AFTER 1977 is a DARK ZONE!
The Story of Johnstons House as told in "Janus"
  GO TO 1952
1) I thought of putting a general introduction here. I could have a go myself, but it is better done by a Johnstonite ........ Any offers to me.
Multiple offers can ALL be put in - subject to editorial control! A different opinion from each era also makes sense of course.

2) I had hoped to add a definitive list of staff and captains, and have put in the names where I can. However, it is impossible to be sure about the staff, particularly the Assistant Housemasters - and the names of most Sports Captains remain to be added by someone. As for House Captains, I have assumed that the authors of the House Reports were the House Captains - but I could be wrong of course ....
1976-1977

HM: Jim Hyde
Asst: Mr Farley-Pettmann
Mat: Mrs Nicholls

Captains
House: J Zeffert
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:
1975-1976
NO ENTRY FOR JOHNSTONS IN
1976 "JANUS" - or for Orwell & Halls
1974-1975

HM: Jim Hyde
Asst: Mr Cox
Mr Farley-Pettmann
Mat: Mrs MacLennon

Captains
House:
Charles Cowap
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:
1973-1974

HM: Jim Hyde
Asst: Mr Robinson
Mr Farley-Pettmann
Mat: Mrs MacLennon

Captains
House:
Roger Cushion
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:
1972-1973

HM: Jim Hyde
Asst: Mr Cox
Mr Robinson
Mat: Mrs MacLennon


Captains
House:
Graham Towells
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:
1971-1972

HM: Jim Hyde
Asst: Mr J. Fowler
Mat: Mrs MacLennon

Captains
House:
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:
1970-1971

HM: Jim Hyde
Asst: Mr J. Fowler
Mat: Mrs MacLennon

Captains
House: Stephen Joly
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:
1969-1970

HM: Jim Hyde
Asst: Mr J. Fowler
Mat: Mrs MacLennon

Captains
Hse: Nigel Walker
Rug:  
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:

1968-1969

HM: Jim Hyde
Asst: Mr J. Fowler
Mat: Mrs MacLennon

Captains
Hse: Clive Coote
Rug: Malcolm Frise
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:

 

1967-1968

HM: Jim Hyde
Asst: Mr Hutchinson
Mr Cox
Mat: Mrs Malden

Captains
Hse: Tony Mitton
Rug:  
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:
1966-1967

HM: Jim Hyde
Asst: Mr Cox
Mr Bond
Mat: Mrs Malden

Captains
House: Paul Templeton
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:

1965-1966

HM: Jim Hyde
Asst: Mr Cox
Mr Bond
Mat: Mrs Malden

Captains
House: Paul Templeton
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:

 

1964-1965
65w
Autumn 65
14-2

HM: Jim Hyde
Asst: Mr Harper
Mat: Mrs Malden

Captains
House:  
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:
1964-1965
65s
Spring 65
14-1

HM: Jim Hyde
Asst: Mr Cox
Mr Eldergill
Mat: Mrs Malden

Captains
House: Simon Jones
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:

1963-1964
64w
Autumn 64
13-2

HM: Jim Hyde
Asst: Mr Cox
Mr Eldergill
Mat: Mrs Malden

Captains
House: Simon Jones
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:

 

1963-1964
64s
Spring 64
13-1

HM: Jim Hyde
Asst: Mr Cox
Mr Eldergill
Mat: Mrs Malden

Captains
House:
Simon Jones
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:

1962-1963
63w
Autumn 63
12-2

HM: Jim Hyde
Asst: Mr Cox
Mr Eldergill
Mat: Mrs Malden

Captains
House: Doug Gardner
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:

1962-1963
63s
Summer 63
12-1

HM: Jim Hyde
Asst: Mr Cox
Mr Eldergill
Mat: Mrs Malden

Captains
House:
Doug Gardner
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:
1961-1962
62w
Autumn 62
11-2

HM: Jim Hyde
Asst:
Mat: Mrs Malden


Captains
House:
Doug Gardner
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:
1961-1962
62s
Spring 62
11-1

HM: Jim Hyde
Asst:
Mat: Mrs Malden
Captains
House:
Doug Gardner
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:
1960-1961
61w
Auumn 61
10-2

HM: Jim Hyde
Asst:
Mat: Mrs Malden
Captains
House:
Doug Gardner
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:
1960-1961
61s
Spring 61
10-1

HM: Robert V. Rowland
Asst: Jim Hyde
Mat: Mrs Hunt

Captains
House: Brian Law
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:
1959-1960
60w
Autumn 60
9-2

