Despite the fact that 'Time and tide wait for no Man' it always comes as a shock when the age of retirement is suddenly just round the corner. I, with many others, have still to receive this shock, but for Mr. Wheatley the moment of truth is at hand, and he has decided to declare his 'innings' closed at Goldings after 'twenty-one overs'. I trust I will be forgiven for the rather weak parallel of cricketing terms, but as all readers are well aware, cricket has been, and still is one of Mr. Wheatley's greatest loves in the field of sport; and Bottom Field will he the poorer when he no longer takes middle and off, or pounds up to deliver something unplayable from the bowlers' crease. However, to make a few points on the more serious side of this unhappy but inescapable event, Mr. Wheatley has been responsible for practically all the great (and small) changes that have taken place during the post war years, and many of us are aware that it has been a dedicated plan that Mr. Wheatley has carried out, not allowing hold?ups of any proportion to deter him from his ultimate goal? better conditions for boys and staff. There have been difficult times, especially in the more recent years, but even so certain reforms have taken place, which are necessary for the school’s long-term survival. Let us just look for a moment at some of the structural improvements that have come about: the new and recently re - equipped dining hall and kitchens; the new ablution block; sitting rooms for all houses and modern comfortable bedrooms; the Mac Andrew wing for senior boys and bed sitting rooms for staff; the new General Subjects building and the extension to the Printing Department. This isn't all of course, but definitely something that is a visible record of achievement. We all appreciate that no man could have brought about these improvements on his own, and I know that our Headmaster never fails to acknowledge the help and backing he has always received from his staff here at Goldings and from those who control the purse strings at our Stepney Headquarters. During Mr. Wheatley's headmastership the Goldings Committee has been enlarged to include friends of Barnardo's resident in Hertford, who by reason of their interest in social problems and special knowledge of trade and industry have made a great contribution towards putting into effect his forward? looking plans. The Advisory Committee for Building Trades, which meets termly, has been of incalculable value to boys training for these trades, as have also the Special Committees, comprised of experts from the field of Printing, in advising on the modernization of equipment in this department and the complement of staff required for efficient instruction. We know that Mr. Wheatley has been especially pleased by the formation recently of a Goldings Development Committee to plan for the future needs of the School in respect of staffing, buildings and equipment, as well as steady and suitable recruitment of pupils, as this decision is taken by all of us at Goldings as an earnest of the determination of Barnardo's to keep the School, as ever, the best of its kind and ahead of times. I trust that someone far more qualified than I will write a true appreciation of Mr. Wheatley’s services in the Winter edition of The Goldonian, when I imagine Mr Wheatley will be sending his farewell message to all his old friends. Mr. N. T. Powell Goldonian Summer 1966
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