TIMARU BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19673, 15 December 1933, Page 6

TIMARU BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

ANNUAL SPEECH NIGHT SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION The annual “speech night" ceremony of the Timaru Boys' High School was held in the Theatre Royal last night. There was a very large attendance of parents, friends and old boys of the School. The function was presided over by Mr S. D. Mason (chairman of the Board of Governors), and he had associated with him on the platform the Rector (Mr W. Thomas, M.A.), Dr. C. E. Beeby (Professor of Philosophy at Canterbury College), the Mayoress (Mrs T. W. Satterthwaite), Mr A. J. Allport (president of the Old Boys’ Association), members of the Board of Governors, and the teaching staff. Before proceedings commenced, a number of enjoyable items were played by the School Band. Chairman’s Remarks. The chairman, at the outset, apologised for the absence of the Hon. J. Bitchener, who had been chairman of the Board of Governors for 21 years, and who had recently resigned the position. That night was the first “speech night" Mi' Bitchener had missed for a long time, but he had not forgotten them, having forwarded a telegram expressing a hope that the staff and the boys would have a pleasant vacation. He urged the boys to fear God, honour the King, and always play the game. The School had done its best to lay the foundation of their characters so that they would be able to face the trials and vicissitudes in a wider sphere, and he hoped they would enjoy success in the life they were about to embark on. Mr Mason, on behalf of the parents, extended to the Rector and the staff hearty appreciation of the work they had done during the year, and expressed a hope that they would enjoy a pleasant vacation. To the boys he extended a similar wish, and to those who were leaving he extended the right hand of fellowship from the Old Boys’ Association. Following a School song, a tenor horn solo was played by Bandsman Abraham, and the Rector then presented his report. Rector’s Report. In his annual report, the Rector (Mr W. Thomas, M.A., said that through promotion to Cabinet rank Mr Bitchener was compelled to resign as chairman of the Board, and the School wished to place on record its indebtedness to him for the wisdom and the courtesy he had shown in its affairs during the twenty-one difficult years of change and growth. They felt sure that the new chairman (Mr S. Mason) an Old Boy, would also have the best interests of the School at heart, and they heartily congratulated him on his appointment to this important position. The total roll number, 430, was lower than that of either the past two years. Owing to the lack of employment for young people, the school became top-heavy and inflated, and they were now getting back to a normal state of affairs. Considering the financial condition of the country, the total number of boys in residence (90>, must be considered more than satisfactory. Through the decrease in numbers, the School lost Messrs T. K. Whitehouse and J. Allport from the staff. Both had given conscientious service to the school. At mid-winter, Mr H. McClatchy went on a year’s exchange leave to Vancouver. Mr A. Dodd, an Old Boy, who had been teaching in Canada for the last 12 years, was occupying Mr McClatchy's place on the staff. As usual the assistant masters in every department of school life were giving of their best, and the school was fortunate to be so strongly staffed. Examination results. 1932. The sixth form distinguished itself in the University Scholarship examination. A. R. Low, A. W. Stockwell and A. C. Glenday were awarded University National Scholarships, while E. W. Low obtained a Gammack Scholarship. All these boys were very young, and Low and Stockwell had come back to school for another vear. In addition, A. J. Metson, J. E. P. Jones and P. E. Bridges obtained credit in the University Scholarship examination. Thirteen boys obtained sections of degrees in the University examinations, 7 passing their second sections; 39 passed matriculation and kindred examinations, 77 obtained senior free places and 19 passed the proficiency certificate examination from the Preparatory School. In this year’s examination for terms conducted by Canterbury College, 12 boys were successful, eight in their first section, two in their second and two in their third. Mr Thomas went on to deal with the usual activities of the School, and spoke of the splendid work done at School Park by relief work, under the direction of the School groundsman. He also stated that through the courtesy of the principal of the Technical College for several years, the boys had attended the Technical College for metalwork and wool-sorting classes. The School had been grateful for this privilege, and particularly wished to thank Messrs Harte. Davidson and Limbrick of the Technical College staff for the interest taken in the boys. Rectory—Owing to freedom from epidemics the health of the boarders had been remarkably good, very few needing to report sick to the matrons (Miss Scott and Miss Hendry). They were glad again to be able to record the excellent services which these matrons were rendering to the Rectory. Thanks—The School desired to thank the many benefactors, donors of prizes, and others who had helped throughout the year. New cups had been presented by Messrs M. Little (for singing', J. Fraser (for band solo competition), W. T. Ritchie for