ST. JOHN'S KINDERGARTEN.

Evening Star, Issue 12067, 12 December 1903, Page 2

ST. JOHN'S KINDERGARTEN.

There was a, large gathering of parents of the pupils and friends at St. "John's Schoolrrtoin. Roslyn, last evening, on the occasion of the breaking up of the kindergarten and preparatory school conducted by Miss Gillies with the assistance of Miss Johnson. At one end of the hall were displayed a number of specimens of kindergarten* work done by the children, and these showed that, in paper-work especially, some of them had attained to a decree of excellence hardly to be expected, considering the immature age of the operators. Before the prize-giving, a varied programme, including action songs, calisthenics, a children's plav entitled 'Santa Clans,' and a pianoforte solo by a little toddler of not more than sis summers were yen' creditably rendered by the Misses Coila Kerr," Sylvia Mayne, Gwendolen Wright, Agnes Crawford, Arita Walker, Bubbles Iznrd, Peggie Miller, Florence Stnrtevant, Rita Gillies. Elfie Mayne, and Doris Balk, and Masters P-onnie Wricrht, Charles Stronach, and Stuart Glendining. The items illustrated the system of teaching adopted in the sr-hnol, and served to show how well the children had b°en trained, and reflected the highest credit on their teachers. The Rev. Canon Mayne, before distributing the prizes, thanked both the teachers and the performers for the very enjoyable entertainment they had given. He" was snre all those present were much interested in what they had seen and heard. ITe said that parents in that district were particularly fortunate in having a kindergarten established in Roslyn, which supplied a long-felt want in the locality. He was sure that it was much better for the children to be taught together than by governesses in their separate homes, as by bringing them into contact with other children in their studies emulation was encouraged. The kindergarten system encouraged not only emulation, but also imitation, which was a very strong faculty in the young, and by its means they acquired useful knowledge without actually becoming aware that they were doing so. On behalf of the parents, lie thanked Misses Gillies and Johnson for the cood work they had done, and expressed the hope that during the coming year parents would second their efforts by largely patronising the school. He then distributed the prizes as follows: Standard ll.—Sewing and drawing, Peircrie Miller: singing" and arithmetic' Rita Gillies, Standard I.—Arithmetic, Agnes Crawford : music, Agnes Crawford; mental arithmetic, _ Florence. Stnrtevant; brushwork painting, Elfie Mayne; reading and recitation, Elfie Mayne. , Preparatory Class.—Arithmetic, Charlie Stronach; kindergarten work, Guy Coventry ; writing, Coila Kerr; reading," Bubbles Tzard; spelling, Arita Walker: drawing, Donnie Wricrht; recitation, Gwendolen Wright; conduct prize, Donnie Wright. Each of the kindergarten children was presented with a bonk. Prizes were contributed by Mrs Miller and Miss Johnson and Mrs Balk (sweets).