NEW CHURCH SCHOOL

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 133, 7 June 1919, Page 9

NEW CHURCH SCHOOL

OPENED AT DAY'S BAY

AST ANGLICAN VENTURE.

BISHOP ON BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

The Somerville School at Day's Bay, which has been taken over by the Anglican Church, and will bo known- for the future as the Wellington Diocesan Boys' School, was officially opened yesterday , afternoon by the Bishop of the Diocese, the lligbt Key. Dr.- Sprott. history' of the movement. The .Bishop, in a brief address, said that day was a red-letter day in the ■educational history of the Wellington, diocese. Ji'or many years they had. not dono much true educational work. Of cour.se, in the early days the Wanganui Collegiate School was founded, and he was giad to be able to say it was now one bi the greatest schools in Australasia. Also thirty years ago Dr. Pennyfather, then Private Secretary to the Governor, was instrumental in founding tile Kindergarten School in St. Paul's parish, which was still in existence. Then, unfortunately, very little was done for many years. They devoted their educational forces, together with the Presbyterian and Wesleyan Churches, in trying to get some form of religious instruction in the State schools of the country, but: without success hitherto. However, they must not suppose that something had not been dono in theway of Church teaching in schools. They must, be forever grateful to certain private (schools in the diocese, which had done much in. that way. In this connection he mentioned the privale schools established on Wellingtou-ter-race, M.irton, and Lower Hutt" all of which Snce their inception had been run largely on Church lines. Then there were: The Ngatawa School, established from funds provided by the Pan-Anglican Congress; the ' private school iormed at Masterton by the- Veil. Archdeacon Watson, and the school at Hawera, created by the Vicar of Hawera. Two years ago the Diocesan ■Schools Trust Board, was created by Synod, and by its assistance schools were established at Waverley, Taihape, Marton, and St. Mark's, isiewtown. So that now they had seven day schools besides the Ngatawa School and the Wanganui Collegiate School. Among the privato schools that had given them the utmost facilities for religious teaching was the one they were opening that day—Miss iSomarville's. They regretted the circumstances that had obliged Miss Somerville to give up'her school, which she had managed so admirably. She was compelled to retire owing to failing health.- They were very glad, however, that she had given them the opportunity to acquire it, and they had been able to do so by the generous help of lour members of the Church —Messrs. A. K. Mabin, J. F. Sludholme, W. J. Birch, and G. Shirtciifl'e. They would have been glad to have continued Miss Somerville s services as head of the school, but it was her strong opinion that the school should have a headmaster. This resulted in the appointment of the Key. 14. H. Hobday, a man of high university attainments. He looked forward to Mr. Hobday becoming a great headmaster. (Applause.) In opening the school under the new order of things he wished Mr. Hobday and his staff good .luck in the name of the Lord. He was glad to see so many parents and friends present that afternoon, which augured well for success. THE CHURCH'S OPPORTUNITY. "I should like to say to members of the Church," proceeded the Bishop, "that I am convinced the Church has quite unique educational opportunities before it now, which may not come again. I am sure that, if only we had the means, the;e could be schools established and filled all over this country. (Applause.) We all to-day regret that our predecessors allowed the education of this country to pass out of their hands. I do not presume to pass judgment upon them, because I 'do not know the circumstances, but those who know the early history of New Zealand are aware that formerly the education of this country was carried out under the control of the Anglican, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and Wesleyan Churches, each of which was subsidised according to its numbers. We regret that control \ 'was ended. I believe that at the present moment there is an opportunity of almost regaining it (applause);" and 1 do not know of any more important object to which those members of our Church who are able to do so should devote their means. Four members of the Church only—remember there a.i;e many thousands of them in this Diocese —have enabled us to secure this school. Two of the same number enabled us to start in Otago in 1912; ladies and gentlemen, we can't go on asking these same members of the Church to undertake all this work. There are many members who could, and if only we -had the faith, courage, and generosity, I am convinced that we should regain to a very large extent the educational opportunities now presenting themselves to us, and that if we fail those who come after us will have much more ground upon which to condemn us than we have to condemn our predecessors." (Applause.) OTHER ADDRESSES. Mr. A. E. Mabin questioned whether very much gratitude was due to them as guarantors. Schools like that were more or less business propositions, and well conducted would pay their way. 'It' thus did not reqfifre so very much courage, generosity, and faith on the part of the guarantors. If there were other Church people who wished to do a little for their Church they could follow their example without very much risk to. their pockets. (Applause.) Mr. J. F. Studholme, another of the guarantors, endorsed Mr. Mabin's remarks. The Rev. R. Franklin said he was convinced that the school, with its high traditions, fine buildings, beautiful sits and surroundings, and capable staff, would do well. The Rev. R. H. Hobday, headmaster, snid they heard much talk about national efficiency nowadays. If their boys were to become efficient citizens they must learn to become fit as future citizens of heaven. (Applause.) He would .endeavour to instil such principles into their minds. They often spoke of this conntrv being "God's Own Country." If Iheir boys passed through college learnin!? the grent principles of Christianity, truth, and character, then, he said, they would make this country more like what God's own conntrv ought to be. (Applnnse.) The Bishop offered up a prayer for Mes?inij on the new • venture, and the ceremony concluded with tho hearty singin" of the National Anthem.