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Aberdare Boys’ Grammar School

Certificate Ceremonies

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Newspaper Reports of the February 1938 School Certificate Ceremony

Most of the speeches delivered by the guest speaker at the school’s Prize Days were either generally inoffensive, congratulatory, or ones of exhortation to strive for academic excellence followed by a worthwhile career. However, in 1938, the former headmaster at the school in the years 1896‒1905, W. Jenkyn Thomas, ruffled quite a few feathers when he broke the tradition and spoke of allegations that money was paid to influential councillors for teacher appointments at Welsh schools.

W. Jenkyn Thomas

W. Jenkyn Thomas
1935

Although there was no indication in the Prize Day programme that the local M.P., Mr George Hall, would be making a speech, he nevertheless got to his feet and denied that to his knowledge the practice had occurred when he was a local councillor.

There was also an almost immediate rebuttal of Mr Thomas’s allegations by members of the N.U.T. and by the Welsh federation of Headteachers in the Western Mail of February 14th.

Later in the year, at the beginning of the Girls’ School Prize Day Ceremony, the chairman of Governors of the two Aberdare County Schools, County Coun. Wil John Edwards1, also made a statement about Mr Jenkyn Thomas’s remarks. He commenced by saying, “We have not been so unfortunate in our choice of speaker today as we were on that occasion. At that time advantage was taken of a privileged position to make remarks which were unworthy of the position.”

The press coverage of both the Boys’ and Girls’ Prize Days are reproduced below. They are presented out of chronological order because the Merthyr Express was a weekly newspaper, and carried the main report a few days after the (daily) Western Mail’s article containing the responses to the speech.

 

The Merthyr Express 19th February 1938

SHOULD BE ABOVE SUSPICION.

Welsh Education Is Not Says Ex-Headmaster.

STATEMENT AT ABERDARE PRIZE DAY.


Speaking at the Aberdare Boys’ County School Prize Day at the Aberdare Welfare Hall on Friday, Mr. Jenkyn Thomas, M.A., the first headmaster of the school, made serious statements regarding the Welsh educational system

Coun. W.J. Edwards, chairman of the School Board of Governors, presided. Mr. W. Rees Williams, headmaster, in his annual report, said that the average number of pupils in the school for the year was 348. The economic position in the town was improving and there was more demand for boy labour. Referring to external scholarships, he said that the following scholarships had been awarded: (1) State Scholarship (£100 and fees) to D.R. Davies2 (6a Science); (2) County Commercial Scholarship (£60 and fees) to Haydn Jones (6a Arts); (3) Major County Scholarship (£60 and fees) to Merlin Pearce (6a Science); (4) County Major Scholarship (£60 and fees) to R.D. James (6a Arts). D.R. Davies has entered the Imperial College of Science, London; Haydn Jones has entered Birmingham University; Merlin Pearce University College, London, and R.D. James Aberystwyth University.

Internal scholarships awarded were :— (1) Rees Llewellyn Scholarship (£30 a year) to H.H.M. Jones (6a Science); (2) Rees Llewellyn Scholarship (£30 a year) to R.A. Nicholas (6a Arts); (3) Charles Kenshole Scholarship (£30 a year) to D.C. Phelps3 (6a Arts). H.H.M. Jones had entered Manchester University; R.A. Nicholas Aberystwyth University, and D.C. Phelps Cardiff University.

“It always gives us great pleasure to record the continued successes of old students,” added Mr. Williams. “Howard Davies got a 1st class in Economics in Cardiff, and has now gone to Birmingham University; J.L. Bennett obtained a 1st class honours in Zoology, Wales; R.C. Parry got a 2a Economics and a 2a History at Cardiff; J.D. Richards secured his M.Com. Birmingham; Handel Davies4, Mansel Davies5 and Ivor Thomas secured their M.Sc.’s in the Welsh University. Mansel Davies has also been made a Fellow of the University of Wales, this being the second time that our school has won this very high distinction.”

ATTITUDE HAD CHANGED.

Mr. Jenkyn Thomas, in his address, stated that when he first went to London 32 years ago, there was in London then only admiration and envy for the zeal of Wales for education. England was then watching the advances Wales was making in every branch of education, and England then looked to Wales for guidance in educational matters. To-day that attitude had changed. It was said that no Englishman, however well qualified, had a chance of an educational appointment in Wales to-day. It was said that this indicated the carrying of nationalism to extremes, and that if England adopted the same measures it would be a serious matter for Wales, having regard to the number of teachers employed in England. It was also said that a number of Welsh teachers introduced political propaganda at the schools.

It was further stated that when applicants had relatives or close friends on a council, other applicants for the post had no chance of obtaining it. Worst of all, it was alleged that money was paid to influential councillors for appointments.

