Sports prize-giving, 26 May 1897

The Daily Telegraph, 27 May 1897, p 6:

The presentation of sports trophies in connection with the Sydney Commercial High School Sports Club took place yesterday afternoon in the school hall next to the Technical College, Ultimo. The Minister for Education (Mr. Garrard) presided, and there was a large gathering of the pupil and their friends. The teaching staff was represented by Messrs. J. Waterhouse (headmaster), W. Crompton, J. Stevenson, T. B. Trebeck, A. J. Studdy, G. Saxby, and C. R. Smith, and the sports club committee by Messrs. F. Todd (hon. secretary), S. A. Smith (hon. treasurer), E. Lenthall, H. Barker, O. Wood, C. W. P. Clifford, and A. M'Innes. Mrs. Garvan and a number of the High School girls were also present. The headmaster, in introducing the Minister, bore testimony to the value of physical exercise in conjunction with mental training, and to the success of the twelfth annual sports meeting of the school club. Mr. Garrard said he was glad to learn from Mr. Waterhouse that intellect was not sacrificed to muscle at the school, though there was a tendency in that direction in the colony. He felt certain that the boys who went out from that school would worthily fill the prominent public positions of men who were preceding them. He congratulated the boys on the success of their sports gathering, and hoped that the prizes won would be an incentive to them not only as athletes, but to go on taking an intelligent interest in their studies. There were, of course, more competitors than prizes, and the boys would find that to be the case when they got into the bigger school of life outside.

After the presentation of trophies, a verse of the National Anthem was sung, and cheers were given for the Queen, Mr. Garrard, the girls of the High School (who had donated a handsome challenge cup), and the masters. Mr. Jones, an ex-student, also contributed two piano solos.