To Mr. And Mrs. Reimer

(signed:) S.G. Martin.

Dear Chefoo parents and friends,

July20, 1942.

Here is another letter to carry on the story of Chefoo. You have heard how happily Foundation Day was celebrated, now receive the news of the end of the term. Many of you will know how the second half-term goes. After Foundation Day there is a brief lull, lasting perhaps two weeks and filled with ordinary class work for the lower orders and with final revision and test papers for the Oxford candidates. Then the stream of life quickens and quickens until Open Day comes, when parents swarm the school buildings in the morning and see scientific experiments, and at night watch a physical training display; then the steam is racing through the rapids, faster and faster, through Examination days to the Prize-givings and (normally) the steamers depart taking away those who are leaving school. Then life subsides into holiday peace.

This year, near the end of the two weeks’ lull, came word that hustled us forward. A British evacuation boat would be leaving shortly: everything must be advances a week. Should Open Day be abandoned? Few were the parents to inspect us, fewer still the fogs for dissection (we are economizing on frogs this year), and every hour of class work was needed for revising. But wanted to drop nothing that might be retained. So, the drill display was retained and fixed for an early date, appallingly early in the eyes of the drill instructors, thinking of squads far from display standard.

The boys and girls rose to the situation as they always do. The drill programme consisted of Agility Exercises, Junior Girls Physical Training, Senior Boys P.T., Girls’ Parallel Bars; then, in the traditional Pyramid, the singing of the School Anthem. A substantial programme – less window-dressing than usual, and perhaps more of the genuine P.T. activities of the School. In the Agility work, Rupert Hoyte and Ramsay Longden were outstanding; Alan Bailey, Tommy Binks, Kenneth Patchett, all were good. For the girls’ P.T. the team leaders were Mary Hoyte, Helen Amos, Joan Young, Beryl Welch, M. Beavan and K. Strange. This was real P.T. with team races, not a memorized set piece, one happy result of shorter time for preparation. Boys’ P.T. was headed by Calvin Cook and Wally Desterhaft, and was as lively as ever in the hands of Mr. Welch. The boys were physically on their toes and mentally on the alert. Then came Tenikoit: my classically trained typewriter jibs at this grotesque word. The game is the same as Deck Tennis, but since it is not Tennis nor played upon deck here, this misspelled barbarism is its accepted name. Bette Hatton and Barbara Hulse represented Slessor House, Sylvia Welch and Rhoda Jeanne Thomas, Carmichael; and Margaret Jackson and Mary Chalkey, Judson. These intrepid heroines had the ordeal of playing off their sets under the eyes of no small audience. The quivering rubber ring is elusive enough at any time, but in such surroundings only the stoutest nerves would stand the strain. These girls should hereafter have social poise enough for any occasion.

The Wheel is a novelty presented to us by the parents of two day-scholars. Imagine a gigantic napkin-ring five feet in diameter, about two feet from edge to edge, made of iron tubes with various hand-grips and cross-bars. On this, in this and under these boys singly or in groups disport themselves, bowling it (and themselves) across and around the Quad with the utmost unconcern whether they are right way up or upside down or horizontal. It is an amazing object and the performers thereon deserved and gained generous applause. They were Stephen Metcalf (the star) and Joseph Cooke, John Andrews and Luther Cook.

All the Senior School girls were included in the Clubs display. This was a real success, for it is a small task to train specially selected performers, and a much greater task and much more valuable training if you retain all alike. Congratulations to Miss Lucia and Miss Taylor. The Boys’ Parallel Bars show was (as always since Bertie Lutley’s departure) self-trained, and a very good example of what boys can do on their own when they are keen enough to give up time for practice. Billy Jenkins was the leader and star performer. Robin Hoyte, John Andrews, Joseph Cooke, Stephen Metcalf, Bryan and Ian Massey and Luther Cook were the team. Neil Yorkston also would have taken a good part in it but for eye trouble which kept him in hospital for the vital days. If this letter reaches Szechwan, Bertie Lutley may be assured that the standard he set up is largely being maintained (though in some points of finish we miss his polishing), and new stunts annually invented; but the inspiration still derives from you, Bertie.

