ANNUAL PEIZEGIVING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLI, Issue 9393, 15 December 1920, Page 5

ANNUAL PEIZEGIVING.

ASHBURTON HIGH SCHOOL.

CEREMONY THIS AFTERNOON.

END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR,

The end of the school year for the Ashburton High School was marked this afternoon by the presentation of prizes won during the year. The ceremony was held in the school assembly hall—a room whose walls record in picture and inscription the achievements of past pupils and the honours won, whether in the field of academics or of war. The chairman of the Board of Governors/ Mr J. Tucker, presided, and other members of the board and the school staff were associated with him on ,the platform, Mrs W. Oakley presented . the prizes. '■ ■ The Chairman's Remarks. The proceedings were opened by the singing in unison of the school song. The chairman said since the last assembling for the annual ceremony the board had lost a member Who had served on the board for 26 - years— he referred to Mr W. B. Denshire. Mr Robert Bell would no doubt prove an able successor. -Mr Tucker referred to "the honour conferred upon the school by Mr S. P. McCallum,' a former pupil, who had been elected a Rhodes' scholar.. (Applause.) The Rhodes' Scholarship Trustees stipulated that scholars should have at least £50 a year iv addition to the emoluments of ( the .-'Scholarships in order to take up jresidence at Oxford. Tucker hoped (that, by public "subscription and by the' jhelp of (the Board of Governors, this 'annual- sum would be available to hand over to Mr McCallum so that he could receive the full; benefit of his" three years at Oxford University.

The Headmaster's Report.

In his annual report/ the Headmas-tei-,"Mr W. F. 'Waiters, said the new «ntry andjthe.,j-01l number,..while better than tneTaverage of the last few years, was smaller; than, those (pf;«jL9}9, Of last year's roll, '47 boys r ,'and.' ( ,6l girls returned, and" 46 boys' and 25 girls were admitted/"; making • the total roll 178 (93 boys and 85' girls). During the year 13 boys'and 9 girls left, leav-' 1 ing the roll at the end of the year at 156. In the preparatory school 12.boys returned, and seven boys and four girls ■ were admitted, making a 'total of 23. One boy and one girl left, 5 leaving 1 'the roll at the end of the year at 21. , , ' Owing to' the' late start caused /by the compulsory closing of the' school practically from the opening day, thp very wet winter, arid the sickness (influenza, measles, and mumps), prevalent during most of the second and the whole of the third term, the attendance and consequently tho work of the school had been seriously affected, to a degree greater, he thought than in any other year, and it was unfortunately inevitable that a number of the examination candidates' should have had their chances of success seriously prejudiced. An undue amount of irregular attendance from trifling causes also existed, and he could not' too strongly urge upon parents the necessity of seeing that no cause other than illness or similar serious emergency interfered with the 1 regular attendance and progress of pupils.

Scholarship Holders

The roll included two senior national, seven junior national and three 'John Bell Memorial scholarship holders. The Wa,r Bursar, four Board of Governors' free place: pupils, arid six fee-paying pupils Who, as in other secondary schools, tend to become a diminishing quantity.' During the year there' have been 31 boys, boarding at the Rectory, ;and 20, girls at the Hostel. The vacancy caused by /Miss Humphreys' departure was filled temporarily by Miss Jamieson and Miss May Kerr until March, .when Miss I. Beaumont was appointed permanently. Mi\ Belshaw received an appointment in the' Haw era Technical High School and left at.. ifoe end of March, and Mr J H. Williamson, his successor, took up his duties ■' in the second term. Mr Williamson has received an appointment in St. Andrew's College, Christchiu-ch, but the appointment of his; successor will have to remain in abeyance till the beginning of the school year,' when it will be seen whether the. roll reaches the minimum prescribed by the Department for the present number of assistants. . :

Examination Results.

Mr E. J. Parr, secondary schools inspector, paid twp i to the school during the jear, ; the first in June, when he spent three' days' in: inspection, and the' Second in October, when he examined for senior fr^ee places, 33 gaining senior free places, and six extension of junior free places. The examination results for 1919 are as follows : : One candidate passed the "University Entrance Scholarship examination, six passed , matriculation, .-and one gained a partial ; pass;; eight passed Public Service Entrance, one gained a senior national scholarship; two passed with credit, 'and TO,'passed" We' examiriation; n35 gained senior free places and two junior free place extension; one gained a junior national scholarship, and 10 passed the ; examination:; one. passed Standard Vl'." proficiency. The various school. courses, general, agricultural, domestic science\ and commercial, had been carried on by the staff with: much zeal and success, in •spite, of "the trying circumstances of the year. . The domestic science classes were still at a disadvantage with regard ■;.to their quarters, ; and seemed likely, .to remain so for a long time to come. It seemed that the board should enlist the sympathies of the local members of Parliament and be more insistent in our demands on the Education Department for necessary and up-to-date :aecommodation.

