Speech day and prize-giving, 17 December 1902

Sydney Morning Herald, 18 December 1902 p 4:

SCHOOL VACATIONS.

SYDNEY BOYS' PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL.

The formal breaking up of the Sydney Boys' Public High School, Ultimo, for the Christmas vacation took place yesterday afternoon in the presence of a large number of parents and friends. The Hon J Perry, Minister for Public Instruction, presided, and presented the prizes, university certificates, &c., to the successful scholars.

The annual report, which was submitted by the headmaster (Mr Waterhouse) showed that boys from the school had carried off the medals for Greek and French at the senior public examination. Mr. W. E. Porter, who commenced the study of Greek only four years ago secured the university medal. The enrolment was steadily increasing, there being 200 boys on the roll for the quarter just ended. As a whole the conduct had been highly satisfactory. The test of the work of the school, as indicated by the result of the university examinations, was stated to be gratifying. Thirty-four boys passed the junior examination, 10 of them securing matriculation passes; one (H. Utz) came first in algebra, another (H. Watkins) was placed "proxime" for the medal in the same subject and 22 passed in six or seven subjects. In the senior examination the school had the honour of carrying off the "blue ribbon," Mr. W. E. T. Porter gaining the John West medal and Grahame prize medal for general proficiency. The Cooper Scholarship No 2 for classics and the James Aitken Scholarship for general proficiency were also awarded to the same pupil. Altogether seven boys went up for the senior examination, and all passed in every subject for which they sat, and all, in addition to gaining matriculation passes, qualified for entrance to the Department of Engineering. Nine boys from the school passed the March matriculation examination, and were now attending lectures at the University. During the latter part of the year the Old Boys' Union had been resuscitated. The council of the union had offered a prize of books to the value of £2 2s to the most popular boy in the school. This was decided by a vote by ballot of the boys during that morning without any previous intimation that such a prize was to be offered. The winner of the coveted honour was A. B. Palmer.

The Daily Telegraph, 18 December 1902 p 3: 

He had come to the conclusion that for boys to take up at least ten subjects for the University examinations was a mistake. If the University authorities could see their way to reduce the number of subjects to five or eight there was a probability that they would have not only more thorough but more robust students. Too many subjects proved so severe as to endanger a boy's health. The number of scholars on the roll was 200, and the attendances throughout the year had been very regular and satisfactory.

Sydney Morning Herald, 18 December 1902 p 4:

In addition to the sports prizes won during the year by the pupils, which were handed over to the successful competitors by the Hon. J. Perry, the only prizes awarded were those presented by the headmaster to those boys who distinguished themselves at the examinations, viz W. E. T. Porter and A. M. McIntosh (senior), H. S. Utz and W. M. Nimmo (junior). The university certificates were also handed over to the succession scholars amidst continued applause.

The Minister afterwards delivered a short address.

The Daily Telegraph, 18 December 1902 p 3:

Mr. Perry said that the report was such as any teacher might feel proud of. It was gratifying to the State, and it certainly should be gratifying to the parents interested. As to those boys who had not obtained prizes, the fault did not always lie with the boy. Very often it lay with the parents, who neglected to see due regard paid to home study. There had been some talk of establishing a gymnasium in connection with the school, and he approved of the idea. In order to have a brain which would receive those things which might be instilled into youth by the teachers the boys must have a healthy body. Therefore in every well-equipped school there should be some place where the body could receive proper attention. He hoped the head master would make arrangements with the architect so that tho school might possess a gymnasium at an early date. He asked them for a moment to forget that he was a member of Parliament when he told them to remember that no matter what they did or attempted they would always meet with a certain amount of envy and misrepresentation, just as the present Government had experienced. They must not mind that, however, but go right ahead doing what they considered to be right. Let them not bother about the gibes or even the plaudits of others, but do the right thing and they would succeed. There was no doubt the country had passed through a dreadful experience of drought, but there was something in the pluck of the "youngsters" of the school which reminded him that the boys of the past possessed the same determination to overcome difficulties. He was, therefore, quite sure that those who had experienced such terrible misfortunes during the past few years would, by their pluck and energy, lift the country up again, and prevent the State of New South Wales sinking under its affliction. ("Hear, hear.") They would, he felt certain, rise to the occasion in the country, and show that the people of the mother State were not the least worthy as a portion of the British race. In conclusion, he congratulated the pupils on their successes, and said he hoped to be the Minister for Education for a good many years yet, notwithstanding the many attacks made upon the Government.

Sydney Morning Herald, 18 December 1902 p 4: 

Cheers for the King, the Minister, Mr Porter, the Old Boys' Union, visitors, the headmaster and assistants concluded the proceedings.