Page 28 - Potted History 2017

twenty unwilling sub-leaving students was part of the was resident housemaster responsible for the new The resident boarding house masters used the same
School gymnasium. This building was a wooden, ant-
infested area and far from weather proof. The students
sat on long wooden benches – a half dozen to the same
writing bench. I had a portable blackboard which, at any
particular time, could be located anywhere on the School
site. I had attempted to counter this problem by arriving
early to class and locating the board before the boys’
arrival. The science block was another wooden, unsafe
structure with the one lecture theatre and several poorly
equipped labs. Having just come from the labs at UWA
those at Hale were quite a contrast. They had to be seen
to be believed.
The one redeeming area was the School Assembly Hall.
This building had great character and charm and could
house the staff seated on a raised platform and the 300
students in the body of the hall. The rear of the hall
served as the School library. It comprised of half dozen
glassed-in book cases and two or three bench forms.
The one toilet block accommodated staff and students
and was, at best, basic. Unless one was desperate, or
wished to know the latest School rumours or gossip, it
was an area to be avoided. The staff common room was
cramped with one huge table, supposed to operate as
a work bench. There were sufficient chairs for all staff to
be seated. The ten most senior members had a small
I was to thoroughly enjoy my thirteen years teaching wooden locker while the remainder just left their books
under V.S. Murphy, affectionately known as ‘Spud’. He etc on the table.
led by example and gave full support to his staff. He
demonstrated a genuine concern for all and was proud of A.C. (‘Corry’) Marshall was a strong disciplinarian – with
his association with Hale School. Some critics would say no great sense of humour; he was not always appreciated
he was too nice a fellow to be a really great headmaster.
either for the dreadful puns that were part of his everyday
conversation. He was, however, a gifted teacher of Latin,
I would have to admit to being appalled when I first French and English and, although not always appreciated
entered the School. The actual school site dated back by boys and colleagues alike, he was greatly respected.
to the 1st World War and the boarding house site to the
mid-1920s. Even at this time the School was anticipating Lister (‘Ducky’) Drake was loved and respected by all
a move to Wembley Downs and hence there was a and gave great service to his school, both in and out of
reluctance to spend unnecessary money at the existing the classroom. He had served in the army during the war
site.
and enjoyed his years of involvement with Hale School
army cadets. He was very capable with his hands and
Why was I appalled with my first impressions? In the built his own caravans and boats and was responsible for
teaching block the classrooms were small – jammed organising the staff in helping built a woodwork centre for
together and feeding into the one passage way. The the boys.
classrooms were absolutely bare, with the exception
of the one chalk blackboard. It was obvious from the Wilfred Corr was quiet and unassuming, but a man of
outset that the teaching was going to be a chalk and the world. He was liked and respected by all. He taught
talk exercise. The room in which I had to try and teach
latin, arithmetic and book-keeping to Years 8 & 9 and
Year 8 boarders. He helped all boys overcome their facilities. Each dormitory had a so-called bed-sitter at one
homesickness and was most generous with his time. He end. One had to walk the length of the dorm to reach
had served in the First World War, had worked in London, one’s accommodation. Imagine the comments heard
been a handicapper with the Western Australian Turf Club when you arrived home late at night, possibly a little
and was very involved with the Western Australian Tennis worse for wear. The study desk and chair were in fact a set
Association. The much sought after present P.S.A. trophy from the old kitchen and the book case was a shelf that
for tennis is called the Wilfred Corr Cup in his honour. could hold, at most, a dozen books.
Charlie Hamilton was another of nature’s gentlemen, a The boys had to do their prep down in the School
well liked and well respected colleague with a great fund teaching block and they were supervised by the resident
of stories. He was a retired state school headmaster and staff. One could hear the conversation from the boys after
came to Hale to help out during the war years. He was lights out. One’s education was certainly broadened by
responsible for teaching art and looked after the 1st XI some of the stories that floated through.
cricketers. Initially the boys were concerned about his
advanced years – until he showed himself well capable of The School had two ovals up in Kings Park (across from
bowling out all of the top batsmen in the team with his the current Royal Kings Park Tennis Club), where the
underarm leg and off breaks! Charlie Hamilton was keen training for cricket, football, athletics in all years, would
for the boys to grow up as good sportsmen as well as take place. The first teams placed at Subiaco or the
men of the world too. WACA. The under-age and House teams went to Kings
Park. The grass surfaces there left a lot to be desired.
Doris Green was a wonderful lady and a caring and gifted They were made up largely of weeds and Guildford grass.
teacher. She was responsible for the small Prep School Rowing, swimming and life-saving took place in Crawley
boys, all of whom remember her with affection. She was Bar. The boys walked to these activities through Kings
the only person who both understood them and could Park and then down Jacob’s Ladder to Mounts Bay Road
adequately control them. Whenever she was away no and then past the brewery.
senior school staff could be found to take her place – they
feared for their reputations as effective disciplinarians. Maintenance around the School and at Kings Park was
Miss Green came as a temporary replacement in 1919 and carried out by ‘Jock’ with his enormous rotary mower,
retired in 1954. She came out of retirement, temporarily, with which he attacked the Guildford grass, and ‘Mattie’,
in February 1961, to honour the school that she loved by whose only tools of trade were a hammer and a supply of
giving the very first lesson at the new Hale School site in six inch nails – with which he carried out all maintenance
Wembley Downs – many of her former pupils sat in the work. These two operated from a tin shed at the back
classroom with their own children at their knees. of the boarding house. This shed housed not only their
equipment but also contained a fridge for their lunches
The students had absolutely no facilities worth talking and their grog.
about. The grounds – very small and limited – were
supposedly grassed but were mainly covered by sand and It only took six months as a resident assistance
Guildford grass. There was a small asphalt area in front housemaster for me to come up with the answer as to why
of the School which served as an assembly area in the one should accept the challenge of a full-time teaching
morning and a parade ground for the cadets. post. I could not believe, at first, that both staff and
students were prepared to give such dedicated service
The boarding house reminded one of a rabbit warren. to their school – that they were prepared to actively live
The boys slept in dormitories, twenty five to a dorm. and work to the highest standards of citizenship; that they
The only furniture was their bed, which had to be made could enjoy a genuine fellowship together. They had an
to military standards. The towels had to be hung in a obvious respect and love for their school.
particular way at the end of the beds. Cloths and personal
items were contained in lockers in the change rooms, For sixty years I was fortunate enough to be a member of
which were part of the toilet-shower room facilities. this great Hale family’
13
Again, these were basic – no hot water and no privacy.
13 Tom Hoar memoir, quoted in Edgar, From Slate to Cyberspace, pp 251-257