Here’s to our school, boys, with their noble aim –

Leading us to the higher things of life,

Here’s success to all who bring it fame –

In research or sports keen strife,

Here’s to its precepts written on our hearts

Words that will save us many a painful fall

As through life we play our diverse parts

To our School Boys! The best school of all

(Repeat last line)

Here’s to the Old Boys who in bygone days,

Saw in these halls the torch of knowledge shine,

Who, amid life’s vast, perplexing maze.

Play the game, with courage fine,

Here’s to our teachers, patient, staunch and true,

Speaking the words that hold our minds in thrall,

May we see, each day, a vision new,

Of a great school, the best school of all.

(Repeat the last line)

Here’s to ourselves, now, sing we with a will,

Comrades and friends who soon will have to part,

Here’s to thoughts of happy days that thrill,

May their memories ne’er depart.

Here’s to the shining heights yet unattained;

May we be strong and true to meet the call;

Keeping honour, through all tests unstained,

As we learn in the best school of all.

(Repeat the last line)

The song was written by Alfred Gwynn Waterworth, headmaster of the Glen Dhu State School, Tasmania, prior to June 1929 and was adopted by the Tech. school. The Examiner newspaper on 26 June 1929, reported that Alfred was invited to hear it sung for the first time at the school assembly and during which time he explained the circumstances that had inspired his writing of the song.

Alfred’s main hobbies, noted in his obituary, were music and literature and he was a frequent contributor to The Examiner, Weekly Courier and other publications. He was also intensely interested in child delinquency and was a probationary officer for Launceston. The thoughts picked up in the song appear connected to his values and those he considered important to life.

The song over the years became a noted feature of school life and served to link students to the school and one another even if they attended at different times.

Written by Ivan Badcock