Harry Cortis Jones

Harry Frederick Cortis Jones, nicknamed Phiz, (1874–1962) was an Australian educator who was awarded the MBE for his 56 years service to Newington College from where he retired as Senior Master Emeritus in 1952.

Education

He was educated at Newington College^[1] and the University of Sydney from where he graduated BA in 1897 and MA in 1902.^[2]

Teacher

Harry Cortis Jones and the Newington College 1936 Senior Athletics Team

In 1897, Cortis Jones commenced as a teacher at his alma mater, Newington College, during the Headship of the distinguished scientist Arthur Lucas and the presidency of the Rev James Egan Moulton. During his time on staff he served under five other Headmasters: Edward William Cornwall, Rev Dr Charles Prescott, Philip Le Couteur, Mervyn Austin and Lawrence Pyke. He taught Science and modern subjects and was the coach of the Second XI cricket side for many years being AAGPS Premiers in 1920-21. When Charles Buchanan retired at the end of 1932, Cortis Jones was appointed Senior Master. To mark the completion of his 50 vears service as master of Newington College in 1947, the Old Newingtonians' Union held a dinner at which Cortis Jones in replying to a toast recalled that he had "weathered four wars, five sovereigns and five headmasters".^[3]

Honours

He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1953 in recognition of his services to education.^[4] In 1956, The War Memorial Science Block at Newington College was opened by Major General Sir Iven Mackay KBE CMG DSO VD, an ex-student from 1897 until 1900, and the building contains the Cortis Jones Lecture Theatre named in his honour.

Family

Cortis Jones married Ida Lucas, the daughter of Arthur Henry Shakespeare Lucas, his first Headmaster as a staff member at Newington. Their son, Beverly Cortis-Jones, developed a method for the synthesis of Vitamin C from glucose.^[5]

References