SCHOOL BREAKS-UP

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 December 1935, Page 5

SCHOOL BREAKS-UP

GREY TECHNICAL SCHOOL. SPEECHES AND PRIZE LIST. At (lie annual break-up ceremony of the Greymouth Technical High School held in the quadrangle yesterday afternoon, Mr T. E. Coates (Chairman of the Board of Governors) presided. Also present (were the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr and Mrs W. Meldrum, members of the staff, parents, pupils of the school, and Mr B. M. Davis, a former member of the staff, now of Auckland.

Opening the ceremony, Mr Coates made an appeal to all who would be leaving school this year, to continue a lively interest in their school. It was mainly due, he said, to the lack of interest shown by old pupils of the school, that the school magazine was not being printed this year. This was most regrettable, he said, and he trusted that a renewal of interest among old pupils, and the contribution of a. small sum annually from each, would mean that this would he the last year, in which no register would be printed. On behalf of the Board, he thanked the Principal and staff for the splendid work done this year. He also wished to voice very great regret that one member, Mrs Dickson, had elected to leave the staff. They realised there could not have been a better choice for the new post she was taking, but her departure from the staff, where she had done most valuable work was regretted. Concluding, Mr Coates congratulated the teachers and pupils on the splendid results of examinations already to hand, and trusted that the results to come would be just as pleasing. To those who were leaving this year, he wished every success, and those coming back to school, he trusted would have a happy holiday. (Applause). The Mayor congratulated the prize winners on their success, which he said, showed they had diligently applied themselves to what had been expounded "to them by the teachers. If they applied themselves with the same diligence and concentration when they left school and went to work, they would undoubtedly make a mark in the world. To those who had not won prizes, he would say to persevere with hard work. School was only a training ground for the battle of life, and if they worked with application and enthusiasm at school, and continued to work that way in life they would have no cause for fear. There were two things of importance, he wished to tell them. First, they must choose or have chosen for thein, the right occupation in life, .for they would get on best in their life’s work, if they had a sense of success, and that could only be experienced when they were doing something they liked. Secondly, they must not work too hard, but apply themselves quietly and steadily to their work. He urged the students to aim high—“ Hitch your wagon to a star”—and then apply themselves steadily to the realisation of their goal. They might feel discouraged when obstacles confronted them, hut they should just do their best and not worry. Nothing would obstruct them, if they had a strong will. They must appreciate that one of the greatest pleasures in life was getting over obstacles —breaking them down, and in meeting difficulties they should remember the old proverb, “Great minds have great wills; others have only wishes.”

Continuing, tho Mayor urged the students to take an interest in elocution —the art of speaking. The English language was a really great inheritance, and it was their duty to help keep it pure and undefiled. They should learn to think and speak, when on their.fe-et, to study the language and to make the best use of it. To assist them, he would recommend I above all books, if only for its literary ’value, the old version of the English Bible, which in tire words of Chaucer, was “the pure well of English undefiled.” From a study of that book they would learn to say exactly what they wanted to say, in the simplest and most expressive terms. He could commend, in this respect, no better book than the old English Bible. Concluding, Mr. Meldrum wished all a happy holiday ,and thoes who were going out into the world, every success, reminding them that success depended more upon themselves than on anything else. (Applause).

