M'GLASHAN COLLEGE HEAD MASTER

Evening Star, Issue 21825, 14 September 1934, Page 15

M'GLASHAN COLLEGE HEAD MASTER

MR R. G. G. M'NAB WELCOMED INTERESTING EDUCATIONAL SURVEY By a meat and thought-provoking speech embracing a rich field of idealistic and educational philosophy, Mr R. G. C. M'Nab, the new head master of John M'Glnshau College, made an immediate impression last night, when, with Mrs M'Nab, ho was tendered a welcome at the Savoy by a largo gathering representative of the'Board of Governors, parents of the pupils, and friends. Mr T. C. Ross, chairman of the board, presided, and with Mrs Ross and Mrs Stevenson (mother of the head boy) received tbe guests and introduced them to Mr and Sirs M‘Nab. During the evening Sirs M'Nab was presented with a bouquet comprising the school colours (red, blue, and gold) with streamers to match. CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME. The Chairman, in welcoming the guests of the evening, said he would first of all Tike to express his pleasure, and that of the Board of Governors, at seeing such a large gathering to meet Sir mid Sirs M'Nab. It augured well for the school when so many of its supporters rallied round it to welcome its new head master. Although to most of them that was the first opportunity of studying Sir M'Nab at close quarters, he bad been in Dunedin for nearly a fortnight, during which time ho and the speaker had had plenty of time to sisto up each other. They had found themselves in agreement in one important matter at least and that was that public speaking should be indulged in as little as possible. Sir M'Nab had also taken to heart the reply which one of the Kings of Israel gave to the King of Syria: “Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off,” and he preferred to let his works speak for him rather than to make large promises about what lie proposed to do. He recently read, or rather re-read, a book entitled ‘ The Lighter Side of School Life,’ by lan Hay, a writer who bad a light touch, but nevertheless brought out some very sound -philosonby. This book was dedicated “ to the' members of the most responsible., the least advertised, the worst paid, ami the most richly rewarded profession in the world.” The author described in some detail Die head master, and stipulated fii'dt of all that ho must- be a scholar and a gentleman, and rightly laid emphasis on the “ gentleman,” as boys were remarkably keen judges of their masters, and recognised and looked up to a gentleman without worrying their heads about his family tree or lack of it. Inn Hay also stipulated that a bead master must have a sense of humour, otherwise he would certainly go mad. . “ He must also, without spying, know everything that- goes on in his school,” Mr Ross continued. “ He must be a good man of business, be able to run the school on Ins olvn responsibility lor months at a time, and finally satisfy an ignorant and inquisitive board of governors which meets at very infrequent intervals. After specifying all these virtues, the author concludes by saying that the man who can run a great' public school is fit to run the British Empire. The. rich rewards spoken of arc intangible, but very real and very precious, being tbe affection and trust of former pupils for all time. “And now, having cheered Mr M’Nab’s heart by demonstrating what a superman he is expected to be, I would admit that this ideal is only reached after many years of experience, and wo are not so unreasonable as to ask him to attain to such full stature immediately. Wo believe that in the John M'Glnsban College wo have ~ s. ~o,i wmch in spite of its early troubles is now (irmly established, like most educational establishments, it still suffers by reason of the ~ai stringency, which lias overshadowed the country of late.” Ah- M’Nab had come to them from one of the oldest schools in the country to one of the youngest, which, thanks to tlie untiring efforts of Ids' predecessor (.Air Gilray; and Ids stall', had come to

