THORNDON SCHOOL

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 147, 17 March 1933, Page 13

THORNDON SCHOOL

Plans Afoot to Celebrate Diamond Jubilee

CELEBRATION ON APRIL 1 Thorndon School, so long known as Thorndon Normal School, will attain its diamond jubilee on Wednesday next, having been opened on March 22, 1873. The event is to be celebrated on Saturday, April 1, by a formal function in the afternoon and a social programme in the evening. This was decided upon by a meeting of former pupils of the school, held in the old assembly hall in Brook Street last evening, under the presidency of Mr. J. C. Webb, for many years headmaster of the school, who retired in 1924. Among those present were Mrs. Lumsden (nee Miss Tate), who was a teacher in the school 59 years ago, and is a sister of Mr. R. Tate, late deputy town clerk; Mr. Harry Macarthy, who had with him a book he gained as a pupil in the seventh class —now known as primer class—in 1876, and certificates showing he was a pupil in standards one, two, and three in succeeding years; Mr. W. J. McEldowney, son of Mr. J. McEldowney, and Mr.' C. K. Dick, who for many years was associated with Soccer management in Wellington. Those present represented every decade since the school was opened. Mr. W. J. Melody, the present headmaster, explained that he was making inquiries as to which was the older school, Thorndon or Te Aro, when he was informed that March 22 would be the diamond jubilee of Thorndon school. He felt be could not allow the occasion to go by without ascertaining if old pupils would not like to celebrate the occasion in some way, and for that reason had called the meeting. The present roll of the school was 294, although in its heyday it was double that number.

The chairman recalled that he himself was a pupil in St. Paul’s Parish School under Mr. W. Mowbray in 1872, a year before Thorndon School was opened. Mr. Mowbray became first headmaster of Thorndon School. Such a meeting as was being held that evening quickened old memories, he said, and it was a great pleasure to him to be present. The old school had traditions, as was to be expected from a school which commenced under such an able man as Mr. Mowbray. After some discussion it was decided that a Saturday would be a more suitable day for celebrating the occasion, and April 1 was decided upon, owing to Wellington College celebrations having been arranged for Saturday, March 25. The hope was expressed, that it would be possible for Sir Michael Myers, Chief Justice, who is an old pupil of the school, to take some part in the celebrations. The honours board at the school shows that Mr. Philip Myers, Mr. Martin F. Luckie, Miss Phoebe Myers (sister of the Chief Justice) were also pupils at Thorndon School.

A general committee was set up, from which sub-committees will be formed to go into details as to the nature of the celebrations. The committee consists of Mesdames McNabb, Codd, Maunders, Parr, Misses Gribble, Pay ton, O. J. Donkin, Messrs. W. J. McEldowney, H. Macarthy, C. Meachem, Marcus Marks, Lander, Chalmers, A. Picot, and J. C. Webb.