SCHOOLS JUBILEE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 58, Issue 4193, 7 June 1939, Page 5

SCHOOLS JUBILEE

A HAPPY REUNION. GATHERING OF OLD PUPILS FROM FAR AND NEAR. Established well over sixty years ago, the Te Awamutu Public School must naturally have had an interesting history, and pupils of the old days have held very many memories, pleasant and not so pleasant, and therefore it was not surprising that there was a remarkably fine representation at the diamond jubilee celebrations held last Saturday. Pupils had come from far and near, all buoyed with the same happy spirit, and keen to meet old friends, teachers and classmates whom they had not seen since leaving school—twenty, thirty, forty and more years ago. Indeed, the two hours spent at the local infant school on Saturday morning were replete with an enthusiasm, heartiness and goodwill that was positively inspiring. The appointed hour for assembly was 10 o’clock, and notwithstanding the by no means bright weather prevailing, there was soon a dozen or more small groups as one old pupil recognised and greeted another, . until by 11 o’clock there must have been close on 500 old pupils assembled—and there was not a dull moment. Everybody had entered very heartily into the jubilee occasion, and from then onward its success was assured. “WONDERFUL TIMES NOW.” Mr G. S. Clarke, chairman of the Jubilee Committee, accorded a brief but very hearty welcome to all, and hoped they would thoroughly enjoy the day, and take away with them happy memories. He added that it had been said that the previous Wednesday (the opening of the new school) was a day of looking forward, and therefore it was a natural sequence that that day thoughts should turn back to the years that have gone. All old pupils, teachers, committee men and others concerned could look back with pride, especially at the fact that the pioneer settlers’ efforts in the cause of education had really made the new school possible. They had worked very hard, sacrificed much, and achieved a school building and facilities for the education of their children. Present day scholars perhaps failed to realise the different circumstances, but all the older ones would say, with him: “What wonderful times you live in now, with fine large commodious, well appointed buildings, and highly competent staffs’ Little wonder is it that you are proud of your school and its motto, “Kia Kaha.” THE ROLL CALL. A little later in the morning the company was divided up for the roll call, groups, according to decades, being assembled in the several class rooms, and the calling of the names on the roll was truly an event. The oldest pupil, Mr W. H. Short, of Auckland (and formerly of Te Mawhai), rang the bell for this assembly, and then the pupils marched into the building. Classes dismissed, a return was made to the bright sunshine now prevailing outdoors, and more and more animated became the groups as they reminisced about old times, and the present addresses of one or other of (hose present. The onlooker could not have been other than , deeply impressed with the animation and goodwill prevailing. A light luncheon was served in the Town Hall, and then a visit was made to the Teasdale Street school buildings, where the main events of the occasion were to take place. By this time the crowd had grown appreciably, and exceeded the thousand mark, by the accretion of scores of younger ex-pupils—the morning assembly had been primarily for the earlier ones—and the whole presented a scene that will long be remembered. The first formality was the roll call of the pupils from about the year 1915, and this was entrusted to Mr A. J. Shepherd. All round the assemblage came answering calls or smiles as the ones named shot right hands skyward to indicate “all present. Then the chairman introduced some of the old head masters, and invited them to say a few words on this auspicious occasion. HEAD MASTERS’ VIEWS. Mr Herbert Forde was the first, and through the microphone he accorded hearty congratulations to the committee and others who had helped to promote the jubilee festivities. He had been assured that it was a labour of love, but all the same it must have been arduous and have entailed a vast amount of preparation. But all that work was surely being repaid by the success of the function, and the approbation of the townsfolk and the scores who had come specially to Te Awamutu for the occasion. Mr Forde said he had not revisited Te Awamutu for many years—he could look back about forty years—but was absolutely astounded at the progress of the place. In his day roads were conspicuous by their absence; there was no thought of electric light and telephones, and Te Awamutu lacked most of the amenities with which it is nowadays favoured. He recalled that