be considered one of the most promising schools in the country. _ Mr M'Nab had the advantages of hying first of all of Scotch parentage and also being a comparatively young man. ’The board trusted and believed that under his direction the college would continue to prosper and to turn out good citizens tor the country, who would in various ways give it the benefit of the lessons of patriotism and service they had imbibed during their schooldays. In conclusion, he would assure Mr M'Nab that he could rely upon the support and kindly interest of the board, the parents, and last, but not least, of that- young and enthusiastic body, tho Old Collegians Association. (Applause.) EULOGISTIC GESTURES. Mr J. M. Eraser, on behalf of tbo parents of tlie boys, extended a welcome to Air and Mrs M’Nab. Air M'Nab, said tho speaker, came to them from Wanganui College with a first-class reputation for discipline, scholarship, and Jove of school tradition, and they considered themselves fortunate in securing bis services. .If any evidence were necessary to convince them that they, .as parents, were fortunate, they had it in the spontaneous expression of devotion and loyalty expressed hy his ex-pupils who were residing in Dunedin. (Applause.) “To my mind,” he continued, “ this is rather remarkable. Looking back on one’s schooldays after a period of years, one is prone to forgot and forgive the shortcomings of our teachers and magnify any virtues which we could find in their characters. That Air M'Nab has retained the respect and admiration of Ins most recent pupils is, therefore, the more remarkable. It proves conclusively to me that Air M'Nab’s association with his pupils has been tempered with that most admirable and essential quality in any teacher—justice in his dealings with them. After all, nothing appeals more/ to a boy’s mind than a sense of justice and fairness in his teacher. On the other hand,” said Air Eraser, “I consider that Air Al'Nab is fortunate in attaining his present position in Dunedin. He comes to a college which, compared with the great schools of this dominion, is still in its infancy. Ho is a young man, full of ambition to make good, and wo have every confidence that he will do so. Al'Glasliim College, although so young, has already commenced to build up its traditions, and wo arc sure that we can leave tbe keeping and extension of those traditions safely m the hands of bur new rector. “ Our late head master. AIT Gilray, built- up the tone and esprit do corps of the school in a remarkable manner, and wo consider that Air Al'Nab lias an excellent foundation on which to commence his duties. Added to this, Air and Airs Al'Nab have tho added good fortune of residing in a city imbued with a university atmosphere. We consider our city the leading one of the dominion, and, while on account of our Scottish nationality wo may bo somewhat backward in making friends. I would like to assure Air and Airs Al’Nab that we pride ourselves on our hospitality and friendship to new arrivals.” Jn conclusion. Air Eraser ’ said he trusted AJr and Airs M’Nab would find everything pertaining to their new position most congenial, and lie was sure that Al'Glashaii College would continue to prosper under their control. ' He could assure them of the sympathy and help of the parents, and he was sure he was voicing their sentiments when ho said that they might long continue to guide tho destinies of the college. That they might both enjoy good health and their stay amongst them was the sincere wish of every parent present that night. (Applause.) MR M'NAB’S REPLY. Air Al'Nab. who on rising to reply was greeted with sustained applause, thanked the assemblage on behalf rf Airs Al'Nab and himself for the warmth of their welcome. It was not unexpected. From tho day, some months ago, when his wife and bo met Air Boss and Air Bogg in AVangaiuii be felt that there was a peculiar warmth and kindness about tho school. All communications with old •boys and stall .strengthened the impression, and it was clear that any principal coming to the college would receive the sincere and friendly co-operation of all who should be helping the school. The experience of the last few days and of that night’s function was one mure confirmation.