Agricultural Education

"Twelve months ago I referred in my report to the fact that the Agricultural Department intended to work the experimental area in closer co-operation with the school agricultural classes," said Mr Watters, "but.it is only recently that the Department has decided to develop the farm work so as to be of greater use to the school, and to carry on operations in conjunction with an advisory board. With a vigorous and enthusiastic advisory board, and aproper system of guidance and control, there is reason to thinlc that the promoters of the experimental farm will see really definite results in tire furthering of agricultural education in the school and district.

"The preparatory school has held its own in regard to numbers, and though the attendance has been greatly affected by sickness, the school has made good' progress., under Miss Beaumont.

In the Field of Sport

"While we cannot report great success in competitions this year, the various school sports have been entered by

boys and girls vVith vigour and keenness, and in a spirit which accepted defeat as cheerfully as victory. The lack of success in football on the boys' side is due more to youth and lack of weight than to want of skill, and we hope that before long we shall be able to report greater success. The girls' hockey teams were very successful during the season, both in local competitions, and in matches with other secondary schools. Owing to the departure of Miss Humphreys, the Girls' Musical and Literary Club lapsed this year, but it is intended to revive it next year. "Instead of carrying on the usual debating club, an innovation , was this year introduced by devoting one hour a fortnight to debates in 'all, the school forms, with such success i that the fortnightly J debates,' will continue as a useful feature of the ordin- ■ ary schooL.work. The cadet corps has maintained its ushial efficiency in both | , drill and shooting, and has a good prospect of; bringing back the Victory Shield. We hopeiithat 1 in February the experiment •of having a school bar-, racks, which has been so successful in ' other schools, will be tried. I !,,''ln September we held a sale of; work in. aid of the fund for a school j memorial to the fallen old boys. In j spite, of:.bad,; weather,..vthe sale-was a great success, over"£2B6 being raised. For this result we have to thank the 1 friends of the school who subscribed; so liberally both in money and inmaterial. . ■ , ' ! iV'.! "The outstanding event of interest I to the school during the year "was the | selection, of Mr S. P.i: McCallum, a, distinguished old. boy of the school, for ! the] honour of' Rhodes' Scholar. We cqrdiallyt agree- with the opinion of his „Canterbury College fellow-students as expressed in, #ii&, Allege Review^'tl]Sat the selection is in every way admirable, and we would add that a better selection could not have bee>i madea- j-We-congratulate McCallum most' Heartily on the high honour he/has, won, which ■ is'aii added honour fd^'the school, which is justifiably proud that it has produced one so worthy of the high ."distinction he has achieved. „.:.. «<|- thank my colleagues on the .staff for their valuable services during' the year, and; on behalf of the staff and the school, the Board of. Governors for its willing help in the > work of the school. I have also to thank the fol- ' lowing donors of prizes:—Mesdames J. Tucker, A. A. Fooks, Hampton, Stewart, and W. J. Watters; Messrs V. - Steward, J Tucker, Robilliard,\ H. M. ' Jones,. J. V. De Beer, H. T. 'Uevell, H.i J.<:'Christian,. P. V. Norman, the ' Old Pupils' Association, the Board of ■ Governors, and the school staff." i

Other Speeches.

