Page 4 - Millfield 20 Stories

No. 1
THE BEGINNING

“I wanted to create a school “As for games, the perfect school must
where talent – in whatever have an infinite variety of out-of-school
interests, including top-class riding, for
field – could be nurtured those who do not enjoy ball games. It
through the best facilities, must also provide for potentially ‘great’
sports people the opportunities to train
teaching, coaching and for the summit.
opportunities for young
people to exercise and “We are not interested in turning out
‘good types’ by pushing everyone
explore their abilities.” through an educational sausage-
machine. Each boy and girl must be
Jack Meyer - affectionately known as The treated as an individual and have his
Boss - founded Millfield in 1935 with six or her particular needs catered for.
princes brought from India. While he
passed away in 1991, his words continue “This, of course, takes an enormous staff
to guide and inspire the school: of wonderful and dedicated teachers,
who can cover the entire range of
“I never forgot how easily I could have academic subjects at all levels of ability.
missed the best part of my education if it
hadn’t been for grants from school funds. “Above all, the school must be open to
So I resolved that I would organise as young people of all races and classes.
much help as possible for young people of To achieve this, we must create a
talent whose parents were short of funds. harmonious ‘family’ relationship
throughout the community – and
“I was adamant that, at Millfield, there particularly between the teacher
would always be good food and plenty and the taught.”
of it – as well as good nursing. What’s
more, we would introduce prefects who
could be trusted with authority and who
would put the welfare of others above
everything else.