HAMPSTEAD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXII, Issue 8256, 22 December 1911, Page 6

HAMPSTEAD.

There was a large attendance of parents and children', at the Hampstead School last, evening, the occasion being the " breaking-up" for the Christmas vac-ation and the presentation of prizes to the scholars. Prior to the presentation,^-.the visitors inspected the worji, of ..the scholars, which included plasticine' modelling, woodwork, carton-work, stencilling, paperfolding, cooking, drawing, writing, and all the subjects of the curriculum. The work was pronounced excellent, and the teaching staff could not but have been highly pleased with the references made regarding it. The wellkept grounds also came m, for a meed of praise. , „"' After the work had been inspected, the visitors, members of the School Committee, teaching staff, and children assembled iri the grounds for th& purpose of the presentation ceremony. Mr W. Thompson, Chairman of the School Committee presided, and introduced to the/ assemblage Mr G. W. Andrews, who gave a bri,ef address to the children. He referred to the many similar functions he had attended there and said that the names of all the scholars he had seen at "breaking-up" functions would fill a big book. He hoped they would have a pleasant time during the vacation, and said that he knew the children would ever remain loyal to Hampstead school, and be a credit to it.—-(Applause.) In conclusion, he referred to the splendid assistance given the Hampstead School by the Rev. E. W,hitehousc. —(Applause.) The Chairman then introduced Mr W. Nosworthy, M.P. He expressed his pleasure at Mr Nosworthy being able to attend, and hoped they would see him there on many .other occasions.-— (Applause). Mr Nosworthy, who said he would not detain them very long, as of late he had been having a strenuous time, expressed pleasure at the honour conferred upon him by asking him to present.the. prizes. He complimented the teachers and the staff on the year's work, and it was evident, after inspecting it, that they had done their very best. It was good for him to see the bright and happy faces of the children, ! and he, was sure that the .expectancy expressed on them would be gratified when the prizes were presented. He assured them and the people of Hampstead that they, had his hearty goodwill, and if he could at any time assist tiiem m any way—boys aiid girls, or anyone m the community—he would only be to,happy'to'do s6v—-(Applause). He would gladly dohis best for all of them,' and it did, not signify whether they agreed with him politically or not. — (Applause). If anyone was opposed to hiip m politics, he (Mr Nosworthy) would do as much for him as though he believed every word he said.—(Applause). And it did not do to take everything a politician said as Gospel. (Laughter. In conclusion, he paid a graceful tribute to th elahours of the Rev. E. Whitehouse. Christianity was the bulwark of the great British nation. He wished them all a Merry Christmas and, a prosperous New Year, and an enjoyable vacation. Mr Nosworthy | then presented the prizes as follows : — Standard 6.—Composition, H. Hunt 1, C. Smith 2. Arithmetic, Ralph Stone 1, Norman Kelly 2. Standard; 5.,tt Composition, Uriel Johnson 1, Daisy Bramley 2. Arithmetic, T. Strange T, :H. Rose 2. Special prize for, original composition (donated by Mrs H. J. Chapman), Jno. Fowke. Drawing, Gladys Bramley. . Standard 4. — Composition. Emma Hume 1, Dorothy Hunt 2. Arithmetic, Walter Burnaby 1, Mary McKenzie 2. Standard 3.—Composition, Prissie Blair 1, Olive Stuart 2. Arithmetic, Lawson Glendmning 1, Ivy Susnnpr 2. ■.Special prize for sewing (presented by Miss Kenna) Edith Crawford. Special prize for improvement m composition (donated by Mr Wm. Thompson), .Arthur Betts. . Special prize for arithmotic, Huia Beaumont. Standard 2. — Composition, Geo. Lamb 1, Cyril Rose 2. Arithmetic, Beatrice Hunt 1, Win. Koau 2. Sodling prizes (donated by Mr Mills), Katie Betts and Winnie Bramley. Standard 1. —Composition, R. Tnit 1, Kitty TemV 2. Reading and Spelling. Nellie Rurasey 1, Rita Porter 2. Prizes for swimming wore presented as follows (Swimming 100 yds entities scholars to a learners' certificate, 440 yds to a certificate of proficiency, and one mile and over to a certificate of merit) : — Harold Hunt (1540 yds), diaries James (330 yds), Douglas Little (220 yds). Lyndo Taylor '(440 yds). I* 1 red Phel'js (1320 yds),"' Percy 'ibell (lSSOyds), Gordon Ferriinan (880 yds), Allan Rawlins (880 yds), George Johnson (220 yds), l?e^inald Joffs '(660 yds). Jnck Ibell (490 yds). Ronald McDonald (440 yds), William .Hcleni (440), Erie McDonald (4iioyds), Boy Hr.imley (880vds), Patrick Ashby (220v«1sj,

Thomas Strange (150 yds), ■Cl&t®nce Day (270 yds), Eric Dorm (100 yds), %s----lie Stone (150 yds), Herbert Glendin«Mg (150 yds), Walter Strange (150 yds),, Reg. Childs (1420 yds), Minnie Tliomas /(675yds), Evelyn Bryant (700 yds), Lily \ Hopkins (1200 yds), Flossie Bryant (1075 yds), Emma Hume .(100yds). A certificate of merit was awarded to. Ansley Cox, for having swam 3910 yds. All' the school prizes having been presented, the Chairman call-, •ed on tho Rev. E. Whitehouse to present the prizes m connection with the Bible Class. Prior to making the- presentations, :Mr Whitehouse said he agreed with Mr Nosworthy m his remark m reference to Christianity. All , who knew anything about' ! history, knew >:that all great works were backed by the te:achings of Christ. Any of the nice things said of nimsefl though, he attributed to the heart and not to the intellect. He did his best, which was only a small thing, but he was pleased to acknowledge the kind appreciation with which his work was received. He had to thank the School Committee for allowing him to conduct the Bible classes, and for the asistance given him. H©- was grateful to the teaching staff, and recognised that he always had had the staff behind him. It had, however, never been necessary to seek their assistance to. .•enforce - discipline, and he had. never had. to. use the cat-o'-nine-tails. He wished also to thank the anonymous donors of the prizes for the Bible Class. Prizes were then * presented as follows : —Pupils who had not missed a class during the year, Norman. Kelly, Gideon McKenzie, Bessie Thompson, Gordon Ferriman. Pupils who had missed only one class, Allan Gburlay, May Kerr, Mary McKenzie, Nellie Rumsay, Cyril Hardy. Others — Walter Burnaby, Mostyn Thompson, and Willie Brown. It was announced that a number of proficiency and regular attendance prizes for the school had not come to hand, and would be presented at a later date. Infants to the number of 135 were each given a toy, and sweets were distributed broadcast among the children. At the conclusion of the function, cheers were given for Mr Nosworthy, the Rev. E. Whitehouse, Mr J. B. Borthwick and staff, Mr W. Thomp^ son (Chairman of the School Committee), tho School Committee, the donors of prizes, and, at Mr Borthwick's request, for Mr McLeod, late head teachar of Hampstead School.