THE WADDINGTON SCHOOL

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21623, 6 November 1935, Page 5

THE WADDINGTON SCHOOL

«. , DIAMOND JUBDLEE CELEBRATED EARLY DAYS OF DISTRICT RECALLED About 300 friends and old pupils of the Waddington School attended the diamond jubilee celebrations at the school yesterday. Reminiscences of notable events in the history of the school and of the district were related by speakers at the luncheon. Mr F. J. Jenkins, chairman of the school committee, presided, and among the visitors was the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) and Mrs Forbes, the chairman of the Canterbury Education Board (Mr C. S. Thompson) and members of the board. The celebrations began at 10.30 a.m., with an assembly at the school, where the old pupils signed the jubilee register and obtained badges. This was followed by the luncheon and speeches at midday and a roll call of former pupils. Group photographs of the various decades were taken. Showers during the day interfered with some of the arrangements. The jubilee cake was cut by Mrs H. Trewen (nee Isobel Armstrong), the oldest of the former girl pupils of the school, who was presented with a bouquet by Marion Fraser, the youngest girl pupil of the school. Mr Walter Askew (1873), the oldest pupil of the school, was presented with a buttonhole. Dr. J. Hight, rector of Canterbury College, an old pupil of the school, in proposing the toast of "The School," said that the large gathering was an indication of the hold the school had kept on all who were associated with it. All old pupils had sought .to do credit to the school in whatever walk of life they followed. He claimed to have spent more time within the walls of the school than most, for, as well as his time as a pupil, he spent four years there as a pupil teacher. The school was made up of many influences—the actual physical surroundings, the teacher and his institution, a child's contacts with other pupils, and the work of the committees and the education beard. Along with other schools, Waddington had shared the progress brought by the years. The buildings and the surroundings might not be much different from .what they were many years ago, but the ideas embodied in the school had changed. Each school developed its own traditions, which differentiated it from others, even in the same district. Country Benefits "I think we were fortunate to be pupils of a country school," Dr. Hight continued. "If I were dictator I think I should compel every child to spend four or five years in the country. The surroundings in the country are invaluable in the % formation of character, especially in causing a development of resourcefulness and originality." Dr. Hight paid a tribute in particular to the work of the first chairman of the school committee, Mr David McMillan, the Rev. J. Maxwell, and Mr John Jebson, the grandfather of the present chairman. The hope that those at present attending the school would be able to achieve as much as the older generation of pupils was expressed by Mr A. Petrie, who replied to the toast. It had to be remembered that even professors and prime ministers were once inky-fingered, freckled-faced boys. At the centenary celebrations of the school the present pupils would be telling the same tales to their grand-children. The pupils made the school, said Mr H. C. Townshend, who proposed the toast of "Past Pupils." Old pupils of Waddington School had achieved distinction in many fields, and not merely in farming. There were such men as Dr. Hight, at Canterbury College, and Mr A. C. Maxwell, until recently headmaster of Phillipstown School, as well as doctors and members of public bodies. In sport also distinction had been achieved. Pleasant memories

In reply, Mr Maxwell thanked Mr Townshend for his praise of the past pupils of the school. A notable feature of such gatherings was the memories^ —pleasant and unpleasant—they recalled. Every past pupil had a reason to be proud of his school, for it had a splendid record. He thanked all who had been responsible for organising the jubilee celebrations. Messrs G. Sherson (North Island), C. Downing (Ashley Bank), A. Mullins (Longbeach), and J. Barr, also spoke for past pupils. The toast of "Past Teachers" was proposed by Mr A. W. Adams. The pupils of the school could have achieved nothing without the long line of teachers, beginning with Mr R. Pole, who had served at the school. The toast was replied to by Mrs H. Holland. Earlier school committees had been responsible for a very large contribution to the life of the school, said Mr F. J. Jenkins i i proposing the toast of "Past Committees." He referred in particular to the work of Mr D. McMillan, the chairman of the original committee in 1873.

Mr G. H. Judd replied to the toast.

The toast of the parents was proposed by Mr G. Butler "and replied to by Mr W. J. Jenkins. Mr Butler said that a large part of the traditions of the school rested in the hands of the parents, and much of its welfare depended on their interest. The responsibilities of the Canterbury Education Board were described by Mr David McMillan, in proposing the toast of "The Education Board." The board was faced with many requests, and dealt with them fairly. In reply, Mr Thompson paid a tribute to the work of the committees in the district over a period of more than 60 years. The committees had much hard work to do, and this went beyond paying the caretaker and seeing that the school was clean. Mr W. P. Spencer, who also replied for the board, said that the school needed rebuilding, and he hoped that the Government would soon be able to provide more money for educational purposes.

The historical aspect of jubilee gatherings was important, said the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes), in reply to the toast of "Parliament," proposed by Mr R. S. Gunn. People who lived in the country realised that a great part of the burden of the work of the pioneers was borne by the wives of those pioneers. New Zealanders, seeing how the country had been developed, could look back with pride on the achievement of their people. He was very pleased to be present at the iubilee celebrations of Waddington School. The people who came to New Zealand in the early days were eager to do the best for their children. The result was that now the New Zealanders were a well-educated people. With an educated people the country could look forward to further progress. He concluded by expressing his goodwill toward the school. The toast of "The Jubilee Committee" was proposed by Mr T. Pearson, and replied to by Mr J. H. Jebson, secretary of the committee. Jack Hylton's Jubilee Cavalcade. 8.10: "More Suggestions," a further episode in the lives of a Japanese houseboy and his employer. 8.25: Music Round the Campfire. 8.40: Talk, Dr. Charles de Monchaux, "Further Impressions of a Wanderer Abroad." 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Tenor singers in gems of song land. 10.0: Another interlude with the Cocoanut Grove Ambassadors. 10.15: Dance music. Alternative station, 4YO, 1140 kilocycles. 5.0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: , "Among the Moderns." 8.2Q; Four light popular recitals. _