“I have challenged these things,” continued Mr. Thomas, “but I am told that it is common knowledge, and that there would not be all this smoke without a fire. There is a cloud of smoke, I cannot deny. If there is a fire somewhere, I am very reluctant to admit it, Welsh education should be above suspicion. It is not.”

Mr. George H. Hall6, M.P., who spoke at the same meeting, stated that he had heard that there was a great deal of prejudice in England against the products of Welsh secondary education and of the Welsh universities. Mr. Thomas had been very frank, but he (Mr. Hall) had also heard in London almost all the statements that had been made and they were statements of which notice had to be taken.

Mr. Hall went on to say that he had completed 30 years in public life. For many years he had sat on an education committee and he had never been approached by any applicant with the view of accepting money if he voted on their behalf. Two people were involved when a bribe was made—the one who offered the bribe and the one who received.

C.W.B. CERTIFICATES

Certificates were awarded to the following pupils:

Higher Certificates: G. Bowen: English, Latin, French.

T.M. Clayton: Economics, History.

D.R. Davies: Pure and Applied Mathematics (distinction), Physics (distinction), Chemistry.

H. Edwards: Chemistry, Botany, Zoology.

D.G. Ellis: Chemistry, Zoology.

W.P. Hough: Pure and Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry.

R.D. James: English, History, Geography.

T.B. John: English, Economics, History.

H. Jones: English, Economics, History (distinction).

H.H.M. Jones: Pure and Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry.

D.J. Lewis: English, History, Geography.

L.R. Lewis: Pure and Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry.

R.A. Nicholas: English, Latin, French.

M. Pearce: Chemistry, Botany, Zoology.

D.C. Phelps: English, Latin, French.

G.P. Walters: English, Welsh, History.

E. Williams: Physics, Chemistry.

 

School Certificates: A.E. Alder (8), K. Hall (6), H.E. Ballinger (6), W.E. Baugh (5), J.M. Bennett (4), T.G. Bevan (5), T. Cochlin (7), R.E. Coppin (2), A. Davies (2), D.G. Davies (4), D.O. Davies (5), I. Davies (7), J. Davies (5), L.A. Davies (3), A. Davies (6), T.J. Edwards (6), A. Evans(4), E.L. Evans (7), H. Evans (5), I.G. Evans (2), E.I. Evans (7), W.N. Evans (5), G.J. Fox (7), T.J.J. Gibbon (3), R.W.W. Harp (6), E.D. Harris (3), E.P. Howells (3), T.J. Hughes (5), W.J. Humphreys (5), D. Gwyn James (6), D. Gordon James7 (6), D.R. Jeffries (2), H. Jenkins (7), G.O. John (2), G. John (7), A.R. Jones (4), D.D. Jones (5), D.J. Jones (4), D.W. Jones (3), R. Jones (8), J. Kellow (6), A.H. Lewis (6), M. Lewis (6), W. Lewis (8), H.R. Lloyd (3), J.D. Logan (6), T.B. Lovell (3), T.L. Moore (5), A. Morgan (1), J.L. Owen (3), E.J.H. Parr (2), S. Phelps (3), W.C. Preece (7), I.G. Price (7), R. Price (4), T.S. Rees (3), J. Walters (6), A. Williams (8), D. Williams (3), D.I. Williams (6), J.A. Williams (4), W.G. Williams (5). (The number in brackets is the number of credits obtained in the C.W.B. examination.)

Supplementary certificates: E. Davies (1), W.E. Jones (1), T.V. Sloper (1), Emrys Walters (1).

Ex-pupils: D.T. Lloyd (1), J.J. Parry (1).

London Chamber of Commerce, Commercial Education Certificates: Shorthand, 70 words per minute: W.N. Evans (d.), Robert Jones (d), and William Lewis (d.).

HOUSE BADGES

The following members of Llewellyn House were awarded badges: A.H. Lewis (capt.), T.S. Rees, T. Cochlin, D.G. James, T.J. Edwards, T. Jones, E.T. Richards, M. Evans, C.H. Clark, E.J. Jones, M. Phillips, D.D. Davies, E.M. Davies, F. Donnelly, I. Thomas, W.V. Morgan, R. Cole, D.B. Powell, C.H. Roderick, G. Clark, R.J. Ankrett, J. Stephenson, C. Howells, E. Price, E.V.H. Evans and G.C. Watkins.

 

The Western Mail 14th February 1938

BRIBERY
CHARGES
REFUTED

Earlier Allegations
Investigated by
the N.U.T.

“I know Glamorgan intimately, and I know these allegations are definitely not applicable to my colleagues in the county,” said Mr. Dan Edwards, National Union of Teachers’ divisional secretary for Wales, in reply to the statement made by Mr. Jenkyn Thomas regarding the alleged payment of bribes for school appointment.

Mr. Thomas was the first headmaster of the Aberdare Boys’ County School, and in distributing prizes there last week he said it was alleged that money was paid to influential councillors for appointments.