So, with the Pyramid and the singing of "Lord of all Power and Might" ended another Open Day Drill. Gloriously normal thank God who hears your prayers for us. The boys then had a bath and came back to find a job waiting to be done: all the benches had been brought out for spectators (and it is surprising how many spectators we still muster in Chefoo), and the benches had to be put back. We have many fewer servants now; so, in bathing trunks the senior boys were at work for half an hour, stowing the benches into the cellars under the B.S. In many such matters we have more tasks than formerly; and no harm in that.

This P.T. display was on a Saturday evening: the examinations (Oxford and School). had begun the day before. No question papers have been received from Oxford this year; but Mr. Harris had presciently concealed the December 1940 papers, so these were inflicted on the candidates. Papers on the set books peculiar to this year had been set (with due secrecy, by members of the Staff who were not teaching this year's candidates. So, the examination went through in the normal way. The written answers are being sent off with the British evacuation party; and we expect that the authorities in Oxford will award some kind of wartime certificate on these papers.

Exams fill our horizon for so long, and then they are left behind, and the Prize giving Programmes loom largest. Music teachers and others lament the loss of that extra week, but the final polishing comes in time, and after the rehearsals of Saturday we know where we are and can lay care aside over the week-end. For this week-end is often unusually important: Leaving party on Saturday night for the Sixth Form; Baptism Sunday; Crusaders Birthday Sunday; last Memorial Hall service for those about to leave. This year the Baptism have been deferred a week to avoid rush; but all the other events took place and deserve a record. The Leaving Party was on a more modest scale (in modes and menu) than before. The Art Room was converted into a decorated dining room, gay with coloured lights, and the sixteen Sixth Formers had a good time, and according to custom made each a farewell speech, many of which were heart-felt testimonies to the work God had wrought through Chefoo. Then came Sunday. The Memorial Hall service will not soon be forgotten. Mr. Bazire spoke on three aspects of the Christian life 'thoroughly furnished, as shown in the experiences of Amos in the wilderness, Micah in the farmlands and Isaiah in the city. A finely lettered illustration of all this (drawn by Mrs. Bazire) showed the text (II Tim. 3:17) and a landscape from the Le Mediterranean to the Dead Sea. At night Dr. Glass (of Hwanghsien, Sung. spoke to the United Crusader Birthday Service on Moses' Choice; and many boys and girls were moved to a new consecration.

On Monday the Preparatory School Prize giving was held and the following account of this was written by Miss Pyle.

Those who have been with us on former occasions will be wondering in what way the Prep School Prize-Giving of 1942 differed from those previous years. Do not be afraid. You can picture it all: the rows of happy faces, round and ruddy in spite of necessary changes of diet; the dainty white frocks and pale blue ribbons of the little girls, and the spotless suits of the small boys, proudly girt with the school belt. Perhaps someone you saw last in the front row has now reached the top row, and a new set of Primaries wins everyone’s heart. There is room for brothers and sisters of the Senior School to sit together in the body of the hall, some familiar faces are missing and there are no Summer visitors: otherwise the general look of things is in nowise different.

After the children had sung the opening hymn, the Chairman, Mr. Morrison, asked God’s blessing on the afternoon’s proceedings, then we all settled down to enjoy ourselves. The programme opened with a martial air played with great precision and vim by Kenneth Bell and Stewart Goodwin. The primaries charmed us with their recitations, first asking questions of the moon, and then one of them explaining how a small boy made a hole in the curtain with his knee, and wished he was the hole and the hole was when he heard his Auntie coming. His little friend told about the ball that slipped out of his hand and made a hole in the windowpane. The whole school sang to us about the world –

You are so great and I am so small
I tremble to think of you all.

However, as they prayed they reached the place where they were able to say to themselves:

But you are more than the earth
Though you are such a dot.
You can live and think
And the world cannot.