HM: Robert V. Rowland
Asst: Jim Hyde
Mat: Mrs Hunt

Captains
House:
Brian Law
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:
Spring 60
9-1
Spring 1960 - NO HOUSE NOTES
1958-1959
59w
Autumn 59
8-2

HM: Robert V. Rowland
Asst: Jim Hyde
Mat:

Captains
House: John Walmsley
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:
Spring 59
8-1
Spring 1959 "JANUS" MISSING
1957-1958
58w
Summer 58
7-2

HM: Mr Richardson
Asst:
Mat:

Captains
House: John Walmsley
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:
THE PAST year has been a very successful one in all ways and it seems a pity that most of the boys who made such a memorable year possible have now left us.
  • At the end of last term we had to say goodbye to "Andy" Hunton who as Head Boy, House Captain and Captain of Rugby was admired and respected by all.
  • "Ali" Glass and Henry Clark also left, both having contributed a great deal towards the House's well-being. Glass deserves particular mention for he has now become the first boy in the School's short history to win a State Scholarship, as a result of which he is proceeding to University College, London.
  • Others to leave were "Alice" Bailey, who this year represented Suffolk in the All- England Sports at Durham and, whose incredible leap of 21ft. 11" will be talked about for a long time, at least until someone betters it, John Tweddle and "Sammy" Snell, two burly Rugby players have also left, the former to join an art school in London and the latter to a bank.
In sport the House had one of its best years. In a year of fierce competition all the way round we eventually had to be satisfied with sharing the Senior Rugby Cup with Hall's and Corner's. In the seven-a-side tournament, however, we made up for this by retaining the championship for the second year. The Junior Rugby team, ably led by Gardner, won their cup outright. As for cross-country the senior team surprised most people by achieving first place, including the first two individuals. The juniors, however, did not do as well as expected and our overall position was third. Corner's came first for the second year in succession and Halls second. The competition on Sports Day was the keenest ever, and although we were placed third, only a few points separated us from the champions, Corners. The Senior Cricket Championship was undecided since the match between Hall's and Corner's was not played. But here again our team enjoyed average success by winning one match, drawing one and losing one. The Sailing Cup was won by Halls and in this sport alone we came fourth and last. Academically, distinction was brought upon the House and School by Coutts and Szepesy, who both won Travelling Scholarships, the former to Germany and the latter to France. On Speech Day we were again well represented by nine prize-winners.

J. F. R. WALMSLEY

1956-1957
57w
Autumn 57
6-2

HM: Mr Richardson
Asst: Dr Lewis
Mat:

Captains
House: Andy Hunton
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:

IT IS HARD to believe that it is only a term since we left the Nissen huts to move into our new building. The move brought a great change to the House, a set of individuals became a unified community. However, in being a unified community the House has still kept its individual characters, though the end of the year saw the departure of many of them from the Fifth Form into the outside world. We would like to wish them success in whatever they may be doing. We are also sorry to have to say goodbye to Duncan Glass, whose leadership - strictly post-breakfast - has helped to bring the House so far, and we hope he passes his Chartered Accountant Course with success.

The number of the House still remains at sixty-five, due to the influx of Second Formers from the Junior House and the fact that our Sixth Form is larger than it has ever been. This is due to the good Fourth Form G.C.E. results. The House has much improved academically, both in the senior half and the junior half, where we had a high share of the Form prizes. For this Carter, Mortimer and Baynham must be congratulated.

Congratulations also to Henry Clark on becoming a Blue, and I hope he, A. Glass and Walmsley as Senior House Monitors, and Szepesy, Buckland, Coutts, Tweddle and Rosen as Junior House Monitors will keep the House running as smoothly as it has been so far this term.

Throughout the year Johnston's House has improved in everything except perhaps cricket. In athletics, although coming last, the points gained were not a disgrace, and the same percentage of improvement should see us holding the cup next year. This rugby season was our best ever. We came deservedly second to Corner's, and in the "sevens" surprised everybody by beating Corner's and taking the championship.

Walmsley again gave us the traditional Johnston's first place in the cross-country, and the House as a whole dumfounded everybody by coming third and thus breaking the previously unchallenged tradition of coming last.

For the first time Johnston's House had strong competition for the Sailing Cup and as a result we lost it to Hall's. However, I feel confident that, although we have lost Guest and many of our sailors, the up and coming ones will regain the cup next year.

Let us hope that this year we will not only improve but we shall improve enough to take the cups that Corner's have so far monopolised.

