PARNELL SCHOOL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22984, 11 March 1938, Page 11

PARNELL SCHOOL

JUBILEE CELEBRATED

REUNION OF OLD PUPILS

GIFT OF RADIO EQUIPMENT

Arranged as part of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the school, a reunion gathering of former pupils of the Parnell School was held in the school grounds last night and attracted an attendance of well over 1000. After they had gathered in front of the buildings to listen to a number of congratulatory speeches those who attended the reunion went into the rooms by decades to exchange reminiscences of the past. Tho school had been specially decorated for the purpose and tho speeches were made from a rostrum covered with national flags while other flags were hung from long lines in front of the building. The celebrations will Ik; continued to-day with a sports meeting for present pupils and tomorrow a jubilee banquet for past pupils is to be held. A special church service has been arranged for Sunday. Mr. T. U. Wells, chairman of the Auckland Education Board, expressed the board's congratulations upon the jubilee. He remarked that the celebrations represented a milestone in a history which had been outstanding in the educational annals of the city. Mr. W. Cliff, a pupil who enrolled in 1873, spoke of a number of matters characteristic of education last century and contrasted them with the facilities provided to-day. He also paid a tribute to the headmaster of the 'seventies, Mr. Peter Leonard, and the infant mistress, Miss E. Morlev. Other speakers were Mr. A. G. Harris, chairman of the Parnell School Committee, Mr. L. Heard and Mr. It. Killip, former pupils, and Mr. J. W. McGechie, headmaster.

Mr. Harris announced that an anonymous donor had offered the celebrations committee the initial portion of complete wireless equipment for the school. The gift would amount to about £35 and with other donations and any surplus from the proceeds of the celebration it was hoped to equip the school completely not only for educational work inside, but also for purposes of assembly and marshalling for games and folk-dancing.