Renewal of Youthful Friendships at School Anniversary Functions

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27058, 18 April 1949, Page 3

Renewal of Youthful Friendships at School Anniversary Functions

NORTH OTAGO NEWS

Schoolday friendships which have stood the test of time—in some ' cases 60 or 70 years—were renewed, and incidents during school careers • were recalled during the week-end when ex-pupils of the Oamavu North School met to celebrate the seventy-seventh anniversary of the school. Among those present were pupils who attended school on its opening day. Ex-pupils were given the opportunity to inspect the partly constructed new school and to visit their old classrooms before they are demolished Jo make way for the uo-to-date institution.

Mr Alonzo Drayton, who was the only ex-pupil present to attend the original “ school ” on the opening day, recalled that tiie classroom was housed in a lean-to situated on tbs corner of Exe and Thames streets. Mrs C. Wilson (formerly Miss C. Fulton), who enrolled on the opening day of the school now being demolished, told Mr Drayton that "his” school was later used as a dye works owned by the late Mr McDonald. Mrs Wilson was. a daughter of the late Mr J. F. Fulton, who was on the first committee of the Oamaru North School. On Saturday afternoon a welcome io the celebrations was extended by Mr A. F. Stock, chairman of the School Committee. He stated that the old school would oe demolished in about three months’ time after being in use since 1872. When the new school, which would cost approximately £35,000, was completed Oamaru wolitd have one of the finest schools in Otago Mr Stock said. Mr Alonzo Drayton planted a Iree to commemorate the occasion, and the remainder of the aflemoon was spent informally. " Anniversary Banquet No efforts were spared to make the jubilee banquet in the Drill Hall on Saturday night the most successful function on the programme. The cake, which was made and given by Mrs W. T. Matches, was cut by Mrs C. Wilson, and a spray was presented to her by Mrs F. A. Booth. Mr A. F. Stock, who was in the chair, expressed disappointment that a greater number of ex-pupils were not attending the celebrations. Over 1500 invitations had been sent out, but only 300 ex-pupils had accepled, Mr Stock said. Mi' A. H. Nordmeyer, proposing the toast to the school, outlined the growth of the school from its humble beginning to its present place in the community. Prior to 1872 a grammar school was situated in Greta street Mr Nordmeyer said, but as the. town advanced there grew a desire for a school at the north end of the town Opposition was met from South Hill residents, and the Education Department, but in 1874 the North School Committee secured a grant of £llOO to erect a school of two rooms. The site now occupied by the Drill Hall was first suggested for the new school, Mr Nordmeyer continued, but finally the present site was selected. The school with two classrooms, when erected was estimated to cater for the needs of 200 children, and a headmaster was appointed at a salary of £l5O per annum. “ The old school building is now to go,” Mr Nordmeyer said. “It will go with many regrets, but it has served its purpose and has stood for three-quarters of a century.” In his view the old school was somewhat dangerous and was now insufficient for the growing needs of the population, Mr Nordmeyer continued. Throughout the years the North School had been fortunate in the calibre of the teachers who had taken part in the life of the school. "A school is not a place where the children are taught something so much as a place where they are educated for life,” Mr Nordmeyer said, " and if the North School has contributed to the development of the characters of men and women it has played its full part. ‘ The friendships that you formed there will never die, and the memories never wane.” Mr E. H. Heward (present headmaster) outlined the educational and sporting successes of the school, mentioning in particular the “ Marathon ” football matches against the South and Middle Schools, sporting achievements, and the drum and fife band and choir. “Seventy-six years ago to-day, on April 16, the North School Committee made application to the Education Department for a grant for a new building,” said the Rev. A. Marshall, proposing the toast to the Education Department and Board. “ You and I owe a pi'cat deal to the board, for it is it which deals with all applications for additions to existing schools and new schools.” The education of the country had been one of the great ideals of the various Governments of the country, and since the .end of the war a transformation had taken place. Much of the red tape had vanished, and there was a spirit of realism within the Education Department. In proposing the toast, Mr Marshall paid a tribute to the help and advice so willingly given by Mr Nordmeyer. Mr J. Gerrie, replying to the toast, said that during the last year or two the Education Department had shown a distinct change of front. It was proposed in the years 1949-50 and in the years 1951-52 to spend a total of £40,000 in the district for the reconditioning and building of new schools.

Scripture and Captain E. Rix (Oanraru Ministers' Association i conducted the service. The Salvation Army Band supplied music tor the hymns, and the speaker was the Rev. D. M. Stewart.

There were 1.72 schools in the Otago board’s area, 72 of which were in the north ward. During the war years buildings were neglected and the board had a heavy programme ahead of it in repairs and new buildings. Last year North Otago received good consideration compared with other districts. North Otago was fortunate in that it was the first district in which intermediate schools were commenced, Mr Gerrie said, and to-day it was considered to be one of the foremost educational centres in the Dominion.

Other toasts honoured were:—"Armed Forces ’’ (Mr M. F. E. Cooney—Mr J. T. Burrows); "Teachers and Pupils, Past and Present ” (Mr D. Meldrum—Messrs W. E. Judkins and R. E. Dimick); "School Committee and Parent-Teacher Association '* (Mrs R. Simpson—Messrs W. T Matches and N. A. Davidson); “Sister Schools ’’ (Mr G. McLeod—Miss J. B. Wilson, Bro. Ryan and Mr R. Watson); “Entertainers” (Miss C. Copland—Mr E. Monteath); “The Chair” (Mr J. Meikle). Items were contributed by Mesdames D Wooton, L. Neill and W. Newlands. Miss Peggy Robertson and Messrs E. Mont.eath and J. 1-lesselgrave. Mrs E. Monteath was the accompanist. Church Service Yesterday afternoon a large gathering attended the church service in the Opera House. The Rev. A. Marshall read the

“ For many of us this is a day ol' holy remembiance, for with proud heart's we look back over the years and remember the headmasters and teachers who sought to teach us the rudiments of learning on which we built our subsequent careers, ’ said the Rev. Mr Stewart. Classmates and friends were recalled. Memory lingered long and happily with those who were once admired as " loyal pals" and who had grown up to men and women of sterling integrity. Some had earned high honours and well-merited rewards, some nad become honoured leaders in Hie community, and with pride, all shared seme of the glory which they had brought to the school. " While we salute the glories of the past, we do well to realise that such an occasion as this is also a lime of dedication.” Mr Stewart continued. " Our hallowed memories are not meant to thrill us for the passing moment, but are meant to nerve us to attempt even greater things in tile future.” A school without a high purpose or goal was like a ship without, a chart or port of destination. The supreme function of tile school was to foster ideals which would challenge the young people, which would call forth all energies and powers of heart and mind and will to a grand adventure in noble living. It was also to help young people to build character and to help the children to create their system of values which formed- the basis of character. " We lay upon our school teachers unwarranted and excessive obligations if we leave the work of moral and character training exclusively to them,” Mr Stewart continued. “ Let it be remembered that the school and its teachers are the creation of the community, and the people control the school.” As some lived to-day they were teaching the children that competition was the law of the world and that the only sensible thing to do was to climb up and push someone down, or they were showing that the happiest person was he who possessed the most material nossessions, or that work was a nuisance to be avoided by every device possible: or that those in authority were not to be respected or trusted and were to be outwitted as often a? possible. In the midst of this clamour and conflict the children heard the voice of the school and the Church saving the opposite of what the world and the edmmunity were saying. This conflict, could be resolved only by accepting and living out the highest ideals possible.