Te Wai Pounamu's Union With Avonside Commended
The Education Department considered that the union of Te Wai Pounamu College and Avonside Girls’ High School was one of the most important things happening in New Zealand education this year, Mr S. S. P. Hamilton, the southern regional superintendent of education, told pupils and friends of the college at the Founder’s Day function on Saturday.
The union had been the most fundamental change in the life of the college. It had taken faith in both the
schools and the bureaucrats both of whom had envisaged a future that would preserve Maori customs and training. For Te Wai Pounamu girls to go to Avonside was like going home, said Mr Hamilton. “The school is one of the loveliest, warmest and happiest places in the country. There is equal concern for every girl,” he said. “There is the excitement of young keen minds getting what they need. I know there are no girls who would like to put back the clock. If anyone wants to make this venture fail, they will have very poor material to work with,” said Mr Hamilton. Because of sickness, the principal of Avonside (Miss P. Stevenson) was not present. Miss A. M. Strong, first assistant at Avonside, read a brief speech from Miss Stevenson.
Miss Stevenson said the girls from Te Wai Pounamu had brought to Avonside, gaiety, warmth and a strong sense of family which had been fostered at the college. Their cultural heritage would not be submerged. Instead its seed would be sown in good ground. Thanks to a former pupil there was a strong interest in the Maori culture at the school. “We at Avonside are privileged to be partners in a great enterprise. I am convinced the right step has been taken. We can look forward with confidence to our joint future,” said Miss Stevenson.
A service was taken by the Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren) and the college chaplain (Canon D. D. Thorpe). Action songs were presented by pupils.
Te Wai Pounamu's Union With Avonside Commended
Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30711, 29 March 1965, Page 2
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