My house master in Thompson was Crowther-Smith who taught Latin. The only thing he ever said was satisfactory and that's all he put on my report cards. The head master was the legendary Deane Yeates, He was known as Bloggs because his approach could be heard due to the metal tips on his shoes. We had to go to excruciating at homes with Deeane and Dot. For an hour we talked about the dogs and sports matches. I do not think he knew much about me because when I had my final interview he said we need teachers and I said I would become one knowing that I wouldn't. It will be a first class matric he said but how good? Dad describes how he had the knack of making every parent feel that they were alone in complaining. Scott famously took his dinner and put it on Yeates' desk. The food was awful. For a time I had school lunches and we endured soapy potatoes and frog's legs sago pudding. Later we were taken on a tour of the new kitcchens and the boarders complained bitterly about the food stored there as they never receieved any of it. The dormitories in those days were primitive compared to hoe they are now and often very cold in winter I believe.
Many years later we went to visit the Yeates in the nursing home and were present for a short communion service at Dot's bedside. Deane was going blind and astonishingly embraced me as we left. He was a great man and went on to found other schools in Africa. He told us he had been chosen by God to head the college and I really think he believed that.
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