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ST. AUGUSTINE'S GRAMMAR SCHOOL
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pjf
30th June 2025
My dear boys,
If we look back to the closing days of the 20th Century, it was a time when, with the creation of a virtual home for her Old Boys and staff emeriti,
St Augustine's Grammar School came to experience a time of renaissance.
It was a time when much comraderie was enjoyed amonst those who once ascended Sharston Mount.
It was a time when old friendships were rekindled, new alliances forged, common experiences shared and stories of this great school retold.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
Sadly, with the passage of time, and the many demands on our limited time resources, neglect became evident, signs of decay were present and maintenance, not forthcoming, was required:
existential ingregrity had been breached and the very foundation was now structurally unsound.
Eventually, the lease lapsed and what had become our virtual home fell foul to a malevolent foreign takeover.
Dubious morality subsequently made that address an unsuitable venue for the gentlemen formerly of this great school.
However I am now pleased to report that, having undergone a 2nd renaissance, the virtual home is again resplendent, at a new address but firmly rooted in the hallowed ground of Sharston Mount,
and is again worthy of its alma mata.
Indeed, St Augustine's Grammar School Old Boys has now been totally rebuilt from the foundations up to the lofty heights of the science laboratories.
A sound structure has been created on firm data blocks, punctuated meticulously .
Inherited modular construction has been implemented, of which, Mr Matthews will be be pleased tell you more about, at a later date.
The principle Semel scribere et toties legere has been extensively utilised throughout the construction:
When and if alterations are to be made, change apparently can now be achieved in an expedite manner without any unnecessary duplication of effort.
The renewed fresh décor, regretfully, has less magenta than previous incarnations; you will all be aware of how the Headmaster is fond of magenta.
However magenta is still resiliently predominant and with that All pervading Spice in the air, that Augustinian aura of the Augustinian era is ensured.
The Headmaster is pleased to report that the place remains pleasantly and definitively, should one say, magentric.
Several languages were used during the rebuild, though one has to say that the Headmaster is familiar with none of those mentioned.
Parts of the original scripts have apparently been translated from an archaic language which has fallen into disuse, and no longer readily understood.
Although the architect is, by self admission, not a natural linguist, he has endeavoured to become more fluent with the languages required.
One is mindful here of the early apostles being given the gift of languages, in order to promote the Word.
Furthermore, taking inspiration from the Eastern Orthodox side of the Great Schism, iconography is now widely used for illustration and guidance.
Indeed, your Headmaster now has an truly iconic presence. The iconoplasmic zeal is to be much lauded.
Resilience against modern day threats is unfortunately required to remain strong and upstanding in the world of today.
To this end, special measures have been taken to deter the ingress of arachnoid gatherers and to resist any interference from those that do not have the best interests of this great school at heart.
Letters to the Headmaster
The writing of letters to the Headmaster is now facilitated once more,
and the Headmaster again looks forward with anticipation to hearing, within your annual epistles, of your achievements and transgressions over the past year .
It goes without question that my blessing will be bestowed on all, where it is requested in your concluding closures.
Grateful thanks are given for a splendid rendition of Sine Nomine "For All the Saints", played by Dr Alan Massey with the wonderful sound of Hereford Cathedral organ,
so ensuring the words of William Walsham How, to the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams (Sine Nomine) remain within our hearts and so continue that organ and choral tradition within the core of our daily lives.
At the appointed hours, the start of the day is again pronounced
and at the close of day, the bell of St Augustine's is again sounding out across the land, and beyond, in the traditional manner, marking the conclusion of another day of learning.
This virtual home is globally accessible, as its content soars through the ether to friends of St Augustine's Grammar School thoughout earth's wide bounds,
using all portals of communication whether - from the enhanced pocket telephone; or from the modern day tablet; or from the obligatory screen on our desk tops
or from the now ubiquitous massive edifaces which occupy the walls, where bookcases previously had pride of place in our places of residence.
The Headmaster is sorry to see that already, graffiti has been appearing on the frontispiece of this great institution.
The fact that at least one of the culprits is an ex-boy of this great school - is known to the Headmaster: the name used by our boys for the Headmaster is known by the perpetrator;
the text of the graffito is spelt correctly and two words are used when a single word might have sufficed - the tautology so mastered by your own Headmaster.
There can be no doubt that this transgression has been committed by one of our own.
Mercy will be dependent on immediate cessation of such immature and thoughtless activity, and will be proportional to the promptness of confession.
Website Fund. The Website Fund was opened at this time last year to maintain and develop this foundation - a generous donation was made following a '69 reunion
which lubricated the machinery for another year.
However the Fund at present stands overspent at £198-15p, with more hosting expenses due later in the year.
2025 has been a year with several non-recurring expenses; the renaissance has its price.
All the same, I put it to you that the very best schools have assembled a website and that the website is an important part of our alumnal fraternity.
When you first attend one of our class reunions for the school after the website has been launched, you will be glad to discover the additional splendour which it can impart
and you will agree that this great school deserves this additional mark of greatness.
I am asking for £5 from every boy from the school for the annual website fund.
May I finally take this opportunity to address those boys and staff attending the forthcoming '69 social gathering, an occasion which seems likely to become an annual inbibing event.
Although, due to his transcendental state, the Headmaster cannot have a corporeal presence, be assured that his presence will undoubtedly be felt in spirit.
On this occasion, school uniform is not required, but all attending should maintain a smart appearance, worthy of the alumni of the great academic institution.
As it will then be July, and summer days are with us, gaberdine raincoats are not required provided the weather remains clement.
I wish you all the best for the day.
Yours in spirit,
(F.J. McGUINESS)
Headmaster