.The Rev. G^ Miller offered his congratulations to the headmaster and staff on the successful completion of another year of work in spite of adverse circumstances.' The school had always vindicated itself by seeking to adopjt -.anything, that would add to its efficiency. It had not, been afraid of new/methods and new ideas. Thu result w,as that men who had received their training at the school had gone out into;the world and had taken leading positions.- It was impossible to estimate; the value of a school like this—-fitting the boys for the professions or work on the land and teaching the girls, to be good wives. But the school was in existence to teach more than "these things—to teach the building up of strong ' and true character. It was far more important to turn out good 'citizens than to aim at amassing wealth. | Mr Miller commended the study of history, : especially, of rthe Eriipii'e^ to the schools of New-Zealand. .This I,'1,' was most important in fostering the "growth of the national spirit, of patriotism. Speaking of the school scheme of agricultural instruction, Mr Miller said the school governors and staff were striving to make this a big factor in the school success. Some people were inclined to make light of theory, but science, combined with practice, was the secret of success in agriculture, as. in everything else. On the girls' side there . was . the home science section '_ under an efficient teacher, iand he hoped all the girls would learn plain cooking. (Loud applause from the boys.) Mr Miller con-, eluded with an appeal to the pupils' to, above all, aim at character as the end and object of a}\ education. The Rev. Sj. Bailey, speaking especially' to the pupils, referred to the joys of the vacation, which the young people were about to enjoy after a year's study. He said the true aim of education should be to train people to use their native powers wisely and well, to fit them to play an active and potent •part in the government of the country, arid to make good citizens. Education I ;could not, be hoarded—it must be! oassed on. Mr Bailey expressed .the/ hope that all would endeavour 'to use to the greatest extent the; education which they had received at the school. Finally, he said the ideal ., for the attainment of success or happiness in life was the cultivation of character.

Prize List.

The following is-;%lie prize-list: —

■ Form "Vla.-^G.rvi : First languages, lst/ mathematics, 2nd science; N. Lloyd: English; R. Marshall : Mathematics, and science; F. Clarke: General work.

Form Vlb.—Languages: I. Samuels ahdS; Euddoqk (equal) 1, D. McDonald and L. Turner (equal) 2. Mathematics: I" Samuel I,' G. Arthur^ 2. Science:, G. Boipington I,' S. Sheffield 2, M. Smart 3, also 3rd in languages. I Form V.-^Languages: M.'Eden' l s (also 3rd jiri^ mathematics), A. Dunlop' .2. -Mathematics: E. Morrison' 1,. R. Beaumont, 2 (also 3rd in science). .Science;, W. Barr and.M. Eden (equal): .1, F. Bayliss and A. Dunlop (equal) 2. Form '■ IV.—Languages: D. Lewis 1, N. Cowan arid G. 'Waiters (equal) 2, C. Bowden 3. Mathematics: M. Staples 1, C. Bowden and N. Cowan (equal) 2, L. Mushet 3. Science: A. McClurg 1, G. Waiters 2, C. Bowden and M. Humphreys (equal) 3. Form Ilia.—Languages: L. Donaldson 1 (also Ist in mathematics and 2nd in' science), H Morgan 2 (also Ist in science), J. Lowery .3 (also 2nd in mathematics).. Mathematics: L. Donaldson 1, J. Lowery 2, E. Tarbotton 3. Science: D. Knox and L. Donaldson (equal) 2, M. J Bell and N. Bowden (equal) 3. Form lIIb. —Languages : E. Loach 1, M. Urquhart 2, M. Dixon 3. Mathematics: C. Argyle 1, M Knight 2, M. Dixon 3. Science: M: Dixon 1, M. Knight 2, E. Thomas 3.

Commercial Prizes

Form 111. —E. Loach : First shorthand, 2nd bookkeeping; M. Knight: 3rd shorthand, 4th bookkeeping; D. Upton : Ist bookkeeping ; C. Argyle : 2nd shorthand; A. Doak: 2nd bookkeeping. Form IV. —N. Hepburn : Ist bookkeeping;. C. Bowden : Ist shorthand; M. Staples: 2nd shorthand; N. Johnston : typewritiTig. '" Home Science Prizes. Form 111. —Cookery and laundrywork: Margaret McLauchlin.

