HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS’ REUNION

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27408, 22 July 1954, Page 12

HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS’ REUNION

MORE THAN 300 ATTEND More than 300 former pupils attended the annual reunion of the Christchurch High School Old Boys’ Association in the Mayfair Lounge last evening, although only about 230 had been expected. The death of Mr E. T. Norris, of Wellington, a well-known old boy who attended the school within a year or two of its opening in 1881. was referred to by the chairman (Mr K. A. Gough). Old boys stood in silence as a mark of respect. Mr Gough proposed the toast to the Queen, and introduced Mr O. N. Gillespie, chairman of the association’s Wellington branch, who proposed the toast to the school. Mr Gough also congratulated Christ’s College on its win in the annual “School v. College” Rugby match played during the afternoon.

The achievements of the school’s graduates in New Zealand were spectacular, said Mr Gillespie. The human problem today seemed to him to be: “How much liberty can we salvage?” Schools like the Christchurch Boys’ High School taught initiative, coupled with a recognition of community discipline. "One has only to look at the quite exceptional number of leaders in various realms of activity who claim this school as their mother of learning,” he said.

“My firm and devout belief is that decentralisation is saving our souls, and the secondary schools are the leaders in this development,” said Mr Gillespie. In reply, the headmaster (Mr J. Leggat) said he was proud to be connected with the school, which was performing the task of educating the average citizen to make himself a better citizen. The school’s distinguished record in scholarship and on the playing field was really a result of the high quality of the average New Zealand boy.