SCHOOL JUBILEE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19917, 2 May 1930, Page 10

SCHOOL JUBILEE.

AYLESBURY REUNION. PIONEER DAYS RECALLED. Opened in the autumn of 1880, the Aylesbury School has provided the education of over 53Q pupils in the past 50 years. Yesterday ft large gathering celebrated the school's jubilee, those present being drawn from a|l parts of the surrounding district and more remote localities. The function took the form of a luncheon, followed by the honouring of a lengthy toast list. The gathering met again at afternoon tea, and a social at night was largely at. tended. At the luncheon, Mis* I, E, Cook, the present teacher, called the roll for the first ten years of the school's existence. Those responding were presented with a ribbon. The following h»d been pupils in the first year:— \lieo Addmgton, Kate Harris, Arthur Anderson, and Thomas Smith. The jubilee cake was made of two tiers, with the names of all of the chairmen of the school committees and past teachers printed in gold letterin'. On the top tier was printed "1880" and on the bottom ''1930." Mrs F. Johnson, wife of the chairman of the present school committee, made the cake, and Mr G Batstone, of Kirwoe, was responsble for the icing. The first slice was cut bv Mrs T. Smith, of Ashburtou. the oldost ex-pupil attending. The Luncheon, Those proacnt at the luncheon filled a large marquee pitched in the school grounds. Mr V, Johnson, chairman of the school committee, presided. After the loyal toast had been honoured, Mr H. W. Johnson imposed that of ''The 8chool." Ho said that the committee evidently kept things moving, judging by the good order «n which they found tho grounds, school, and appointments. Responding, Mi C B. Davis said he had found working on the committoe for the past 22 vears very interesting. Friendships which lasted a lifetime were often formed at school. He wanted them all to feel that they had come home for a fow hours, Probably school friendships seldom led to marriage, because the pupils had too many opportunities of learning one nnother's weaknesses. Mr H J. Marshal) proposed tho toast of "Parliament.'' He said that from tho earliest days of the Dominion, the education of the children waa one of the first considerations. When one looked over the Inst 50 years, one realised what Parliament had done in this respect. "We intend to ask for more in the future," he warned. Mr It W. Hawke, MP., who responded, said he and Mrs Hawke anpredated vory much tho invitation to be present. Everyone in the marquee could agree with what the proposer of the toast had said. Parliament had always reoognieed that an educated race was a highly civilised and wealthy rnce. Opportunities for All. We had readied a stage when every child bad the opportunity to attain the' highest standard in education, without any great cost to the parents, "\\\> all hope for the recovery of Sir Joseph Ward, no matter what our polities are," said Mr Hawke. "Everyone n»grets his illness. Although in i body he is weak, in intellect be is as J strong as ever. We should be thankful for that. In the Minister for Edncution, the Hon. H- Atmore,-we have a wideawake and progressive man, who is prepared to take advice from those who have had experience of our education system. Ho intends to improve the system wherever possible, and ho will spare no Real to that end." The Ministers controlling the affairs of State were as sineore as nny of their predecessors on the Government Benches. Thev wore giving their best to their country, and everyone was Intent on the highest interests of tho Dominion. Mr Hawke said all had been etruck by the sincerity of purpose of the Minister for Health, tho Hon. A. J. Stallwortlry, in bis 'address in Cbristehurch on Anzac Day, Everything would be done by the Party m power to promote the oontentment and prosperity of tho country. A silent toast was then drunk in memory of tho five soldiers from the district who made tho supreme sacrifice at the war. "Past Pupil*'' was proposed by Mr J. D. Henderson. From records kept it had been shown that over 530 pupils hod received at least part of their education at Aylesbury, he said, but only a small proportion had had the whole of their schooling there. Avlcsburv could claim to have educated more than its full share of the oitteens of the Dominion- Pupils who received the whole of their education at Aylesbury were among Nbw Zealand's best cttlisens.