“ I can only hope that you will never have cause "to regret your support of the choice of the Board of Governors, and I assure you that 1 will do my best to justify "your board’s confidence and your own encouragement,” said Mr M'N'ah, who went on to say that he was well aware of the capacity of the man whoso place lie was taking and the prestige he won for John M‘Glashan College. The speaker hoped it would be maintained. It would be futile at this stage to refer cither to his definite plans or to report upon the school. During the next three months he would carry on the policy and organisation of his predecessor, and thereafter would interfere with them only when some change seems unavoidable. His knowledge of M‘Glashan boys was as yet scanty, hut it was .sufficient to indicate, that they had an intense admiration and affection for their school, and that they were well thought of by the community. That was something to be proud of and worth preserving at all cost. It had been suggested that the time was opportune for the forming of a parents’ association. To ho frank, the speaker /had no experience of such an organisation, hut he was of the opinion that a body of that kind was unnecessary. There were cases, of course, whcie a parents’ association was a very useful adjunct of a school, but . conversely he knew of two) instances where with the passing of years organisations of that kind had created trouble. He therefore had one request to make, and that was to leave the matter in abeyance until next year. In that connection ho would be pleased at all times to meet parents, for it was only right that, they should know something of the internal outlook of the school. QUALIFICATIONS OF A HEAD MASTER. “ Quo question you arc entitled to ask and it is my duty to answer it,” continued Mr M‘Nah. “ What is my conception of the duties of head master;- 1 ” There has recently boon conducted in England a controversy which is something to the point. At Eton, Marrow, and Uppingham there have been appointed in recent months, young head masters, who were University Dons, not professional schoolmasters. This did not please everyone. One controversialist, the Rev. Adam Fox, Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, has declared that the head master of a public school should have three qualities; namely, business capacity, social case, even to the point of agility, and flair for making an impression in public. He'mentions other desirable, but not indispensable, qualities—that he should ho a good tcaehor, a good speaker, a good-looking man, or good with the boys. There is more than a~ touch of worldliness about these proscriptions. and I hope that they wore not in the minds of those who appointed me. It seems to me that the position is very different, especially when one regards New Zealand head masters nf acknowledged greatness like .1. W. Tibbs, of Auckland Grammar School, or J. P. Firth, of Wellington College. I believe that Ihesc men regarded i Jioii- schools more as places of learning than is the fashion to-day. They had n reverence for scholarship, a determination to display its intangible rewards, and a determination to make their hovs work.

THE CLASSROOM AND CHARACTER. “ Balance has sometimes been lost in letting it appear that characterbuilding is hotter achieved by organised athleticism and by other out-of-school activities. True, such influences are powerful, but character-building is most successful when if is least talked about, and it is done imperceptibly. I believe that to produce good habits of thought, speech, and conduct is the chief work of a head master. That was the great achievement of men like Mr Tibbs and Mr Firth, as it was in England of Pereival, Almond, and Timing, but most was done in the classroom. The work there is designed to inculcate a regard for truth and a respect for facts, to train the mind, to exercise the memory, to develop powers of reasoning, to encourage initiative, and to cultivate powers of expression, and it is in the classroom that boys come into closest relation with the master in his true capacity of leader, controller, and instructor. There the master’s best qualities—his patience, kindness, his mental and moral superiority, and the whole force of his personality are best called into play. It is the business of tbc bead master to see that, in bis school, the classroom, the playing field, and other methods of training receive their due consideration, but file greatest of these is the classroom. AIMS AND IDEALS. “ 1 will also try to see that M’Glashan College goes about its affairs quietly, without fuss or undue publicity. At appropriate times, no doubt, onr doings will be reported by the Press, and no one desires a- return to monastic conditions, but in some ways they were preferable to the i by no means rare modern circumstances I in which newspaper attention is unI warrantably directed upon schools, j upon the activities of masters and 1 boys. 1 have no intention of being one of that type, of head master described by a wise old man, George Saintsbury. Ho speaks of ‘ the modern busybody who rums about to congresses and talks, and who sometimes merely administers and does not teach at ail.’ No, I hope that we shall be left quietly to go about our work, and that wc shall do it thorouglily and/ well, without fear or favour, and with confidence that our manners arc making men. From my own observation of three good head masters in whose service I have been lucky enough to work, I should say that the head master should perform the most trivial duty cheerfully; ho should have complete self-control; he should be inspired by tradition, but not wedded to it ; sympathetic to now ideas, but quick to detect the crank"; fair to masters and to boys ; conscious that bis is a work of creation in the I most precious materials. In all humility may 1 say that I accept those j ideals as my own - , ami that I pray that from this religious foundation | there will emerge young men tolerant, i hut firmly grounded in Christian conduct with that sense nf freedom and individual responsibility which has . been a principle of the church which ’ founded their school.” (Applause.) i During the evening vocal solos wore given by Miss Teviodale and Mr J. E. Davies, At the conclusion of the formal portion of the function (he guests wore given an opportunity of a social hour with the head master . and Mrs M’Nab.