JUBILEE’S OPENING

Taranaki Daily News, 5 March 1935, Page 3

JUBILEE’S OPENING

WEST END SCHOOL EVENT TRIBUTES TO EARLY TEACHERS. PROGRESS OP LAST 50 YEARS. The West End school jubilee was officially opened at New Plymouth last night. Between 300 and 400 old pupils and friends of the school attended the gathering. The official party consisted of the Hon. S. G. Smith, Minister of Education, Mrs. Smith, the Mayor, Mr. E. R. C. Gilmour, Mr. C. O. Berg (chairman of the school committee), Mr. J. A. Valentine (chairman of the Taranaki Education Board) and Mrs. Valentine.

Mr. Berg welcomed all present. He was particularly pleased at the presence of two former headmasters in Messrs. D. P. Evans and J. W. Thomas. He hoped that the jubilee week would be a successful one and that everyone would enjoy all the events. Mrs. Mary Dowling, a former headmistress, wrote regretting that she was unable to be present. She had always regarded the years that she had spent at the West End school as the happiest of her life.

Mr. E. Bary, of the Central school, Palmerston North, formerly first assistant at West End, expressed his regret at not being able to be present. Unforeseen circumstances had prevented him making the trip to New Plymouth. , Another first assistant, Mr. E. H. W. Roundtree, now of the Wanganui intermediate school, wrote intimating that he would be present for the final two days of the celebrations.

Mr. J. Shimmin, a former headmaster, wrote wishing the school every success. He paid a tribute to the work of the committees.

Mr. W. A. Brown, the present headmaster, who on account of an accident was unable to attend, wrote expressing his disappointment. As headmaster of the present school with its well-ventilated, well-lit classrooms, planned with due regard for the health of teachers and pupils, its beautiful Surroundings, 'fostering in present-day pupils a love and pride in public beauty spots, and its ample playing area, he paid tribute to the fine work done by his predecessors under extremely unfavourable conditions at the South Road school. He referred more particularly to the work of Mrs. Dowling and Miss Mynott. He expressed appreciation of Miss Mynott’s work. No matter how efficient a headmaster might be, or how well directed the efforts of his standard class teachers, the best results could not be attained without a capable infant mistress. Miss Mynott must have been a tower of strength to Mrs. Dowling.

MRS. DOWLING’S WORK.

Mrs. Dowling must have been a remarkably able woman to have adapted herself to the requirements of a rapidly growing school. Despise many drawbacks she made it educationally an outstandingly successful school during the years 1900 to 1919, when she was head mistress.

Other letters of congratulation were received from the Central and Fitzroy school committees and Mr. J. A. Hawker, a former committeeman. Welcoming the gathering, the Mayor, Mr. E. R. C. Gilmour, said the object of the celebrations was not only to commemorate the jubilee but also to bring together old pupils of the different generations, who had received their education, in whole or in part, at .the scnooL Ex-pupils of the school were now living in aU parts of the world. Wherever they were, however, there was a common bond and mutual interest between them, and most still felt the influence of the school. Evidence of that was shown by the fact that ex-pupils from all parts of New Zealand were present. Friendships dear and lasting were mede at school so that, though oceans might divide them, the spirit of a school became a living thing to join the students in a bond that only the last call of all could sever. The jubilee afforded a glorious opportunity of renewing those old friendships and of making new friends, too. The West End school had built up a high reputation. It had been fortunate in,the teachers who had been in charge of it. These had been men and women who had remembered that the greatest part of the work of a primary school was not to dwell solely on the teaching of the subjects laid down in the curriculum. They had realised that there was still something more. They had endeavoured to inculcate in their pupils the highest principles, ideals of truth, justice, honour and fair play which entered not only into school life, but into the field of sport, and into the daily life of the community. In that way, they had built up traditions. That school spirit was reflected in the succeeding generations. The influence of a good school was one of the most important factors in the building up of the character of a nation. Pupils carried with them the spirit of the school, and unconsciously scattered its influence and its teaching far and wide. The West End school and its pupils had nobly done their part. The character of a school Would rise or fa 11,., in proportion to the examples set the country by those who left the school. Judging by the examples set by those who had passed through the school, he thought that they were justified in believing that the character of the West End school would keep on steadily rising and that, when in due course the school celebrated its centenary, their grandchildren would be able to say “We built on the solid foundations left us by our forbears, and the edifice we have built reflects credit upon them and upon us.” “At this stage, I think it would be fitting for xis to spare a moment’s thought to the memory of all those who have at different times been associated with the activities of the school, but who have since passed away,” said Mr. Gilmour. “We realise our debt to them for their efforts in assisting to build up this important school, and we do homage to their memory.” He extended to the school the most cordial and sincere congratulations of