The story of Red Riding Hood was told in music by nine music pupils of Upper 1, who came down and sat in a row at the side of the platform until it was time to step forward and announce the title of his or her section of the story. The music was most realistic, whether it suggested ‘Going through the Wood’, ‘The Wolf’, ‘Poor Grandmother’, ‘The Rescue’, or any other chapters of the story. Four little girls from Lower I recited very sweetly about the shining things: the moon, the stars, the glow-worm, the raindrop, the bubble and the beads around Mother’s neck. ‘It was a lovely thought of God to make things shine’, they said.

Jean Bruce and Mable Brinks played well a duet entitled ‘An Evening Story’, end then the Transition Percussion Band delighted us with a rendering of ‘Twinkle, Twinkle’ and an ‘Austrian Air’. I wish you could have seen the conductor, Elizabeth Hoyte, beating time for the twenty-two performers on triangles, drums, hand bells and cymbals, and turning over the page of the large music sheet (in staff notation) at the conclusion of the first item.

‘Where is Mary?’ by the Primary was encored, and there was the usual misunderstanding on the part of on or two about the request to repeat the performance. One after the other the children asked for Mary, ‘Who has a dozen jobs to do and hasn’t finished two.’ Finally, she was found in sitting in the garden, listening to a bird.

The Upper School sang a lively song about Little Flurry who was always in a hurry, and this was followed by a pretty one telling us ‘Shell Secrets’. The ‘Unending Tale’ rendered by Lower I was full of life, and the pianoforte solo played from memory by Mabel Andrews, a long one for a little girl, indicated real promise. ‘There was an Old Woman’ was sung with vigour by the whole school, and they did not seem too sad when she whipped them all soundly and put them to bed.

The Primary were to the fore again with a recitation, sweetly serious this time, ‘Blessed is the little child who knocks upon God’s door’. A band item was rendered by Lower I with Elizabeth Edwards as conductor, then Transition recited ‘The Pig’s brother’ so delightfully they were asked to do it again. We hope all untidy little boys took to heart the lesson taught by the Tidy Angel who sent someone to look for his brother. The Squirrel, the Wren, and the Cat all rejected him, but the Pig greeted him as a member of his family and invited him to roll in the lovely black mud. What a relief when the Tidy Angel reappeared and gave our little friend the choice of returning with her or sharing the porker’s pig wash.

The Lower School sang, ‘The Flowers Awakening’ so clearly that we could follow the words, and then Marjorie Harrison and Christine Martin played a pianoforte duet, keeping excellent time. Upper I had prepared a long recitation, the subject this time being ‘William Tell’. We sympathized with the Swiss villagers who had to bow to the tyrant’s hat carried on a pole, and admired the staunch William Tell and his son who refused to recognize each other before the enemy or to make obeisance to him. There was breathless silence, as Tell essayed to shoot the apple off his son’s head, success being the price of freedom for them both. ‘I am not afraid, Father, Shoot!’ cried a little voice; The programme closed with an evening song about the buds and the flowers and butterflies who all go to rest while God keeps awake all through the night. ‘Fear not the shadows. He takes away the light to make our sleep more calm and sweet.’

The Chairman, whom the children recognized as an old friend, said what a privilege it was to represent the absent parents; It has been a pleasure through this past year to get to know the Prepites and he and his wife had often entertained angels unaware. He said the simplicity of a little child appealed to us all. It had appealed to our Lord Who said, ‘Suffer the little children to come unto Me.’ He congratulated the children on having received such excellent training and suggested that we had been listening to the choir of the future. The recitations had been appreciated. They were well rendered and represented much work in training and education. There was only one prize this year and that was for Scripture. For the others there were rewards; In Abraham’s day the Lord had said, ‘I am … thy exceeding great reward.’ In the last chapter of Revelation there is a mention of a reward. ‘My reward is with Me to give to everyone according to his work.’ Might we all be among those who should hear the Master’s ‘Well done.’ The Chairman then called upon the children to clap their teachers by way of expressing their thanks to them.

