A Thrilling Term At Janeways
Synopsis
Janeways' School in Yorkshire is an old foundation, begun in 1825 by Samuel Janeways who devoted most of his fortune to the school in order to provide an education for girls, irrespective of their ability to pay. Pupils are known as Janewegians. Old Girls who have distinguished themselves in the arts or whose husbands are painters, musicians and so forth may claim places for their daughters.
Phoebe Mervyn, senior prefect, has to enter all new girls' names in the great roll book, and so is the first to encounter the twins, Melody and Harmony Tresillian, aged thirteen, daughters of an organist; Jessie Macpherson, child of an artist; and five sisters, Philippa, Phyllida, Philomela and Philomena (twins) and Philadelphia Valentine, also an artist's daughters.
The Head Girl and the prefects are responsible for a good deal of the supervision and games coaching. They are also in charge of "Keys", where all new girls have to give some kind of performance - music, dancing or recitation. "Keys" always ends with a demonstration of the Dances: Janeways' teaches its pupils "pavanes, allemandes, and minuets, and so on" which they perform every year in Big Hall. The Valentine sisters' offerings of eurhythmics and an original composition impress the prefects.
Various happenings during the term warrant the label "Thrilling", including a runaway pupil, an unexpected ringing of the firebell at one in the morning, the discovery of a secret underground passage, and a burglary in which the school trophies and a priceless painting are stolen. Interwoven with the school events is the story of the Nethecote Great House and the Nethecote family history, and a three-hundred-year-old mystery that is solved by Philomela, the Rector and a cat. Needless to say, all is resolved satisfactorily.
Among the traditions of Janeways' are two that are shared with the Chalet School: an end-of-term entertainment given by the staff to all pupils from Kindergarten to Special Sixth, and Spot Supper. On the last night of term, the Spot Supper Song, to the tune of "A Life On The Ocean Wave", (and carrying a footnote crediting Miss M. Rowland Brown with the words) is sung in procession before the school sits down to sausage and mash, assorted "afters", lemonade and coffee; and after the meal, all new pupils (and new mistresses, if any) have to make a speech. On this occasion, Philippa Valentine speaks in Danish, and Philomela's speech is modelled on a well-known poem. Speeches over, there is more singing, prayers, the School hymn, and bed. As the rest disperse to the dormitories, the prefects reflect that it has been "a good term, in spite of upsets".
contributed by Angela Woodgates, England __ working from a hardback edition
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