Mr 11. W. Johnson responding, expressed a hope that the reunion would not be the last held. Mr W. TC. Wilde also responded briefly. Canterbury Education Board. The chairman proposed the toast of "The Canterbury Education Board." He said that what little he had seen of the Board, he found it very satisfac tory to deal with. They now had a shelter shed, piano, and electric light, with all of which the Board had helped them. There were also a new floor and gate, and when the windows were nut in the back of the school, it would be practically open-air. Although a bit long-winded, the Board always met reasonable requests in time, and it kept the Aylesbury School in good order. Mr E» H. Andrews thanked Mr Johnsun for his cordial remarks. He had been puzzled a little for some weeks past at receiving the special invitation to be present. He believed it was out of real kindliness of heart, perhaps with a little guile. Kind things were not said very often about the Board; generally plenty of bricks were flying. It was gratifying occasionally to get a word of encouragement. Local body men wore like members of Parliament, and liked a few bouquets. Periodic inspections, The country Bhould really see more of Board members, but the Canterbury Board periodically made inspections of the schools in the district which it controlled, v Some of the other Education Boards were enquiring about the niethods of the Canterbury • Board in making school inspections, He hoped the members of the committees would continue to hold a good feeling towards the Board. Sometimes he was amazed at the willingness of committees to g ive their time for so few thanks. To-day they had not much power, for the Board overruled the committee, and the Department the Board, Nevertheless, the committee wore of groat use in the various districts, and did the solid work about the schools. They were actuated only by the welfare of the chil* dien. Jubilees were grand functions f->r bringing the ex-pupils together, and to hear old people calling one another by their Christian names was a real pleasure. He wondered whether we had advanced much with our modern fashions and ideas. The whole aim ?nd object of education was to turn out worthy citisens. Great changes i were taking place in the eontrol of odu»' eation. Very much greater territory i had been added to the district of the ' Canterbury Board, whieb now covered an area from the Clarence river to the WaltakJ, and from coast to coast. Education was developing along the lines ' of fewer sehools of greater size. It

bad been proved thaj the children had a better ehanee of individual attention in the larger schools, and modern trans"' port had made the latter possible, Teacher* in the smaller schools were carrying out their work under great difficulties with credit to themselves. He honed they would retain the memories ana records of their old school, even if Aylesbury was merged in a larger school. The committees were not likely to be abolished, and he regarded such a possibility as a disaster. The committees did the hard work and the drudgery. " I hope that the Aylesbury School will continue in great prosperity," concluded Mr Andrews, '•The Teachers" was the toast proposed by Mr l>, H. Leslie. first Head Teacher. Applause greeted Mr W. A. Banks when he rose to respond. He said he had mixed feelings, but it was pleasant to recall old memories. Aylesbury gave him his start in life as a head teacher, but he was sorry to see that not one of the parents of the first pupils was present. The residents and parents could not have been kinder to a teacher than they were to him. He could picture the faces of 00 years ago in the opening year. Mr Banks referred to the shortage of water in the early days. The whole district should revere the memory of Colonel Brett for initiating the irrigation scheme. It had completely changed the countryside. The children of to-day, he thought, had far too many pleasures, and the restraints and diseipline' of home life were laeking. Consolidation in the district would only be decided by the residents of the locality. "I have had a, good deal to do with rural education," said Mr Banks. From Mr Atpiore'a remarks he took it the children of the Dominion would be given a great deal more interest in country life. "We want our boys and girls kept in the country/' he said. " "We don't want the best of our brains to go into the town." Farming required intelligence to-day, and a change was coming in our education system, Mrs E. Bradley, who also responded to the toast, was a teacher at the school jjpr fourteen years, the longest period of any member of the staff. "Education is a great need," she said, "and Is of great assistance in the battle of life," Other toasts honoured were "The School Committee," proposed by Mr T. 1 Smith, and responded to by Mr W, Har« wood, and "The Visitors" (Mr B. Bell), responded to by Messrs 7. N. Kerr and yf. H. Marsh.