Grafton High School Annual Speech Night 27th May, 1971 PROGRAMME. Chairman's Introductory remarks Mr. A.W. Smith. Principal's Address Mr. E.C. Wood,B.Sc. Presentation of Senior Academic Mr. T. Robinson, Prizes M.H.R. Presentation of Junior Academic Ald. N. G. Weiley. Prizes Musical Items - Choir: "Sigh No More Ladies" Glee Group: "I Will Give My Love an Apple". Occasional Address Mr. J.K. Cleary,B.A. Musical Item - Instrumental Group: Waltz by Schubart. Presentation of Special Prizes Mr. E.C. Wood. Musical Item - Folk Singing Group: "Havahnagila" "Both Sides Now" Presentation of Higher School Mr. M. Singleton, Certificates M.L.A. Presentation of Sports Awards Mrs. J.K. Cleary. Vote of Thanks to Visitors and Stephen Moorhead Prize Donors Boy Captain. Vote of Thanks to the Chairman Neroli Lawrence Girl Captain. NATIONAL ANTHEM. 2. PRINCIPAL'S REPORT FOR 1970. The year 1970 will be remembered as the year in which the long awaited constructions and alterations to the school were completed. In addition to the new block with its specialist facilities, most other sections of the school buildings attracted the attention of the architect and the builder. As a result, the old building has been refloored and covered with lino, power points included in all classrooms (an essential in these days of modern teaching aids), an administration block formed and a number of much needed book stores and general stores added. It must be most gratifying to those people and organisations, who were instrumental in persuading the Department of Education to recognise the needs of this school, to see their aims brought to fruition. On the other hand, thanks are extended to the Departments of Education and Public Works, not only for a fine job; but also for their vision in ensuring that the new constructions harmonized with the older buildings. * * * 3. ENROLMENT. The enrolment of the school reached a maximum of 797, thus showing a reduction of 41 over the previous year. STAFFING. The staff consisted of the Principal, Deputy Principal, 7 Masters and 37 Assistants, a School Counsellor, 3 Clerical Assistants and a General Assistant, together with Science & Library Assistants. The following teachers were transferred to the school in 1970: Mrs. P.J. Farrington, B.A., Mr. R.B. Loati, B.A., Miss H.M. Dove, B.A., Miss M.T. Crowe, B.A., Mr. F. Schinlek, B.A., Mr. P.K. Collins, B.Sc., Mr. R.J. Quinn, Miss J. Somerville, B.A., Mr. R.S. Coombes, A.S.T.C., Miss M.A. Ellis, Dip.Art.Ed., Mrs. L.Gimbert,Dip.P.E., Miss A.M. Power, Dip.Mus.Ed. COURSES AVAILABLE. A very wide range of courses is available, with most subjects being offered at all levels. Some inkling of the complexity of the organ- ization of the modern school, may be gained from the fact that, except for First Form where a common course is followed, each pupil could, if required, do a different course of study. A special course catering for the needs of slow learners is also available. EXAMINATION RESULTS. The results of the 1970 public examinations were excellent and would have created a record For the school. All 60 of the Higher School Certificate Examination candidates were successful; gaining 4. between them 45 Level 1 passes and a further 24 2F passes. As a matter of comparison, in 1969, 64 candidates obtained 23 Level 1 passes and 15 2F passes. In the School Certificate Examination, 118 of the 119 candidates passed (99.1%); 16 of whom secured advanced passes in all subjects. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES. A number of socials were conducted during the year, including a First Form Welcome, a Senior Social to which other schools were invited and a Sixth Form Farewell Ball. DRAMA. The 6 plays presented on Play Night were well received by a capacity audience. A Jazz-ballet night was held in September where the emphasis was on Folk-Singing and Jazz. DEBATING & PUBLIC SPEAKING. The Senior and Intermediate debating teams remained undefeated during the year; while the Junior team registered one win and one loss in Inter-School Competition. The Commonwealth Day Speech Competitions were won by:- Senior Boy - Stephen Moorhead. Senior Girl - Neroli Lawrence. Junior Girl - Helen Jenkins. Junior Boy - Geoff Goodes. 5. VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL GUIDANCE. Perhaps all parents are not aware of the excellent guidance facilities at the School; where expert advice is available concerning the pupils' scholastic work and career opportunities. Every pupil on reaching the age of 14, is given a series of vocational tests and from the results of these and other data, the Careers Advisers are able to suggest those careers most suitable for the pupils. Information is also provided concerning requirement for entry to chosen careers, working conditions and promotion prospects. Further expert advice is also available from the School Counsellor, who is attached to the School and is available for consultations, each Thursday. This service is recommended to all parents interested in the educational progress of their children. It is of interest to add that further advice of this nature is freely available from the Officers of the Vocational Guidance Bureau, who have an office in Lismore. SCHOOL CANTEEN. The canteen continues to provide an excellent service for the pupils. This establishment is run by the Parents and Citizens Association and during the year was instrumental in raising approx. $2,500 nett. The staff consists of a Manageress, who is assisted by mothers who volunteer and are rostered for duty one day per month. 6. The school is most grateful to these people and as a direct result of their work, numerous items of equipment including a piano, overhead fans for the Hall, a public address system, a duplicator, maps, art slides, library books, music records, together with numerous smaller items were purchased. SCHOOL CADETS. The School Cadet Corps continued to function efficiently, the year's training culminating in the Annual Camp in August, where further valuable lessons were learnt. The Unit's Band achieved a high degree of competence during the year and performed creditably upon a number of official occasions in our City. Membership in the Cadet Corps is strongly recommended as a means of fostering a lad's confidence and self-discipline. A WORD OF THANKS. During the year so many people and organisations have rendered valuable assistance to the School, that it would be impossible to mention them all. I would however like to pay tribute to the President and members of the P. & C. Association for their moral and financial support and also for their consistent endeavours to improve conditions for our pupils; to the various clubs, The Council and citizens of Grafton District for their generous response to all appeals; to the donors of prizes who have helped to make this Prize Giving Night possible and to the Clergy for the part they have played in education in this School. 7. Finally, I should like to pay tribute to the Deputy Principal, Mr. W.J. Wardman, B.A., who has been most loyal and untiring in his efforts; and to all members of the staff, without whose co-operation the school could not operate efficiently. SPORT REPORT. INTER SCHOOL COMPETITION. The school was successful in winning the Forward Trophy and Rotary Cup in competition against Coffs Harbour and Lismore respectively; however lost the 2GF Cup to Casino and the Biddle Trophy to South Grafton. GIRLS' SPORT. Generally speaking, girls' sport is hampered by a lack of constant competition against other schools. As a result, teams are forced to play in Saturday competitions against town teams. In this field they enjoyed a good deal of success particularly in Hockey where they won 3 of the 5 major championships. Some fine individual performances were recorded, e.g. in the Far North Coast C.H.S. Squash Championships, Joy Bender won the 15 year division and was runner up in the Open Championship while Beverley Hanna (13 years) won her division. Two other girls were runners up in their section. In swimming the girls convincingly won the unofficial points score against the other five schools in our Zone. Mixed successes were enjoyed by the softball, athletics,tennis and basketball teams. 8. BOYS' SPORT. The boys had a particularly successful year in Sport. The first success came in rowing, where our First Fours won the State C.H.S. Championship Fours, the Northern Rivers Head of the River and the Callendar Cup, the Championship Club event of the North Coast. Their only defeat came in the final of the Australian Schoolboy Fours. The second fours came 3rd in the State titles, but won their division in the Northern Rivers titles. The other outstanding performance was the record achievement of the 1st XIII. Rugby League team, in reaching the final in the coveted University Shield Competition, for which 147 teams had entered. This is the first time that this has been achieved by a North Coast School in the past 20 years. By comparison, the team was very light; but by playing as a team, were able to defeat most of the teams they encountered. The 1st XI. Soccer team won three of its four inter-school fixtures. BLUES. Blues were awarded to K. Stevens, R. Haines and K. Smyth for Rugby League; and K. Gray, J. Noonan, M. Smith and S. Harding for Rowing; Phyl Charles for Athletics; and Glenda Caldwell for Hockey.