the citizens of New Plymouth upon its jubilee, and upon the great success which has attended the school during its 50 years of life. He hoped that all the functions to be held in connection with the celebrations would be unqualified successes, and that the spirit of friendship and. goodwill would permeate all their gatherings. The Hon. S? G. Smith said he had many happy recollections of the school. He had‘always regarded Mrs. Dowling with bated breath. He had a vivid memory of having passed the school on one occasion and had heard Mrs. Dowling’s rich, robust voice leading the class with “London on the River Thames.” The first public position that he had ever held at New Plymouth had been on the West End school committee and he was proud to be able to say that it had been his privilege to be associated with every progressive movement connected with the school and its conditions. He had seen West End grow from a side school ’of the Central into a full-time school and it had played its full part in the development of education at New Plymouth. BOARD’S PROGRESSIVE POLICY. New Plymouth schools with the exception of Fitzroy, where conditions were not as they should be, were the equal of any in New Zealand. This was directly the result of the progressive policy of the Taranaki Education Board and the work and splendid interest of the board’s architect, Mr. C. H. Moore, who set . out to provide the best possible conditions for the children of to-day. Mr. Smith paid a tribute. to the work of Mr. Moore in connection with the removal of the old South Road school to its present site. He had converted a dirty, dusty building into a well ventilated up-to-date school. Mr. Smith paid a tribute to the calibre of those who had played their part in moulding the characters of those who had passed through the school.- There had been Miss Lydia Shaw, Mrs. Dowling, Miss Mynott and Messrs. Thomas, Evans, Shimmin and Brown. Though he fully recognised the value of degrees, it must be recognised that despite their lack of these academic attainments these teachers had proved themselves to be among. New Zealand’s finest teachers. Those of the first decade would remember the schools in their times, the lack of playing areas, no physical training, no thought of medical or dental inspections, long desks holding 10 to 12 and poor ventilation. These conditions had only to be remembered to realise the tremendous progress that education had made in New Zealand.

In claiming that they were proud of their school old pupils should realise that a certain amount of responsibility to carry on the work of the school was placed upon them, said Mr. Valentine. After spending a long day visiting London schools he had realised the value of the educational system adopted in New Zealand and was proud of it. New Zealand had an exceptionally fine system and it was the duty of all to maintain the high standard set. Going abroad for greater experience, a New Zealand teacher had been struck by the fine impression the New Zealand soldiers had created. At Winnipeg Ralph Connor, the author, had said he was impressed by the language and the general standard of education shown by the ordinary New Zealand soldier. He claimed they were decidedly above the ordinary Tommy, the Australian and certainly the Canadian soldier. Their superior language and general deportment was such that it puzzled Ralph Connor. The New Zealand teacher had given two reasons for this. Firstly the kind of parents the men possessed and secondly the type of education they received. Mr. Smith was the right man for the education portfolio. He had been through the mill and knew what was wanted and it was up to those present to help him. ‘ It rested with the education authority of to-day to provide properly trained teachers and facilities. AH were proud of the work of Mr. Moore. He had provided a good type of school. Those present should see that their children were afforded every facility to maintain the high standard of the past. Home influences could do much to help the teachers.

Prior to the speeches Mr. P. E. Stainton conducted a community sing, Mr. B. Tatnell playing the accompaniments.