NORMAL SCHOOL

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21123, 26 March 1934, Page 18

NORMAL SCHOOL

DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS COMMENCED About 1000 past students of the jwormal School met at the Addington Trotting Grounds on Saturday for a garden party, the first of several functions in celebration of the diamond jubilee of the school. The celebrations were continued at the school in the evening when a concert was held, and yesterday afternoon there was a church parade. They will conclude this evening with a jubilee ball in the kiosk at the trotting grounds. Fine weather favoured the celebrations on Saturday afternoon and old schoolmates were able to renew acquaintances in verv pleasant surroundings. Several of the former teachers of the school also attended, the City Council was represented by the Mayor 'Mr D. G. Sullivan. M.P.). and the Education Board bv Mr \V. A. Banks. Mr H. Holland. M.P.. was also present. Mr H. R. Best, chairman of the jubilee committee, presided. The first half-hour was spent in renewing old friendships, and then the > groups of pupils representing the six decades of the school's progress were photographed. Afternoon tea in the kiosk followed with some speeches. In welcoming ail who were taking part in the celebrations Mr Best said that it was pleasing to see so many old students taking such a keen interest In the school. There were also several former teachers present, and he felt sure all former pupils would join with him in thanking those teachers for the way they had trained them to take their part in me life of the communis. They all looked back to the old school with affection. It might look grim and forbidding but it was a good solid building, and had turned out many solid citizens. Sixty Years Old The Mayor said that it was very pleasing to see so many of the past teachers present. Sixty years was a verv short span in the history of European countries, but it meant a great deal in the life of New Zealand It reached back to the time when Christchurch was young and the pupils of 60 years ago had played their part in establishing the country. They had helped to make it progress in a way that was really marvellous, and the past and present masters were to be complimented on the way they had trained so many citizens of the country. Education was of first importance to the country, Mr Sullivan continued, and school committees and teachers should have the whole-hearted support of the parents of the pupils. He suggested the formation of parents' associations. If such associations were formed they could do a great deal of good, and by affiliating under a parent body they could play an important part in the future educational policy of the countryMr Banks, who spoke on behalf of the Education Board, said that he had attended the Normal School 57 years ago, and had been a teacher for many years. Appointments to the school had always been special ones, and the teachers had turned out many splendid pupils. In conclusion he referred to the endeavours the board had made to sell the school building, and said that he hoped they would be able to do so in the future and replace it with a building better fitted to modern school design. Mr Holland said that the teaching profession and education system in New Zealand were second to none in the world. There was some complaint about the actions of the Minister for Education (the Hon. R. Masters), but he should not be blamed for the reductions that had been made during recent years. The Minister had to work with the money voted by the Cabinet, and it had been found necessary to make very great reductions. In addition the Minister had had to provide for a large mamber of unemployed teachers and had done so in a way that would enable them to advance in their profession when I conditions improved. Mr William Wilson, the third headmaster of the school, received a great ovation when he rose to speak, those present applauding and singing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." The Normal School was opened in 1874, and he had secured his teacher's certificate during that year, so he was celebrating two jubilees at once, he said. During his term as headmaster of the school about 1000 boys had passed through his hands. He had been able to keep in touch with many of his pupils, and had continued the friendships made in the classroom. It was the duty of a teacher to be a friend to his pupils and to help them prepare for life, he said. (Applause.) Miss N. Grand, a former pupil, student, and teacher in the school, who presented the jubilee cake, said that she had taught for nearly 35 years at the Normal School, and felt sure that she had many friends present. (Applause.) Miss Grand then cut the cake. Mr F. T. Evans referred to the teaching of 30 years ago and to the conditions that had existed then. He had taught there for 11 years without seeing the sunlight in his room. Conditions had changed since then, but he did not think the pupils of those days were any the worse because of those earlier conditions. Mr H. G. Livingstone, a former pupil of the school, said that the plans of the Normal School had evidently been drawn on the other side of the world because the main rooms faced south. Although it had drawbacks, the pupils who had passed through it could look back upon it With respect and love. Mr C. T. Aschman said that he spoke for the teachers associated with him during the 32 years he was in the school. All of the teachers were glad to be present at the jubilee cele- j brations because it was plain that ! hundreds, or even thousands, looked j upon the school with love and respect, i The school had a proud record and I he joined with all those present in i wishing it even greater success in the • future. ' EVENING ENTERTAINMENT ! i The concert held in the Training j College Hall on Saturday evening was j attended by about 300 former students. \ who had a very enjoyable time, roars ! of laughter greeting the screening of j a number of lantern slides of groups ; of early pupils. Mr B. A. McKeown, j headmaster of the Woolston School, j was in charge of the screening and j several of the early pupils pointed out I the different pupils as they appeared I on the screen. ! In addition to the lantern slides an ; enjoyable programme was provided by ; former pupils. Mr A. Bunz provided : musical items, Mr E. Graighead and i Mrs Daisy Cherry, songs; Mr R. Mai- : colm, recitations; and a short play j was given by Misses N. Grand and C. i Menzies. The Church Parade The church parade held yesterday afternoon proved one of the most sue- ; cessful features of the celebrations, i fully 1000 taking part. Proceedings \ were opened at 2.30 with the ringing : of the school bell by the oldest pupil, : Mr T. Hobbs. and then the parade was j formed in Cramner square. Led bv ! Mr F. W. Lane, one of the first pupils, j it marched to the Training College | quadrangle, where an open-air ser- j vice was held. Music for the parade ' and the service was provided by the | Salvation Army band. j An address of welcome was delivered by Mr A. Hill and the Bible read- j mg was taken by Sister Kate. The i 3ubilee prayer was said by the Rev. j Clarence Eaton, who gave thanks for | the growth of the school and the Dro- j fiess of the pupils who had passed I through it to take their part in the j »ffairs of the country. I The Rev. T. M. Curnow. a son of the j ■rst headmaster of the school, j x Continued In last Column,

preached the sermon. The- jubilee showed that the school had a soul and was not just part of the educational system, lie said. The school did not to lit future citizens for "work or it would have turned out jrraspin? s"i self-seeking individuals. The real object of the school, and of anv school was to turn out sons uf God. Na higher motive than that could exir, and no school should exist for a lower one. The world was waiting let people who could work out Goi's purpose in it. and thev all received early training in the schools. Advance of .Man At iirst man had lived bv hj- muscles alone, but he had ad-.jm.-ed - 3 knowledge and had harncs.-cd tr.e forces of nature. thu- 3 securing more leisure time to seek ' h:;hcr ""tlnn;?There was still room fur ard room for men who were tr.i'nvd :o woi-k for the good of other.-. It d:d not matter whether they were ir.:#sircv pries. scientists, teacher-, or what tney did: if they laboured unselfishly thej were carrying out the wishes of GodMan's gifts and talents were r.ot n:s own; he was expected to use them others. Those who had been co#:icmnei» in the Bible were those who had r --- helped others. They had r.ot bee" blamed for the things ;hev did but for the things thev did not do. "I often regret that the schools are so divorced from God's word." he said. That might be changed in the future, and in the meantime he prayed that the school? would continue to turn out men s-".d women who would help the progress of ihc world. The following hvmn- vi ri' ;:i" during the service: "Op- N,v • e Lard B "All People that on Fsnl- do D'»c" "O God. Our Mill, ... A a,-- Pa-. "•Tesu. Lover of My Soul' "A: n'• Me." and "Onward, i-t.v, Sc-' dicrs.''