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Illuminated address: Joseph Coates, 1896
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DESCRIPTION (generic)
DescriptionSydney, June 1896
To Joseph Coates, Esq
Head Master of the
Sydney Public High School
Dear Sir,
On the eve of your retirement from the position which you have held for nearly Thirteen years, we, your past and present Pupils, desire to recognise in some slight form the valuable service which you have rendered to us and to the Institution with which you have been connected.
Associated as you were with its first beginnings, you show, by your able guidance, just discipline, and powers of organisation raised it to a position never before attained by a State School, and the value of your work is manifested by the success achieved by its pupils.
Those of us who still remain at the School will feel for many days the influences of your kindly spirit and able instruction, and those of us who have gone forth into the world, and entered upon the more serious duties of life will ever feel the debt of gratitude due to one who has been both Teacher and Friend.
Believing as you do in the precept “a sound mind in a sound body” you have always encouraged and supported proper indulgence in athletic exercises, in which you yourself were so proficient.
To your Colleagues you have ever been a wise and generous leader and have always commanded their allegiance and respect by those qualities of mind and heart so necessary to one occupying your position.
You are now retiring full of honor from your high and important post where you have for so many years, skilfully guided the destinies of the premier State School of the Colony, and endeavoured to sow in the minds and hearts of your Pupils, those good seeds of manliness and uprightness which we trust may one day bring forth good fruit to the lasting benefit of the land in which we live.
In parting from you we trust that the remaining years of your life may be passed in peace and comfort, freed from the cares of office and heightened by the consciousness of good deeds done.
On behalf of the Pupils - Past and Present.
To Joseph Coates, Esq
Head Master of the
Sydney Public High School
Dear Sir,
On the eve of your retirement from the position which you have held for nearly Thirteen years, we, your past and present Pupils, desire to recognise in some slight form the valuable service which you have rendered to us and to the Institution with which you have been connected.
Associated as you were with its first beginnings, you show, by your able guidance, just discipline, and powers of organisation raised it to a position never before attained by a State School, and the value of your work is manifested by the success achieved by its pupils.
Those of us who still remain at the School will feel for many days the influences of your kindly spirit and able instruction, and those of us who have gone forth into the world, and entered upon the more serious duties of life will ever feel the debt of gratitude due to one who has been both Teacher and Friend.
Believing as you do in the precept “a sound mind in a sound body” you have always encouraged and supported proper indulgence in athletic exercises, in which you yourself were so proficient.
To your Colleagues you have ever been a wise and generous leader and have always commanded their allegiance and respect by those qualities of mind and heart so necessary to one occupying your position.
You are now retiring full of honor from your high and important post where you have for so many years, skilfully guided the destinies of the premier State School of the Colony, and endeavoured to sow in the minds and hearts of your Pupils, those good seeds of manliness and uprightness which we trust may one day bring forth good fruit to the lasting benefit of the land in which we live.
In parting from you we trust that the remaining years of your life may be passed in peace and comfort, freed from the cares of office and heightened by the consciousness of good deeds done.
On behalf of the Pupils - Past and Present.
ARTWORK
Origination date1896
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Related personJoseph Coates
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Illuminated address: Joseph Coates, 1896. High History and Heritage, accessed 22/07/2026, https://history.sydneyhigh.school/nodes/view/5634