BALCLUTHA D.H. SCHOOL.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXVII, Issue 50, 20 December 1910, Page 5

BALCLUTHA D.H. SCHOOL.

BIHIAK-UP FUNCTION

, The annual break-up function and distribution of prizes in connection with the Balclutha District High I School took place in the Oddfellows' | Hall on Friday afternoon. The afternoon was beautifully fine, and there was a large attendance of parents and others interested, tho extended hall being well fdlcd from platform to entrance door, many parents comiog in from the country districts. The proceedings wore well arranged, and were carried out most successfully and enjoyably. The committee had secured tho. attendance of quite an array of speakers, and the short addresses delivered by each of them were appropriate to the occasion, and had a unanimous note of congratulation to the teachers on what is admitted to have been a most successful year's work. There had been no school concert this year, but parents and others in the town and district interested responded liberally to the direct appeal made for funds, and the result was a large collection of line books as prizes. Tho prize-giving was pleasantly interspersed with items by the children, all of which were exceedingly pleasing to the audience. The children of Standards I and II massed on the platform and sang a school song very prettily. They were followed in a similar itom by Standards 111 and IV, who also acquitted themselves well. Then Master Leonard Hensloigh, a lad of 10 or 11, took tho audience by storm in his singing of "Red Wing," and in response to a call that could not be denied, he sang a pretty little song entitled "Thora," and won for himself more applause. A selected number from Standards I and II contributed another musical' item, and the senior girls gave a very graceful demonstration in club oxerrises. The final item in this part of the programme was a fine display in physical drill with arms by the senior boys, led by Charlie Willocks. The children acquitted themselves in a manner at once creditable for them- j selves and their teachers.

Mr D. Watt, Chairman of School Committee, presided during the -afternoon, and conducted th? ptouoedings in a business-like mariner. His remarks were limited to one of pleasure at seeing so many present, and a welcome of other speakers. The prizes in , Standards 1 ami LI were presented by His Worship the Mayor (Mr John Dunne), who expressed pleasure at the appearance of the children ; those to Standard 111 by the Rev. Mr Currie who, while congratulating the prize-winners, gave a word of encouragement to those who had not been so fortunate—to win a prize was commendable, but it was not the main end, and by a humorous reference reminded them that many who never won a prize at school were the most successful in after life ; to Standard IV by the Rev. Mr Hosking, who struck a patriotic note, and by the illustration of the conception of the Crystal Palace from a leaf showed liow even in holiday time a boy or girl, by the exercise of his or her powers of observation might improve" themselves and achieve distinction and success in life ; to Standard V, by the Rev. Mr Woodhouse, who struck a note in the song by the boy Hensliegh, and carried his hearers back to a similar function he was at in England, where the time of the year was not the bright, leafy summer they had here, and where, though the children at the break-up appeared as happy and well-dressed as they were; here, yet there were mdddy lanes, and n the larger centres, where many of the children never saw a green blade of grass, outstanding evidences of poverty and privation. The gold medal to the dux in Standard VI was presented by Mr McKinlay, recently elected member of the Education Board, who, after an introductory word of thanks to the committee for inviting him, expressed the hope that though this was his first visit to Balclutha School it would not be his last, spoke briefly of the advantages of a District High School here, and the responsibilities of the people with regard to it, referred in flattering terms to the honourable position occupied by the school here as disclosed by results, and proceeded to speak with vigour and directnesb on the point of percentage of pupils in the infant classes in the various schools. In the Balclut'ha school he found that only 22 per cent of the pupils were in the infant department, whereas in other schools he found that the percentage was 25, 30, and in one case up to 50 per cent. In other words, half the children attending the school were in the infant department. This surely evidenced a weakness somewhere. In the Balclutha School not only was the percentage in the infant department low, but the number attending the school was pretty evenly distributed over all the standards, which was as it sih'ould be. A high percentage in the infant department indicated that the children were kept there too long, that they were not getting the attention they should get, and the result was that by 'the time they attained the Sixth Standard they were too old for the scholatship exams. To Miss Allan he paid a high tribute for the way in which she passed the infants through her department here. He did not know whether she kept a "cradle roll" or not, but she seemed to have a knack of getting the children to school as soon as possible, and passing them through her department to the standards without any delay. He was not an expert, and did not profess to be able to say what was the cause of the unduly high percentage in the infant department in some schools, but he was sure it denoted a weak spot somewhere. It was for their oflicials, of whom they heard so much, to find out what was wrong, and to have it remedied. The other prigeß in the Sixth Standard were presented by Mr 1). T. Fleming, another member of the Board, who, after speaking as one who had studied the reports to the excellent results of the years:' work hero, proceeded to speak of the benefits that accrued to education from the iutmost that parents in every district took in their schools and in the education of their childron, and from the close touch existing between parents, teachers, school committees, and Education Boards. The interest taken* by parents and people in their looal schools was a pleasing and valuable of thoir education" system,—and anything that tended to minimise that interest

