When considering the purpose of a school magazine two conflicting ideas arise; the traditional concept of its being purely a record of school life seems to be losing support to the more popular idea of it as an outlet for opinions and imaginative work, with the result that many schools are now producing entirely literary magazines.

If the magazine was created only as a record, then it would not be entitled to be called a "magazine", for the word itself suggests a publication which is intended to be read and not to be stored, and if the main function of the magazine is to be read, then it does lend itself to the inclusion of more imaginative work.

There is, however, a demand for both types of magazine, and because the magazine caters for such a wide range of ages and interests, including staff and girls, the most sensible solution would seem to be a magazine which combines both functions, and which is not so specialized, but includes the varied range of school activities.

This year there have been slight alterations to the magazine, the layout has been simplified and the reports printed in a more condensed form. This is an attempt to make the magazine more attractive and readable. There are obstacles in the way of more drastic changes, the main one being the inevitable problem of finance. But superficial changes in the appearance of the magazine are relatively unimportant when compared to the most important factor in any magazine, the contributions.

A useful service can be provided by a magazine which is truly representative of the whole school; but in order to produce such a magazine, the traditional ideas of its being a chronicle of sporting and academic achievements must be replaced by another concept, an amorphous framework, the shape of which is determined by the contributors, and which may include a wider range of subjects and ideas which reflect those of the readers, for the ultimate content of any magazine depends upon the material submitted.