Reminiscences: A H Vincent (Pupil)

Upwards of fifty years ago there was only one Boys' High School , all other Government schools being termed "Superior Public Schools" with the exception of Fort Street, which was known as "The Model Public School."

At that time the teaching staff of the High School, located at Ultimo, was comprised of only eight masters whilst there were approximately 200 pupils for whom, with the exception of holders of scholarships and bursaries, the quarterly fee was £3/3/0 , an amount probably comparable in purchasing value with at least £18/18/0 today.

Competitive examinations for boys under the age of 14 years were held twice in each year for a total of 15 scholarships and a lesser number of bursaries per year, each tenable for 3 years. A holder of either was entitled to free schooling and text books, but the bursary carried with it the additional benefit of an annual sum of money. Strangely, in the event of the winner of a scholarship or bursary having previously failed at the examination, the period of 3 years was deemed to have commenced as from the date of failure.

However, on the recommendation of the Headmaster, the department, irrespective of such restriction, invariably granted an extension of time to a deserving scholar or bursar. The peculiar regulation was rescinded in 1904.

The Honour Boards exhibited at the School contain the names of illustrious students of the particular period, and many others indeed enjoyed distinguished careers in their various vocations. A great number played well their part in the Great War of 1914 - 18.

The environment of the School at Ultimo was vastly different to the peaceful surroundings of Moore Park. The resounding din from heavy hammers applied to steel plates and the obnoxious smoke from foundries and workshops in close proximity, added to the fact that at least one of the masters insisted on fully opened windows in the depth of winter, were not conducive to concentrated study.

In the winter time, during the lunch interval, it was practice to kick a football diagonally across the asphalted playground. Many of the men from the workshops waited eagerly outside the fence for the ball which invariably bounced over the fence into Jones Street. Then it was a matter of all hands over the fence to recover the ball. Up and down the street the battle raged, with brief fisticuffs when conditions became rough. As most of the boys relished the full-blooded activity and as no serious damage ever occurred, the Headmaster, Mr John Waterhouse , much to his credit, never took action to put a stop to the encounters; as a matter of fact, he was to be seen on occasions engaged in friendly conversation with the workmen.

Sporting activities were not well catered for, possibly because the School, in its isolated category, could not participate either in the Great Public or the Superior Public Schools' competitions. However, a limited number of both football and cricket matches was played against minor teams of the GPS Schools and against business colleges. As there was no sports master, these matches were arranged by a small committee of the boys themselves.

It would surprise present student football enthusiasts to learn that at one period, albeit temporarily, the School decided to play Australian Rules football, the inducement being permission to participate in the Superior Public Schools' competition, the winning of which entitled the premier team to a trip to Melbourne to play a match in that city. Officials of the Australian Rules League coached the boys at Wentworth Park and a few of them continued at that game, later to enjoy State representation. However, as the promise of permission to play in the competition met with much opposition from those schools, consent was withdrawn and the High School returned to Rugby.

In 1904 the Department decided to provide a small gymnasium and the delivery of some of the equipment to the small enclosed area between the School and the Technical College provided means for humorous by-play. The presence of the parallel bars incited a number of one of the higher grade classes to stage a preliminary "opening" by hoisting a small member of the most senior class on to the bars during a lunch interval. Immediately, practically all members of both classes became engaged in individual wrestling bouts with dire results to some who had drifted into a room of the School building, when one of the masters appeared on the scene and promptly ordered them into the Headmaster's office. Subsequently the Headmaster summoned both classes to appear in his classroom after school, when his cross-examination of several of the boys of both classes resulted in some very firm advice and a firmer warning against any such future "feud".

The boys of today are very fortunate indeed, that the School caters for practically every activity and, not the least, the encouragement of "teamwork" which will be found of inestimable value in after life.

The Record, November, 1958, pp 109 & 115.