Rousing conclusion

Press, 12 May 1981, Page 6

Rousing conclusion

“Altiora Peto”: the resounding refrain of the Christchurch Boys' High school song, sung emotionally at a special “assemblyyesterday morning, provided a fitting conclusion to the school’s 5 formal centennial celebrations. Hundreds of old toys, staff; and pupils filled the Town Hall auditorium for the ceremony and; .for most, sympathetic memories were revived of old school days, the school ’ characters, arid its • idiosyncrasies. ... . . .. Briga'dier J. T. Burrows, a former; pupil and teacher, recalled them all: the staff, 'the occasions, the .htimoiir; Diverse stories of old boys shouting for “school/L wartime Africa, or of childish pranks'decades nast, clearly arntisorl an empathy from

. the youngest and the oldest old boys. . He was followed by Mr B. L. Stanley, a Christchurch Ser, and Mr C. F. S. well, a former headmaster. Each told of their days at the school with humour, .but real emotion..; A highlight of the morning was. the presentation of certificates to the school’s Robert Deans Memorial Scholars, a .history recaptured as- the ■ .winners from earlier years .were required to walk oh stage and be congratulated. The -. i scholarships were .awarded as a recognition of -.‘'special qualities.’’ ■ There’ wasMhuhderdus"applause for the recipients, none more so . than for “Curly” Page, the double All Black, who repreWed his

t country at both rugby and cricket. Next came a sombre i appeal from the Dominion S’ lent of the Old Boys’ iation, Mr G. L. Bradbury, that old boys not cling to the past. He predicted considerable change in the ensuing years, and warned, “This school has not achieved its great pre-eminence by . refusing to accept change.” ...Finally, there was the school song, “Altiora Peto,” “We seek higher things,”’ reverberating around the auditorium. The last verse was . sung by the school descant section. With Clifton Cook in the front row of the audience, and a thundering final chorus from the standing old boys, the mood and the nccasiori was complete. ®