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The school is thus in a peculiar position. It cannot be compared aptly with the medieval monastery, which carried on learning in the midst of chivalric chasings and baronial brutality. Then pedagogy and culture were garbed in the peculiar sanctity of clericalism; today they are commandeered by governments, and their uniform - that of nationalism - is fashioned by the social and political creed of the country that maintains them. A medieval monastery was essentially the same in times of stress, whether in Europe or in Africa; it preserved learning. Twentieth century centres of learning are vastly dissimilar. A British school is emphatically not a German or Italian school. Precisely for that reason the school is involved in the outcome of the present war, and therefore in its prosecution. Subjugation of a country at the end of this war would imply subjugation of its schools also.
Yet there is something in the very nature of the process of learning itself which cannot be destroyed by the clothing that learning wears. Perhaps we could call it the spirit of enquiry, although there is so much implied by the name that in itself it is but an abstract classification and does not satisfy the tired mind. It involves, of course, an urgent desire for truth, a curiosity into what lies at the root of things - into causes and effects - an appreciation of values aesthetic and ethical, a wish to observe scientific and beautiful facts. But more important for our present argument, it is vividly conscious of the worthwhileness of what it is doing and struggles to carry on its work under all difficulties and make it permanent. This spirit is something which all schools must share in common, be they British, Italian or German. Politicians and creeds may seek to direct it, even to change it fundamentally for the time being (and we learn that such educational crimes have been committed in the study of history, literature and art in totalitarian countries), but ultimately, from its very nature as a spirit of enquiry, it will rebel and carry on unchecked.
After the last war, when the fever had died the sufferers who were shipped home again found that something permanent still remained. It was the mass of young men and women who had been nurtured in schools - educational laboratories, as it were - to rebuild what had been destroyed. A similar phenomenon will occur after this war is finished. War is wasting Australia, in common with other countries, but during the whole ghastly period Australian schools are working along the same fundamental lines. There are many modifications, of course; the schools must play a large part in the war effort itself, since they are ideally-organised youth movements. But their permanent work remains vitally unaffected, and must remain so. Today the schools have become "the purest treasure mortal times afford".
A war-minded Australian public must not expect its teachers and pupils merely to bruit the call of triumph or to sit and tell sad stories of the death of kings (or peoples, for that matter). The school fights for the nation by doing what it has always done.
The year 1940 is indeed a landmark in the history of our school. For almost five years now these familiar walls have resounded to the voice of our somewhat undignified mirth and merriment, and, as we leave, it is with a feeling of contentment - "something attempted; something done." With What satisfaction we have watched the raising of the school's status from Intermediate to that of High School!
The introduction of the new motto "Postera crescam lauda", is indeed a challenge to those who shall come after us, just as it is an incentive to those of us who press forward to-day. However, the changing of the motto does not signify a changing of school spirit, but an invigorating of that good-will and friendly rivalry which has induced succes to shine upon us.
In restrospect we found many incidents and excitements which makes us smile even to-day. We remembered disheartened feeling before the inevitable exams, when some bright spirit sought to enliven the dullness of routine - the excitment of the sports days, when we shouted ourselves hoarse at our victories, lingers in our memories.
For many months past now the slogan of the nation has been "Business as usual", and we in our scholastic pride have also adhered to this. For it is here that we prepare oueselves for the position of the future citizens of this country, when we lay aside the black-board problems and face the more intricate puzzles of life, relying upon the wisdom we have garnered. Therefore we must work, not only to justify the name of the school, but that we may also be fitted for future vocations. Moreover we realise that upon us will fall the task of proving "the pen is mightier than the sword". So it is that in our motto we call upon posterity to witness a tradition which we have tried to uphold.
Front Row (from left): Miss L. Caldwell, Miss J. Heffernan, Miss L. Downie, Miss E. Howie, Mr J. Hudson, Mr L. Regan, Miss M. Fogarty, Miss T. Gilbert
Second Row: Mr L. Nash, Mr R. Giltian, Miss M. Schrader, Miss I. Tate, Miss M. Baidwin, Mr A. Goran
Third Row: Mr D. Bowra, Mr G. Brown, Mr R. Brooks, Mr R. Cole
Back Row: Mr J. Peck, Mr J. Edmunds, Mr A. Spence, Mr J. Killen
Dept of English and History: Mr J. J. Hudson, Miss L. Chadwell, Mr D. Bowra, Mr A. Goran, Mr J. Peek
Dept of Classics: Miss E. Howie
Dept of Modern Languages: Miss I. Tate, Mr L. Regan
Dept of Mathematics: Mr G. Brown, Mr C. Cole, Mr J. Edmunds
Dept of Science: Mr R. Giltinan, Mr J. Killen
Dept of Geography and Business Work: Miss P. Schrader, Mr R. Brooks, Mr A. Spence
Dept of Economics: Mr R. Brooks
Dept of Agriculture: Miss M. Baldwin, Mr R. Giltinan
Dept of Home Economics: Miss L. Downie, Miss M. Fogarty, Miss T. Gilbert
Dept of Manual Training: Mr L. Nash
Librarian: Miss J. Heffernan
Sports Mistress: Miss E. Howie
Sports Master: Mr C. Cole
Front Row (from left): A. McDonald, M. Oakes, H. Mallaby (C), Mr J. Hudson, W. Whiting (C), F. Martin, M. Allen
Back Row: K. Chauncey, B. Andrea, G. Blumer, K. Braithwaite
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| A GRADE BASKETBALL TEAM | ATHLETICS CHAMPIONS |
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| From left: T. Brayne, A. Balmer, Z. Johnson, Miss I. Tate, P. McKissack, B. Black, D. Coxon, B. Starr | From left: K. Gow, C. Polkinghorne, A. McNabb, Mr J. Edmunds, A. Fergusson, J. Connor, G. Ross |
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| B GRADE FOOTBALL TEAM |
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| Front Row (from left): F. Saunders, W. Tilden, C. Cameron, F. McNabb, W. Pratt, R. Perfect, Mr D. Bowra Back Row: W. Brooks, R. Chadwick, J. Southwell, J. Kendall, A. Smith, J. Blows, W. Rose |
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THE STARS
By Carmen Macfarlane (Yr 2)
Sparkling in the dark night sky,
Twinkling on the Milky Way;
Shining are the stars on high,
Sparkling in the dark night sky;
Peering down where houses lie,
Soon to fade at break of day;
Sparkling in the dark night sky,
Twinkling on the Milky Way.
RAIN
By Anne Passey
Patter, patter on the grass
Comes the welcome rain,
It splashes on my window glass -
Patter, patter on the grass
Now, umbrella folk will pass
But soon the sun will shine again,
Patter, patter on the grass
Comes the welcome rain.
Drawn by
Thurley Brayne (Yr 3A)
