NEW ROOMS OPENED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 103, 3 May 1945, Page 10

NEW ROOMS OPENED

SIR HARRY BATTERBEE AT ST. MARK'S SCHOOL

" 'Education is not a means of keeping children in a stuffy classroom, out of the freedom of the sunshine, but a means of getting more out of life,'" said Sir Harry Batterbee, High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, quoting Lord Elton, in "St. George or the Dragon," when he opened two new classrooms at St. Mark's Church School on Tuesday- afternoon. "Life should be a glorious adventure," he said, "and education should fit us to get as much as possible out of it," He referred to the present dramatic developments of the war* and remarked that one good thing taught by war was that material possessions did not matter compared with the safety of dear ones, loving and being loved, and courage to face up to whatever came. Courage had counted most all along, and in New Zealand it was the character of the early pioneers which had enabled them to win through. It was one of the hopeful signs for the

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future that in Britain, New Zealand, and all other British countries there was increasing interest in education and appreciation of the importance of it. The history of the school was reviewed by Sir Harry from its beginning in 1917, under the present joint headmistresses, Miss A. Holm and Miss Eva Holm,' when there were 37 children, to the present when the roll numbered 300. He also paid tribute to the part played by Canon Robertshawe in the development of the school. NUCLEUS FOR NEW SCHOOL. Over. £2000 collected in Wellington 20 years ago to build a central primary church school was handed to the St. Mark's Church School committee for the erection of a new building when the present one became unserviceable. This sum had now increased to £3200, and St. Mark's vestry decided that, it could help to finance the present new block as a nucleus for the new school. As £4000 had already been spent on alterations, the St. Mark's Trust Board had promised to raise the balance. Sir Harry was accompanied by Lady Batterbee. More than 300 guests were present to hear the speeches and to see the outdoor demonstrations by thje pupils. The official party comprised the Misses A. and E. Holm, Canon N. F. E. Robertshawe and Mrs. Robertshawe, the Rev. K. Andrews Baxter, Mr. T. J. Carter, members of the school committee, the architect, Mr. Malcolm Bennie, and the builders, Messrs. Lowery, Fraei, and Fairburn. Eighty-eight pounds collected during the afternoon from donations made by parents and other well-wishers will ensure new desks for the rooms. A set of handsome colour reproductions of Royal Family portraits was presented by Sir Harry Batterbee.