1988 School Magazine

1976saw the most signif icant development to daie in tho College's history. ln September of that year, the sevpi secondary modern and two Brammar schools throughout lslwyn Borough ceased to exist as such, an,l six 11-16 comprehensive schools were established in their place. At the same time the College was designaierl as the sole centre for post-16 education, both vocationai and academic, for pupils f rom those schools. ln 1982 the title "Crosskeys College" was officially adopted. 4, Wales' premier tertiary college it offers a comprehensive range of full and parl-lime courses. The Merle Weaver prize for public speaking was donated in 1954 by Miss Weaver, a former member of staff . The junior section of this competition was helcl in Assembly on Monday, June 6th. There were six speakers, one representative f rom each house, who spoke for three to four minutes on varied topics, each one inspired by a proverb. The f irst speaker was Paula Chiverall of 10 Lilley, who told us that "Every dog is allowed one bite". She was followed by Elizabeth Edge of 10 Woolcock, who chose the proverb "As we live, so we learn". The third speaker was Susan Nlyers from 9 England who selected "Turn your tongue seven times before speaking". Kristina Hart of 9 Griff ith chose a more {amiliar proverb, "Every cloud has a silver lining", as did Tory Cardell of 9 Gibson who agreed that "Too many cooks spoil the broth". The final speaker was Natalie Taylor of 10 Hirschfeld who said "Laugh and grow fat". As you can imagine, the competition was both entertaining and interesting. The adjudicator f or the afternoon was Mrs l(ate Mapstone of the Queensland Debating Union who awarded first prize to Elizabeth Edge. The time was 1.36 p.m., Wednesday, 7th September, and six panic-stricken students paced nervously about backstage. lt was time again for the annual Senior Merle Weaver"Public Speaking Competition. This year, the odds were against us, having been faced with the task ot speaking foiseven minutes on the topic of our choice in f iont of our peers, who were obviously hungry for some action to replace the double English they were missing out on. After surviving this rigorous task, we then had to appear again {rom behind the curtains, this time to give a three minute impromptu speech. lt is only possible to say the topic a certain number of ways in three minutes! At the completion, a decidedly unsexist adjudication was given by Mr Craig Arnott from Queensland University' [lacing'stephanie Ludlow of Woolcock House {irst for her speech on feminism. One helpful bit of advice to future competitors-- bY knowing the sex and old school of the adjudicator, one .un auoid the male chauvinist jokes about Grammar boys and hence save oneself from a little embarrassment! SENIOR MERLE WEAVER COMPETITION j[.JN]OR ftdERl-E WEAVER CO&TPET]T]ON

TFIEATRE DANCTRS.B, Back Row: ([eft to right): N. Bryce, FN. Tarafdar, D. Poole, C. Silcock, N. Lewis, M. Edwards, K. F{art, N. Millar, J. Eckett. Second Row: A. [-enac, M. Pearson, C. [-ane. Front Row: Z. Knights, S. Broughton, N. Skinner. As our numbers grow, we are able to perform larger works and School Day will see excerpts from the "Polotsvian Dances", "Prince Igor" and Talent Showcase' Our final season of performances will be in the Cehrmann Theatre during the last weekend in October. We have offered entertainment, amusement, hospitality and opportunities for f riendly relationships to develop and have received equal pleasure in doing so. M. Papas SChf OOtS ACR OSS ALJSTRA].IA Schools Across Australia is a Bicentenary Project, started last year, linking schools with a common interest, both throughout Australia and overseas. Our school has been Iinked with two overseas schools, Falmouth School, Cornwall U.K., and Crosskeys College, Gwent, Wales. The emphasis in our communication with these schools is in the Performing Arts sphere. During the year we have been preparing photos, audiotapes and videotapes for exchange and many students are involved in the pen-pal proSram. Crosskeys College has a particularly interesting history. lt was Wales' first tertiary college and enjoys a proud reputation for innovation and excellence which stretches back to its original foundation before the First World War. It was in 1914 that local coalowners established a privately f unded school of mines in Crumlin, a few miles north oi Crosskeys. ln 1928, the then Monmouthshire Education Committee took responsibility for the school. It developed first as the "Monmouthshire Mining and Technical College", and later as the "Technical College of Monmouthsliire." Under the latter title it transferred to its present site in 1961 . With I ocal govern me nt re-organ is ari on 197 4,the Col I ege came under the control of the newly-formed administrative county of Cwent. lt was again re-named, this time as "Crosskeys College of Further Education". oo a4