MACANDREW ROAD SCHOOL

Evening Star, Issue 16087, 12 April 1916, Page 4

MACANDREW ROAD SCHOOL

As soon as tho morning lessons were over to-day the scholars, to tho number of 550 or more, were, mustered in tho playground by Mr G. W. C. Macdonald, the head master, to witness the presentation of tho prizes won by the school’s representatives at the athletic sports on Saturday. The ceremony was short but adequate. Members of the committee present were Messrs G. ]?. Bewlcy (chairman), V. Braithwaite, and W. Wright. Mr Bcwley stated the object of the meeting and congratulated the boys and girls on the splendid performance they put up in -winning the champion shield for the second time in succession. It was decidedly a credit to the school, and also to the teachers, particularly to Mr Arthur Alloo, who had spent a lot of time in training the boys. There was no reason, Mr Bewley added, why the Macandrcw Road School should nut win again next year, but to do this the candidates would have to rain hard. Mr Bewley also spoke in terms of praise of the school's marching at tho sports. Mr Jas. Brown, attending as a past president of the Caledonian Society, said that it was a great pleasure to Mr M‘Leod (the president of the society) and himself to attend, and present the prizes. These prizes were different from the ordinary school prizes, in that they were prizes for physical effort. Our British nation loved to excel in manly sports. It was important. to train the body as well ns the mind. The ancient Romans believed in this combination of mind and body training, and they became the creators of a mighty empire. But a sound mind in a sound body was hardly enough. The Germans recognised the value of both the<e qualities. They had probably reached a higher stage of mental culture than any other nation in tho world, and their military physical training was as near perfection as could be, but, these qualities needed to bo in conjunction with, high moral qualities, and for want of these moral qualities—chivalry and so forth—the Germans had fallen very low. Wo British must ever strive to cultivate high mental qualities and not neglect physical training, and wo must nevgr forget to cultivate in our young people those manly qualities that would carry them well through life. Tho manly boy was the boy without any contemptible weaknesses. By twinging up hoys in tiiat way we should build up a nation that no Ge mans could subjugate. Sound limbs, stout hearts, and brave spirits would mean more for the maintaining of the traditions of our British Empire than anything else could. Mr W. H. M‘Lcud congratulated the school on its success, and exhorted the older children to keep in touch with the sports after leaving school, and lie then presented the prize's. The individual winners were : E. Ashby, first in long jump: W. Cunningham, first in 120 yards under 15; D. White, first in 75 yards under 12 and first in 100 yards under 12 ; L. Brown, second in 250 yards under 15. The chnmyiou shield ' was handed over to the head master. Mr Macdonald said that the school team were not quite sure this year, indeed they •were not sure at all, and did not think they had a show for the shield, but they went in to do their best, and won. That was the lesson: to go in and do one’s best, then it did not matter whether tho result was a win or not. Three cheers after the British fashion were given by the youngsters for the Caledonian Society and three for the chairman, and the school was then dismissed for the dav.