OLD PUPILS’ RALLY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 283, 14 November 1929, Page 4

OLD PUPILS’ RALLY

FUNCTION AT HASTINGS HIGH

RECORD CROWD AT ASSOCIATION MEETING.

A PLEA FOR ASSISTANCE TO COMING CITIZENS.

The annual general meeting of the Hastings High School Old Pupils Association was held at the Scuool last evening, when the retiring president, Mr G. H. Roach, presided over an attendance of more than fifty enthusiastic old pupils. “You are all citizens of Hastings, and so far as Hastings is conerned this institution is one of We most important. It is up to all of you to do what you can to help the school,'» declared the chairman in the course of his address on the past years’ workings. “It is the school that moulds the character of the future citizens of Hastings, and with your help it is going to build better citizens, and they will reflect greater properity on Hastings. The ‘head’ has a lonely 10b with hosts of pupils around him, and if we can assist in making his work easier for him, then we should do it. ’ QUESTION OF ASSEMBLY HALL. One other matter the speaker drew attention to was the move towards the erection of an Assembly Hall. All would agree that this was absolutely necessary, and he was pleased that the Board of Governors and the Parents’ League were making a move. They were taking on a big job, and when a start was made in the near future it was to be sincerely hoped that the old pupils would make every effort to have the work accomplished at the earliest possible moment. “The Assembly Hall is most impellent to the school, for in it is done the greatest part of the building and moulding of character. It is in the Assembly Hall that the Head has all his pupils around him for talks, and these talks are a potent part in tho school institution. ' - - f -, < •>

When tne work of building the much-needed hall is gone on with X hope all members of the association and old pupils generally will make a practical effort to help along the work,’’ he concluded.

THE PAST YEAR. The report, which read as follows, was adopted without discussion;— “It is gratifying to be able to report definite progress, especially as 1929 is the school’s silver jubilee. First and most important, tho membership has grown this year to 108, tne previous best being 65. This was evidehoe of increased interest on the part of the old pupils in the aims of the association. Considering the great number of old pupils available, the association ought to have a much greater strength, and it i# hoped that this year will see last year's record easily surpossed.”

The Annual Day held last year in November was very successful, despite tho inclement weather. The attendance was greater than on any previous occasion; the competition between past and present pupils for the Armstrong Cup creating much interest. No doubt, this was due in a large measure, to the excellent condition of the playing area, and the school authorities are to be congratulated on the great improvement in this respect. The annual meeting held in conjunction was most enthusiastic—;a feature being a roll call of old pupils of the different years. A debate and social was held in the Band Room in July, and was most interesting and enjoyable. Thi s gave another opportunity for the renewal of old associations. It is intended that the football match between past and present boys shall become an annual one. This year the match provided much enjoyment both to players and spectators. The jubilee ball undoubtedly was the best effort by the association during the year. The ball was a brilliant success from a social point of view, which was tho main consideration, and it was pleasing to report that financially it was also successful. For this result thanks were due to the ladies’ supper committee and to the boys from the school who were responsible for the decorations. From the above it will be seen that the associaion is a really live one and is striving to fulfil its aims as set out in the constitution, which are to preserve associations formed at school and to support the school by maintaining the interest of the old pupils in the school. Thanks are due to the joint secretaries, Miss N. Diamond and Mr S. Jones, who have been ably assisted by Mr M. Cameron in the enlistment of new members. It wag hoped that all members will heartily co-operato in maintaining progress. i

MODERN TREND OF TEACHING

Towards the close of the evening the Principal (Mr IV. A. G. Ponlington) expressed his delight at seeing such a large gathering of. old pupils at the school. He then went on to point out that a change in the teaching ideas was taking place. The modern teacher endeavoured to give his pupils enough knowledge of reading and writing to enable them to know what was going on around them anil to enable them to earn their living. The greatest ambition of the modern teacher was to cultivate the pupils to grow up to become the right sort of people. This was a tremendous order. If there wore about three teachers to each pupil then success could bo achieved. Tho most that could bo hoped for under tho present conditions was to give the right trend and right balance of things; teach the pupils that it does not pay to go out into the world and do those things which are not honest; teach them that their own personalities will suffer in the loss of self-esteem should they be dishonest. Then again, teachers endeavoured to impart tho true sense of humanity, the striving, nob for oneself, but for the team. “You will see that this modern trend of teaching is very far-reach-ing,” commented Mr Penlington, “and we cannot hope to altogether achieve complete success. However, if wo can make some little advancement in that direction then we are pleased.” The speaker then went on to refer to the suggestion of an assembly hall. He pointed out that since 1922 the number of pupils had trebled, and the teaching staff bad increased from four to fourteen. The school buildings ’ had increased and tho grounds pro-

(Cuntinwd or) Next, Column),

vided better environment As the school grew lie felt the necessitv for an Assembly Hall. It was quite impossible to keep in touch with each of the pupils, but he felt that with ■the assembly hall he could do more than he was doing to build up good characters.

“I ask you to let the people know that the assembly hall Is a necessity. Money expended an education is more productive of good than if expended in any other direction. The policy should be to encourage good character In the early stages of life, not in the later stages.'*

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows: —Patron, Mr W. A. G. Ponlington; president, Mr S. I. Joues; vice-presidents, Miss V. Gloyn and Mr E. A. Murley; joint secretaries, Miss M. Diamond and Mr P. Clifton; executive. Misses M. Ashcroft, L. Bickley, E. Percy, D. Perris, and B. King and Messrs M. Cameron, C. Colwill, M. Tickner, W. Fippard, and G. H. Roach; auditor, Mr J. Angus. During the evening musical items were rendered by Misses N. Hickling and P. McKay.