TAWHITI SCHOOL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 20 December 1924, Page 7

TAWHITI SCHOOL.

DIXON BANNER- PRESENTED

AT BREAKING-UP FUNCTION

The breaking up ceremony at the Tawhiti School this year was of -inore than usual interest - in - view .of the fact that combined with it was the official presentation of the Dixon Banner, won by the Tawhiti School at the recent South Taranaki primary schools sports. The ceremony took place at the school at 2.30 p.m. yesterday. and a. number of parents and friends attended. Amongst the visitors were Mr. F. Purser (chairman of the Dixon Banner Committee) and Mr. J. Campbell (secretary), Mr. A. Gray (principal of the Hawera Technical High School), Mr. E. Dixon (donor of the banner), and Air. J. R. Corrigan (member for the district). At the outset the headmaster (Mr. Jackson) .introduced the above-named visitors, and at the same time extended to them a hearty welcome. Then followed the speeches. Mr. Purser referred to the banner being won four years ago by the Mami'ia Convent, the two following years by the Hawera School, and this year by Tawhiti. Proceeding, Air. Purser said that the sports committee were very pleased indeed to think that a small school such as Tawhiti could win the banner against a large school such as Hawera. Unfortunately, the weather on the day of the sports was very wet, but the dampness did not dampen the ardour of the competitors, especially that of the Tawhiti children. Continuing, Air. Purser quoted the points won. by the various schools competing for the banner, and pointed out with satisfaction that competition had been keen, there only being two points difference between Tawhiti’s total and that of the Hawera A team. He was id so very pleased to see that another small school had won the other trophy—the Bennett and Sutton Cup. open for competition, amongst with a roll number of not more than 150. Afatapu had been the successful school in the cup competition; their team running up the creditable number of 8 points. Afanaia Convent were the last holders, and if they had been successful again thi ; - year they would have been the permanent holders. Speaking of the operations of the committee, Air. Purser said that their work had been a labour of love, but he would like to specially thank their secretary, Mr. J. Campbell, for his conscientious work. He also wished to thank Air. Dixon for presenting the banner, and also the many ladies and gentlemen for the kind assistance received. Lastly, he would like to thank Mr. J. R. Corrigan for the donation of twt gold brooches for the two points winners amengst the girls. Air. Corrigan had given t\vo valuable trophies each year. Touching on the value of" the competitions,. Air. Purse: stressed the' fact that athletics created healthy minds and strong physical bodies, which in' turn assisted t-ln teachers in their work.

Air. Dixon said lie had little tlioughl when the competition started, liov great dimensions it_ would grow to. it had really surprised the committee. _ However, lie thought they wen all disappointed with the lack of sup port from the public. The committee and secretary gave a.' great dea : of time, and it was up to the public to show their appreciation in a practicable way. Even though it- rained. the public by attending could assist in taking the responsibility of running the fixture, ft was strange how little tilings -stopped people from doing their duty. Continuing, Air. Dixon said that the school was fortunate in having a- man like Mr. R. Foy to interest .himself in the training of the children, and Air. Foy wm fortunate in having children such a* those at Tawhiti to train. In conclusion. Alir. -Dixon urged the children to play the game" through life and to play the game in their own hom4.

At this stage Mr. Corrigan present.-, ed P. Foy with a gold brooch she having been one of the two point: winners at the competitions. Mr Corrigan then proceeded with the presentation of the banner. He said that Air- Dixon, in donating the banner, had done so with the idea of assisting in the improvement of the children’s characters, which meant so much to them through life. It had to be always recognised that the children of. to-day were the men and women of to-monw. He wanted them to play the game through life, and pointed out that the banner had been donated tc start them oil in their infancy in playing the game. Friendly rivalry, mich as was experienced at the banner competitions, was a great thing, hut they had to remember that evervone could not win, and if beaten they should take the beating in a sportsmanlike manner. Mr Corrigan then presented the banner, which was received by Miss Toy, who returned thanks on behalf of the school. Three cheers for Air Dixon and three cheers for the Tawhiti school then ’followed.

Air Gray was tlm next speaker. He sai<l that although it wfs" the first tune he had been in the Tawhiti school he knew it quite well by the hoys and girls who had continued* their training ;at his school after having left Tawhiti? He was always glad to see boys and girls from Tawhiti, because they were of a type that always did well. Proceeding, Mr Gray emphasised the value of team work, and pointed out that that was why the Tawhiti children had been successful—they had worked together well as a team. The best spirit Was that of working together for the good of the whole. Air Gray concluded by stressing the credit that was due to the banner committee for promoting the sports. On behalf of the school Miss P Toy then presented Air Fov with a pipe as a mark of appreciation of the services he had rendered in training the school’s competitors.

Mr Mmk.s, _ a member of the Tawhiti Committee, thanked the visitors concerned for coming to the school to present the • banner. He also wished to thank Messrs Goodwin and Daw and Mr Page for donations to the children. y Opportunity was also taken to ureseni. Mr Wells, a pupil teacher who was !ea\ mg the school, with a fountain non. Air Wells briefly acknc.wlcdgect the ;iit, and Thanked the teachers for their generosity. "Visitors, teachers and children then adjourned to another room, where an excellent afternoon tea was partaken of.