mental.in its effects. ItVmld be a sorry day when anything was done to diminish the local interest in education, and knowing as they did o! influences for centralisation he spoke strongly for the people maintaining an ever increasing interest in their schools.

Mr Malcolm, M.P., presented the gold medal to- the dux of the school, and the other prizes in the secondary department. _ His remarks had an agreeable vein of humour at times. That large audience was evidence of the interest taken by the parents and others in the school here, and was., encouraging alike to teachers arid committee. The school occupied a high place, and he hoped the time was not/ far distant when they would- have not only a District High School, , but a fully-equipped High School. —(Applause.) In presenting the dux medal, he heartily congratulated Miss Jessie Smith on her proud' position us tr.c most distinguished pupil in the school. All the speakers made, flattering reference to the work of the school for the year, congratulated the teachers on their work, and wished Mr McElrea and his staff and th'e children a pleasant holiday term, In the course of a few remarks at the close, Mr McElrea, referring to what Air McKinlay had said, mentioned that while Miss Allan was entitled to her full share of credit tor what had been achieved in the infant department, yet Miss Gawn was also entitled to her share of praise, as were the other teachers in that department, who had all worked well together. Also, it would not have been possible to have such a low percentage in the infant department if he had not hail good, reliable, keen teachers higher up who did not hesitate to take a child front the infant department sometimes when it was a bit-on the weak side, and bring it up to the others. It was only by the loyalty of the whole stalf that good results could be got, and that loyalty and harmony he readily acknowledged. Mr Watt called for a vote of thanks to the various speakors; Mr MaUT/lm to the local ministers, who ronmictcd, the weekly Bible-class at the school ; Mr McElrea to those who had given prizes and otherwise assisted, parMrs J. S. Fleming, who had again judged the sewing work ; and, on the call »f Mr M Eir.lr.y three cheers were given to the stuff 1 . The prizes in the infant department were presented at the school in the forenoou ; and it may be mentioned that the local stores supplied several tins 6f lollies for the children. PRIZE LIST: SECONDARY DEPARTMENT. Senior Division.

Jessie Smith—Dux (Clubha Leader gold medal). Mary Willocks—lst Botany and Field Book, 2nd Arithmetic and Latin. Gladys Guy—lst Geometry, 2nd English, 2nd Navy League Essay. Aenid Fleming— Ist French, 2nd Geography. Fred Parker Geometry. Bruce Anderson^—lst Geography. Mary Willocks—Senior Composition (prize presented hy Rev. S. W. Currie)., Bruce Anderson Mental Arithmetic (prize presented by Mr 11. It. G rigor). Willie Currie—lst Navy League Essay. Charles Willocks-Field Book. Fred Latta —Cooduct. Intermediate Division. John D. Watt-lst English, Arithmetic, Latin, French, and Geometry. Beryl Steven—lst Algebra, 2nd Latin, French, Botany, and Field Book. Ngari Anderson Geography, 2nd English and Geometry. Norman Bell—2nd Algebra and Botany. Ernest Gilmour—2nd Arithmetic. Norman Yorstont— 2nd English (in two tests). Orzilla Bramo—Progress. Herbert Wilson—Progress. Hilda Treacy—Composition (prize presented by Rev. S. W. Currie). Ernest Gilmour—Mental Arithmetic (prize presented by Mr R. 11. Grigor). Attendance : First Class Ernest Gilmour, John D. Watt, Lima Nelson, Fergus Jack, May Johnston. Second Class—Edna Bishop. Junior Division. Dulcie Rosevearet—lst English, Latin, Algebra, Geometry ; 2nd Botany and Book-keeping. Fergus Jack—lst Geography and Book-keeping, 2nd Geometry. George Harvey—lst Botany, 2nd Latin and Algebra. Vieira Currie—2nd English and Geometry. May Johnston Arithmetic.