PRIZE LIST. Mrs. McLaren, wife of the Principal, preesnted the prizes as follow: — The James Hutton Dux Medal, Betty Tucker; runner-up, J. Baddeley. Mr. Coates’ Special Prize, general excellence in and out of school, May Williams. Dr. Mcßrearty’s Prize, best in Free Place Forms, Barbara McDougall. Best in Form V.b., P. Hambleton. Best in Form IV., Janet Jermyn. Best in Form HI., D. Tucker. Best Commercial Students (equal), K. Coakley and D. Thomson. Most Improved Commercial Student, Eileen Hill. Best in Commercial Second Year (equal), June Price and Meta Girvin. Best in Commercial First Year, G. Emmerson. Best in Practical Work (Engineering), J- McFadyen. Best in Engineering, second year, W. Hill. Best in Engineering, first year, D. Stewart. Best in Woodwork Trades, J. McLennan. Best in Woodwork Trades, first year, N. Harris. Best in Housecraft, Eileen Clancy. Best in Dressmaking Classes (equal), Mary Garde and Famie Harvey). Drawing and Lettering Prizes: Drawing. E. Newton; Lettering, Joyce Bennie. Most improved pupil in English in Form Engineering 1, D. Hewison. Best in Social Activities, R. Watson. Home Science: Best pupil in class, Edie Topp; Progress Prize, Betty Vincent. Athletic Championships: Senior Boy, C. Hector; Senior Girl, Morvern Cornish; Junior Boy, H. Gilmore; Junior Girl, Lena Bruhn. Tribal Cups, Takitimu. Old Student’s Cup (best all-round sport), Dorothy Lindsay. Annual Saw Sharpening and Tool Management Competition. —First prize, Panel Saw, W. Airey; second prize, set of chisels, S. Morrison; third prize, claw hammer, J. Scorgie. William Robert Friar Memorial Prize (N.Z. Defence Forces): Best Cadet in Area 9 (B), F. Denton. The Chairman welcomed Mr. B. M. Davis, who, in reply, expressed pleasure’ at being present, and at. being able to meet so many old acquaintances. ’ Mr. A. A. Adams, on behalf of the Board of Governors, thanked the visitors for their presence; also Mrs. McLaren for presenting the prizes. He thanked the Mayor and Mayoress for the interest they had shown in the

school. He also expressed thanks to the Chairman for his attendance. Mr. Coates’ life was in the school, and he felt the school had no better friend than the Chairman. (Applause). Miss Nancy Black and F. Denton, prefects, also thanked the visitors and members of the Board for their attendance, and the staff for their enthusiasm during the year, and extended to all the season’s greetings and best wishes for a happy holiday. During the afternoon songs were contributed by tho girls’ choir, and a recitation by Nancy McKane. Three hearty cheers for those who assisted, and the singing of the National Anthem, concluded the gath ering. PRESENTATIONS. Mrs A. C. Dickson, who has resigned from the staff of the School, to take a position in Suva, in addition to presentations from the staff and students, also received a crystal powder bowl from the pupils of Form VI, and a vase from the Junior Girls’ Bible Class, of Holy Trinity Church. Joy Dickson, (Laughter of Mrs Dickson, received a handbag from her fellow-pupils, at a farewell social. GREYMOUTH CONVENT In the examinations which recently were conducted, in connection with the Public Service, for stenographers, the following candidates entered by. the Greymouth Convent Schools were successful: — Senior Grade: Doreen Mary Galbraith, Kathleen Amy Close, Mary Aileen Weir, Margaret Winifred Moore. Junior Grade: Teresa Claire Bellamy, 'Delia Southern, Dolores Callan.

RUNANGA STATE SCHOOL. PICNIC AND PRIZE LIST. Although the State School does not break up for the Christmas holidays until next week, the annual outing at the beach was held yesterday, and there were over 200 children .present. The picnic was organised by the teachers under Mr J. A. McLeod (Headmaster), and an enjoyable afternoon in running sports and swimming was spent. There were a number of parents present. Ideal swimming was to be had in the Seven Mile Creek, and prizes were awarded for the athletic events. The children were treated to soft drinks, ice cream, fruit, sweets, peanuts etc., and an extra ration of fruit constituted the prizes in the competitions. The children walked to the beach but the younger classes were transported home. Mr A. Farquhar obliged by transporting the eatables to the beach, and Mr W. Rankin provided cans for the transport of water. The results of the games were: —

Infants’ events: Boys—R. Masters and F. Thompson, equal, 1. Girls: D. Musgrove 1, H. Scotj, 2. Girls’ events. —Girls’ Championship: Marjory Jones 1, Jean Gloss 2. Si. ': "■■. :-n 1. M. Armstrong 2. St. Li: J. Wright 1, J. Welch 2. Std. HI: J. Maskill 1, B. Gillaly 2. Std IV: E. Jones 1, M. Gallon 2. Std: V: M. Jones 1, D. Kennedy 2. Std. VI: J. Gloss 1. B. Johnston 2. Boys’ events: Std. J, 50 yards: J. Finn 1. R. Forrest 2.

