END OF SCHOOL YEAR

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 143, 14 December 1933, Page 23

END OF SCHOOL YEAR

SCOTS COLLEGE

PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY

The annual presentation of study and *povts prizes wou during the year by pupils of Scots College took place in the college gymnasium last night in the presence of a large number of 'parents and .friends of tlie boys. . ; After. ."The Doxology" and- an opening prayer, Mr. A. P. Smith,' who presided, .gave a'review of the activities of the college and its associated bodies during the ■year, and congratulated the college on its continued progress. The college was not dominated by desires to make examinations the chief object, but gave each boy the kind of education necessary fov bis full development. The individuality of the boys was respected, and they >vere not pressed all into the same mould, as was often done. Mr. Smith welcomed back the principal (Mr.! J. R. SutcliHe); who bad recently been, indisposed, and expressed appreciation of the work done by the college staff under the leadership of Mr. Francis, the senior master, during his absence. Thanks were extended by Mr. Smith to all" who had assisted the college during the year. The principal address was given by the Hon. W. Ddwiiie Stewart, M.1?., who was greeted with great applruiso. He congratulated the school on its year's progress, as revealed in the very satisfactory report of the principal, and he. also congratulated the prize-winners and all those who, though they did not appear in the prize list, had worked industriously throughout the year. Mr. Stewart's advice to tho9o leaving college is published under a separate heading. , , , -.rThe prizes were presented by Miss Downie Stewart, after which a vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. P. C, Watty the Benediction pronounced 'by the Rev. Dr. Gibb, and the National Anthem concluded the proceedings. During the evening several enjoyable choral items were given by the boys. PRINCIPAL'S REPORT. The principal (Mr. J. E. Sutcliffe), in his report, said that the.roll number at the beginning of the year sshowed a small increase on last year's, and this increase, in spite of several withdrawals during the year, had been maintained. There were fewer day pupils, but the number of boarders had increased. During the last four years there had been'a. small but steady advance in their 'numbers," and he thought all would agree that, remembering the conditions which bad obtained through these years, tjris was evidence of loyal support and satisfaction with the school's aims and training. In'the depart-mental-examinations held last month, 11 boys were entered'for the proficiency test and nine were -successful; 13 had recently* been taking the university entrance ex-, amination, and thoge who had completed the full course should have a reasonable chance of success. The health of the boys had been uniformly good during the major portion of the year, but .in the third term various complaints which had been prevalent'in Wellington had made theu; presence felt. In his report on the.health of the boarders the school medical officer, Dr. Hogg, stated there had been comparatively speaking little illness and the boys had shown a steady and satisfactory increase in height, weight, and chest measurement. ■..''" Mr. Sutcliffe gave a comprehensive review of events in the school year, dealing with sporting and-' other activities: and giving parents a good" insight of the work done. He paid tribute to members ot the staff and to the head prefect, J. TV. Bremner, and the dux, J. W. K. Raine. Mr. Sutcliffe also dealt with educational aims and objects. His'remarks in _ this connection appear under a separate heading.