A. HUNTON

Spring 57
6-1
Spring 1957 - NO "JANUS" ENTRY
1955-1956
56w
Summer 56
5-2

HM: Mr Richardson
Asst:
Mat:

Captains
House: I Rowland
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:

AT THE END of the Summer Term we had to say goodbye to Moss, Omar, Munro, Hughes, Drew, and earlier in the year to Collins and Condon. But in spite of this, the influx from the Junior House has increased our, number, to about 65. We hope that our "new entries will enjoy their sojourn in the Senior House. To help with the handling of them, we welcome to the happy circle Dr. Lewis as assistant housemaster.

Looking back over the year, the House has made average progress. I think our most commendable effort was in the Inter-House Rugby, especially in the seven-a-sides, where we came second to Halls. Cricket and athletics, however, seemed to lack the usual House spirit, and this brought about the downfall of our teams. But perhaps the teams were still recuperating from the rugby season. In the cross-country we again carried on the old House tradition of coming last and once again having a Johnstonite placed first - and for this effort Walmsley is to be heartily congratulated. In the Sea Cadet swimming we were the only House to produce a swimmer for an individual event (100 yards free style) in the All-England meeting in Jersey, at which the swimmer - Andrew Hunton, did extremely well.

So much for games. Academically the House has not done very well. The Fifth Form "O" level G.C.E. results, with a few exceptions, were rather disappointing, although we had our share in the pleasing "A" level results. Lower down, however, Walmsley and Szepesy achieved distinction by being promoted from the Fourth Form straight to the Sixth Form.

Congratulations also go to Hunton, who was appointed a Blue, and to A. Glass, H. Clark and M. Daniel on being made House Monitors.

I hope this year will show a greater improvement all round, and this will no doubt be achieved when we go into our promised House next January. And in spite of the depressing outlook of a cold winter in this House, everybody is greatly looking forward to moving in.

D. GLASS

1954-1955
55w
Summer 55
4-2

HM: Mr Richardson
Asst:
Mat:

Captains
House: I Rowland
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:

THE SUPERSTITIOUS might assert that the electricity failure of 12th January was an omen of the gods' distress at Mr. Johnston's giving up his House. It certainly made a dismal start to the term, but at the same time showed how helpful and co-operative the Seniors could be when need arose, in spite of the depression caused by a cold tea and freezing dormitories. Full marks go to Workman, who had come to look after Corner's First Form, for his successful showering of 30 small boys by the light of one candle.From the next day things went normally, and we began to interest ourselves in House Matches. The senior Rugby team played very keen games and, although not winning any matches, held out to the end in each one. Meanwhile a very strong Junior team carried all before them. We hope from this that we shall have a good Senior team this year.

At Cricket we won two matches and lost to Corners. Again all the matches were close and keen. In the Athletic Sports we came second to Hansons, and here mention must be made of Gordon-Smith's fine wins in two cross-country and mile races. Afloat our Seniors did well and won both the Sailing and Whaler Pulling competitions.

The Head of the House, D. Glass, is still away in France. We hope that he is improving his French, but his letters do not speak much of this. The three House Monitors, Gordon-Smith, Hunton and Moss, have done well to fill the very real gap he leaves in House life.

In general the life of the House has shown that there is an increasing amount of sense and responsibility on the part of the Seniors. Tradition is something for which his successor feels very indebted to Mr. Johnston, who did so much to foster it. It is now to be hoped that our new Seniors will have put away the childish things which have marked their lives so far, and follow the example that is set them by the V and VI formers. It is only by the efforts of all of them that we an have a good House.

I.M. ROWLAND
1953-1954
54w
Summer 54
3-2

HM: Leslie Johnston
Asst:
Mat:

Captains
House:  
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:

A housemaster should keep a daily journal: then he would have no difficulty in writing his house notes. This housemaster, not having kept a journal, and having spent many days avoiding the Editor of "Janus," feels very guilty. What to say about the last year in the life of the house?

We started the year with thirty-five boys. In September, 1954 six did not return. Addiman had left, unfortunately, through illness. Shirley has gone to Plymouth College; Langer back to Frensham Heights, whence he had come in 1951; Holland to the Norwood Technical School; Harding and Martin to work in London. Our best wishes go with them all. During the year, Hunton joined us from St. Marylebone Grammar School (and now, of course, we have risen to a total of sixty-three since the influx of 2nd and 1st formers).

