CLOSING A SCHOOL

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 73, 19 December 1935, Page 2

CLOSING A SCHOOL

Large Gathering at Clyde Quay MR. W. T. GRUNDY HONOURED “Finis” was written to the life and history of the old Clyde Quay. School in Roxburgh Street, Wellington, yesterday. The occasion was honoured by a large gathering of ex-pupils, some of whom dated back to the first day of the school's existence. Among those present were Messrs. C. M. Luke (an ; ojd ex-chairman of the committee), J. E. Jenkinson, C. H. Mitchell, Rev. W. Gilmour, Rev. J. F. Martin (an ex-pupil), Messrs. J. Costin Webb'(an ex-schoolmaster), H. Fisher, Thos, Forsyth (chairman of the school committee and Education Board for many years), L. J. McDonald, C. H. Nicholls and J. J. Clark (three members of the Education Board), Ernest Kellow (a first day ex-pupil) and A. R. Hislop (president of the Ex-Pupils’ Association). After the original headmaster (Mr. W. T. Grundy) had rung' the bell, Mr. W. 11. Phillips, the chairman of the present committee, who occupied the chair, took his seat at a table in the girls’ playground on the northern side of the school. He said it was a momentous day, as it marked the close of the activities of one of the best-known primary schools in the Dominion, known through its reputation and from the records of the .pupils who had passed through the school during the 46 years of its existence. The school was opened on February 28,1889, and tie was pleased to say that they had with them the new Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, and the original headmaster, Mr. W. T. Grundy, who had controlled the school over a long period. He was glad they had the Minister or Education with them, for when the school 1 was opened the then Minister of Education was the Hon. George Fisher, who was also member for Wellington Central, the seat now occupied by Mr. Eraser. After enumerating the various headmasters, Mr. Phillips said that the fate of the scholars and school was now in the hands of Mr. J. J. Rodgers, and no one could have any fears on that score. Mr. Phillips read a number of telegrams of apology for non-attendance from ex-pupils in all parts of the Dominion. Not Enougn Playing Area. After Standard IV had sung mchorus, Mr W. T. Grundy was called upon to speak. He received a rousing reception, and his speech was punctuated with cheers. Mr. Grundy said he was glad to have had the opportunity of meeting so many of his old pupils, and those children who were passing from this school to another. He also thanked the Minister of Education for his presence, and of his personal experience knew that Mr. Fraser had the best ot wishes for the children of the school and those of the Dominion. lie was very glad to hear, too, that there were certain matters to be ventilated, as the member for Wellington Central could now put them to the. Minister of Education with the best of gtftcc. Mr. Grundy drew attention to the smallness of the girls’ and boys’ playgrounds. To think that at times they had accommodated over 800 pupils was something to wonder at; but now they were going to another school where they would have only half an acre, and of that half-acre the greater part was covered by the school building. How over 400 children were to Und playing space there he did not know. Some rears ago there was a proposal to place the new school in Austin Street, so t. a the Town Belt could be used as a playground, but that proposal appeared to be quite dead. Perhaps the Minister could do something in that matter. He personally, had favoured the idea, as had many others, and was surprised i had not been carried into effect. Whjle he could not commend the new site foi its playground space, he had nothing but commendation for the new classrooms, which would give the chikUen every chance of facilitating their education and so pass on to secondary schools and become good citizens of the bright and beautiful land they weie privileged to live in. ‘You have ap old man’s blessing.” concluded M.. Grundy, not without a touch ot emotion This address was flowed by eheer= for Mr. and Mrs. Grundy. The latter was absent through indisposition. Imwas represented by her daughter, Miss Grundy. , One of Country’s Great Teachers.

Mr. Eraser said that it gave him verv great pleasure to take part iu the celebrations of a school with sucn a sound history and promJ record. How could it be otherwise with such a headmaster, one who was destined in history to rank as one of tbq countiys great teachers? At the same time, ae appreciated that he was present m the relatively humble capacity of Minister of Education. He would much rather have been present as an old pupil of the Clyde Quay School, ami one who had enjoyed the advantage ot judgment and guidance of Mr. Grundy. He recalled an incident of some 21 years ago-when lie had been present at a meeting. Several very good speeches were made, then Mr. Grundy spoke. It was not the matter ot his speech so much as the spirit that breathed right through and over it which impressed him so much that he had never forgotten it, and had irequeutly recalled it privately and in -public. It was the spirit of love, sympathy and friendship for the children —all that it meant to him —and he had thought to himself —here was a great teacher and a great lover of children. Mr. Eraser went on to say that the Clyde Quay School had a record in sport to be proud of, especially in swimming. On some occasions when the school sports took place it seemed as though there was no other school in it but Clyde Quay. Referring to the criticism about playground spa.ee, Mr. Fraser said he realised . the disadvantages under which the Clyde Quay School had been placed, aud would, as member for the district, ask the Minister of Education to give the matter favourable consideration. He had been one of those who had favoured the school being erected on the edge of .the Town Belt, so as' to give the children plenty of space for recreation, but other icotHisels bad prevailed, aud they had gone to Elizabeth Street. As to the matter of enlarging the playground space at Elizabeth Street, the negotiations had been too protracted. He had gone away to England thinking that had all been arranged, and was surprised to find on returning that the matter was still unsettled. He would see that as Minister for Education no more delay would occur that was avoidable. “Not Really Old School.” Mr. J. J. Clark, who represented the chairman of the Education board (Mr. W. V. Dyer), said that the Clyde Quay.

