With the retirement of Mr. Wright at the end of the Summer Term, one more of the few surviving links with the origin of the school in 1930 has been severed. Although Mr. Wright served the school for thirty-nine years, a record period for any member of the teaching staff, he was not present at the opening of the school forty-one years ago. He did, however, know intimately and work closely with the founder-headmaster, Mr. S. Allenby, the first Deputy, Miss M. Redman and the first Senior Master, Mr. P. H. Arnold and therefore came to be regarded by us, the slightly younger generation, as one of the "old gang".

For the last thirteen years Mr. Wright was Deputy Headmaster of Drayton Manor and all our present and many of our past pupils will remember him as such. It must not be forgotten, however, that during this period and for more than a quarter of a century previously, he was Head of Geography and entirely responsible for the success of that department in obtaining passes in the public examinations for the academically weaker pupils who often failed miserably in the majority of their other subjects.

Mr. Wright's tenure of office as Deputy was distinguished by the tolerance and compassion which he extended to all pupils, even to the most hardened miscreants. But for his forbearance and understanding many a now successful boy might have had his hopes for the future abruptly terminated. Thus the atmosphere of kindliness and self-discipline which characterizes the Drayton Manor of today, was gradually evolved and it is for this that we shall perhaps best remember our old colleague.

All of us at the school hope that "Robbie", as he was affectionately called by the staff, or "Dickie", as he was irreverently known to his pupils, will, together with his wife, Myra, enjoy a long and happy retirement and not forget to visit us from time to time.

F. R. J. R.