SCHOOL TRADITION

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 220, 11 June 1921, Page 8

SCHOOL TRADITION

“HE THAT WOULD BE GREAT-” MR. J. P. FIRTH’S FINAL REPORT In tho course of his final report to tho Wellington Boys' College, Mr. J. P. Birth, .the late headmaster, said (vide ‘‘Tlio Wellingtoninn’’): "The passing of tlft, year brings yith it school tradition, and' I hope that our tradition will bo a noble one, a tradition to bo proud of. The typo of old boys to bo seen on all sidps in New Zealand and in far distant countries, from the tropics to the confines of the frigid zones, gives us good reason to believe that that hope is justified. This passing of the years was brought homo to us of late by the death of some old masters —Mr. Joseph Mackay, the Bev. H. E. Tuckey, Mr. Kenneth Wilson, and Mr. E. Merlat—remembered, all of them, with the kindest feelings by many old boys. "All thq school Institutions have been rigorously carried on. In the cadet cor pi*, 600 strong, we have fortunately a number of masters who have had great experience in the work, and aro full of enthusiasm for it. Messrs. Williams, Renner, Balham, Joplin, Thompson, and Cuddie devote much time ami effort to the training of their companies. Mr. Millard has been just as keen as ever In supervising the boys in their shooting, and training them in good methods Our games'havo/beon carefully watched ami helped by various masters, parH 0 * larly .by Mr. Brodie and Mr. Millard, who aro assisted 'hy Messrs. Thylor, Joplin C'addick, Harwood, Bathers, Tomlinson, Balham. Board, Alexander, Biggar Lomas, and Cuddie. In our cricket match with Wanganui Collegiate School at the end of last year, after a very exciting game, we won by two wickets, and in our school football matches m the past season we beat Christ’s College and drew with Wanganui. ■ As we had only two of last year’s fifteen playing, this result was very gratifying., and proved clearly that Mr. Brodies coaching and the boys’ own work must have been hard and skilful. In all our games and exercises the groups are carefully graded an <* guided. In the same way leaniois at swimming lire encouraged and taught by Mr Tomlinson. The Debating Society, which I regard as a very important pat . of our outside work, has been helped by Mrißennor, Mr. Gifford Mr. Monee, and Mr. Ilereus. The meetings weie well attended and in many instances very good work was. done by both senior and )U Mr F Firih also referred with satisfaction to the work of the National Science Sneictv (Mr. Smithson), Library (Mr. Heine), Camera Club (Mr. Gifford), and Observatory (Mr. Gifford). Debts to Friends. "As a school we owe ninth to our many friends who have, from time to time, founded scholarships, made gi ts of money and other things. Many of she scholarships and the prizes day have been presented by those to whom I now express my thanks. But particularly are we indebted to our Old ’boys' Association for its in erest and support in every way. We. have bee I extremely fortunate in having in its leaders mon of high standing and ability who have retained the fullest lvffe y- L1 ? for their old school, and have, done then utmost to foster the* right spirit in the boys that follow them. 1 want them to Understand how much I value their help, and how grateful I am for what they have done, and what, I am sure, they will continue to do m the yeais to come. To the members of my staff I wish to express my ■ appreciation of their loyal cooperation and of their devotion to duty. these who have given up then own time outside the regulation hours>, to our numerous school institutions to phases of work of the greatest value in building up a good school spirit. Those Who Gain Most. "Some parents, and therefore some boys regard the school only Irani the point of view of what they can gain from it. These do not get nearly so much as those who have also a desire to do something for the good ot the school. Those who do most for the school- gain most from it 1 nis tact apparent when we consider the case of the prefects. Undoubtedly those that give most gain most. ’He that would be great among you, let’ him be the servant of all.’ And it is a keen pleasure to me to be able to say that this •year the prefects have been of real value to the school and its traditions, they have been most ably led by the head prefect, G. Mackay.’