SCHOOL JUBILEE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23512, 24 November 1939, Page 9

SCHOOL JUBILEE

WELLESLEY STREET SUCCESSFUL REUNION ' FORMER PUPILS GATHER Celebrations to mark the jubilee of the Wellesley Street School, formerly the Normal School, were commenced last night, when about 2000 former pupils attended a successful reunion at the school. Every decade in the history of the institution was well represented and reminiscences, with memory refreshed by the occasion, were freely exchanged. The former pupils, with a number of their teachers, gathered in the schoolgrounds for the opening ceremony, and were welcomed by Sir Alexander Young, president of the Old Pupils' Association, who referred to his early associations with the Normal School. In the absence of the member for the district, the Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. A. S. Richards, M.P., congratulated the school on its anniversary and spoke of the Government's education policy. Other speakers were Mr. W. J. Campbell, chairman of the Auckland Education Board, Mr. B. W. Hayson, the present headmaster, Mr. H. G. Cousins, an ex-teacher and former principal of the Auckland Training College, and Mr. J. W. Kealy, representing past pupils. One of those present was a pupil present on the day the school was opened, Mr. F. H. Leonard, who rang the bell to marshal the gathering into the school building. The large attendance was divided into classrooms by decades and the remainder of the evening was spent in renewing schoolday friendships. The celebrations will be continued this afternoon, when present pupils will be the guests of old scholars, and the children lyill take part in sports and a display in the school grounds. Tomorrow afternoon a garden party will be held at the school, and it will bo followed at night by a banquet, social evening and dance. The celebrations will close on Sunday afternoon with divine service in the school grounds.