90th Anniversary Of Courtenay School

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28268, 4 May 1957, Page 12

90th Anniversary Of Courtenay School

■ The ninetieth anniversary of the Courtenay School, one of North Canterbury's few remaining solecharge schools, was celebrated yesterday. About 170 past and present pupils gathered for the midday banquet and a ball was [held at Kirwee last evening. The oldest past-pupil present] was Mrs J. Anderson, who was i eight years old when she attend-; ed the school 82 years ago. She had done so much since then that she could recall little of her early school days, except that her brother always seemed to be get-5 ting strapped.

Mrs Anderson and Mr Jack Pascoe (1882?. the oldest old boy : present, cut the banquet cake, on which was placed a model of the original school, which was demolished last year.

The Minister of Labour (Mr J. K. McAlpine), who is member of Parliament for the district, proposed the toast to the school. He said that official records placed the opening year of the school as 1865, not 1867 as celebrated.

“There is a community obligation on teachers to inculcate in their pupils consideration for their neighbours,” Mr McAlpine said. “Youngsters nowadays are more capable than those of our generation. but the good in them needs to be brought out and put, into the right channels.” Dr. J. L. Moffat, of the Christchurch Teachers’ College, replied to the school toast.

“There is no breaking away from an old tradition,” Dr. Moffat said. “The Courtenay School has given me all the "valuable things in my life except my iwife.” He had never lost interest in the school and frequently visited the district, he said. Courtenay School had only 13

pupils at the moment. Mr W. A. Bradley, speaking for the parents, said, but he believed it would retain its individuality for many years. A new schoolhouse was being built "‘Courtenay parents have never been against school consolidation.” Mr Bradley said, “as long a» the consolidation was centred on their school.”

The toast-master at the ceremony was Mr R. J. Westaway, of Courtenay. Other speakers and guests included the chairman of the Canterbury Education Board 'Mr S. J Irwin), Mr G. C. Warren, ward member of the board, Messrs C. G. Jarman, W. K. Jenkins. J. F. Lawrey, F. Bull, and A. M. Calder