it was in 1902 that a High School for Te Awamutu was first mooted, and a conference was held, but i* was quickly realised that the sufficient pupils and of reasonable transport precluded the possibility of the idea being accomplished. He regarded the present generation as in no way inferior to its predecessors, and was confident that the young folk now growing up would be just as competent to manage the town’s affairs. Mr Forde said he had been very thrilled to meet so many of his former colleagues and pupils, and then he paid a warm tribute to Mrs R. Dawson, a fellow teacher at that time, who, he said, had been a marvellous inflQence for good—an influence that was well nigh incalculable. (Applause.) TRIBUTE TO LADY TEACHER. Mr Francis D. Wood, another former head master, said he was exceedingly glad of the opportunity to renew old friendships under such conditions as the school jubilee. He ex-

tended his hearty congratulations to those who had made the occasion so successful. He also accorded his personal tribute to the worthiness of Mrs Dawson, and her influence for good in a long association with Te Awamutu School. She had rendered splendid service, and that would be always remembered. (Applause.) Mr Wood also mentioned Mrs Patton as a ! good loyal and unassuming worker i for the school. He went on to refer ! to the wonderful contrast in condii lions of imparting and imbibing education in his day with the present. In the old days children usually rode to school on nondescript ponies, over tracks and poor roads; there was not the whirl of traffic then that there is nowadays; the youngsters usually kept off the road centre because of better travelling alongside; they arrived at school wet, tired and dull, and teachers worked in an atmosphere in great contrast to that of the present day. He remembered having a stove in the. centre of the class room, but there was insufficient warmth, and the practice was to take the children .outside for a brisk run up and down the roadway to stimulate the circulation. By contrast pre-sent-day conditions were remarkable. RECOLLECTIONS. Mr Spenceley Walker, still another head master, said the celebrations presented a golden opportunity to look backward, and make contrasts. Thej r might even encourage one to be garrulous, in reciting the 1 recollections of the best and happiest things associated with school in the years that have gone. He congratulated the people of Te Awamutu and neighbourhood upon the wonderful new school opened a few days earlier; he could not help contrasting conditions now with his first day at Te Awamutu School as head master. On his first day school was taught in the infant school building in Roche Street, in the Methodist Sunday School in Bank Street, in the old auction mart where the War Memorial now stands, and at the Presbyterian Sunday School in Mutu Street. He raised smiles when he remarked that the children receiving instruction in the old auction mart were frequently disturbed by the sound of voices raised high in argument in another part of the building—it was a Power Board meeting! Then, said Mr Walker, the pupils in the Presbyterian Sunday School were assembled in the centre of the building, with an organ on one side and a pew on the other; the floor was so rickety that the safest place seemed to be the centre of the building! But it was not long ere the new district high school building was erected —though a start had not been made until a collect telegram had been sent by the Mayor of Te Awamutu to the Minister of Education—that telegram created quite a sensation, he explained, but a week later tenders were actually invited for erecting the building. When the happy time came for occupying it a trek was made from the auction mart, every available child helping to carry* the furniture, including desks, to the new premises; following that came a lot of hard work preparing the grounds. But those were glorious times, and the speaker recalled them with a lot of satisfaction. In the realm of sport he remembered Rugby games for the Teddy Shield, and basketball contests with Te Kuiti representatives. He still had a great admiration for his pupils; no better class existed even to-day, as regards school work and behaviour: in all his period of control there had never been one serious breach of discipline, .and that was occasion for proud reflection. Mr Walker concluded his remarks by also referring to Mrs Dawson, who retired from the service during his period as head master, but her wonderful influence was more lasting. WONDERFUL PROGRESS. The fourth headmaster to speak was Mr John F Roberts, who first congratulated Te Awamutu upon its wonderful progress, both as to schooling facilities and in many other ways. The story of its educational development in recent years