Miss Carr rose to thank Mr. and Mrs Morrison for helping them to set up another milestone. It had been a short one but not an uneventful mile. To the visitors she extended a warm welcome to the Prize-giving of 1943 wherever it might be held, under the palms of Mozambique or beneath our own punkahs. She recounted some of the compensations of the year in sentences brief but full of meaning for those who listened. The children were then called forward to receive their rewards – certificates in lieu of prizes. The ‘Jamie Lutley Memorial’ prize for Scripture was awarded to Elizabeth Hote and Edith Bell came down amid a thunder of applause to receive recognition for four years of good conduct.

After an invitation to visit the exhibition of hand work, a happy afternoon came to an end with the singing of ‘God be in my head and understanding.’

What can we say about the handwork? Space does not permit of too detailed a report. The general impression of one who has watched the work for many years is that in no way did this exhibition come behind those of former years. Was there a scarcity of materials, the ingenuity of the teacher fully compensated. A matchbox and a half was sufficient to form the hulk of a steamer, and the deft fingers of the Transition boys provided a fleet of full-rigged craft. As for cotton reels, they entered into various schemes. One ambitious project was the farmhouse with its flower garden, and the five-barred gate to keep the livestock within bounds. There was the pig-sty and the orchard, and in the meadow, hay making was in full progress. The Chinese village presented many well-known features; the food shop, the vegetable store and even the Gospel Hall. Rickshaws produced from matchboxes, and likewise barrows, stood ready for hire. Mule carts on the highroad and junks on the canal had a familiar look.

It was interesting to note that Primary boys as well as girls had learned to knit and sew. Christopher Beauchamp and Joan Thompson alike could exhibit a doll’s knitted garment and a babys bib. Speaking of knitting, mention should be made of the baby’s bonnets in fine wool by some older girls, as well as winter mits. Wool is a precious commodity in these days, but even so an important line of education has not been omitted. The turning of a heel can be taught in the shaping of a tiny bonnet, if it is difficult to spare wool for a pair of socks. The sewing was extremely neat, whether in the gaily coloured sachets of Transition girls or the longer seams and samplers of Upper I. Boys as well as girls seemed neat-fingered, while under the care of the Prep School staff. Book covers, kettle holders of cross stitch, and scarves, ties and bonnets woven on a handloom bore the names of boys.

Art as usual provided a colourful display. Memory recalls jars of gay flowers, the people you see in Holland, and the seasons of the year made with cut-outs on a back-ground of appropriate scenery. Elizabeth Edwards’ name seemed to be connected with some of the later. Design gave a outlet for originality, and the first attempts at drawing from life had prepared a way for an interesting hobby in later life for the apt. The teacher’s comments, ‘Too much hair’, ‘Face too round’, and so on, revealed the careful training of the individual pupil. All honour to the Prep School Staff for the way in which they have triumphed over difficulties.”

Then came Tuesday, the great day for the Senior School. We have not yet found the ideal pattern for this day. Since the amalgamation of the boys and girls we have had the problem how to represent adequately the abilities of 200 boys and girls in one programme which has to include prize-giving and Headmaster’s report and a valedictory exhortation, all on a hot July afternoon. Last year we divided the musical programme from the prize-giving. And this year we did the same; but this division is rather like dividing the jam from the powder, and in the absence of visiting parents who will endure any discomforts to see their children, we found that the afternoon function was somewhat sparcely attended. Some better device must be found for next year.

Mr. Gillies led in an opening prayer. Then Mr. Bruce gave some account of the year, though less exposition was needed since all the audience had been through all the experiences of the year with us. He emphasized the marvellous fact that we were here and functioning normally. Health this year had been above the average, except for a recent crop of fractures and dislocations among the boys. Happy events of the year had been the coming of last year’s Oxford results, without a single failure; the again this year’s Oxford papers can be sent off, apparently without difficulty (to the candidates this is a special satisfaction, for there had been rumours that the papers would be marked by members of the staff, who would have too intimate a knowledge of the weaknesses of the candidates, and not enough of the Olympian detachment of the official examiners in far-off Oxford). Mr. Bruce expressed our belief that the blessings of the year were due above all to the prayers of parents and others for Chefoo.

Dr. W.S. Glass, of the Southern Baptist Mission and father of old Chefusians who were at school from 1912 to 1934, spoke to the leaving class on Ps. 90:12, urging them to the true “beginning of wisdom.”

Prizes do not exist now, only certificates, but the standard of work is independent of rewards. The three main Sixth Form prizes (for languages, English, Maths-and-Science) were all taken by Jean Lack. The conduct prizes went to Kari Torjesen and Calvin Cook. The scripture prizes went to Helen Costerus (Junior), Finlay Dunachie (Middle), Comfort King (Senior). Percent prizes were won by 55 boys and girls, a good proportion of our diminished school. Slessor and Livingstone won the House Competitions.

A short interval gave scanty time for supper and rest, then the Memorial Hall was filled again, and the audience was somewhat larger. The performance was not flawless; for this we may excuse ourselves on the score of reduced time for preparation and because of the unusual spell of hot, dry weather which has been oppressing Chefoo. Nor was the programme itself a unity such as gave such pleasure in the Hiawatha programme last year. But when these admissions are made, other comments should be praise. There was much enjoyment for the performers and the audience.

The chief pianists this year were Andrew Hayman, Betty and Mary Chalkey and Grace Liversidge and Marjorie Windsor. The las two were to have played a duet, but Grace was knocked out by dental trouble, so we lost the pleasure of their item. Ramsay Longden (in a lively poem, well recited, about a dog) and Jane Hoste were the junior reciters; Jean Lack as last year the soloist, in a pleasant song about “The Land called Home.” The Orchestra is still going strong (though at one stage the preparations Mrs. Bazire declared that the Orchestra should be seen and nor heard) with plenty of violins, a ‘cello, trombone, trumpets, clarinet and drum. The Orchestra played a selection from Saint-Saens’ “Samson and Delilah” and a Cossack Dance. The songs sung were a credit to the singers and to Miss Willoughby, Miss Hills and Mr. Houghton who had trained them. The three songs sung by the whole school were full of life, “Drums of Freedom”, “Non Nobis, Domino” and “Ring out, Wild Bells.” The chief non-musical items were a selection from “Samson Agonistes” and a selection from “The Merchant of Venice”. Joseph Cooke as the Messenger bringing the news of Samson’s death showed real power of allocution and conveying emotion. The chorus of boys and girls (Upper V) gave some pleasing united speeches; The Lower V who did the Trial Scene from “The Merchant of Venice” were probably the best set of Shakespearean performers that we have seen for a number of years, and Mary Pearl Nowack as Portia and Findlay Dunachie as Shylock were outstanding.

It is difficult to convey to you the inland atmosphere here; but I hope there is a pleasure in reading names so far remote from “the situation”, as Portia and Shylock, ‘cellos and clarinets. Rejoice with us that what seemed impossible has been done, the year’s work finished and happily finished, in spite of war whose signs at our very gates. You will be glad to know too that though most of our boats have been taken from us (not that we could have afforded to use them if we had had them), yet we have been allowed two small ones which will make possible the swimming of Long Swims as usual.

Also, three rafts have been publicly equipped, and there is no objection made to our using them. So, bathing is more fun than it has been for a year or two. The three men whom I have has to do in connection with these boating matters are pleasant and even friendly. Now we have a number of boys and girls packed ready for a departure which is wrapped in vagueness. It is not easy for them waiting in hope deferred.

Yesterday – the Sunday after term – was an exceedingly happy day with the baptism of 19 boys and girls. We are looking forward to C.S.S.M. services about the middle of August, not on the shore.

So, join us in praising God, and be at rest in Him about us.

Yours with all affection in the bonds of His service,

S.G. Martin.