As usual it was a mixed year. We did not win anything - not even the cross-country race (although in Gordon-Smith and Munday we have two of the best cross-country runners in the school). But I was proud of the way in which the 1st rugby XV fought in their interhouse games. That spirit, and the talent in the present 3rd form augurs well for the future. And it is good to see four of our house playing so stalwartly in the school 1st XV. I was proud too of the performance on Sports Day even though we were not able to match Hanson's total of points. In cricket - in a poor season all round - we were not particularly inferior to any other house. But, in any case, games are not the be-all and end-all of existence. Looking back on the year I remember the busy activity of many boys in the common room, particularly at weekends; I also remember the aimless waste of time by the few who still don't know how to spend their leisure. I think of the boys coming in and out of my study to borrow books or look at stamps and catalogues; I remember a jolly good house party at Christmas, and an amusing contribution to the school Christmas party.

Of course, all the time there was the underlying wish that the house could he in a proper building. Still, now the buildings are coming.

These are the last house notes I shall write. To Mr. Richardson go my very best wishes. I hope he will enjoy the years ahead as much as I have these last three with all those peculiar, strangely likeable and irritating characters who make up this house. And I hope that I may be allowed to regard myself as an honorary member of the group.

L. JOHNSTON
1952-1953
53w
Summer 53
2-2

HM: Leslie Johnston
Asst:
Mat:

Captains
House:
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:

It is not easy, writing as we are, several months after the end of the school year, to think of adequate things to say of the events of 1952-3. There seems to have been a feeling of impermanence and change. At the beginning of a new year it is strange to realize how many boys have left the House in the last year - D. R. Brown, P. Rix, F. Lyons, P. Cockerell, A. Wilson, J. Ashworth, D. Fitzhardy, A. Brown, G. Piddington - to mention those who spring first to mind. However, it is good to know that so many of them have been helped towards careers of their choice. Brown and Rix are already on the high seas as Merchant Navy apprentice officers. Cockerell is to be an engineer apprentice with the Anglo-Petroleum Co., Wilson and Ashworth are about to enter the Royal Navy. Lyons very nearly obtained a Commission in the Fleet Air Arm and is now hoping to enter Dartmouth as a special entry candidate. He, together with Wilson, Cockerell and Ashworth all obtained very satisfactory passes in the General Certificate of Education.

In games our record was by no means outstanding, except that the Junior Rugby XY showed signs that the day might come when we shall win the cup. Most boys in the House took an active part in school activities. Many aeroplanes were made which didn't fly. And so we go - with our ups and downs - towards the creation of a House. We seem to have a goodly number of eccentrics among us, but they add interest, and we wouldn't be without them for worlds.

1951-1952
52w
Winter 52
1-2

HM: Leslie Johnston
Asst:
Mat:

Captains
House:  
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath:

It has been a term largely of out-door activities. It is difficult to see any especial growth of House spirit or unity, perhaps mainly because of that very fact. We have run our races, played our cricket, ridden our bicycles, experimented with the bow and the racket. Some people have done some work, others have not.

There have been some interesting chats in at least one of the dormitories, which made one think that perhaps a few members of the House were beginning to catch a glimpse of the sort of school we might make here. There have been disappointments.

In the Athletic Sports we did as well as we expected to do. In the senior section we made it possible for Corner's to be in the winning team; in the junior events we did not shine. In our first House Cricket Match (against Corner's) we scored 10 runs (including 8 extras) and were soundly beaten. Later in the season, perhaps as the result of some fairly serious practice, we were able to beat both Hanson's and Halls' (and a certain Housemaster, who shall be nameless, was heard muttering to himself: 'Lucky we played Johnston's when we did!')

Boutall left us during the term, headed for East Africa via France. Paradine, Cockerell, Lampon and Ashworth passed the written part of the R.N. Artificer Apprentice Examination. D. R. Brown, Ferrier, Lyons and Banfield all took various papers in the General Certificate of Education Examination. A number of boys will be leaving the House this term: Paradine, Ashworth, Lampon, Wilson, will all probably enter the Royal Navy; Banfield and Ferrier entering the Merchant Navy will join their ships in August.

The past three terms have at least given us the chance to get to know one another. To those who are leaving we wish good luck and God-speed. Those returning have the chance to come back to help create a healthy and active House based on honour and self-respect. By becoming such a House we can help build a fine school.

L. JOHNSTON

1951-1952
52s
Summer 52
1-1

HM: Leslie Johnston
Asst: L.W.P. Woolford
F.S. Mudd
Mat: Mrs Matthews

Captains
House: David. R. Brown
Rug:
Cri:
Sail:
Ath: