Speech day and prize-giving, 16 December 1897

The Sydney Morning Herald, 17 December 1897, p 6:

SYDNEY PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL.

ADDRESS BY THE PREMIER.

The presentation of medals and certificates to the pupils of the Sydney Public High School took place yesterday. The boys' and girls' departments amalgamated for the ceremony, which was carried out in the girls' school, Castlereagh-street. A good deal of taste had been shown in the decoration of the hall, and flags and ferns were everywhere in evidence. The Hon J. Garrard presided, and he was supported on the right by the head mistress of the girls' school (Mrs. L A. Garvín), and on the left by the principal of the boys' school (Mr. J. Waterhouse). There was a large attendance of the public.

The head mistress, in presenting her report, expressed pleasure at welcoming the Minister for Education and the staff of the boys' school. She congratulated the latter upon the good results obtained in the boys' department. Although the girls had not carried off any medals, they could show some very encouraging results. … Altogether through the year 23 pupils had matriculated or had qualified for matriculation. It was evident that the school was carrying out its purpose, which was to serve as a stepping-stone for the University.

The Daily Telegraph, 17:December 1897, p 6:

The headmaster, Mr. Waterhouse, sketched the work of the boys' department. The general tone of the school was decidedly good. He referred with satisfaction to the distinction with which pupils had passed through University examinations. He spoke of raising the standard of the matriculation. It would prevent those going up who ought not to. It might keep the other class longer at school. He disagreed with Dr. MacLaurin's proposal for abolishing the junior examinations, and adduced reasons. It was a vile slander to say that boys did not receive at the High School the sort of education that would fit them for commercial careers. Some of the lads had got into the civil service. (Cheers from the girls.) One had become a clerk 'in the Water and Sewerage Board. (Tremendous delight from the same quarter.) A point that he emphasised was that a boy could pass the junior examinations, or even matriculate, without any tests in English. In the senior examinations seven boys were sent up, all of whom passed, and gained matriculation passes. Six of them also qualified for entrance to the engineering school. There was an average of eight and six-sevenths subjects a head.

The Sydney Morning Herald, 17 December 1897, p 6:

He hoped that in future English would be made compulsory both for Junior and Matriculation examinations. He was glad the standard for matriculation had been raised.

Mr Garrard then presented the certificates gained at the University examinations. The names of those who qualified have been already published. At this stage the Premier arrived, and was greeted with cheers.

The Premier said he had just arrived from the cricket match, and he could assure them it had been hard to leave. (A Voice: "What's the score!") Well, it ought to have been three wickets for 310, but he was sorry to say it was five for 310. (“Oh, oh's,” and applause.) However, this was not talking, and he would proceed. By the way, were there going to be any refreshments, as these were usually a feature of ceremonies of the kind? (Laughter.) If not, he would stand them refreshments next year. (Laughter and applause.) He took a great interest in the school, and had always done so since he was present at the opening ceremony some years ago. There was no more beautiful spectacle in the world than a little girl of about 5 or 6 years old. They were perfect then; but as they grew up they became more and more a trouble to their parents. (Laughter.) But the trouble they gave was perfect peace compared with the agony of mind that boys caused their parents. (Applause and laughter.) He wanted them to reward their parents by making their homes as happy and bright as they could. That was not always to be done by making a row. When ho came there he thought a general election was on—(laughter)—but he understood this was their day out. They worked very hard in their school in Macquarie-street, and he hoped that some of the young gentlemen—if not some of the young ladies present—would live to become members of Parliament. He had the pleasant duty to distribute the medals gained for work in the school. He would remind those who were not doing good work in the school that they could make up their minds to beat the others in the great race of life outside. When he was eight years old he made up his mind to be two things: he was going to be a barrister, and he was going to be a member of Parliament. He had become both. No one could begin too soon to have a high ambition, because the desire for a high object was half the battle. This was a country in which every opportunity was afforded, by their political institutions and their system of public instruction, for becoming useful citizens, if not distinguished public men. He asked them to remember that when they left school they were only beginning to learn; that all this was only the foundation, and that upon them and each of them was the responsibility of building upon that foundation. As they did this faithfully and industrially they would leave the world brighter and happier through their having lived in it. (Loud applause.)

The Premier then presented the medals gained in the boys' department. The gold medal offered by the head master to the boy showing the greatest proficiency at the University senior public examination was won by F. A. Todd. S. A. Smith was the winner of the silver medal. F. A. Todd, in addition to gaining the Aitken scholarship for general proficiency also won the John West medal and Grahame medal for general proficiency and the medal for geometry; he also came proxime accessit for the Cooper scholarship for classics. S. A. Smith took the medals for ancient history and arithmetic, and was proxime accessit for English. The medal for arithmetic was won by C. St. L. Willis, that for algebra by J. Young; that for geometry by O. Von Willer; and that for physics by J. Young. E. Booth was proxime accessit in geometry, and W. Hayes was proxime accessit in arithmetic. The medals offered by the head master for greatest distinction at the examination were won by O. Von Willer and C. St. L. Willis, equal.

See also: The Daily Telegraph, 17 December 1897 p 6. 

See also: Evening News, 17 December 1897 p 3.

See also: The Australian Star, 17 December 1897 p 3.