Looking closely at this photo one realises that these First and Second form boys are lined up on our 1st XI cricket ground in the shape of the letters S and J, with the solitary kneeling boy as the fullstop between the letters. They are waiting for a helicopter which is going to come over and take an aerial photo of them in this pattern.
Once the photographer was satisfied with his photo, the pilot switched on his landing lights as a signal that he was now ready to come in and land. It was also, as can be seen here, a signal for the boys making the S.J to head to the edge of the ground and join the Pre-Prep boys who were already waiting there.
And here is the helicopter in question. Most obligingly, it did not simply swoop in and land but put on a good performance; striking different poses before eventually settling down on the outfield of the 1st XI ground close to the stairs down from the terrace.
The main event of the visit was class photos in front of the helicopter. But first the pilot gave a brief talk on helicopters. Then shortly after lunch the helicopter was off, up and away leaving the 1st XI ground empty for its normal Friday afternoon use.
© St. John's - DTP, 1998 & 2005 - N. Pauli