More Than 1200 Celebrate School Centenary

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30681, 22 February 1965, Page 6

More Than 1200 Celebrate School Centenary

A large banner across the Woolston School gateway welcomed more than 1200 former pupils who gathered for a ! centennial roll call yesterday. Among those returning to the i bright-decorated playground I were four whose memories extended to the first decade | in the school's history—Mrs ; M. A. Oliver (Mary Martin), and Messrs Samuel Dick. Hubert Wicks, and Sherwood . Cordery. I The rolls and publicity committee had received about 1250 registrations by Friday evening. More, which had not yet been counted, were made at the gate on Saturday, and a few were still coming by mail. “We are very proud to think that this has been achieved.” said the Marshal (Mr R. Hall) who called the rolls. Those on the official dias included the two oldest pupils, Mrs Oliver, aged 95, and Mr Dick, aged 90. Mrs Oliver cut the three-tiered centennial cake, and flowers were presented to her and to Mr Dick by two Primer 1 pupils, Anne Coira and Robert Krom. Official guests, former pupils and teachers, and friends of the school were welcomed by the chairman of the centennial committee (Mr H. Falkingham). “Fine Attendance” After the Mayor (Mr G. Manning) had offered his con-

gratulations on the fine attendance, and complimented the centennial committee on its organisation of the ceremony, the Regional Superintendent of Education (Mr S. S. P. Hamilton) read a message of good wishes from the Minister of Education (Mr Kinsella), who was unable to be present. A good school was a sort iof Peter Pan, eternally young and changing to meet the particular circumstances of its own day, said Mr Hamilton. While pausing to rejoice in its past, the Woolston School was mainly concerned with the years ahead. Technology, science, and the study of educational psychology would bring tremendous changes in education in the next century of the school’s life. But the essential job of the teacher would remain as in the past—to prepare children to meet the challenges of their own lives, and to serve their own generation. The school’s present teachers were preparing children to take their place in a more complex society, in an age when they had to look beyond local boundaries and learn to live in harmony with people very different from themselves. Because of this problem of shattered physical boundaries, children needed the security of their own homes, schools, and communities. Parents and teachers

could co-operate in developing a generation of young New Zealanders capable of making a success of their own lives and ready, moreover, to serve ends beyond themselves. 1 During the years the school had built up a great tradition, [said Mr R. K. Milne, representing the Canterbury Edu ; cation Board. Many of its pupils had become outstandi ing citizens, in every walk of life. Mr N. E. Kirk, M.P., spoke of the school’s record in war service, and the part it had played in moulding the Woolston community. The oldest living headmaster, Mr F. J. Mottram (1937-41) unveiled a plaque from the centennial committee on the school’s new bell tower, and an appeal for funds for a new swimming pool, to cost £l2OO. was made by Mr Falkingham. Mr H. Barrett presented a carving of a flamingo, which he fashioned from timber in the now-demolished old “infant” school, to the present headmaster (Mr J. J. Moyle). Music during the afternoon was played by the Woolston Brass Band. Nearly 1000 attended the centennial banquet in Cowles Stadium on Saturday evening. The address was given by the Minister of Works (Mr Allen) and the vote of thanks was proposed by Mr J. Green. Toasts were proposed and responded to by Messrs A. E. D. Lucecke and H. Falkingham (the school): J. J. Moyle and H. S. Cordery (the pupils); N. E. Kirk, M.P., and R. K. Milne, (the Education Board); L. Corner and Miss C. W. M. Robertson, a former teacher (the teachers); and J. Abrams and W. A. Saunders (the school committees). The toastmaster was Mr H. W. Beaumont.