Figure 1.--This photograph shows the library at Avon Collerge in 1915.
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Figure 1.--This photograph shows the library at Avon Collerge in 1915. |
Britain is at war! Every part of the nation in represented in
the fight; and naturally, all British schools think that they, in
spirit at least, are engaged in the struggle. Such a thought is
by no means foolish, for to the influence exerted by the
school can be traced in many of the admirable qualities of
the British soldier.
In school life, sport supplies the outlet for physical energy,
and develops qualities both physical and mental. On the
playground, Muscle, speed, and health are gained. Knocks
are given and taken with equal good-humour.
Perseverance, unity and obedience must be practised
before success can be attained. Lastly, in the majority of
cases, play among school-boys is clean and fair.
In the trenches, what characterises the British soldier?
Private Atkins is popularly considered a hardy customer.
He endures, with equanimity, all the privations of a rough
life. Obedient to the call of duty, he braves any danger. He
has entered the conflict, determined to conquer, and
determined at the same time to get as much fun as he can
from his daily routine. If wounded, he hides his pain with a
jest. Under the most trying conditions, Tommy maintains a
mixture of stubborn courage, dogged endurance, and grim
humor, which form an admirable fighting combination.
The British officer gains favor in the eyes of his men, by
trying to make the life pleasant, healthy, and well cared for.
The commander, having brought his men up to the pitch of
martial excellence, expects them to emulate the deeds of
their forefathers. In all emergencies, he sets a noble
example. Thus, in spite of great hardships, all classes of men
are knit together, in the trenches, by the bond of
good-fellowship.
Now, where is it that the British Army has gained its esprit
de corps? Whence have the soldiers obtained their
individual and collective merit? At camp, certainly, they
have learnt precision and strict obedience; while the justice
of their cause has convinced them of ultimate victory. But it
must be remembered that the present British army has not
passed its life in barracks. Kitchen's volunteer army includes
a large percentage of men who once attended secondary
schools. It is the training such men received au school that
has created the spirit and efficiency of the Army. The
qualities which the soldier now displays in the trenches,
were first developed on the playground. If games can have
such a lasting influence, can mean so much to the nation,
then certainly games are of the utmost importance in school
life.
School-fellows! Learn on the playground to conquer self, to
master quick-temper and laziness; develop your character
and resource by indulging whole-heartedly in school sport;
then later, you will serve your country, if not as soldiers, at
least as responsible citizens. Remember Wellington's saying,
" The battle of Waterloo was won on the playing-fields of Eton."
L.L., Palmerston North Boys' High School, 1915
Figure 2.--This photograph shows a view at the the Stratford Technical School, probably about 1910. The image is from Archive New Zealand (Ref: 1/1-012856; G). |
The photograph in figure 2 is undated, but we would estimate that it was taken about 1910. It shows schoolboys in class at the Stratford Technical School. Most secondary schools at the time were single gender schools. The man wearing an apron is probably their teacher. The photograph was taken by James McAllister (1869-1952).