athletics, L. and A. Evans for "House” singing, and Mrs J. G. Gow for geography. To Mr C. W. Wood, once again the donor of the prizes for form speeches, to Archdeacon Monaghan and Mr J. P. Steven, judges of the essay competitions, thanks were also due. The Bchool gratefully acknowledged the Interest taken in the spiritual life of the boys by the ministers of the different churches. As usual, too, they had to thank the Board of Governors and its secretary, and the Old Boys’ Association, and particularly its past president, Mr Noel Leslie. Farewell Message. In a farewell message to the boys, Mr Thomas said that throughout the year the routine of work, games and other activities, had been their whole concern, but at the end of the year they were grA*' a peep behind the scenes into educational theory and philosophy. He was afraid some of the younger boys might think their masters existed purely for the purpose of vindictively setting Sisyphean tasks but perhaps the’ night they would see something of the purpose behind it all. There were valuable lessons which the boys must surely have taught themselves during the vear, and one was the value of thoroughm s Many times in the past they had seen tile

reward of this in study and games, and they had also seen it in the unusual number of records which had been broken. They should take the same principle into their life work and their leisure work if they desired to get the keenest enjoyment out of life. Want of concentration and flabbiness of spirit had always to be guarded against by all. It paid to live intensely. Another lesson came from the sixth form boys who were prevented from entering the teaching profession, and who had. in spite of what looked like "a hopeless dawn,” persisted with their studies. Through their persistence several of them were already in good employment, while the others would go to the University next year with the major part of their degree work already done. To some of the old boys would come the words of Mr Howell, a former chairman of the School. “Dogged does It, boys; dogged does it.” And that night he could perhaps best leave the boys with these words. Mr Thomas thanked the prefects, the keepers of the School conscience, for their work during the year. Ably led by Rasmussen, P. Gabites and R. Burnett, they had well organised their different functions and disciplined the outside School life. Among those leaving were many with whom they reluctantly parted. There were many who were going on to the University or to employment, and the School wished them all the best of success in life. The School would alw’ays be interested in their careers. (Applause.) The School then sang its “Farewell” song, after which the academic prizes were presented by the Mayoress. An innovation was introduced this year, in that the winners of the senior and junior singing and instrumental contests were called on to entertain the audience, all four boys receiving a splendid hearing. Dr. Beeby’s Address. Dr. Beeby thanked the Board and Mr Thomas for having invited him to deliver an address, stating that there was no School he was prouder to have his name associated with than the Timaru Boys' High School. He had had some difficulty in deciding upon ttie subject on which he would speak, so he had asked his wife what one should do in such matters. She had said that many titles were given, but usually it came down to “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world." He had replied that it was a boys’ ceremony he was going to, and they probably would not believe that—yet. (Laughter.) Dr. Beeby said that he intended to speak chiefly to the older boys, and if his remarks should get to the parents, so much the better. There was no use emphasising the obvious, but for many of the boys that night was a turning point in their lives. The speaker recalled his impressions of the day he first went to school; when he left the primary school, and when he left the secondary school. The break from school to everyday life was very difficult, and particularly difficult for boys at the present time, for the world was in a bit of a mess. If they came to study world conditions to-day, they would find that while some people were starving, others were dumping wheat into the sea, or were burning it. In Brazil they were dumping coffee beans, while in other parts of the world they could not be procured. Even in New Zealand, food was being produced and clothes manufactured, but there were many people who could not procure either. While disarmament conferences were being held, some nations were building navies. They would find economic conferences being held with the idea of reducing tariffs, and then the delegates suddenly discovered that they did not mean it after all. He did not think there were many people who wanted the world to be in a mess, and as individuals they were trying to improve things. There were plenty of stupid people in the world, but there were more who were ignorant. The grown-up people of to-day should really apologise to the young people for the kind of world they were handing over, and the older they were, the more they should apologise. He did not regard himself as old. however. (Laughter.) One of two things might happen to those leaving school. Either they would get a job or they would not, and if they did not they would lose faith in themselves, or become cynical, and lose faith in the world. World In a Tangle. Dr. Beeby went on to say that the world was in a tangle, and if they looked