reads almost like a fairy tale —from a very smalt school to two larger schools, and now to have the most up-to-date school building of its kind in the whole Dominion, costing something like £40,000, was indeed gratifying. He knew full well that it would be the envy of many Auckland and suburban school committee men. Mr Roberts voiced a glowing tribute to the work and influence of Miss Lehndorf, in charge of the secondary department, than whom there was no more conscientious teacher, while her successful methods were reflected by the prominence of many ex-scholars in all walks of life. He went on to mention that Te Awamutu School could now boast of a Rhodes Scholar and an All Black footballer, while he hoped the old school would yet produce a New Zealand cricket representative and a Davis Cup representative. The speaker concluded with the hope that consolidation of some of the adjacent district schools would be as successful as hoped; he realised that some folk must have heart-burn-ings at losing their old school, but it seemed the time had come for marching with the times. A FAMILY RECORD. Mr Kenneth C. Maclaurin was the fifth head master to address the assemblage, and said he was very glad to renew he acquaintance with his old associates and pupils. His period in charge went back too many years to mention, but he wanted to direct attention to the changed circumstances under which education is imparted nowadays; conditions have changed so remarkably as to be almost beyond conception. He reminded the younger folk that his father had been head master at the first Te Awamutu Public School—in 1877—and that two of his brothers, who received their primary education at Te Awamutu, had later attained to prominence in the world of science. Dr Maclaurin, before his death in U.S.A., had been in charge of the biggest technical university in the world. The other brother was Government analyst for several years. In the next generation the speaker’s own son had done very well at New Zealand University and later at Cambridge University, but regrettably his career was cut short by death last year. Mr Maclaurin said he had been very gratified at seeing so many of his former pupils assem-

bled that day. Their presence was a very fine indication of their love and regard for the old school. “BACK HOME AGAIN.” Mr Arthur J. Shepherd said to him the occasion felt like being “back home again,” for he had loved Te Awamutu School and the many friendships he had made by association with it as head master. The grounds had been his especial pride, and he was delighted to see them maintained so well. His association with the staff, pupils and committee members would be always pleasant memories. Full throated and hearty cheers were accorded Mrs Dawson and Miss Lehndorf, but neither could be prevailed upon to mount the dais and make a speech. Mr G. S. Clarke directed attention to the roll of head teachers that Mr Gavin Gifford had had prepared for presentation to the school —a unique gift that would, he was sure, be treasured, as typical of the generosity and goodwill of an old and esteemed townsman desirous of perpetuating the memories of people who had been factors in Te Awamutu’s educational sphere. ROLL OF TEACHERS. Mr Gifford said the names on the roll of head teachers were those of persons who had helped to mould the characters of many, many hundreds of young people, now scattered all over the Dominion and even far overseas. He trusted that the present head master, Mr A. H. Woods, would take charge of the roll, and that the same high standard of older days would always continue. DISPLAY OF DRILL. This concluded the formal part of the proceedings, and all attention was devoted during the next half-hour or so to inspecting the school class rooms, the unique collection of old photographs assembled, and the dis’ play of physical drill, etc., by the senior pupils in the playground. The Municipal Band played inspiring marital music and the Senior Cadets gave a fine display of company drill, under the direction of Sergeant Cullen. Next came the ball and hoop games by senior girls, overhead ball, a folk dance, weaving the fence, tunnel ball and physical drill, followed by basketball by the girls and Rugby by the boys. FOOTBALL MATCH. The latter was a Waipa competition game, School v. Old Boys, and as it was played on the school grounds there was a very interested band ot spectators. Early in the game Cullen scored a try for School which however, was equalised by J. Melrose a few minutes later, but just on halttime Silvester kicked a penalty goal for School, 6-3. On resuming School was doing best most ot the time and Silvester registered his secon ' l p . ally goal. The game thus ended in victory for School by 9 points to ■>. Mr lan Clarke was the referee.