Page 11 - 1983 Clippings
P. 11
First headmaster fan for the old ways
Huntly Press, October 19, 1983
Strict order and discipline may be Technical College, as well as chief
hallmarks of the ‘old school’, but they supervisor of the evening school.
worked, says Mr Edgar Allison, He recalls that when Ngaruawahia
foundation principal of Ngaruawahia High School was beginning, it wasnot all
High School. plain sailing.
Mr Allison was headmaster of the “There was a lot of opposition from
college for almost 13 years, from October parents of children who’d gone to
1962 to May 1975. He is returning to his Hamilton schools. There was also
old high school for the 21st reunion. opposition from Huntly College, who
He recalls that when he started at the thought it would reduce their intake.”
school, he set out to establish a clear-cut But these difficulties were overcome,
code of discipline. and the school started with a roll of 290
“This was for two reasons. The first pupils.
was that we couldn’t get on with the job Looking back, he has many happy
unless we had a fair, but strict code of memories of Ngaruawahia schooldays,
behaviour in the school. The second was with one in particular that stands out.
that the role of the secondary school is to “That is the wonderful deal that the
teach, not just to ‘give the pupils their own Maori people gave me there.”
personality’.” Mr Allison says he was “on trial” for about
Despite what some educationalists the first two years, but after this he was
today may think of this, Mr Allison accepted by the Maori community, opening
believes his strict approach worked. the way to many good times.
“I was fairly hard on the students. I This weekend Mr Allison comes from
have to admit that. It was because I loved his home in Morrinsville to attend the
them.” celebrations. Ob Saturday morning he will
To not impose discipline of the speak to the reunion members at the
students would have done them a official welcome.
disservice in the long-run, he says. “I’m going to express my delight that
Before Mr Allison joined the college they think well enough of the school to
in 1962, he lectured at Hamilton Teachers’ promote this anniversary. It’s going to be
College. Before that he was head of great to see all the little kids who are now
English and Social Studies at the Hamilton bigger than I am.”
