Page 21 - ES MAG 2019

It’s fascinating to read how life at The English School has changed over the last 119 years. The following extracts
show how di erent things were when the School was rst established, but also remind us that we are continuing
Canon Newham’s inspiring example in everything we do today. Reprinted by kind permission of the author.
The first English School magazine, 1909

from the English School, Nicosia 1900 – 1960 by Kyriacos Demetriades
extract from the “Old Boys Supplement,” The English School Magazine, June 1946

It was felt necessary that a School magazine would be a useful publication on a regular basis to serve as a medium between the
School and its Old Boys, sta , parents and the public in general. The rst English School Magazine was published in midsummer
1909, a bold feat indeed in those early years when the School size was still relatively small. An editorial statement of that year puts
it in a nutshell:
A general opinion has seemed to prevail throughout the School for some years past that a School Magazine which would be
interesting to present boys and friends of the School, and which would serve as a record for years to come, would be a popular
understanding. We shall be quite content if it serves its purpose of keeping past and present members of the School more in
touch with one another than is possible at present and of helping to inspire the boys with that enthusiasm for their School which
is, above all things to be desired.

…We are a comparatively small School; but we are a rising School… and such news as there is, representing the progress of the School,
both in the way of sport and of learning, will be of great interest to men in after years, recalling old friends, old places, old associations.

Panoramic view of the School standing on top of the hill on a The School in 1925–26 at the Pedieos premises, with Canon Newham in the centre
magni cent site, with the arched precincts of Alks Boarding House
in the foreground
Moving to the new building, 1913

Extract from The English School, Nicosia 1900 – 1960 A historical account from
its founding to the end of the British Rule

At the beginning of the Summer Term in 1913, all the residential to the substantial progress made by the School, which had that
masters and boys were moved to the new building. A change year the record number of 142 boys on the books, and he also
from the narrowness of outlook and the noise in Victoria Road mentioned with pride that “this comparatively small School has
premises was only too obvious; although there was still the need at present ve representatives ghting for our country”. The next
to go backward and forward to the old building for classes, for great function of the School would be the School athletics at the
the time being. School’s own special elds. Nothing, Newham said, gave him greater
pleasure than when from the vantage-ground of his balcony he
The English School continued to ourish, under the patronage could see all the parts of these elds peopled with sturdy boys
of the Government and the High Commissioners themselves – competing with zest in the various school games.
this was particularly prominent after 1935, when it became Govern-
ment School, run by the Government – who invariably took a Not long after the inauguration of the new buildings, the Great
personal interest in its wellbeing. Numerous out of school activities War broke out (1914-18) and some 80 Old Boys and teachers of
were organized on a regular basis, not only in sports but in the the School had fought with the British forces; two of them died
arts as well. in action while ve were wounded. Despite this, the School went
on as normal and made considerable progress as an educational
Canon Newham relates a particular event in 1915, regarding institution.
the annual concert of the School and the distribution of School
prizes in that year. This event took place in the Papadopoulos
Theatre on 26th February 1915, and had, as usual been looked
forward to by the boys’ parents and the many friends of the
School. The arrival of the High Commissioner and Lady Clauson
was followed by the opening of the concert with “Smarts”, well
known glee “Good-night through glorious Sun” rendered by the Νewham with sta
choir, under the conductorship of J. A. Pilgrim, followed by a (circa 1905) with
series of glees, songs and recitations in the various languages Demetris Libertis
taught in the School. Lady Clauson then presented the prizes to sitting rst from left.
Skiboo, the School
pupils, after which Canon Newham expressed his appreciation dog, is featuring in
for the presence of Sir John and Lady Clauson. He then referred the foreground