Form IV-.—Cookery and laundrywork : Aline McClurg, Senior home science: A. Stevenson » Special' Prizes. '. Fifth Form general proficienej prize: D. Ruddock. I Upper , school special prize, for neatness in bookkeeping: Peggy "Miller. | Lower school special prize for neat- ! ness in bookkeeping: Marjorie Dixon. ! Progress in bookkeeping: Maude Maidens. Mr Revell's science notebook prizes:l Edna Humphreys and Phyllis Taylor. Special home science prize: ■.MayWilkinson. ■ -.•'", Form Illb.—General neatness: 13. Thomas. Form Ilia. —Proficiency: D., Upton. Form Ilia.—General neatness: Mavis Vesty. Form IV.—General neatness: Edna Hunter. • Mr Allan's special prizes.—Form I\Tagriculture: S. Gudsell; Form 111., N. Murdoch. , Form 111., dairy science: K. Thompson and A. Doak. ' • , Mr J. Tucker's prize for use made of the reference library: M. MoLeman. Headmaster's gold medal for speeclj competition: A. Dunlop. Errol Hood Memorial prize for penmanship: J. McMillan. Miss McKeage's prize for Sixth Form Girls' Debating Club: F. Clark.' . Stanley Berryman Memorial prize for essay: N. Lloyd. Hoge Memorial prize in mathematics: T. Bruriton. Fooks Memorial.iprizc: W. G. Morrison. \ Duxuof. school. 1 (Board; of? Governors' gold medal): T. Brunton.' Preparatory Classes. . Standard VI.—H. Hunter 1, G. Richards-" fi 2, : E.: McEachen ■•% Mrs^ • • Fooks's 'special prize for' writing: G. ) : Richards. Miss Beaumont's prize for general, proficiency : J. Orr. •■ L/Fooks 1, R. Camp*- 4 bell 2. , . -.Standard»t.'iil.^-"G.^rFloesbll 1, tAbi Taylor 2. Standard rll.—H Kennedy '1. v - . s Standard I.—B. Floesoll 1. ' ' Triraer 3. —A.,,. Meikleham 1, C. .- ChuK-K-2. •.'■:•' Primer 2.— J. ''Stevens 1, B. Wilkie2 •Primer I.—l. Wilkie 1, I. Camp-" bell 2.

<Sports Prizes. ,

r .. *Boys. „.. • - Boys.—Senior athletic championship cup, S. Shemeld and A. Cameron (equal); junior athletic championship cup, J. Robilliard; senior swimming championship cup, A. Dunlop- junior swimming championship, J. Robilliard'; i senior shooting championship, L. Tur- ' rier; junior shooting championship cup, !R. Barber; "Godley" Gup for shooting, jR. Clark; senior gymnastic championi ship, G. Morrison; junior gymnastic championship, N. Knight; cross-coun-try championship cup, .G. Morrison ; Fives championship cup, G. C. Bonnington; "Steward" Cup'for "grit," G. Arthur; ' tennis championship, G. C. Bonnington; athletic senior championship, S. Shemeld and A. Cameron (equal); runner-up, W. G. Morrison;, junior championship, J. Robilliard; runner-up, C. Houston; senior handicap events, A. R. Dunlop; junior handicap , events, R. Barber; senior mile, W. 6. Morrison; cross-country championship, W. G. Morrison; runner-up, .G. Ar- 1 thur. „ Swimming.— Senior, . championship cup, A. R. Dunlop; runner-up, L. B. Penny; junior championship., J. Rob-, illiard ;■ open events;' K. Arthur. ' Fives.--Senior Fives Clip, CO. Bon-' ,nington; junior championship, M. Knight; senior doubles, G. C. ' Bonnington. t..nd A. Dunlop; junior doubles, " l B. Ford and M. Knight; runner-up senior championship cup, E. Orr. Tennis.—Senior championship, G. iC. Bonnington; senior singles, G. G. Bonnington; senior doubles,* C. Anderson, G. Watters; junior singles, J. Orr. Shooting.—Senior championship cup, L. P. Turner; runner-up J. Robilliard; junior championship cup, R. Barber; runner-up, J. Tju-ell-Baxter. ' Gymnastics.— Senior championship, W. G. Morrison; runner-up, S. Shemeld; junior championship, M. Knight; runner-up, H. Knight: All-round proficiency in atheltics, N. Ibbotson. / Prepai'atory School. /' \ Athletics.—A. . "Watson; runner-up, B. >Yard. Swimming.—J. Orr. Fives championship.—B. Ward; han-.

Girta.

dicap singles, J. Orr. Girls:— Gymnastic champion, Alme , McClurg; runner-up, Flossie Clark. Tennis champion.—Nena Lloyd; run-ner-up, Rona Marshall. . Croquet champion.—Aline McClurg; runner-up, Ethel Stone.- " . Hockey seven-a-side.— VI. Form, captain/Nena Lloyd; Prince of Wales trophies, senior captain, Susie Hampton;, junior captain, Sadie Ruddock. Swimming champion.— Aline MoClurg; runner-up, Edna Humphreys. Points prize, Maisie Humphreys (^0 points). ■• After the 1 prize-giving, afternoon tea was served by the lady members of the staff and' the school girls to parents and friends. '„■ .■ ,; ■„ ..,,.,■ :