Hazel Wood-2nd French. Gerald Sinclnip-lst Arithmetic. j John Hay—Junior Arithmetic and Geometry. Sophie Appleby—Navy League Essay. William Bain'-lat Latin. Willie Keys—Composition. Lima Nelson—lst Field Book. Edna Bishop—2nd Field Book. Vieira Curric Mental Arithmetic (prize presented by Mr R. R. Grigor). Attendance : First Class*-John D. Watt, Ernest Gilmour, Fergus Jack, May Johnston, Lima Nelson. Second Class—Edna Bishop. PRIMARY DEPARTMENT. Standard VI. Proiicioncy Mary Hull and Homy Vozoy 1, Syhney Mitchell 3, Wm. Sawers 4, May Soper 5, Eric Mosley 6, Katie Dallas 7th, Margaret Johnston 8. Mental Arithmetic —Sydney Mitchell. Sewing Maisio Soper J, Mary Malcolm 2. Navy League—lvy Pennycook 1, Sydney Mitchell 2. Gardening, Wm. Sawers. Attendance : First Class Margaret MoK. Boyd, Grace E. Macfarlarie, Mary M. Hull, slsie M. Smith, Will liam J. McDonald, Sydney 0. Mitchell, Wiltiam J. Sawers. Sooond Class-Margaret H. Johnston. Mabel R. Hialop, Ivy; I. Pennycook, Margaret I. Woir. Spocial Prize—Attendance for oight years without a broak—Limtv NelHon. Standard V. Pronoienoy : Mavis Malcolm 3, Mono, Campbell 2, Ruby Lamb 3, Verona Junk 4, Reginald Henderson 5, Vida Hheddnn 0, Wm. Wybor 7. Mental Arithmetic, Frod Ludlow. Sowlnjf—Mona Campbell 1, Vorona Jack 2. Qemtonlnjf-'W. Wybor 1, J. Fuhoy 2, Lance Harvle 2, Attendance : First Olafiß Albert, \V. HuU. and Horary Voßoy I, Sydney Mitdon, Willtam Adams.

Elrea 1, V. Blaikio 2, G. Aitken 3, G. McCurdy 4, D. Coghill 5, A. Hansen 6, D. Nelson 7. Sewing—M. Watt 1, 1). Coghill 2. Best kept Home Work Exorcise Boolt—Daphne Coghill. Attendance : First Class—Cecil Brame, "Victor Bluikie, Horace Hull, Gordon McCurdy, Douglas Nelson, David Weir, Jessie Braithwaite, Daphne Coghill, Myrtle Poulter. Second Class—lvan Bain, Hugh Ludlow, Maggie Sawors, Eveline McElrea.

