School and Community Links

Speaking to parents and friend at his first Open Day at Torrington Secondary Modern School, the headmaster, Mr A Hinchley, stressed the need for the school to be accepted by and closely linked with the life of the community it served.

Mr Hinchley became headmaster of the School in February on the retirement of Mr T Nancekievill, who had been the first headmaster of the school.

Mr Hinchley was quite sure that the capacities of the ordinary child had been seriously under-rated and in the field of secondary education, he said, there was a vast unexplored territory awaiting them. That was why teaching in a school like that was such an exciting business. Visitors, who included the Mayor and Mayoress of Torrington, Mr and Mrs R M Boyer, Mr T Nancekievill and Mrs Nancekievill, were later entertained by a novel mannequin parade. Under the directions of the needlework mistress, Miss E Woodley, a number of girls paraded in the dressed they had made for themselves.

Earlier in the afternoon the school sports had been held. Results were: 100 yards boys – B Dymond; E Tucker; L Petherbridge. N Dymond; H Pound; R Piper. 80 yards girls – M Dennis; E Hookway; B Hutchings. M Isaac; E Dennie; J Holton. 220 yards boys - H Pound; F metherell; F Routley. 440 yards boys – H Poole; J Davey; E Bradley.
Obstacle race – K Gerry; D Stevens; T Avery. I Pitman; G Walters, E Leonard. A Nethercott; M Baker; H Isaac. H Wardes; N Squire; R Squire.
Sack race boys – J Greenslade; A Beer; R Adams. Skipping race – A Nethercott; B Hutchings; M Parish.
Throwing cricket ball – J Pickard; F Routley; P Davey. Throwing rounders ball – H Piper; E Hill.; R Squire.

The full Gazette article is dated 28 July 1950