The High School

Cromwell Argus, 30 September 1929, Page 5

The High School

OPENING OF MAY BUILDING. An excellently arranged and high ,v successful function took place at Cromwell 011 the alternoon of Wednesday. 18th inst. This was the official opening of the recent extensive additions and appointments at the High School. The function was arranged primarily with the object of enabling parents and the public generally to make a personal inspection and to become fully acquainted with the excellent and increasing provision made for the education of the children. Alter a bleak, cold morning-. the weather was perfect, and there was a large attendance, including parents from all the surrounding districts, as far away as Luggate. The proceedings opened at the High School. where arrangements had been made for seating accommodation and for addresses by several speakers, the pupils from all departments being- also assembled. The function unfortunately took piace on the same day as the meeting of the Lclucation Board, and the members weie unable to accept the committees invitation. The clerk was also in receipt of a letter from Mr W- A. Bodkin, M.P., who was unable to attend, but wished the school every success.

The acting-chairman (Mr L. M. Jolly), was the first speaker, lie welcomed the large attendance, and said the object of the gathering was to afford parents and the pubic an opportunity of realising by an inspection what the Education authorities were doing in providing facilities for the education of the children. Duo whom they missed that day was the worthy chairman for many years, Mr VY. Gair, one of. the schools greatest workers. Members ol the Board, with their meeting- in progress, were unable to be present. Mr James Horn, late M.P. for the district, had tendered an apology, as the business of the Board prevented him from attending. Both as a member of Parliament and also the Education Board, Mr Horn had the question of education in Central Otago at heart. In regard to the new building being opened that day. Mr Jolly added that during the last two years the school had been carrying on at a great disadvantage from the point of accommodation. The policy of the Board was to establish a High School on a guarantee of 20 pupils, in a hired building, and if this was maintained and increased to erect a permanent building. The position and an inspection that day would show how the school had progressed. It was an important event in the history of the town, as the children did not always have the advantages presented to-day. They were lucky to have the opportunity of higher education at their own door. The speaker further pointed to the/ fact that the timber for a further addition was now on the site. He paid a special compliment t> Mr Horn for his assistance, to Hon. Perrelle, who recently visited the school, and to Mr Bodkin, for their recent, services, and to the local press for its earnest and valued advocacy oi the cause of higher education. The Rector (Mr (G. M. Luke), was also deserving of special mention, as he never missed an opportunity of placing the position before the authorities, and even on his last holiday had met the Board representatives in Dunedin and stressed the urgent need of another room. In concluding he hoped parents would do their best to advance the school. The Mayor (Mr C. VV. j. Roberts), who officially declared the school open, thanked the committee for the kind invitation. The local school committee had done well and was deserving of every credit, and it was fine to know that the powers that be had seen fit to reward them with the new building. This was only right and proper, as Cromwell was the centre of a jarge and prosperous district. He paid a compliment to the contractor (Mr K. Thomas). for the manner in which he had carried out his contract. A d'W years ago higher education was only within the reach of the wealthy, but to-day that privilege was provided for every child, who could receive a good education. It was now possible for a pupil to graduate from this school to the University. To the boys and girls he said: --Love your teachers, learn your lessons, and tit yourselves to be good citizens thereby helping NewZealand to maintain its proud position." Concluding he expressed the sincere hppe that the committee would be further rewarded by the residents of. Cromwell and surrounding districts according their support to the school. He had great pleasue in declaring- the school open. Mr McGregor, headmaster at Bannockburn, said the establishment of a High School at Cromwell was , fully appreciated. The High School was an indicaton of the trend of modern education principles. that there should be High Schools and Rural Classes all over the Dominion. The school at Cromwell had been urged for years, and its establishment was due Jo the energies.of the committee and '(.))<- Hector. It was a great benefit to the children jn outlving centres that Manual Classes could now be taken in Crpmwell. The erection of another room would enlarge the syllabus 111 many ways. Mr R. Co*, headmaster, L.owhnrn? also paid a tribute to the local High School, and assured the committee of his best assistance. He offered the opinion, supported by sound reasons, that pupils had the opportunity of as good, il not better, education in a District High School as in the larger centres. Mr Rice. Inspector, oi Dental Clinic-, snpjke, briefly on that department." He uVgC'tJ 1 -,) meetjng of delegates from Cromwell and neighboring districts, to form a separate controlling committee for the dental fljmc, j and to stimulate more j:here- j in.

