HEAD MASTER RETIRES

Evening Star, Issue 20671, 19 December 1930, Page 11

HEAD MASTER RETIRES

MR W. J. STRONG'S FINE RECORD PRESENTATION AT RAVEHSBOURHE After the prizes had been distributee, at last night’s break-up ceremony of the Ravensbourno School the local residents and pupils made a presentation to the bead master (Mr W. J. Strong), who is retiring on superannuation. On behalf of tho residents and pupils the Mayor of Ravensbourno (Mr H. E. Holler) presented Mr Strong with an inscribed barometer and a travelling rutr. and Mrs Strong with an afternoon tea set. Mr Holler stated that a schoolmaster gave the best years of Ins life to tho tuition of the young. Mr Strong, besides being a schoolmaster of outstanding qualifications, was a gentlemain and a man in every sense of tho word. He was a man of great strength of character, which was made very evident by the high standard maintained in tho school. Mr Holler concluded by congratulating Mr Strong on his excellent record aftd expressing, cm belialf of tile residents and pupils, best wishes for a long and happy retirement. The chairman of the Ravensbourno School Committee (Mr G. Crosbie), Mr G. W. C. M'Donald, the Rev. J. J. Cairncv, and Mr N. J. Caldwell, tho first assistant at the school, also spoko of Mr Strong’s high qualifications and wished him the best of success in his retirement.In reply Mr Strong, who was greeted with cheers and musical honours when he rose to speak, stated that he had come to the end of his teaching career, and likened it to a jong journey, measured in years instead of miles. He had seen many changes in the education system during tho past forty-eight years. He was pleased to have been in the llavensboiinio district for the past seven years, and in his retirement would always think well of the district and its residents. Tho School Committee had always done its work efficiently, whilst his staff had one and all given of their Lest for tho school. He would always cherish very happy memories of his life at Ravensbourno. Mr Strong concluded by thanking them all for their kindness to himself and Mrs Strong. (Applause.) In tho afternoon Mr Strong was met by the staff of the school ami presented with a silver-mounted walking stick. In making the presentation Mr N. J. Caldwell briefly conveyed to Mr Strong the good wishes of tho staff in his retirement. Mr Strong made appropriate response. Mr Strong was educated at the Old Stone School, tho Otago Bovs’ High School, and the'Otago University, afterwards commencing his teaching career at the Mornington School, where he was a pupil tcacljor for three yoais. Ho then went to the Albany Street School for a year, and later to the Training College. After n year at the hitter institution ho was appointed to the position of bead teacher at Bannockburn, where ho remained for tivo years. Ho was later appointed to tho post of second assistant at the Macandrcw Bay

School, and after a period of eight years in that capacity was appointed to a similar position at the High Street School, where ho remained for five years. Mr Strojig then went to Outram a? head master for nine years, afterwards occupying a similar position at the Concord School for nearly ten years. Seven years ago lie was appointed to tho position of head master at the Ravensbonrne School, a post he occupied until his retirement. His total length of service under the Otago Education Board was from R 582 to 1930 —Forty-eight years. Mr Strong was also a keen volunteer, being a member of the Dunedin Navals #n 1884. the Cromwell Rifles from 1886 to 1891, and an officer in the Dunedin Navals when that body was merged into tho Territorials in 1893. Ho rose to tho position of lieu-tenant-colonel in the home body, and during the war was coast defence commander, being awarded the C.R.E. His total length of service amounted to forty-one years. Ho was also a keen footballer, being Oiiio of the founders of the Pirates Club in 1882. He represented Otago from 1884 to 1886, after which he was moved to Bannockburn, where, wtih the late Major William Joily, he started Rugby football in Central Otago. On his return to Dunedin he played in the University first fifteen for two seasons, 1893-1894. Ho has been a member of the Otago Rugby Football Union for fourteen years, during the last nine of which he has represented the University Club. Mr Strong is also keenly interested in cricket, having played in the Opoho first eleven for live years, and is now umpiring second grade matches. Mr Strong was president of the Head Masters’ Association for two years.