ST. MARY’S SCHOOL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 December 1924, Page 4

ST. MARY’S SCHOOL.

BREAKING-UP CEREMONY. AN EXCELLENT ENTERTAINMENT A high standard was reached by the children attending St. Mary’s. School in the entertainment given by them at the hall last evening to mark the ending of the school year. The building was crowded with parents and friends who’ thoroughly enjoyed the performance. the work reflecting great credit upon the teachers— Misses Clarke and Picken. The setting of the stage, and the lighting were very appropriate, while the pretty dresses' worn by the children added colour and interest to the performance. The singing of the choruses and the children who took the scjlos was hearty, and they kept well up to the time, while the acting in the playlet, “Winsome in Toyland,’' was natural and the spoken parts were well delivered. ■ During the interval the vicar (Rev. H. W. Monaghan) presented the following special prizes for Scripture and church history, given by the parishioners mentioned: Standard 6, Audrey Cuming (Mrs. A. S. 'Honks’ prize); standard 5, Joan Harley (Mrs. R. D. Welsh’s prize); standard 4, Daphne Goodwin (Mrs. C. J. Haw ken’s prize); standard 3, Marjorie Mbnaghan (Mrs. B. Lysaght’s prize) ; standard 2, Ray Badcock (Miss Qaplen’s prize); standard 1, Allan Monaghan (Mrs. Pease’s prize), Vivien Jones (Mrs. C. Goodson’s prize). Infant school (prizes presented by Miss Lysaght).—Primer 1, Madge Rarkes; primer 2, Ngaire Bevan; primer 3, Alison Duffill. Essay, on Bishop Selwyn (Miss Lysaght’s prizes).—Senior, Peggy Gilbert; junior, Monica Atkin. Mr. Monaghan then spoke of the work of the school, prefacing hie remarks by extending thanks to the teachers, on behalf of the .vestry and the people. Misses Clarke and Picken had, he continued, won the confidence of himself, the vestry, and the parents. The teachers had worked Very hard and had not spared their time, while they had also taken a keen interest in fostering the school sports. He thanked them for their efforts and for the spirit in which they had entered into the work. Finally he appealed to church people to support the school, a.nd he looked forward to the time when a. hew school could be built on their own property, and he hoped that it would become the leading girls’ school in Taranaki. Mr. W. Gilbert (vicar’s warden) speaking on behalf of the vestry, congratulated the teachers on the very good results obtained during the year. He had always been keen that the school should prosper, and he endorsed all that the vicar had said and appealed to the people to support the school. The programme submitted by the children, was introduced by a selection contributed by the orchestra, consisting of Mrs. Duffill (piano), Mrs. French and Miss King (violins) anti Mr. French (cello). Their playing was much appreciated, and they played with taste the music for the songs and dances given by -.he children. The first part of the programme was given by the infant classes, who, suitably dressed and accompanied by their dolls and other necessary toys, sang a number of ' nursery rhymes, the last (a bed-time song) proving most amusing. Rhythm exercises followed, and this portion of. thfe entertainment concluded with a Dutch dance, which had to be repeated. The second part of the programme was taken up with the musical playlet, “Winsome in Toyland,” a story of a child’s dream. The child has been kept in for many acts of disobedience. She falls asleep >and is transported to toyland with its happy scenes and numerous friends. The performance went with a good swing from start to finish, the children knowing their parts perfectly. The following were the characters: Winsome, Mary Bright; • Dame Trot, Daphne Goodwin; Fairy Queen, Marcia Sunderland; Santa Ohms, Audrey Cuming; Pierrot, Rita Ebbet; Pierrette, Joan Harley; Teddy Bear, Joan Whitehead; Golliwog, Marjorie Monaghan; Sailor, Peggy Gilbert; Sailor Lass, Doris Frampton; Dolly Varden, Joan Downey; Pages, Eileen Newberry and Gerald Monaghan; chorus, school children, dolls and maskers. lAfber the -performance all of the school children assembled on the stage and sang a Christmas carol, the entertainment concluding with the National Anthem. , Supper was dispensed and the happy gathering ended with farewells between children and teachers.