Mr R. Ci. Varcoe, as representative of the committee and Press, acknowledged the chairman's compliment to the Argus for its advocacy of higher education, lie paid a worthy tribute to the great services of the chairman. Mr W- Gair. who over ;i period of many years never let down in the rbiims for a High School. In a

general way. too, he gave very valuable service in parrying out gratuitously, many'small jobs at the school, lie went on to add that an aim of the Function was to "boost" the school, because it \\:is worthy of it. he felt that parents were far from acquainted with the splendid provison made for the education ol the children. \n inspection. he believed, would open their eyes and that was one of the objects. The authorities, lion. Perrelle, M'r 'Horn. and Ur Bodkin, M.P., had given great assistance ana the committee had never lost an opportunity of pushing the ease for the children. From an intimate knowledge of affair* generally, however, he could honestly say that none had the welfare und progress of schuuJ

at heart more than the Rector and his staff. They wore keen on the best possible result* from the school. The speaker stressed the point that success did not end with the work of those mentioned. The parents and children had their part to play. It remained with the parents to send their children to the High School. Increased attendance would mean further expansion, and further than that the children would in. later years, reap the benefit of a couple of years higher education. Humorously he referred to the immediate results that should attend the new Manual (lasses. Woodwork and . Home Science. He urged the pupils to co-operate wholeheartedly and' sincerely with their teachers, for the honor of the school and in the cause of further expansion. He assured the committee of unwavering- support from the Press, in further advancing- the worthy cause of education.

The last speaker was the Rector. (Mr G. M. Luke). He said the Secondary Department was established for all pupils who can avail themselves

of its benefits. Pupils from Wanaka, Luggatc, Gibbstoii, Low burn Ferry. Baunorkhurn. and Nightcaps were at present attending- the Secondary Department. Two definite courses were conducted. Professional and General. Of these, the Professional, of. necessity, is the narrower, as it provides definite instruction in those subjects

prescribed for the Matriculation Examination. The General Course aims at fitting the pupils for any path in life. It is that general finish in education which enables the pupil throughout bis whole life to use his intelligence to advantage. Bookkeeping- is taken by these pupils.

while the girls include typing- and shorthand. It was desired that parents should realise the value of sending- their boys and girls to the Department for three or Jour years to

broaden their views and to instil confidence which enables the pupils to enter confidently into the industrial and social world. Some pupils wonder why they should be compelled to take French. A study of the French language had a direct bearing- on our English language. it brought the pupils in closer touch with the customs and lives of a nation so commercially related to our own. Then, too, must be valued educationally, the effort made to master somethingdifficu.lt. With reference to Woodwork, Mr Alexander did not stress the production of fashioned articles, but just two points. a. training- in accuracy and neatness in all things. These principles, if observed throughout life, would surely produce the successful man. Competition. he said, was keen to-day. and the race goes to the highly-qualified man. Much was heard about the ••selfmade" man. ancHtlie success of those who received but a scanty education. Such was. no doubt, possible in the past, but these attributes in most cases spell disaster to the modern youth, living in an age of hustle, bustle, and acute rivalry. Finally, the sjjeaker thanked the public for coming along, and welcomed a general inspection. During the speeches, choruses w£re rendered by the children, under Miss Mclndoe.

Thereafter those present "readily seized the opportunity of inspecting the school, the pupils" all being- hard at work, an interesting- time was spent, and moving among the ciVnvd'. nothing but eomplimentary refereitces were> heard. The programrae mentioned included: ■"Singing* and games, Infants,' Miss Young; Gramophone Recital, Miss Mclndoe: Scientific 1 Experiments, Mr Fleming; Drawing- from Nature, Mr Terry; I'lasticeiie Modelling, Bohm. The Dental Clinic. under Nurse Corcoran, was also a centre of much interest. The Rector. Mr Luke, was courteous in explaining the many details to the visitors.

Ail adjournment was then made to the Presbyterian Hall. where Mr Alexander (Instructor), had a party of boys busy in the Woodwork Class, and whore many useful articles were being turned out. From here the party adjourned to the Oddfellows Hall, where Miss llendra (Instructor),

and her Domestic Science had Meal arrangements made for supplying afternoon tea. This was done in pleasing style, and the huge crowd was treated to afternoon tea and refreshments in a manner that brought forth unanimous expressions of appreciation. Especially does this apply to the delicacies provided by the class for the occasion. The busiest time of the afternoon undoubted I v fell on this department, and Miss Tlendrn deserves to l>e special I v complimented on the success of her efforts.

This concluded one of the most appropriate functions held in the town For some years. Our representative took the opportunity of briefly interviewing many of the visitors. The replies were all in the one strain—unbounded appreciation of the splendid educational facilities offered, and the arrangements for a most interesting and profitable function.

To the many who assisted during the da\. the committee is indebted. Included in these, too. is the Oddfellows Lodge (M.r.1.0.0.F.). and Mr R. Olds, who placed a good deal of necessary - hall at the disposal i)f the committee.