Figure 1.-- Headmasters vary as to their priorities and role in the school. At some schools the headmaster is more of a business managers supervising teachers and communicating with parents. At other schools the headmaster is much more directly involved with the children. |
The role of the headmaster at prep schools in recent years. Many prepschools were founded by headmasters in the 19th and early 20th century and actually owned by them. Gradually these schools have mostly been converted to charitable trusts. Thus headmasters have become chief executive officers of small non-porfit corporations. The character of the school is still stringly influenced by the headmaster, although probably not so much as in the past. Headmasters vary as to their priorities and role in the school. At some schools the headmaster is more of a business managers supervising teachers and communicating with parents. At other schools the headmaster is much more directly involved with the children.
Histoially with an upper case H, was being made in 1956, when the sad and untimely death of Archie Forbes, left Lambrook with no Headmaster. Philip Brownless, at the time a very young schoolmaster, took over the reins immediately with both courage and skill assisted in no small measure by his capable and talkented wife. Together they ran the school for fifteen years, building on strength, adding their own particular flavour, exertise and mystique.
Lambrook Chronicle, 1980.
Monday: the wort day of the week right aftera good weekend. Nothing usually goes right.
When I arrived at school I went to put my things away when I met my best friend.
"Come on, put your things away quick!" She snatched my things and threw them down. She was madly excoted and rushed around the place. I stood watching her.
"What's the rush? I'm not late am I?" I looked at my watch. No in fact I was early.
"No, but the Headmaster wants to see all the prefects, now!"
Jenny, my friend , and I ran to the hall; we had just been made prefects that term.
It was the annual competition where we had to enter the slips of paper with our names on in the hat. The Headmaster put his hand in the hat.
"The person who is to run the school for today is .....Sarah White.
I was stonished. After the headmaster taked to us we went through. I went to the Headmaster's study to see what he would normally be taking. Maqths. Well, not my best subject; but never mind.
I gave two stripes. The Headmaster took my place. I gave one to him and one to my worst enemy.
At break time I said everyone had to have a piece of chocolte cake and sweets or they'd get a stripe.
Ten I took an English lesson. I gve fourteen good copies nd four bd copies. Then I set the class some really difficult work that no one could do and I had a really good time.
Then I gave the class a Current Affairs test. I told them they had to fail it and get zero or they'd be in trouble. Only the class brain got ten out of ten so I told her that she wasn't allowed lunch, little tea or super for the rest of the day.
Then the lunch bell went and we went to our tables. I gave the Headmaster another stripe for bad table manners nd fined the Head boy three pounds for having his hands in his pockets.
After lunch I did good copies, bad copies and stripes. Then I said that my class could do carpentry or mess around with me in charge and the other classes had to do Maths all afternoon. We had great fun and I sent the Deputy Headmaster to go and stand outside the study.
I don't think I'll ever be made Headmistress again!
Sarah White, 11 years, 5 months, Surge (Beeston Hall), Autumn 1988.
