ST. ANDREW'S COLLEGE

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21236, 7 August 1934, Page 16

ST. ANDREW'S COLLEGE

PRESENTATION TO MR A. K. ANDERSON PARENTS' APPRECIATION OF WORK About 200 parents of past or present pupils of St. Andrew's College met in the college gymnasium yesterday afternoon to say good-bye to Mr A. K. Anderson, who has been headmaster for the last 14 years, and Mrs Anderson. Mr Anderson has been appointed headmaster of Scots College. Sydney. Mr A. C. Bretherton presided in the absence of the Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.PJ, who was detained by civic duties.

Mr F. W. J. Belton. who presented Mr Anderson with a travelling trunk and a cheque, said that the size of the attendance was a splendid response to those who had organised the function. and was the greatest compliment that could be paid to Mr Anderson. MiAnderson's appointment had placed him at the head of his profession, he said, and it was perhaps the most important appointment for a headmaster in the southern hemisphere. He felt a real and deep appreciation for the work Mr Anderson had done during his headmastership at St. Andrew's, and he wished him happiness and prosperity. Headmaster's Influent-e Mr Belton said he had heard of St. Andrew's College before lie left England tor this country 10 years ago. and since he had been in Christchurch he had realised what the school stood for. One could not help noticing certain things about the conduct of the boys that showed the influence ol a fine headmaster. There was a spirit of cheerful willingness to help, and the headmaster who could send boys from the school with that attribute could be said to have educated them. The cultivation of qualities like that was of more importance than scholarship, and he was happy to see thai. MiAnderson had not allowed scholarship to take precedence. Mrs W. J. Hunter, speaking on behalf of one of the organisers of the gathering. Mrs W. H. Downer, said that Mrs Anderson had been of great assistance to Mr Anderson, and it was largely due to her that the internal organisation of the school had functioned so well. She presented Mrs Anderson with a silver rose bowl, and Miss Beverley Anderson with a necklace and a bracelet.

Mr Bretherton also spoke briefly, praising the work Mr Anderson had done. Mr Anderson had realised the value of character to the boys, and the result, said Mr Bretherton. was that St. Andrew's College fostered character better than any other school of which he knew.

Mr Anderson's Reply

In his reply. Mr Anderson said that no gathering which could have been held at the college could have given him greater pleasure than the present one. That afternoon would remain with himself and Mrs Anderson as a very happy memory. Mrs Anderson had helped him enormously in his work, and had established contacts which were so important in the life of a college. They were intensely sorry to leave. He was particularly grateful for the way in which the parents had interested themselves in his future appointment. His work in Christchurch had been a fine experience, and had been thoroughly enjoyable. He believed that, schoolboys should be able to look back on their school days with gratitude and he fell that the old boys of St. Andrew's could do that. The parents had been very helpful to him. He might have demanded much, he said, but the parents had supported him very materially from the time the college began. In going away he had very defimt ..• causes to be grateful. Mr Anderson remarked. It was pleasant to think. that the parents had been so consistently helpful, and although there had been" some very disappoint in;; dayshe thought that there was cause lor hope of a continued improvement. He felt glad, too, that the school had a very"high name and an established reputation. Pupils' Successes One could remember when the college had had no results scholastic-ally, and when "swots" did not exist; but to-day the college had a definite scholastic standard. That had not come in a year, but had been of long and .steady growth. The greatest source of satisfaction, however, was the success of old pupils in the world. His aim had been to teach for life, not for school, and he was happy that he had succeeded. Too much success was not good, and it was pleasing to realise that boys of St. Andrew's knew how to lose as well as how to win. Mr Anderson remarked that Mr J. B. Mawson. who would take his place, was no stranger to the college, for ho had taught there some years ago. He asked for the continued support of 1 heparents, and said Mr Mawson's ability was such that he felt, certain that that support, would be given ungrudgingly. It was comforting to him to knowthat Mr Mawson was coming. The Mayor, who arrived during MiAnderson's remarks, expressed his appreciation of Mr Anderson's personal qualities, and of his work. He was very sorry that he was leaving, for he had been an asset to the city as well as being a great headmaster.

MR ANDERSON MEETS HIS STAFF PRESENTATIONS AND (iOOD WISHES i Present and past members of the staff of St. Andrew's College entertained Mr A. K. Anderson, headmaster of the college, who has been appointed headmaster of Scots College, Sydney, and Mrs Anderson, at a social evening in the college library last night. A committee consisting of wives of present members of the start' and the matrons, arranged the party, which took the form of a nag bridge evening, with some musical items. After supper Mr M. Leadbetter, first assistant master, made presentations to Mr and Mrs Anderson, and Miss Beverley Anderson, on behalf of present and past members of the staff. To Mr Anderson he presented a smoker's cabinet, which had been built of oak hewn and seasoned on the college property. On each door panel had been carved the college's coat of arms. To Mrs Anderson was given a framed photograph of the beautiful Strowan stream which flows through the college ground, and to Miss Anderson was given a gold pencil. In making the presentation, Mr Leadbetter said that the encouragement given by Mr Anderson to his staff throughout his term of 14 years as headmaster had been the secret of the loyal co-operation and trust which were features of the staff organisation. None had felt other than respect and esteem for Mr Anderson. On Mrs Anderson had fallen the burden of social functions, and she had graced her position. Mr L. W. Stewart and Mr Farquhar Young also spoke, praising Mr Anderson's leadership, courtesy, and

unflagging enthusiasm while .at. the college. Importance of Team Work [n expressing thanks i'or the prctcnalions to Mrs Anderson. Miss Anderson, and himself. Mr Anderson said that, throughout his hcadmastership he had relied on team effort and trust; ho himself had been only the captain of a team. He thought that no other method of control was possible, and ho had found that the rare instances of misplaced trust were not suflicient to justify him in changing his policy. He thanked past and present, members of the .staff collectively and individually, for their loyal support, and expressed the hope that the college would be successful in the future and would maintain the ideals which had been nurtured throughout the years. During the evening items were given by Mr and Mrs Farquhar Young and Messrs J. P. Burrows and H. G. Glaysher.

The organising committee consisted of Mesdames M. Leadbetter L. W. Stewart, H. Dowling, and Misses E. Burnett and M. Westbrook.

Those present were Mr and Mrs A. K. Anderson, Dr. and Mrs T,. A. Bennett, Mr and Mrs L. W. Stewart, Mr and Mrs J. T. Burrows, Mr and Mrs F. J. B. Murray, Mr and Mrs G. Spence, Mr and Mrs H. Dowling, Mr and Mrs M. Leadbetter, Mr and Mrs Farquhar Young, Mr and Mrs Davis Hunt, Mr and Mrs G. S. Mackenzie, Misses L. Rogers, E. HalJiwell, V. Mercer, H. Westbrook, E. Burnett, G. Benton, Messrs C. G. McKinney, S. J. Bennett, H. G. Glaysher. D. Wilson, G. Duncan, G. Wilson, C. M. Gray, J. L. Hunter, and T. Bowling.