Mr. Edwards, who has been national president of the N.U.T., said similar allegations were made a few years ago. At that time he was chairman of the Welsh executive of the N.U.T. and investigations on behalf of that body failed to reveal any evidence to justify the charges.

The Welsh Department of the Board of Education had also made inquiries and found no justifications for the allegations.

“From our point of view we cannot accept these nebulous allegations,” he said.

Other opinions expressed were :—

PERSISTENT WHISPERS

Mr. E. M. Bevan, Caerphilly, president of the Welsh Federation of Headteachers: “No single instance of this nature has ever been brought to the notice of the Welsh Federation of Headteachers; neither have I heard of a case under my own authority, the Glamorgan County Council. The whispers are persistent in some areas, and the bribes mentioned extortionate, affecting not only teachers but all public servants.

“Similar rumours are also rife in a few areas in England, but if this malpractice occurs anywhere surely it is a personal failing and not a national weakness.”

UNFOUNDED SCARE

Sir William Jenkins, M.P.: “I consider it was an abuse of the position Mr. Jenkyn Thomas held to create suspicion in the minds of pupils. It creates an unfounded scare.

“I have nearly 40 years of public life and have never yet experienced anything of the kind he suggests. No one has ever approached me or suggested anything of the kind. I have been chairman of the Glamorgan Education Committee for 20 years and chairman of the Federation of Education Authorities for Wales for 10 years and should know something about it.

“To use a school prize distribution meeting to make such a statement is an insult to the teaching profession. Let him take the public platform and name the authority or the people.

“I am prepared to defend the local authority in any place against such unwarrantable abuse. As for the authorities I represent, I can say that they would be delighted to take any steps to prevent anything of the kind that Mr. Jenkyn Thomas speaks about happening. All we want is a clean method of administration.”

The Western Mail Saturday 28th May 1938

PRIZE-DAY SPEECH DEPLORED
“Took Advantage of a Privilege”

Mr. W.J. Edwards, chairman of the Aberdare Girls’ County School Governors, presiding at the annual distribution of certificates at the school on Friday, thanked Miss Thelma Cazalet8, M.P., North Islington, who distributed the certificates, and referred to the speech made by Mr. Jenkyn Thomas at the Aberdare Boys’ School “Prize Day.”

“We have not been so unfortunate,” he said, “in our choice of speaker today as we were on that occasion. At that time advantage was taken of a privileged position to make remarks which were unworthy of the position.”

Mr. Edwards was referring to a speech made by Mr. Jenkyn Thomas, in which he hinted that Welsh educational administration was corrupt.

Miss Cazalet, referring to Mr. George H. Hall, M.P., said that three qualities were essential to make a successful member of Parliament—sincerity, toleration, and humour, and Mr. Hall had all three.

Referring to the fact that the school was celebrating the 25th anniversary of the year it was established this year, she said the year had been marked by very fine examination results.

Miss Cazalet recalled the changes that had taken place during the last 25 years, and said that when she first went to Parliament people in the street used to point her out as an object of curiosity. Although a woman’s place might be in the home, it was no reason why the home should be her boundary. Miss M.S. Cook9, the headmistress, who was also celebrating her 25th year in the post, reported that of 62 pupils who sat for the school-leaving certificate 61 had passed. One pupil, Mattie Abraham10, had won a State Scholarship.

 

  1. The two County Schools in Aberdare had the same local governing body. Wil John Edwards started life as a collier in Aberaman. He published an autobiographical account of his early life in the book, From the Valley I Came, (Angus & Robertson, 1956).
  2. David Rowland Davies, brought up in the Gadlys, later to become Professor of Applied Mathematics at Exeter University. He has an entry in the Former Pupils section of this website.
  3. David Charles Phelps later became a teacher at ABGS from 1956–1979. He died in October 2007.
  4. Handel Davies has an entry in the Former Pupils section of this website.
  5. Mansel Davies has an entry in the Former Pupils section of this website.
  6. George Hall started work as a door boy at Penrhiwceiber Colliery, rising to First Lord of the Admiralty, Deputy Leader of the House of Lords and became the first Viscount Hall of Cynon Valley. See https://biography.wales/article/s2-HALL-HEN-1881
  7. D. Gordon James became Town Clerk in Aberdare, and later Vicar of Aberdare. He has an entry in the Former Pupils section of this website.
  8. Miss Thelma Cazalet, 1899–1989. A Conservative Member of Parliament for Islington East at the time of this Prize Day. She held numerous appointments on high-level committees and national bodies. She became Mrs Cazalet-Keir in 1939. She was a feminist and became the President of the Fawcett Society in 1964.
  9. Information about Miss Cook can be found in the Teachers section of https://www.abgs.org.uk/aggs2/index.htm
  10. In 1946, Mattie Abraham married Oliver J. Timothy. Information about Mr & Mrs Timothy can be found in the entry for Oliver Timothy in the Former Pupils section of this website.


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