School Vacations.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 98, 23 December 1904, Page 5

School Vacations.

V + ; TOKOMAIRIRO HIGH SCHOOL. s There was a very large attendance of pai ' ents and friends at the Coronation Hall yes 1 terday afternoon, on the occasion of the breal ing-up ceremony in connection with Tokoraa ? riro District High School. Mr Wm. Moor (chairman of School Commitee) presided Apologies were received for the absence of M j Jas. Allen, M.H.R., and Mr Peter Haggart. Prior to the distribution of prizes the follow ' ing programme was gone through, thechildrei acquitting themselves very creditably, their el ' forts meeting with due appreciation from til public: — Physical exercises, Infants; song ' *'• Fisher Boy," Pupils of Standards 11. urn 111. ; recitation, " Our girls and boys," pu pils of Infant RotfTN^jsong, " Good-night,' Infants; song, "The auld noose," Girls o Upper School ; recitation, " Pride of Batter) B," Miss Gertrude Caldwell ; action song " Blacksmith," Infants ; song, " Glide along,' Standards 11. and 111. ; recitation, " An or . der for a picture," Miss Lizzie M'Corkindale song, " Our new song," Upper School ; reci tation, /Child's first grief," Miss Nettie Wil son ;'' action song, " Birds' Nest," Infants.. The Chairman culled upon Rev. Mr Millei to present the gold medal to the dux of the school — Sidney Arthur. In doing so the Rev Mr Miller congratulated the recipient on tht high position he had attained. He was pleasec that it was a boy who had secured dux for the year. They could never buikl higher thai: their pi ins, and it was a good thing to have a high ideal. Throughout lifj they should evoi have an upward look, lit: referred to men as being the greatest ideals of God's creation. He impressed upon the children that it should be their aim to reach the top in all things, and use their powers to the be:U of their ability. Tfie Chairman then presented a fountain pen to the next scholar to the dvx — Amelia We>t Mr Jas. Reid, rector,- by way of explanation, said thai ihe committee had decided not to give any prizes this year,, but he had received two prizes from Mr J. Ailen ? M.H.R., and from other donors sufficient to provide first prizes, while, through the kindness of Mrs Moore he had that clay received sufficient books to present second piizes to each class. — (Applause). The various prizes were then distributed us follows : — Dux of School (gold medal, presented by Mr Peter Haggart)— Sydney Arthur (1502 marks). Next to Dux (fountain pen, presented by Mr Jas. Allen, M.H.R.)— Amelia West (1501 marks). Standard VI. (hand-bag, presented by Mr Tas. Allen, M.H.R.) ~ Queen ie M'Faul I, Alice Dodds 2. Standard V. — Charles Bruce I, Kllen Ferguson 2. Standard IV. — Thomas Bewley 1. Annie Shutt 2. Standard 111. — Margaret Nissen 1, Annie M'Faul 2. Standard ll.— Elizabeth Tweedie 1, Herbert Hitchon 2. Standard I. — Lily Robertson 1, Christina M'Laren and Winifred Scudamore (equal) 2. Good Attendance Certificates. — First Cla>s (for pupils who have not missed once during the year) : Robert Bowie, Stanley Powley, Robert Currie, Stanley Treeweek, Helena Coovnbe, Katie Ross, Mabel Hamilton, Alexander Currie, George Ross, Lily Robertson, Julia Harker, Annie M'Kinnon, Margaret Harker. Second Class : Margaret Flahivc, Robert Ferguson, John liollick, Robert M'Kechnie, Jas. Flahive, Winnie Miller, Christina M'Laren, Willie Agnew. Special Prize (presented by Mr Melrose, senr., in memory of his grandchild, for good behavior) — Horton Hitchon. Two Special Prizes for Sewing — Forrest M'Laren I, Chriscina Cowie 2. After the distribution the Rev. Mr Small i delivered a short speech expressive of his pleasure at seeing such a large gathering of the public. He hoped the children would have a peasant holiday, and come back refreshed and strengthened and eager to secure the prizes next year. Mr Reid then announced that Miss Macgregor, who has been connected with the staff of the school for a considerable number of years, had that day handed in her resignation. He was sorry of this step for several reasons ; she understood children's ways, and was thoroughly interested in them ; and it had been a pleasure to him to notice the relations existing between her and her class. She was possessed of a strong individuality of her own, which made itself felt, and she could manage a class with ease and comfort. She had a strong sense of justice, and would leave nothing undone to secure justice for every child. lie was sorry to part with her, and he hoped the new chapter in her life's history would be a pleasant one. Mr Hall moved a hearty vote of thanks to the staff, and Rev. Mr Miller proposed a similar compliment to the school committee, both being carried by acclamation. The proceedings were brought to a close by . the pupils in the Upper School singing " Hail, smiling morn." The friends then paid a visit to the assembly room, where the handiwork of the children was on exhibition.