Tony Foster
Thomas Scholfield Foster (13 September 1853 – 8 September 1918), commonly known as Tony Foster,[1] was a New Zealand school principal and inspector, and university lecturer.
Early life and education[edit]
He was born in London, England, in 1853. His parents moved to New Zealand when he was a child; they arrived in Wellington 31 December 1856, and settled ultimately in Canterbury.[2] Foster studied at the Rangiora Church School before winning a Somes scholarship to study at Christ's College.[2] In 1881 he received a BA Degree from Canterbury College, followed by an MA Degree in languages and literature the following year.[2]
Career[edit]
Foster was appointed as the headmaster at Christchurch West High School in 1882, where he had also held the position of master from 1874 to 1881.[3]
In 1904 he was elected as a school inspector for the North Canterbury School District.[4][5] In 1911 he was appointed the chief school inspector for the North Canterbury Board of Education.[6]
Personal life[edit]
On 29 August 1882, he married Emily Sophia Brittan, the daughter of Guise Brittan.[3][2] His wife was the senior female teacher at Christchurch West High School.[3] His wife died on 30 December 1897 and Foster died on 8 September 1918. Both are buried at St Paul's Anglican Church, Papanui.[7]
Legacy[edit]
In 1920 a memorial tablet to his life was unveiled at Canterbury College Hall, where he had studied and later become a lecturer and the president of its training college.[8][9] The tablet bore the inscription "His life was devoted with untiring zeal and perfect singleness of aim to the cause of education."[8]
References[edit]
- ^ "An appreciation". The Star. No. 12418. 9 September 1918. p. 6. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Obituary Mr. T.S. Foster". The Sun. Vol. V, no. 1427. 9 September 1918. p. 4. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ^ a b c McGeorge, Colin. "Thomas Scholfield Foster". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
- ^ "A New School Inspector". The Press. Vol. LXI, no. 11885. 5 May 1904. p. 3. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ^ "Education". Marlborough Express. Vol. XXXVII, no. 103. 5 May 1904. p. 4. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ^ "School Inspectors". The Star. No. 10175. 9 June 1911. p. 3. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ^ Greenaway, Richard (June 2007). "St. Paul's Anglican Cemetery Tour" (PDF). Christchurch: Christchurch City Council. pp. 22–23. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
- ^ a b "Thomas Scholfield Foster Memorial Tablet unveiled". The Press. Vol. LVI, no. 16798. 1 April 1920. p. 6. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ^ "Memorial Tablet to Late Mr. T.S. Foster". The Sun. Vol. VII, no. 1913. 1 April 1920. p. 8. Retrieved 6 July 2021.