SCHOOL JUBILEE
YESTERDAY’S FUNCTIONS. OLD SCHOLARS’ VISIT OF INSPECTION A large number of interested visitors, including old pupils and parents and friends, visited the Middle School yesterday morning and again in the afternoon to see the children, both at work at their lessons and also indulging in their games. In the afternoon the senior pupils provided an openair entertainment for the benefit of the visitors, at which vocal items, dances, action songs, and an exhibition of physical drill were given, as well as an exhibition of organised games. A very interesting feature of the gathering was the exhibition of a number of photographs of old buildings in the town, besides groups showing the teaching staffs and old pupils at different stages of the school’s history. The function proved a most interesting one for the visitors, who were unstinting in (heir praises of the high standard shown by the pupils, both in their work and their games, forming as it did a distinct contrast with that of earlier days. THE DINNER. , Keeping alive old friendships and good fellowship was the keynote of the Dinner held in the Federal Rooms last evening in connection with the Jubilee celebrations of the Middle School. Fully 120 old pupils of both sexes were present and a large number of them were able to claim the honour of having been associated with the school from the earliest day of its inception. The chairman of the Jubilee Committee (Mr J. L McG. Watson) presided over a gathering which was of a most sincere and enthusiastic nature, the various speeches being brimful of reminiscences of the school days which have now long since passed. The chairman, in welcoming those present, stated that he was more than pleased with the large number present at the first Jubile celebration ever held in any school in Invercargill. He enjoined all present to consider themselves as being present at one of the good old school jarties and to be school boys and girls once more. Some of thb pupils he saw had in the time that had elapsed since the school had first begun carved their names in the temple of fame, whilst others again had only carved theirs on the desks and school. It was a great delight to enter into the spirit of the Jubilee, because it meant joy and. all those present should be thankful that they were able, through enjoying good health and strength, te join in th 3 yarftiu? functions connected with the celebrations. During the evening every opportunity would be given, he said’, for the various speakers to tell quite confidentially something of the escapades and reminiscences connected with their school days, which'would he thought cause everyone to “live” again those earlier days and make the gathering a memorable one for all time.
The first toast of the evening, that of “The King,” was followed by the proposing of the toast of the “Old Grammar School,” which was entrusted to Mr Robert Porter, who, in the course of a very interesting account of school days, depicted the traits and characteristics of the headmasters, notably Messrs Fleming, Millar and McGregor, who were responsible for the work of the school in those far off days. Every old pupil would, he thought, endorse his remark when he said that those teachers had been darge-hearted men in every way and worthy of the name of a man, because they had not only instilled the principles of learning, but also those of well-doing. Miss McLeod and Mr T. D. Kingsland replied to the toast and in their remarks detailed at some length various anecdotes and also gave some interesting details of the work of the school.
The next toast honoured was that of the “Middle School and Staff,” proposed by the Hon. J. A. Hanan, M.P., and supported by Mr R. M. Strang, and replied to by the headmaster (Mr A. E. Featherstone and his first assistant (Mr S. E. Griffiths). Mr W. N. Stirling proposed the toast of the “School Committee,” to which Mr T. Brown, the chairman, responded.
* The toast of the chairman (Mr Watson) was proposed by Mrs Hanan and that of the ladies was entrusted to Mr I. G. McLennan.
During the evening a programme of musical and elocutionary items was rendered, the following contributing items:—Songs, Mrs Hanan, Messrs McLennan and Griffiths; and recitations by Mr H. P. Campbell. The accompaniments were capably executed ny Miss Nita Baird.
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Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 19116, 7 December 1923, Page 5
Word Count
741SCHOOL JUBILEE Southland Times, Issue 19116, 7 December 1923, Page 5
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