PUKEKOHE TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 631, 10 May 1921, Page 5

PUKEKOHE TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL.

DEDICATION CEREMONY. Oil Friday afternoon last a ceremony was held at the Pukekohe Technical High School to commemorate the establishment of the school and to dedicate the land and buildings to the Ministry of Education. Ideal weather prevailed and there was a large attendance of scholars, thenparents and those interested. Mr W. F. J, Munro, M.A., headmaster of the school, presided. The proceedings commenced with the rendering of the New Zealand National Anthem, after which dedicatory prayer was said by the Rev. A. Moncur Niblock. Mr E. Allan, of Buckland, read verse 7 of chapter 1, from the second Book of the Chronicles and was followed by Rev. J. Olphert in prayer.

Mr W. J. F. Munro read apologies for absence from Mr W. Claud Motion (chairman of the Franklin County Council), Messrs E. C. Banks (chairman), J. S. Bond and Mrs Kane (members of the Education Board), Lieut. A. R. Hatt (area officer), Cr T, Brownlee (Pukekohe Borough Council) and Rev. J, Molloy. In addressing the scholars, Mr Munro asked why such a ceremony was being held after the opening ceremony held on February 3 last. The object of the ceremony was a kind of christening to signify the adoption into the commonwealth and the world’s schools. We are builders, added Mr Munro, and in refeiring to traditions said the school had none; it was too young, it had to be built. The spirit of the tradition of the school was not like the biicks and mortar with which the school Was built, and which would crumble away in one day, but something wnich would never crumble away, but something which was being built up all the time. They had to learn the true lesson of patriotism in so far will the true tradition of the school grow up. New Zealand had just been baptised as a nation. The deeds of her troops at South Africa, Gallipoli and France was the dawn of nationhood in New Zealand. If they learned that lesson of true patriotism the true tradition would grow in the school. By doing this the school was bound to grow successfully. The watchword should always be: ‘’How can I help New Zealand?” If you do vour duty well in school it would become a very simple matter indeed. (Applause.) Tn the absence of Mr E. C. Banks chairman of the Education Board), Mr T. Murray said he was surprised at the happy smile worn by the girls and boys of the school. He did not know there were so many fine boys and girls in Pukekohe. He knew it could grow potatoes, but it now appeared that it could grow some tiling else. (Laughter.) He urged upon them to always keep smiling, as it war a real good sign and .one that revealed the fact that they revelled in their work. The eyes of the community were fixed on Pukekohe. It was well known that established here was the first Technical High School of its kind, and from what could be seen 'there was not the shadow of doubt it was going to be a huge success. He noticed that the school’s motto was “Honour, Right and Duty.” It was a heavy burden to carry and act up to, but he was sure they would do their best to carry the motto through. He congratulated Pukekohe and the Education Board on the very fine school established and expressed the hope that next time he visited the school the scholars would still be smiiing. (Applause). Mr Frank Perkins (chairman of the Advisory Board of Managers) said it was necessary to have a monogram for the school. The headmaster asked the boys and girls to submit designs. Quite a number were received, among them being some particularly clever drawings. They had selected the one drawn by Miss Mona Morrow, as the best design for the school badge. As a token of her excellent work he presented her, on the Board’s behalf, with a handsome leather bound book. Prizes were also awarded to Master Oscar Pickard, second best design, and Miss Winifred Turner as the next best. He also presented Master Albert Cowan with a framed certificate for regular attendance. He mentioned that the- l ecipient had attended the primary school for six years without a break and so far had attended the High School without missing a day. (Applause.,) Mr E. C. Purdie (secretary of the Education Board) urged upon the scholars to take the keenest interest in their school life, as it was this life that prepared them for the life they would lead after they left school. Their whole after school life would be full of perplexities, difficulties and problems and it was for them now to get prepared and make their minds strong and able to deal with each difficulty as it arose. They were in possession of a very fine building and a fine staff of teachers and were the owners of the great

inheritance any people in the wor<ld could possess. They had the nation’s ensign floating over them, the grand school flag, and he saw in the flag; a little of the genius of Shakespeare, the greatest of men the world has ever seen. He referred to the New Zealand Anthem, the first line of which commenced something like this. “God defend our freedom.’ - He asked them to think of the freedom they were enjoying and how this was obtained by their forefathers. It was up to the girls and boys to keep it alive by an immense effort. They were the custodians of the inheritance of the past, so while they were at school he urged upon them to do their work faithfully and well. They had heard of the wastage of human skill through lack of training. The children possessed a good school and a good staff of teachers, arid he urged upon them to make the best possible use of them, and become worthy of the name of New Zealand and the inheritance of their forefathers. They could only achieve this by filling themselves with purpose and by working well and true in school. They knew the difference between good and evil; there was only one thing to do—the right one. Pukekohe’s greatest possession was its two schools. There was nothing so important as these schools which would lend the whole tone and charactci to the future. He congratulated them on the new institution which was the first of the kind and which -was a very happy augury indeed for the future. In conclusion, Mr Purdie urged the scholars to go into their work full of purpose and devote their whole energies into their work so that they would become capable men and women.

Mr J, Routly, Mayor of Pukekohe, also addressed the gathering and congratulated them on the fine school. The object was to assist the children and he hoped they would work and equip themselves to the highest credit of their teachers, parents and themselves.

The following appointments of prefects were then made known: —Girls: Madge McNally, Edith Perkins, Viola Moor, Muriel Hodinott; Boys: H. Long J. J. Malcolmson, A. Patterson. Votes of thanks were accorded Messrs J. Patterson, F. Perkins and J. G. Ward, who had supplied the ■wherewithal for the function.

The National Anthem was then rendered, after which Rev. J. P. Cowie pronounced the Benediction. Afternoon tea -was provided by the scholars and duly appreciated. The school then broke up for the first term holidays.