Standard lll.—Proficiency—C. Stenhouse I, M. Bishop 2, 0. Blaikie 3, B. Sheddan 4, E. McElrea 5, V. Bishop 6, M. Gaudin 7. Sewing—B. McKenzie 1, M, Campbell 2. Best kept; Home Work Exerciso Book May Bishop. Attendance : First Class Harold Henderson, Olive Blaikie, Eileen McElrea, Cora Stenhouse. Sec-., ond Class'—Woodward Jonos, John McFarlane, Harold Mitchell, James Smith, Vida Bishop, .May Bishop, Muriel Coghill.

h Standard I'L—Proficiency Jessie Johnston 1, Angus McKenzie 2, Christina Bain 3, Joan Stenhouse 4, Jean Noble 5, Cyril Plato C, Andrew Aitken 7, Kathleen McFeeters 8. Prize for most progrcs, Ist last quarter—Christina Stirling. Sewing—ivy Wright 1, Margaret Barclay 2. Attendance: First Classr-Elbert Mitchell, Verdom Mooney, Cecil Nelson, Ruth Hull, Mary Smith. Second Classr-Angus McKenzie, .lean Stenhouse, Kathleen McFeeters, Christina Bain. Standard 1. Attendance: First CI ass—James Bain, Joseph Clark, John Finn, James Hurring, Onnorid Low, Victor Nelson, John Wood, Violet Capstick, Margaret Gillespie, Doris! McCurdy, Ada McElrea. Second Class —Charles Braithwaite, Alfred Dowall, Alan McDonald, Agnes Bain, Ruby Brame, Grace Capstick, Kathio Stewart, Rita Thomson,-Grace Weir. Pro-ficiency-rDoris McCurdy ], Ethel Hislop 2, Ada McElrea 3, Ruby Brame and Alan Noble 4, Pearl Gillespie 6, Chas. Braithwaite 7. Sewing—Ruby Brown 1, Maud Hurring 2. Conduct Prizes (given by Miss Gawh)— Doris McCurdy, Elsie Murray, Gracie Weir, Margaret Jones, Maud Hurring, Ruby Brame, Gordon Power, Alan Noble, James Hurring, Rita- Thomson. P. Classes. Attendance : First Clasfir—Robert Mills, Kelvin Coghill, James Craig, Frances Blaikie, Elya Holgate, Mabel Gillespie, Margaret Mills, Gwen Smith, Julia McFarlane,; Cath. Clark, Maude Hull. Second Classl—Stewart Algie (4 half days), lan Malcolm (half day), Norman Hislop (half day). Seaton Mills (4 half days), Clara Fletcher (4 half days), Margaret MeKenzic (half day), ICvelyn Smith (2 hlalf days). P. IV. Proficiency Lena McFarlane 1, Mary "Grigor 2, Hugh Bower and Eric Gander 3, Thirza Brame 4, Margaret McKenzie 5, lan Malcolm (>, Recitation—E. Smith. Writing —W, Battrick. Sewing—Alice Miller. I*.lll. Proficiency Gwen Smith 1, Cyril Ramuge 2, Mabel Gillespie 3, Violet Hansen 4. Recitation and reading Flora Fleming. Writing—Rua .Morgan. P.I I. Proficiency Annie Paterson 1, Fiances Blaikie 2, Allan Johnson 3, James Craig and Stewart Algie (equal) 4. Recitation—Alma Mitchell and Alex Ramsay. Progress—Maurice Lattimorc.

P.l. Proficiency Evelyn MeFeeters ], Olive McDiar'mid 2, Eva Fletcher 3, Lindsay Stewart 4. Good Conduct—Hric Gauden, and Margaret' McKcnzic. PREVIOUS DUXES. Secondary Department 1899—Agnes Kerr. 1900-Bertio Shepherd, Nellie Blaokie. 1901—ls-lay McLean., 1902—Agnes Kinder. 1903-Ada Willocks. 1904—Phoebe Garry. 1905—Hazel Currie. 1906-Kathie Currie. 1907—Alex. Mosley. 1908-Walter Brown. 1909—Alex. T. Johnston. 1910—Jessie Smith. Primary Department. 1899—Florence McDonald. I'JOO—lnn Ramage, Hazel Currie. 1901—Chas. Clark. 1902—Irene Nelson. 1903—Victor Lattiimore. 190-I—Bella Clark. ] 9()6|— Lindsay Inglis. 1906-Maud McKay. 1907—John Watt. 1908-Una JefTeris. 1909-Fergus Jack. 1910—Mary Hull and Harry Vozey.