NEW CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20897, 29 November 1937, Page 5

NEW CATHOLIC SCHOOL

OFFICIAL OPENING HIGHER EDUCATION FOR BOYS HEADMASTER APPOINTED The new Catholic secondary school for boys, in Timaru, to be known as St. Patricks High School, was dedicated and opened by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Brodie, Bishop of Christchurch, yesterday afternoon in the presence of a large g thering. The function was presided over by the Parish Priest, the Rev. Father P. J. Smyth, S.M., and there were also on the platform Father D. Hurley, S.M., Provincial of the Marist Order, Father L. Smith, S.M., who is to be the first headmaster of the new school, the Rev. Father M. J. Dowling, Rector of St. Bede’s College, Christchurch, Dr. V.Geaney, S.M., Christchurch, Dr. Casey, S.M., Temuka, Dr. J. Gorinski, S.M., Father Stewart, S.M., Temuka, Father Peoples, S.M., and Father- Brosnahan, S.M.

The new school comprises two class rooms each 24 feet by 20 feet and a fully equipped science room. Provision has also been made for an office for the headmaster, and for a store room. When the need arises, two further class rooms can be added to the present structure, which is steam heated throughout. After the building had been blessed by the Bishop, the chairman expressed his sincere thanks to all parishioners for their assistance and co-pperation in making the establishment of the school possible, and he thanked his Lordship for coming to Timaru to ibless the school. The zeal of the Bishop for Catholic education and action was known far and wide, and the speaker was certain that hey could not express their co-operation in a way more pleasing to his Lordship than by erecti the school. They were also honoured by the presence of the Provincial, who was witnessing a long cherished wish come true, for he it was who long ago sought to have a secondary school established in Timaru. Thanks were expressed by Father Smyth to Father Hurley and also to the visiting clergy for the interest and appreciation of the efforts being made in Timaru on behalf of Catholic education.

Father Smyth said that an inspection of the school would reveal that although it was not an elaborate structure, in style and efficiency it would compare very favourably with any secondary school in the Dominion, and he congratulated the architects, Messrs Turnbull and Rule, the builder, the overseer and the tradesmen who had been associated with the work. In his litany of thanks he also included parishioners, for it was due to their generosity and self-sacrifice that the building of the school had been made possible. He pointed out that although they had had a monster bazaar last year, when £2OOO was raised, since June 1 of this year, as a result of various activities they had raised a further £1235/3/6, of which £969 had gone to the new school, and £226/3/6 for a* prospective church in the North End. This was a very creditable performance, and he was deeply grateful to parishioners for their support. Schoo] Leaving Age Bishop Brodie said that when he had looked at the children who had been confirmed earlier that afternoon he had wondered just what was in store for them. They were living in a most anxious time and even the mast virtuous would find the greatest trials I to test their virtue and fidelity to the Holy Faith. They noticed that there was a tendency to Increase the school leaving age. That had come into force in England, and was being advocated in New Zealand, and the question might be asked as to what the Church’s attitude was to the question. There were poor parents who were desirous of sending their children to work as soon as possible in order to earn money to help maintain the home, and it might be thought that for that reason the Church might protest against the raising of the school r ~e. The attitude of the Church was that the children must have the greatest measure of education. They must have of the best, and although the raising of the school age was going to make a greater effort for the Catholic body, that effort would t*' made, and it would be successful.

Bishop Brodie said that he gladly welcomed Father Hurley, for he recalled a request made some years ago by him for permission to establish a boys’ secondary school in Timaru. Owing to dif r culties in the intervening years, that permission had not been acted on. but it had now b?en made fruitful, and they saw before them a thoroughly equipped school for the continuation of the education of Catholic boys. Again it might be asked whether ne

was glad to have such a school in Timaru, but again he would say that although it would impose on parishioners an added burden, yet knowing their generosity he was certain that the school would not want for support. It might be asked further whether the school was going to be any help, and he would say that not only was it going to be a great help but it was an essential factor in their work. They had found that many great men who were heart and soul in the work of Catholic action had been under a great disadvantage in that they had had insufficient schooling. They had had to leave school at a young age, but the new school would solve that problem so far as Timaru was concerned. The town had long wanted such a school, but now the need had been fulfilled. Splendid work was being done at St. Bede's College, and when the boys were finished in Timaru they would be able to go on to the College and add to their equipment In educational matters.

Bishop Brodie said that he was grateful to Father Smyth for having brought the school to fruition, and he was grateful to parishioners for the wonderful encouragement and support they had given, which would enable the boys to be educated without additional cost. It was a wonderful triumph of organisation, and he hoped that the ceremony that day would be the beginning of full and complete education of Catholic boys in this centre. Not a Competitor Father Hurley said that the day was indeed one of great thanksgiving. He thanked the Bishop for the Invitation to the Society of Mary to take care of the school, and he hoped they*Would prove worthy of the trust which had been confided in them. The building of the school was proof that sometimes dreams did come true. Other people had dreamed about the establishment of the school, but it had been left to Father Smyth to bring it to fruition. He could assure them, however, that the school was in no way a challenge to the local high school, nrr would it be a competitor. “We honour the High School, and we honour their teachers, who are good men devoting their lives to a very worthy cause,’ said Father Hurley. “Our idea of education is not as theirs, however. Our end and object a: i completely apart. We have one end in view and they another, and though we may have certain equipment which is alike, we have one end in view, the Kingdom of God." The speaker went on to say that the boys who went through the new school would be prepared for that end, and everything in the school wo Id be done for that purpose, and while in the school they would be living in a religious atmosphere. So their aims and objects being distinct, they were not in any way in competition with the High School. The Fathers of the Society of Mary would put forth their best efforts on behalf of the school, and he thought they would be teachers of whom all would be justly proud. The speaker introduced the new headmaster, Father W. Smith, S.M., who has been on the teaching staff of St. Bede’s College for seven years, and said that the new head had a very responsible work ahead of him, but he was sure that his name would pull him through. (Laughter). Father Smith spoke briefly, congratulating the Catholic people of Timaru on the fact that they now had a boys’ secondai-y school. He referred to the great interest taken by Catholics in education, and said that he accepted the new position with a certain amount of fear and trembling, but he took great satisfaction from knowing something about the people of Timaru. Boys from Timaru who had passed through St. Bede's compared very favourably with any who had been through the school, and he knew that the new school would also be a success.

After two hymns had been sung by the choir, the building was thrown open tor inspection.