’ Novelty event: J. Pinn and R. Forrest 1. Std. II: L. Forrest 1. R. Wright 2. Novelty event: J. Hillhouse and R. Pinn IStd. HI, 75 yards: H. McGregor 1, G. Lee 2. Novelty event: W. McTaggart and H. McGregor 1. Std. IV, 75 yards: R. Quate 1, W. Kroening 2. Novelty event: J. Higson and J. Forrest 1. Std. V, 100 yds: C. Mundy 1, T. Walker 2. Novelty event: Fenton Kaye and Cliff Mundy 1. Std. VI, 100 yards: L. Duggan 1, L. Greening and R. Maskill, equal 2. Novelty event: M. Hillhouse and L. Duggan 1. The honours list, as follows, was announced, yesterday:— Form 2, boys: Lenin Duggan, Dux, I. Thomas Greening 2. Eric Reynolds Girls: Betty Johnson, Dux, 1, Gladys Hector 2, Shirley Braithwaite 3. Form 1, boys: Clifford Mundy 1, William Simpson 2, Keith Smith 3. Girls: Edith Kirby 1, Jean [Sherwood 2, Joan Armstrong 3. Std. IV: Boys: John Forrest 1, Clifford Shackley 2, Alan McEwan 3. Girls: Jessie Bell 1, Heather Hewison 2, Eileen Jones 3.

Std. HI, boys: Ray Moore 1, Richard Armstrong 2, Geoffrey Lee 3. Girls: Freda Baxendale 1, Nancy Teasdale 2, Adelaide Williamson 3. Std. 11: Boys: James Millhouse 1, Robert Wright 2, Ross Finn 3. Girls: Joy Manderson 1, Jean Wright and Molly Wootton, equal, 2. Std. I: Boys: Ronald D. Wright 1, Cecil Greening 2, George Dalzell 3. Girls: Mary Gillaly 1, Noeleen Newton 2, Alice lligson 3, P. 4, Boys: lan McLeod 1, George Swan 2, John Flood 3. Girls: Nancy Williams 1, Noeleen Scott 2, May Bell 3. I’.::, Girls: Audrey Ward 1, Merle McEwan 2, Norma Spark 3. 1’.2, Boys: Tui Bannister 1, Harry Hodgson 2, Richard Higson 3. Girls; Joy Dale 1, Betty Richmond 2, Betty Armstrong 3. P.l, Boys: Leonard Kendrick 1, Douglas Amor 2, William Dutton 3. Girls: Elva Wright 1, Mary Baty 2. The annual break-up concert will be held at the school next Wednesday afternoon. i MATRICULATION EXAMS. PAPERS TOO SEVERE ? [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] INVERCARGILL, December 13. Complaints regarding some of the papers set in the recent matriculation examination were referred to .Dr. G. H. Uttley (Rector of Southland Boys’ High School) and Miss A. Eastwood (Lady Principal of the Girls’ High School), who expressed general agreement with the criticism, which, in certain respects, was stated to be quite justified.

Referring to the English paper, Dr. Uttley said that some of the questions set in the paper would have caused graduates considerable difficulty. The actual framing of one question was faulty, and in itself demanded too much of a secondary school pupil. Dr. Uttley referred to questions in the Algebra paper, which ha considered, should not have been set, and he quoted Question Four of the Geography Paper as follows: — “Give account of four of the most important generating stations for electricity in New Zealand; showing their locality upon a sketch map. Compare the methods of generation employed with those in use in England, explaining any differences that may exist.” Dr. Uttley said the first part of the question was quite reasonable, but he asked why incorporate the second half in a geography paper. RESIGNING TO MARRY DUNEDIN, December 13. “Six of seven women teachers resigning from their positions are to be married at the end of the year,” said the chairman (Mr. Wallace) at a meeting of the Education Board. “It is a good sign,” he added. “A sign of returning prosperity,” remarked a member.