NEW HIGH SCHOOL

Evening Star, Issue 22144, 26 September 1935, Page 5

NEW HIGH SCHOOL

FIRST RECTOR APPOINTED MR D. S. CHISHOLM. OF WAIMATE The Otago High Schools’ Board announces the appointment oi Mr OucHey Sedman Chisholm, at present rector ot the Waimate High School, as the first rector of the new High School for boys to be opened in South Dunedin in February next. Mr Chisholm was born in kelson, New Zealand, on June 4, 1884. His primary course in the Nelson State schools was one of exceptional distinction, he being regarded by persons well qualified to judge as one of tire three most brilliant pupils sent out from those schools during the last three decades. From the primary school he gained an entrance scholarship to Nelson College, where, after a very successful career, during which he gained many scholarships and prizes, he took third place tor the Dominion in the university junior

scholarship examination of 1901. Mr Chisholm then proceeded to Canterbury College, add in 1904 took his B.A. degree in English, Latin, French, mathematics, and physics, and in the following year . his M.A. with honours in mathematics and mathematical physics. The late Professor C. H. H. Cook, under whom he took his honours course, expressed the opinion that his work showed mathematical ability of a very high order. TEACHING EXPERIENCE. On completing his university course Mr Chisholm decided on teaching as his life work, and he was not long in securing a position. His first appointment was at Nelson College, where he was an assistant master for nine months during 1906. Following that, in 1907, he obtained an Appointment as third assistant in the Waitaki Boys’ High School, subsequently becoming second assistant and senior house master. Special inducements were offered him to remain there, and, except for his war service, he was there continuously until 1928. Mr Frank Milner, rector of Waitaki, writing of him a few years ago, said: “ He was closely associated with me as colleague here for 22 years (1907-28). His devoted work more than justified my confidence in him. As mathematical master at Waitaki, second assistant and senior house master, Mr Chisholm was a veritable tower of strength in the school, and his influence left an indelible influence for good on the life of the institution. It is especially m ms chosen province of mathematics that he gave convincing proof of his teaching ability. His pupils invariably figured among the few who on the former scale of marking Secured over 1,000 in mathematics in the university entrance scholarship examination. In university entrance and Civil Service examinations his pupils were equally successful. Hie visiting departmental inspectors have always reported eulqgistically on- Mr Chisholm’s work. His class discipline whs perfect, and was gained without tile slightest perceptible effort. . His teaching was characterised by incisiveness and lucidity of exposition, and bore the imprint of a clear, methodic mind, intolerant of the slightest ambiguity or slovenliness.” Of his residential work Mr Milner says it was performed “ with the exercise of that rare faculty of tact and courtesy which is such an admirable feature in his character.” Mr Chisholm also taught in the junior high school during Ins last four years at Waitaki, being responsible as head of the department of mathematics for supervising the mathematical work of the school and for securing its complete articulation with that of the upper school. From Waitaki he was appointed in 1929 to the rectorship of the newlyestablished Waimate High School, and the reports of his work all indicate the establishment of the new school on a particularly sound basis. One report ot him says: “It was recognised that the success of the new school would depend in large measure upon the character and ability of its head, and I am pleased to say that under the guidance of Mr Chisholm the school has flourished. ... . A most important feature of any high school is, of course, its general tone, and I am very pleased to say that in this case it is excellent.” The examination successes of the school have been consistently high, and, in addition to the usual examinations undertaken by secondary school students, some of the senior pupils have successfully presented themselves for the first stage of the B.A. degree in English, French, Latin, and mathematics, and. several others have been successful in the first and second stages of the professional accountancy examinations. MILITARY SERVICE, After holding a commission for some years as a cadet officer, Mr Chisholm enlisted in 1915, embarking on active service in 1916 with the rank of first lieutenant and appointment of ship s adjutant. After a period of trench warfare as a company commander, he held successively the appointments or acting staff captain, 3rd N.Z. (Rifle) Brigade, adjutant 3rd Battalion, Otago Regiment, staff captain.4th N.Z. Infantry Brigade, stall 1 officer N.Z. Entrenching Group, and staff captain Ist N.Z. Infantry Brigade. In 1918 he had the honour to be selected for a staff course at Cambridge, England, when, owing to an accidental injury, he was admitted to hospital, and finally placed on the “ N.Z. Roll.” The administrative experience gained by him in the above appointments, the total strength' of a brigade approximating to some 5,000 officers and men, was consequently very wide. Mr Chisholm also had the honour to he mentioned twice in the late Earl Haig’s despatches, and he has since been awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration. Lieutenant-colonel D. Colquhonn, under whom he served in the 3rd Battalion, Otago Regiment, said of him: “ Captain Chisholm’s thorough knowledge of his

duties, combined with his gentlemanly bearing ana abundant tact, made him an officer whose services were invaluable to me as commanding officer of his battalion, both while the battalion was in training and lighting. Thoroughness, attention to detail, and the ability to impart his knowledge to others, were the outstanding characteristics of Captain Chisholm’s work, and made him so successful an officer.” OTHER ACTIVITIES. During his career as a student and a teacher. Mr Chisholm has taken part in many ‘ branches of sport, including football, cricket, swimming, rowing, boxing, tennis, gymnastics, lives, shooting, and golf, lie was a Rugby representative for Canterbury College, and hq was selected for trials for interprovincial honours. In 1906 he represented Nelson province, and in the following year North Otago. Throughout his teaching service he has been associated witli all brandies of school sports, either as an active participant or in the capacity of coach. He has also been closely associated with the various social activities of the schools he has been in. At Waitaki he was the source of inspiration and administration at concerts, plays, and in all social functions, and his work with the Dramatic Club was especially successful. He has also identified himself with the civic and social life of Waimate, where the offices he accepted included membership on the Unemployment Committee, president of the R.S.A., and the office of vestryman of the Church of St. Augustine, Waimate. His work, both as teacher and as citizen, has earned for him in that community the title of a “ good citizen,” and it seems safe to predict that in his hands the destinies of the new high school will be safe.