At the end of the Spring Term Mr. Phillips, Deputy Head since September 1971, left to take up his appointment as Headmaster of Battersea Grammar School; Mrs. Hayward, Head of Home Economics, moved out of the London area; and Mr. Joy, School Caretaker since 1948, began a well earned retirement. In July, Mr. Hislop retired after more than twenty seven years in charge of Woodwork teaching; Miss Aldridge left to take a post at Hampstead School; Miss Matts secured a post in Derbyshire and Miss Westwood one in Dunstable; while Mrs. Grubb and Mrs. Sosabowska left the part-time teaching staff to pursue careers outside the teaching profession. On other pages full reference is made to their work at Drayton Manor. To all of them we extend our thanks and best wishes for the future.

Earlier in the school year Mrs. Senior had joined the Maths Department. In April Mr. J. Hides became Deputy Head after very varied experience which included regular service in the Royal Air Force as a Navigator and, more recently, several years as a Housemaster at the Ernest Bevin Comprehensive School in Inner London. At the same time Miss C. Bourke took charge of Mrs. Hayward's work and at the beginning of the Autumn Term 1973 we welcomed Mrs. J. Rees, Miss M. Robertson, Mrs. K. Tatersall and Mr. C. Revell to the History, English, Languages and P. E. Departments respectively.

The new 6th form General Studies programme began in September 1972 with courses on the following subjects: An introduction to Philosophy; the Modern Novel; Computing and Statistics; Genetics; Biological aspects of the environment; History of political ideas; Modern music; Cookery; Woodwork; and Personal finance. In conjunction with this, 6th form talks were given by a number of lecturers who visited the school during the year. Mr. Hayward spoke on Advertising; Mr. M. Grubb on Race Relations; Mr. Randall on the T. U. C.; Mr. Small on Conservation; and the Reverend Father Walker on Mental Health.

The other innovations during the year were the School Council, which dealt with a variety of topics, and the teaching of French to pupils of Hobbayne Primary School who crossed the playing field several times a week to attend Miss Aldridge's special classes. The full programme of Biology, Geography and Geology Field Courses is reported elsewhere, as are the Junior Speech Competition, the visits of Youth and Music, the production of 'Pygmalion' in December, the Annual Concert in March and the Summer Entertainment in July. Special mention should be made, however of the mixed-media presentation, during the concert, of the 'Demon of Adachigahara' with a mime, admirably performed by members of the first year. The new greenhouse recently provided by the Parents' Association, came into full use during the year and in addition to their generous and continuing help with many activities, the Parents held a very well attended meeting at which Mr. Jewell gave a talk on Modern Mathematics.

In the last edition of Phoenix a brief, but factual account was given of Drayton Manor's place in the Borough's plans for the reorganisation of education in Ealing. The Secretary of State approved those plans for implementation in September 1974. As reported, therefore, Drayton Manor will become over a period of years a Comprehensive High School for the age range 12-19. The School will grow gradually from about 600 pupils in 1974 until it reaches its maximum of 1200, a little later than previously thought, in 1980-81. Throughout this period the education of pupils admitted in or before September 1973 will continue on the lines indicated at the time of their entry. The first stage of a substantial building programme is expected to be a new Arts, Crafts, Home Economics Centre which will provide extra accommodation and much improved facilities from which both present and future pupils will benefit.

Finally, readers of Phoenix may like to know of a new school Calendar which it is hoped to produce with the help of the Parents' Association and the Phoenicians. This will give details of events, games fixture lists etc. and should prove useful to all.

C.J.E.