STAFF OF ST. PETER’S SCHOOL

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3423, 22 February 1936, Page 5

STAFF OF ST. PETER’S SCHOOL

WIDE EXPEDIENCE

r BIOGRAPHIES IN BRIEF SOME DISTINGUISHED RECORDS To share the serious responsibility of training the boys entrusted to his care, the founder of St. Peter’s, Mr A. F. B. Broadhurst, has selected a staff of widely-experienced men and women, the majority of whom are New Zealanders by birth and training. Languages and Music Mr 11. C. Luscombe, who holds the responsible position of first assistant master, was born in Dunedin and after a primary school education, entered the Otago Boys’ High School. Later he enrolled as a pupil of the Christchurch Boys’ High School. Portion of his senior education was received at St. John’s College, Auckland. He later .completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at the Auckland University College in 1923. A proficient knowledge of languages, led to Mr Luscombe being appointed languages master at King s College, where he remained for nine years. Being a keen student of music he was appointed to the charge of also, at King’s. The Auckland Municipal Choir, and the Royal Avfckland Choir claimed his services and organist during this period. From King’s College, Mr Luscombe, transferred to King’s School as fust .assistant master. Mr Luscombe was the organiser ol the Auckland Secondary Schools’ Musical Festival four years ago, and since that time he has been in charge of the annual festival. He resigned from King’s School last year to fulfil his appointment at St. Peter’s. With Mr Broadhurst he will share the'duties of organist for the school chapel. In addition to teaching the general school syllabus, .Mr Luscombe will assist at the musical appreciation classes. The boys will study singing under Mr Luscombe, who will be chapel choirmaster also. Achievements in. Sport Mr :V. E. J. Wells is another member of the staff who recently resigned from King’s College to , associate himself with St. Peter’s School, where his experience on the (Ticket field will be of great benefit toithe boys,, whom he will coach. Mr Wells-was born in Winchester, • England, and receivfect. his early education at Twyfid, the oldest I ieparatory School in Britain. Latei he spent four years at Bradfield College. At the same time his abil- . ity on the playing fields won for him representative honours in cricket and football. leaving school Mr Wells came to New Zealand to join the staff of King’s College where, from 1927 until recently, he was master in charge of history. He was also ihe cricket coach. During this period he graduated Bachelor of Arts, from the Auckland University College. Mr R. R. Gibson is not only an experienced school-master, but an all-round sportsman. He was born in Christchurch and educated at the Cathedral Grammar School, and later at Christ’s College. His first appointment was to the 'staff of the Cathedral Grammar School, where he taught English, History and Mathematics, finally attaining the position of first assistant master. During this time, he completed the final of the Bachelor of ' Arts degree at Canterbury College. While at the Grammar School he was master in charge of all sport also.

Mr Gibson has a fine field record. He earned his Canterbury Senior B Jiugby representative cap, and was selected for the Canterbury Junior Cricket XI. In addition to football ,and cricket honours he annexed the senior athletic championship while •a pupil of Cathedral Grammar. Mountaineering also attracted his attentions. He was a student porter On the Franz Joseph Glacier in 1920 "arid during long vacations from 1930'34 he acted as a guide. He held a commissin in the Ist Canterbury Infantry Battalion, and later joined the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry. After nine years at Cathedral Grammar Mr Gibson came to St. Peter’s to teach English, Mathematics, and French, and to train the boys in football and athletics. Mr A. K. Hancock also comes from Christchurch, and is an old-boy of Christ’s College, where he spent five • years. During this time he gained two Somes scholarships. After leaving Christ’s Mr Hancock studied at Canterbury College for two years until he was appointed *, first assistant at Medbury Prepara-tory-School at Christchurch. Three years later he transferred to St. George’s Preparatory School at where he was a member

of the staff during 1935. His appointment to St. Peter’s entails the teaching of the entire Science syllabus, and a portion of the Geography and Mathematics classes. Mr Hancock devotes much of his time to Scouting, in which he has been interested for a number of years, Recently he passed part 2 of the Wood Badge examination in the Cub movement, which qualifies him as a troup leader. ! Mr I). H. Nancarrow is the youngest master on the staff, this being his first appointment. He was born at Hawera, but his boyhood was spent in Wanganui where Jie attended St. George’s Preparatory School for several years. His secondary education was received at Wanganui Boys’ Collegiate School. A short time was devoted to Universitv work before he commenced teaching Latin, French, and English at St. Peter’s.

