New facilities at St Andrew’s

Press, 18 March 1977, Page 4

New facilities at St Andrew’s

Sir John Marshall told the boys of St Andrew’s College that books would give them life-long pleasure, when he opened a new library, squash courts, and classroom yesterday. Sir John and Lady Marshall were among many old friends, former pupils, and staff who attended the opening and dedication of the buildings, erected at a cost of $160,000. The first old boy of the school, Mr Nelson Drinnan, travelled from Milton for the occasion. i Mr N. D. Thomson welcomed Sir John on behalf of tho school board, and said the school needed him as a friend to ensure its continued existence.

“The State school system is saved many thousands of dollars each year because of those who support the concept of schools such as St Andrew’s,” Mr Thomson said.

He also said that $lO,OOO for the squash courts had been raised from workdays done by boys at the school.

Sir John said that the Committee on the Status of Teachers, of which he is chairman, had just finished listening to evidence. “I hope that the object of this committee, which wants a unified teaching profession with the free movement of teachers through the education system, will be achieved,” he said.

He praised the work of all those who had financed and organised the new buildings. “The library opens up to the pupils the world beyond our immediate surroundings, and helps them explore, discover, and understand.

“A good reference library will help young people in the skills of finding information — a prerequisite for many occupations,” Sir John said. After Sir John had declared the buildings open, the school’s head prefect (Henry Aubrey) presented him with a paperweight with the school crest and his name engraved on it.