back only a few years, then probably they would become cynical. If, however, they looked at the history of the human race, they would see that they had only had a quarter of a million years in which to put things right. The world had really only been civilised during the last 10,000 years, and the history of machinery, economics, banking and so forth only went back 100 years. The mind of man today controlling these systems was very much the same as it was 20,000 years ago. and to-day the only greater powers he had were those that education had given him. If they regard the face of a clock as representing the history of the human race, then they would realise that they had only had modern inventions for a couple of seconds. All these things were new toys with the human race, only they did not know how to use them to make human life more livable. How did it affect the boys of to-day? They were the link between past generations which discovered things, and the next, which would be able to make use of the discoveries. It was for the boys to find out how to use Inventions, science, banking and so on for the purpose of human life. The mam thing for them to do was to make the economic and politics! systems their slaves instead of their masters. Prepare By Education. Dr. Beeby said the best thing for the boys to do was to prepare themselves by education and further education in the widest sense of the term. If he had one quarrel with education it was not that it was not practical enough, but that it did not fit people for dreaming, the kind of dreaming which demanded hard work, a dreaming which was genius and education in the fullest sense. There were business people to-day who said that boys could not write and could not add up. The speaker here quoted from a report of a special committee of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, m which it was stated: "The committee could not approve of the suggested laislng of the school ago to 15. In many cases that would prove a hardship to die I tioorer parents. It W'as felt. that, speaking generally, the children of unenlightened parents would not gain benefit from a longer period at .'l'hool. and it was a matter for serious consideration whether, after passing the i fourth standard, children of but moderate mental development should not be definitely prepared for th<type of work to which ihelr mental capacity and natural ability made them best suited. It might be that ■ further education along general line, . would but unfit them for the modest role nature intent' i them to play m a: the • at sight of that life Itself was an educative Influence, nrri a lad In a Job war learning something every day. Another fact that had to be borne In mind war that It was often the Saris who hart staved a’ school longest who found It most difficult to fit them solve' t.t tlie industrial and lommerciii because they had lost the extra at..pli-

ability of youth.” Dr. Beeby charj acterised this as humbug, pretentious i humbug, on stilts. All he could say was that if it was a fact that some ■ of the boys w ho stayed at school were unfitted for the commercial and industrial machine, then so much the worse for it. He could not believe that ! such a statement had been passed by i a body of business men. j Dr. Beeby went on to say that the boys had received the beginnings of their education at the school, and to be able to make use of the things which had been handed on, they had to fit themselves, and develop what powers they had, and use them to make the world a better place. Thanks to their school, they had got as good a beginning as any group of boys in the world to-day, only when the race began, they must not lose their lead. (Applause.) Sports Prizes Presented. Before presenting the sports prizes, Mr Allport, on behalf of the Old Boys' Association, expressed to Mr Thomas appreciation of the work he had done in guiding the school through another difficult and trying year. He had now guided tlie destinies of the school for 20 years, and had maintained a tone of which old boys were justly proud. He had also created a wonderful school spirit, and in this he had been ably assisted by his staff, to whom the old boys were greatly indebted. On the sporting side and in athletics the school had been most prominent, as was evidenced by the number of records which had been broken, and one world record established, and here again the old boys had every reason to be proud of the school. To the boys who were leaving, Mr Allport extended a hearty welcome to the ranks of the Old Boys' Association, and urged them to display the same spirit of loyalty and devotion which they had shown to the school. He then presented a cup to the school, on behalf of the Old Boys’ Association, to be known as the Lovelock Cup. which was to commemorate J. E. Lovelock's performance in setting a fresh world mile record. The cup was for competition in the annual mile event, and it was significant that the first winner. V. P. Boot, should shatter Lovelock's own school mile record. As Boot came forward to receive tlie cup, he was congratulated by Mr Allport, who called for cheers for the winner. The sports prizes were then presented, and Dr L. S. Talbot later moved a vote of thanks to Dr Beeby for his fine address, the motion being carried by acclamation. A number of school songs, hakas and Maperus were given, also cheers for Dr Beeby, Mr Thomas and the Board of Governors, and the function concluded with Auld Lang Syne and the National Anthem.