Mr Nancarrow was interested in all sporting activities while at school and he will assist on the playing fields at St. Peter’s. Decorated by the King

Miss C. M. Sutton attracts more than usual interest, for she has the distinction of being a Member of the Order of the British Empire, a decoration awarded to her for outstanding service during the War. At St. Peter’s she holds the' responsible position of Hostess and Housekeeper. Miss Sutton was born at Oxford, England, but many years of her life have been spent in Canada. Two years after the War broke out, Miss Sutton volunteered for canteen service.

From 1910 till the cessation of hostilities she organised cook-houses for the troops in Ireland and England, and later in France. Her distinguished service for the soldiers won recognition, and in 1919 she was personally decorated by his late Majesty King George. After the War, Canada attracted Miss Sutton again, and in 1921 she was appointed Household Administrator of Macdonald College at McGill University, Montreal. After six years’ Dominion experience Miss Sutton returned to England, and for three years she was secretary-housekeeper of Abberley Hall Boys’ Preparatory School in Worcestershire. During the next few years Miss Sutton was Domestic Bursar of the Froebel Training ColFrom there she sailed to New Zealand to join the staff of St. Peter’s. Experienced Nurses

Miss G. M. Swears, who is a qualified surgical and fever nurse, is the Matron of the school. . When Miss Swears decided upon her nursing career, she entered the Auckland Public Hospital for training. For several years she was a Sister at the hospital. More recently she has had experience in the management of a private hospital.

Last year Miss Swears toured England, inspecting Preparatory Schools in that country. This up-to-date knowledge has been incorporated into her work at St. Peter’s. Her assistant, Miss L. Welsh, has had considerable nursing experience. She is also a keen student of music. Miss Welsh was born in Durham, England, but has lived in New Zealand for several years. While in Hawke’s Bay, Miss Welsh studied music under Mrs Swain, the wellknown musician.

Five years ago she commenced her nursing training at the Auckland Hospital. At the same time she furthered her musical career with a study of singing under Mr Walter Impctt. Miss Welsh has passed the L.R.S.M. degree for pianoforte. After completing her hospital training in Auckland, Miss Welsh joined the staff of a private hospital in Hawke’s Bay, but shortly afterwards she received her present appointment. An Accomplished Musician

Miss I). Leatham, the music mistress at St. Peter’s, has devoted her time to her profession from an early age. A recent tour of Europe, studying latest tutorial methods, has equipped her most efficiently for her responsibilities at the new school. Miss Leatham was born in Edinburgh. She studied music under John Petrie Dunn, Mus-Bac., while attending a French School in her home town. At the age of 17 Miss Leatham commenced teaching music in the South of Scotland. For a year she lived in Switzerland, studying the Mathay method of pianoforte teaching. She also qualified as a certified teacher of the Chassevant method of musical education for younger pupils. This method emphasises ear-training, composition, and the study of harmony from the I outset.

Las# year Miss Leatham was music teacher at a school in Northamptonshire. At St. Peter’s she will instruct the junior form in French as well.

Studied Art in Germany Miss E. Wimperis has studied art

both in England and in Germany, and she will use several new methods in instructing the boys at St. Peter’s.

Miss Wimperis was born in London, and studied at the Sehloss Weivlingen, a German school in Heidelberg. She later studied at the Royal College of Arts, London, and the Royal Academy School in London. She further pursued her profession at Oxford, and later held appointments on the staffs of several County Schools in London. More recently Miss Wimperis has instructed art at the Orme Preparatory School, London, which position she resigned to fulfil her present appointment. Miss R. C. Wilkie, the junior form mistress at St. Peter’s, will also teach crafts to the boys. She has studied the subject thoroughly.

Miss Wilkie was born in Auckland and received her secondary education at Epsom Girls’ Grammar School. Later she studied at the Auckland University College.

Having chosen teaching as her profession, Miss Wilkje became a student at the Auckland Training College, where she completed a two years’ teaching course. While training she was appointed to the Students’ Executive of the College. On completion of her training, in 1932, Miss Wilkie fulfilled teaching appointments at State schools lor about two years, before returning to Training College last year to study Crafts. She was then appointed to her present position. Secretary to St. Peter’s

Miss L. M. Talbot supplemented a thorough classical education with a complete business training before taking up her present position as secretary to St. Peter’s. Miss Talbot was born in Christchurch, but her youth was passed in Auckland, where she was educated for six years at the Diocesan High School at Epsom. A supplementary, secondary education was received at Epsom Girls’ Grammar School. an undergraduate at Auckland University College Miss 1 albot studied for three years before completing her Bachelor of Arts degree. An appointment to the staff of the Rangiruru Girls’ School took her again to Christchurch, but her interests turned to secretaryship, and she them took a commercial course. Miss Talbot has lived in Auckland for the past three years, as a member of the staff of an Insurance Company.