need only be stated that the splendid and wide- ranging involvement of staff, parents, and pupils in all kinds of activities continues to be impressive. Without intending to skim lightly over the extracurricular commitment of staff in this school, this report simply records thanks to all who have so willingly given up time in weekends and holidays to encourage pupil participation beyond the classroom. The ‘Wellingtonian’ will elsewhere list and describe the successes and highlights of the year. Three only are given special mention here: First, the college orchestra’s performance of music by Bartok and the successful formation of a college choir. These musical highlights have greatly advanced the course of music in the school. Secondly, the successful promotion of the 1st XI hockey team to the 2nd grade men’s’ division, which it won; and the outstanding success of the cross-country teams in winning all three national titles, with Gray Packer taking a personal junior gold: these are the glittering peaks of a strong commitment to sports in the school. Finally, the successful establishment of the Horticulture course in the school curriculum, with development of the gardens and facilities, Is a credit to Mr Pallin’s enthusiasm and an indication of the general staff commitment to maintaining curriculum relevance in this school. BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS This annual report must reflect the encouraging developments and changes — actual and planned — in the physical plant, buildings, and grounds. The school will benefit greatly from the improvements that will soon be completed. In the past four years we have seen: • extensive planting of trees and shrubs: the barren clay waste surrounding the basketball quadrangle is well planted; the trees lining Patterson Street • Driveway are established; and the inner courtyards are attractively filled with various plants from roses to medium-sized shrubs; • erection of fives courts; • tar-sealing of all grounds; • removal of temporary classrooms; • upgrading of all remaining ‘prefabs’ to a standard as useful and pleasant as new rooms; • demolition of Firth House and the transfer of Firth Dining Hall to cultural and social dayschool use; • refurbishing and complete redecorating of the Pavilion — special thanks to the Parents’ Association for their financing and management of this work; • construction of new offices for the Headmaster, so providing an acceptable work area for the Deputy Principal and additional work areas for staff;
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renovation of the Film Room, complete with carpet and heating — thanks to staff, pupils, and the Parents’ Association; building of facilities for Horticulture — including a workshop-garage and various enclosures; provision of an incinerator — so delivering us from the wretched piles of wind-blown paper out of bins exposed to Wellington winds; erection of college crests and the re-mounting of memorabilia (marble tablets) which were removed from the original memorial hall; building of a covered way to the main entrance.
With all that has occurred there has been, however, a concern shared by all friends of the college that the frontof-school above the Terraces was a shabby reminder of the upheaval of rebuilding. It grew more shabby and more wearisome with time. The Board was very pleased to receive advice from the Department of Education, in time for the December Board meeting, that all the following works would be approved for completion, commencing April 1, 1983: 1. Sick-bay/Casualty Room/and Guidance Counsellor’s waiting area — to be constructed at North-end of Tower Block. 2. Landscaping all the front-of-school with attractive paving, standard lamps (polycarbonate fittings’), car-parking, and shrub-planting. 3. New gas-lines for the Pavilion and Free-TextBook room. All this work is due for completion in June/July. The school is indeed grateful to the Regional Executive Officer, Mr J. Worgan, for his consideration of the school at this time. STAFFING In February we welcomed Mr L.V. Allen (Biology); Mr D.A. Cook (Physics); Miss T.F.M. Carter (HOD, Commerce); Mr F.F. Orr (Physics) — left in April, overseas; Mr M.J. Delceg (Physics), joined in replacement of Mr Orr. We thank these staff for the way they so quickly settled in to the life of the college and for their contributions in the staffroom. During the year Mrs K. Power departed for an overseas tour and Mrs N. Fage took up the work of Headmaster’s Secretary. Mrs J. Harding joined the office staff as Teacher Aid and has brought her skill as a trained nurse to the fore in attending to the various sick and injured pupils from day-to-day. During the year we farewelled Mr E. Cardale, member of the staff for 22 years, wishing him a happy retirement in Auckland. Today we farewell staff who are leaving — all for overseas travel: Mrs L. Brown; Mr M. J. Fowler; Mrs J. Phillips and Mr H.D. Buchanan. Of these, each of whom has made a valued contribution to the school, Mr Buchanan is singled out for special mention. Completing five years as a teacher at this