School was not really an old school. He had as a boy attended both the Te Aro and Newtown schools, aud yet had been an applicant for a position as a pupil teacher at the time the Clyde Quay School was built, aud though hp bad iii the meantime gone into a mercantile channel, he htid been called upon to report at Clyde Quay on the opening day. Had he enlisted that day under Mr. Grundy, it might have been himself and not Mr. Grundy who would have been called upon to ring the bell that day. He htid supported Mr. Forsyth in advocating the Austin Street site for the new school, but they were alone in that, and the school committee itself wanted Elizabetli Street. Mr. Clark said he had been authorised by Mr. Dyer to say that if the committee desired to perpetuate the name of the old school on the new site, the board would have no objection. It might seem anomalous to call a school in Elizabeth Street the Clyde Quay School, but there was no objection to doing so. This statement was received with applause. Mr. Phillips said that, as to the committee favouring Elizabeth Street, the threat w-as that the scholars might be transferred to Mt. Cook, the then Minister of Education being against expending money on a new school, so it was Hobson’s choice—take what you could get. As a first-day pupil, Mr. Ernest Kellow delivered a cheerful little address, pointing out that when he joined the school there were seven standards, and he and three others constituted the seventh standard. He said that the school had turned out a Rhodes scholar, a Minister of the Crown, and a minister of religion; but,they need' not worry so much about gaining high places—it was how one lived that counted. At the conclusion of the ceremony at Roxburgh Street a brief prayer was offered and the Benediction pronounced by the Rev. J. F. Martin, The National Anthem was then sung. Afterward the majority of those present adjourned to the Elizabeth Street School, where they were received by the headmaster, Mr. Rodgers. There tiie ex-pupils’ war memorial was handed over to the headmaster by tiie. Rev. Mr. Martin, and a presentation of a photograph of the old school was made by Mr. F. Wilton, secretary of the Clyde Quay ex-Pupils’ Association. LAST BELL RUNG Evening Gathering Following on the. afternoon ceremony, there was a great gathering of ex-pupils in the upper playground of the Clyde Quay School at 7 p.m. Some of the ex-scholars had come from places remote from Wellington for the pleasure of meeting their old school fellows and paying a tribute of respect to Mr. Grundy. Mr. A. R. Hislop, president of tiie ex-pupils’ association, occupied the chair. After relating to those who had noFbeen present what had taken place at the afternoon gathering, he introduced a brilliant old boy jn the person of the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, Attorney-General, w-hom he congratulated on behalf of the ex-pupils on his elevation to the Ministry. Mr. Mason, he said, had quite a distinguished career, having in his last year at the school won one of the Education Board’s scholarships and the Queen’s Scholarship. Mr. Hislop also stated -that the school had turned out two Rhodes scholars in Mr. Ziman and. Eidfessor Robertson. Mr. Grundy said that when he had met most of those present before, their positions had been very different to what they were now. They now had the best of him. Still he was a very grateful man. He was 27 years at the school, and they had one and ail contributed to making his life very happy, and had helped him to do the work he had to do) and for that he thanked them. It had been a great day to happen in the last years of his life. He tbanke God for it. Mr. Mason said lie was glad to be present to renew old acquaintances of his school "days, and to pay his respects to their revered headmaster. Recalling the strong discipline that was applie din those days, the Minister said that when severity was appile.l by Mr. Grundy it was never misapplied or undeserved; it was applied with the keenest sense of justice tempered with mercy, and was only evidence of the zeal necessary for the proper conduct of the school. Of all the congratulations be had receive dsince his elevation to the. Ministry none hail caused him greater joy- than those which had come from' liis old schoolmaster of years ago. He only hoped that the new school would have the same inspiration that the old one bad. The Rev. J. F. Martin spoke humorously for a few. minutes of his memories of school days. Mr. Hislop mentioned that they hoped to have the pleasure of celebrating the jubilee of the spbool in about four years’, time, and made an appeal for membership of the* ex-pupils’ association. Mr. Grundy was then called upon to ring the bell for the last time. After that was done those present spread out in a vast circle in the playground, and sang “Auld Lang Syne,” after which Mr. Martin offered a prayer. The gathering then adjourned to the Elizabeth School, where a pleasant social evening was spent in a manner devoid of all formality. Memories were interchanged, speeches appropriate to the occasion were made by expupils, and an enjoyable musical programme was presented by Mrs. Martyn Vvilliams and her friends. EARLY STAFF OF SCHOOL The staff of Clyde Quay School in 1899 was as follows:—William T. Grundy, Edward Samuel, Albert Erskine, Elizabeth McGowan. Henrietta Lawson. Elizabeth Page, Frances Booth, Alice Lockie, Elizabeth Batt, Elizabeth Ferguson, Alice Robinson, Elizabeth Scott.