Senior School Prize List 1942

II

Kenneth Patchett = 75%, — Athena Cook = 76%, — Joyce Kerry = 77%, — Catherine Fraser = 79%, ― Kathryn Kuhn = 81%, ― Marry Ruth Howes = 85%, ― Stephen Houghton = 87%, ― Dorothy Andrews = 89%.

III.

Kathleen Strange = 75%, ― Helen Costerus = 78%, ― Joan Young = 79%, ― Winifred Englund = 79%, ― Maida Harris = 80%, ― Mary Hoyte = 80%, ― Catherine Warren = 80%, ― Helen Amos = 81%, ― Richard Phillips = 82%, ― David Thomas = 82%, ― Marien Bevan = 83%, ― Roland Stedeford = 88%.

IV

Handley Lack = 75%, ― Margaret Scott = 78%, ― Paul Amos = 79%, ― David Beard = 79%, ― Ralph Eisenstaedt = 82%, ― Estelle Cliff = 84%, ― Theodore Bazire = 85%, ― Rupert Hoyte = 86%.

LV.

Brian Thompson = 76%, ― Noel Taylor = 77%, ― Clifford Trickey = 78%, ― Dickson Vinden = 78%, ― Bruce Hanna = 79%, ― Leila Cliff = 79%, ― Kathleen Taylor = 79%, ― Findley Dunachie = 81%, ― Eric Hoyte = 81%, ― Ian Nassey = 81%, ― Chris Costerus = 83%, ― Alvin Desterhaft = 84%, ― Theodore Jordan = 84%, ― Stanley Nordmo = 85%, ― Neil Yorkston = 87%.

UV.

John Barling = 75%, ― Margaret Vinden = 82%, ― Mary Chalkey = 83%, ― John Andrews = 83%, ― Samuel Arendt = 83%, ― Brian Massey = 87%, ― Joseph Cooke = 89%, ― Comfort King = 89%.

VI.

Grace Livesidge = 77%, ― Robert Hoyte = 77%, ― Calvin Cook = 79%, ― Jean Lack = 91%.

Special prize: … given by an anonymous friend to the scholar who in the opinion of the staff has by hard work made the most progress during the year goes to ― Ronald Slade.

Special Subjects Scripture (awarded on test of general Scripture knowledge)
Junior division: Helen Costerus,
Middle Division: Findley Dunachie,
Senior Division: Comfort King.

Sewing: Form II: Kathryn Kuhn,
Form III: Catherine Warren,
Form IV: Rhona Quelch.

Art: Lower School: Mary Hoyte,
Middle School: Clifford Trickey,
Senior School: Irene Trickey.

Sixth Form Special Subjects: All who reach the standard of 85%, in any of the three groups, English, Maths and Science ― and Languages, get certificates. If this standard is not reached, one certificate in each subject is given to the one getting the highest mark above 80%:
English: Jean Lack = 91%,
Languages: Jean Lack = 92%,
Maths & Science: Jean Lack = 89%, ― Beau Howell = 85%.

Music Honours:
Lower School: Winifred England,
Middle School: Sylvia Welch.

Pass: Lower School: Beryl Welch, Kathleen Nordmo.
Middle School: Fronsie Beckon, Agnes Bell, Ruth Bell, Betty Hatton, Alvin Desterhaft,
Upper School: Andrew Hayman.

Boy's Neatness: Junior: Ramsay Longdon,
Senior: Neel Taylor and Dick Vinden-Tie.

House Shields. Girls' House Slessor. Boys' House Livingstone.
Conduct Prize: Those are given on the vote of the Staff after the pupils have expressed their opinions.
Girls' House: Kari Torjesen,
Boys' House: Calvin Cook.

Leaving Pupils:

Jean Allan, Betty Harle, Isabel Harris, Ruth Jordan, Jean Lack, Grace Liversidge, Doris Seaman, Kar Torjesen, Irene Trickey, David Clarke, Calvin Cook, Wallace Desterhaft, Andrew Hayman, Beau Howell, Robert Hoyte, William Jenkins.

# end of letter.