps because there are only six holes and, by request of the rugger master, no bunkers.  The club has about a dozen members who play and practise fairly regularly.  Techniques and handicaps vary, and strict etiquette is not always observed.  As yet we have no tangerine trousers.

T V More, Magpie, 1967

The School in 1967 - a shooting range can be seen in the position of the Law Building (opened 1983), and the outdoor swimming pool is shown, now another tennis court. The Morris Block and the Scout Hut have just been built, but the new Gym was another eight years away.  The Coates Block replaced Bryan Hall in 1988, and the latest major addition was the Clarke Swimming Centre in 1999. (Click to enlarge).

The 1970s

The Debate

The motion was 'This House would prefer a visit to the Moon to a holiday by the seaside.' Carried 42-38.

A new twist to the expression 'Get Stuffed'!

For the interests of parents who saw Mr Quine's collection of stuffed fish, mammals and birds at the beginning of term, we would like to report that this has been added to by a badger's head and a hare's head, two mice and an albino rat, a buzzard and a starling, a fox and Jemima Puddleduck.

Magpie, 1971

The 1980s

A Computer arrives

'Sir, what will it do?'  This was one of two typical responses of boys being shown the computer for the first time (the other being 'Huh!  Doesn't look much of a thing, does it!').

We now have our microcomputer - a TRS-80 Model 16K Level II.  One's first impression is of something reminiscent of a portable typewriter, connected by wires to a couple of small black boxes and a large television set.  Switch it on, and the cryptic query 'MEM SIZE?' appears in the top left-hand corner of the screen - and so the adventure begins.  There is a twinge of apprehension as the first keys are pressed - but it doesn't blow up.  Soon one becomes convinced that it is indeed impossible to do 'something wrong' and damage the machine, and in no time one has discovered how to make it print 'HELLO! I'M YOUR NEW TRS-80 COMPUTER'.  From then on the sky's the limit.  We hope that in time our computer, like our ducks, will breed and that we shall have a roomful of them.  (as indeed we now do, and then some! - WM)

A R Darrah, Magpie, 1981

The 1990s

A Soft Toys Club?!?  That's what you get for allowing girls in!