ALBANY SCHOOL JUBILEE

Evening Star, Issue 18714, 16 August 1924, Page 4

ALBANY SCHOOL JUBILEE

ENTHUSIASTIC CELEBRATIONS. FURTHER FUNCTIONS YESTERDAY. The jubilee celebrations of the Albany Street School were continued yesterday, and were marked by the greatest enthusiasm. There was an ex-pupils’ rally _at the school in the afternoon, and a reunion in the evening. SOCIAL REUNION. ’The social reunion in the Early Settlers* Hall attracted a crowded house, and the audience displayed keen enthusiasm. The function was a distinct success. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS. Mr A. Dempster (chairman of the Jubilee Committee) presided, and had with him on the platform Mrs David Jolly (nee Miss Janet Johnston), the first mistress of the school; Miss Catherine Haig and Miss M’Millan, both long-sennce teachers; Mr J. H. Wilkinson, a member of the School Committee and of the Jubilee Committee); Mr James Rennie, head master for a number of years; and Mr Charles C. Rawlinson, the present head master. The Chairman said they had received ai sheaf of messages of congratulation. Of these ho read three—a cable from Sir James Allen (High Commissioner in London), and telegrams from Sir Robert Stout (Chief Justice) and the Hon. G. J. Anderson (Minister of Labor). Continuing, Mr Dempster said he wanted to extend a. very hearty welcome on behalf of tho Jubilee Celebration Committee to all old boys, old girls, and ex-teachers of the school. He had been at the school for a brief space in the afternoon at the expupils’ rally, and it was pleasing to see old scholars meeting each other perhaps after thirty or forty years. It was pleasing, too, to see tho spirit of cheer that pervaded that gathering. That, said the speaker, was the spirit which they desired to see present throughout the celebrations. He could talk of brilliant pupils of the school, of boys and girls who had gone out and won success in professional and commercial walks of life. Time, however, did not permit of any long speech, so with those brief remarks he would close. MUSICAL PROGRAMME.

A delightful musical programme was then entered upon. The first item was a lively march by the school band, conducted by Mr Denzil J. Simpson, a pupil of the school some eight years ago. Miss Phyllis West and Mr J. Fleming followed with enjoyable items in the form of a song and a recitation respectively. Mrs M'Donald and Messrs Len and E. Barton won the wannest of applause with an excellentlyrendered instrumental trio, and Miss Madge Yates submitted a good recitation. Mr A. W. Alloo sang well, as did Miss Clare Matheson; while an Irish reel was danced by Rita feeck, Lily Fox, Jill Fox, and Ethel Sinclair, Mr Robert Clark supplying the pipe music. The final item on the list consisted of selections a burlesque nature by a band of ex-pupils. Mr Les. Burk was the accompanist. It was mentioned that all of the performers were ex-pupils of the school. AN INTERESTING ADDRESS. Mr J. H. Wilkinson then addressed the gathering. He expressed pleasure at being present. During his time of association with the school they had had quite a number of functions, but this event was the most important in the history of the school. Ho referred to the great peed for tradition in school work, remarking that without tradition a school was at a disadvantage. In years to come pupils would have something to look back to. The dux honors board and the jubilee booklet told the story of the achievements of the school and its scholars, and teachers would have something to point to that would be a source of emulation to all future scholars. They were all proud of the wonderful achievements of the Albany Street School. (Applause.) Its record was one of which all ex-teacners and ex-scholars had reason to be proud. < They wanted the jubilee to be marked by a spirit such as would be in keeping with such a celebration. There were many friends in other parts of New Zealand who had looked forward to those gatherings with joyful expectation, and he was sure that, nidging from the spirit that had been that evening, they would rejoice at having been present, and would be happy to look back at those celebrations. Ho had known every headmaster of the school, and had been. _on the committee during all but the time of the first headmaster, so he knew something of the splendid work carried on by that excellent baud' of teachers. They had had headmasters _ who were fine teachers, and who had in largo measure that magnetic personality and influence so valuable in such work. They had had, also, fine assistant teachers. _Mr M‘Laron and Mr Nieolson were disciplinarians of the first rank. If they 'at tipies were exacting, their whole desire was to advance the welfare of their pupils. As a committeeman ho (the speaker) had derived the greatest pleasure and benefit from being associated with the teachers of the school. Continuing, Mr Kilkinson said that on the occasion of the establishment of the school, one committee controlled all the schools in the city, and did so until nine years after the foundation of the school. In that committee was Mr (now Sir) Robert Stout. Another member was James Allen (now High Commissioner in London), and a third was the Hon. G. J. Anderson (now Minister of Labor). They were proud not only of the teachers, but also of the committeemen who had risen to fame and eminence. (Applause.) Ho was proud of the loyalty to the school that had always been shown by the parents and householders of the district. They had won many honors on the sports fields, hut time was never sacrificed that ought to have been spent on the curriculum. They had had a splendid past, but they looked forward to greater achievements *in the future. The letters received from all over the dominion breathed affection for the old school. DUX BOARD PRESENTED.

Mr Wilkinson mentioned that it bad been decided to mark this jubilee occasion among other ways by establishing a dux honors board. The hoard itself was displayed on a stage made of oak, it bore on it the crest of the school, and the lettering was in gold. It bore the names of previous duxes. Mr Wilkinson made a further appeal for contributions to the fund for this board.

Mrs Jolly, the first .mistress of the school, then came forward, and, amidst hearty applause, handed the board over to Mr Rawlinson, headmaster of the school.

Mr Rawlinson tendered thanks, expressing the hope that it would spur to greater effort the boys and girls of future years. On the conclusion of the formal proceedings, supper w-as handed round. Dancing followed, the music being supplied by Mr Pizey’s orchestra. EX-PUPILS' BALLY. The ex-pupils and ex-teachers of the school gathered informally together yesterday afternoon. One and all renewed associations with the greatest enjoyment, and a huge majority, if not all of those who attended, entered their names in the hook on the office table. The school bell was tolled at 2.30 p.m., there being then about 200 within the precincts—mostly expnpils and ex-teachers of not very recent years, and the Union Jack was flown. All former “Albanyites” were given free access to the classrooms, and the privilege was eagerly taken advantage of. Photographs, letters, rooms, the souvenir publication, brought, upon inspection, an illuminated look to the face of each one who ga-z-ed at these emblems of the old school life or kind reminders of the time of rejoicing. Numerous copies of the jubilee booklet were sold, and tickets, too, wore in good demand. Afternoon tea was served in the school hall, and “Old Albany’s” children of bygone days came and went until 30 minutes past the hour of 4.

This afternoon the ex-pupils met at the school, and in the evening a dinner will be held in the Art Gallery Hall. The proceedings will conclude to-morrow with a church parade from the school to Knox Church. It is announced that a group photograph will bo taken at the school prior to the church parade.