GORE HIGH SCHOOL

Southland Times, Issue 20202, 13 June 1927, Page 4

GORE HIGH SCHOOL

EX-PUPILS SOCIETY. ANNUAL REUNION. The annual reunion and banquet of the Gore High School Ex-pupils Association took place on Friday evening. Mr J. Hunter, M.A., presided and associated with him was Mr E, C. Smith, chairman of the Board of , Governors. j Mr E. C. Smith, in proposing the toast of “The Ex-Pupils’ Association,” stated that the school left its impress on the pupils and althought it had been said that secondary education had a tendency to turn out pupils automatically and without individuality, he failed to see this, as no two pupils had the same outlook, the same aims or the same qualifications. The pupils who passed ' through the school did not lose their individuality; rather was their specific talent j moulded and developed along lines that ' would suitably equip them to take their places in life fully prepared. One effect of the education system was to give the pupils a knowledge of literature, ancient and modern. When the primary system of education was established it was done that the children might be equipped for making a | living; that, at least, had been the. principal intention, and on to it had been grafted moral training to show the need for honesty, for telling the truth and the inculcation of all that went to the development. of character. Then it had been felt that there was a need for something more for those who were going into the higher walks of life, and the Government established the secondary system, and from this it expected a return in some form of service for the education thus given. It was to the chemist and engineers that the country looked, and to men like them, that it might compete on the world’s markets. The State looked for some return from them in discovery and research. The association was doing much good for the school, and much good was being done in life by its members. An active interest was shown in the various activities of the school, and he hoped this would continue and as the .school had given service, so also he hoped, they would return service. Miss Douglas, in reply, urged upon all present the need for supporting the association. Some 1,280 pupils had passed through the school, and although many of these had left the town the membership could increase, and it was the duty of all to join up who could possibly do so. Mr H. R. Domigan proposed the toast of “The School,” and said it was not possible for all to attain to scholastic distinction, but they had their lives directed and activities guided to prepare them to take their places in life. While attending the school the impress of the teachers was left on the pupil, and this influence made a difference i for good in later life. Mr J. Hunter responded, and paid tribute to what had been effected in life by expupils. The toast “Kindred Associations” was proposed by Mr J. Hunter Jun., who referred to the value and good work of expupils’ associations. Miss Pay, of the 5.G.H.5.0.G.A., responded, and stated that a chain of sympathy should link all such associations throughout the world, as all of them had the same aims, ideals and objects. She expressed pleasure at the bond of friendship that existed between her association and the Gore body. Other toasts were: “Ex-High Hockey Olub” proposed by Miss V. White and responded to by Mr J. Hunter; “Absent friends,” proposed by Miss I. ■Cockburn; and “The Social Committee,” proposed by Miss M. L. Smith and responded, to by Mr W. | Chatterton. I During the evening the following contrii buted items: Miss M. Waddell, pianoforte i solo; Misses G. and M. Gee, vocal duet; Mr iH. M. McCutcheon, violin solo; Misses E. I and F. Hinchey, vocal duet; Mr Leslie Thomson, vocal solo; Miss Vera Johnston, , vocal solo. Mr Roi Don played the accompaniments. Subsequent to the banquet a most successful dance was held.