What echoes within the walls of the School Masters Old Hut? It is a whisper of chalk dust and youthful laughter. It’s a testament to a time when education blossomed. However, the provided information does not provide any facts about School Masters Old Hut.
Mount Albert Grammar School was founded in 1919. Auckland’s population boomed after World War I. Auckland Grammar School couldn’t handle the demand. So, the Auckland Grammar School Board decided to build a new school. It would serve the boys of the western suburbs.
The Education Department gave 5,799 pounds. It was used to buy sixteen and a half acres of the Kerr Taylor estate. Construction began in July 1920. It cost 44,300 pounds. The school opened on February 13, 1922. Frank Gamble was the Headmaster. There were 11 staff and 287 boys. But there is no mention of the School Masters Old Hut.
Gamble was the school’s father. He remained Headmaster for 24 years. The school became early champions in team sports. Gamble opened his home as a music studio. He knew the 1926 Assembly Hall would store memories. The 1927 School House boarding hostel was significant. So was the 1931 Farm.
During World War II, 2000 school men donned uniforms. They headed off to fight. 198 did not return. Gamble read the names of those killed or wounded. He also announced those MIA at Friday assembly. He retired in 1946. But these facts do not tell us anything about School Masters Old Hut.
William Caradus succeeded Gamble. He was wounded in the Great War. He was a fine scholar and cricketer. Caradus wrote two physical science textbooks. They were widely used. He won approval for the school’s first gymnasium. Caradus was an original master in 1922. He retired in 1954. But nothing is mentioned about the School Masters Old Hut.
Murray Nairn took over. He had been a mathematics teacher. He was also a Senior Housemaster. Nairn watched games every Saturday. He moved School House to a playing field. A new classroom block replaced prefabs. Still, no mention of the School Masters Old Hut.
Maurice Hall took over in 1970. Like Nairn, he was a mathematician. He built the new library in 1976. Squash courts followed in 1982. A new gymnasium was erected in 1984. However, the School Masters Old Hut is not mentioned.
Greg Taylor became Headmaster in 1988. He had been a School Inspector. He oversaw the seismic upgrade of the main building. The most radical change was introducing girls in 2000. But none of this speaks about the School Masters Old Hut.
Dale Burden redesigned a 1970 building. He softened the quadrangle. He also redesigned the 2000 E Block. There were sporting successes and a flowering of the arts. But none of this mentions our point of interest.
Patrick Drumm arrived in 2016. He will take Mount Albert Grammar School into its next century.
The Mount Albert Grammar School Archives were established in 1999. The School Archivist is Brian Murphy. So it seems like information about the School Masters Old Hut is difficult to find.
Without further information, the stories of the School Masters Old Hut remain untold. The echoes are faint. The details are missing.