SCHOOL CARNIVALS.

Evening Star, Issue 20263, 26 August 1929, Page 3

SCHOOL CARNIVALS.

TO THE EDITOR. ; Sir, —‘f Concerned ” is to bo commended for bringing before the public the great harm, that can be done to the character and future lives of the school children by organising carnivals whose main iattractions are an art union and gambling, and expecting these same children to take part in their affairs, i doubt if the head masters and teachers are to blame. One cannot imagine, that these people, whoso main object in life is supposed to bo the building up of character and moulding the young life, could be the prime movers in these functions. Evidently the Education Board is well advised in restricting the powers of school committees, who in some cases seem to have no sense of .responsibility of their own. , The fact that these school carnivals are mainly organised by parents does not reflect greatly to their credit, and explains what is lacking in many young people of to-day.—l am, etc.,

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —We wish to correct a statement appearing in to-mght’s issue that children have been allowed to sell art union tickets. The only tickets on sale by children arc queen tickets, each ticket representing a vote. The statement complained of is an unmerited reflection on the School Committee, the head master, and the teaching staff.— We are, etc., T. H. Brown (Chairman of Committee). J. Reid (Secretary). Geo. T. Palmer, Head Master. August 24.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I think that the Council of Christian Churches should first of all set its .own house in order before interfering with any other organisation. How do the churches get a certain amount of their revenue?' Is it not by bazaars, carnivals, and fairs, and anybody who has attended , these shows knows that their method of raising money is about on a par with that adopted by the Cavorsham School Carnival Committee. Let me point out first that the children were not asked to sell art union tickets, and none were issued to them ; secondly, that admission could bo obtained by the payment in cash ; thirdly , that the competition in connection with the queens has not, 1 believe, interfered with their school work. As fo making the children “cheeky,” 1 think that the children of Caversliam School will compare with those of any other school in regard to behaviour. * What constitutes skill and what is chance is hard to determine; hut might I point out to onr Christian friends that similar games were employed at the Caversham Presbyterian Carnival in the same building last year? As to the queen carnival, have not some of pur churches in the past used this moans to raise money? Do they not also endeavour to obtain good singers for some of their services, also for raising funds? 1 believe the school committee has to raise over £3OO a year to meet the expenses of the school, and I think that it has to he complimented on the splendid work that it has done, and on the success of _ the splendid entertainment it has provided, which has received the hearty support of the people of the district, combined with that of the 'children. If the Council of Christian Churches will, devise a scheme for the committee for the raising of funds without having to use the methods to which it objects, T feel sure the'committee would he only too pleased to adopt it. 1 think that someone has developed a grouch against the committee, and lias used his position on the Council of Christian Churches for his own end. —l am, etc., Resident. August 24.