END OF YEAR

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 14 December 1927, Page 10

END OF YEAR

HAWERA HIGH SCHOOL. BREAKING-UP CEREMONY. SUCCESSFUL PERIOD REVIEWED. The .'inuual ceremony marking the close of the year of the Hawera High School was held last evening when the Opera House, in which the gathering was held, was filled to capacity with pupils, parents and others interested in the school. The headmaster, Mr. A. Gray, reviewed the work of the year, a large number of prizes and certificates won by the pupils were presented by Air. 11. 'G. Dickie, M,P., and the ceremony closed with an enpoyable concert. There were on the stage Air. R. S. Sage (chairman of the Board of Managers) presiding, Mr. 11. 'G. Dickie, M.l\, the Alayoress (Airs. E. A. Pacey), Mr. Harold Trimble (chairman of the Stratford Technical High 'School Board of Alanagers), members of the Board of Managers and their wives, Air. A. Gray (headmaster) and Airs. Gray, members of the staff, and representatives of the Old Boys’ Association. Apologies for absence were received from the Alayor (Mr. If. A. Pacey) and Air. A. Lees (member of the Taranaki Education Board). The chairman expressed his pleasure at presiding at another breaking-up ceremony of the school and extended a welcome to those present. lie said it was pleasing to note that the people of Ilawera were beginning to take a keener interest in the welfare of the sellout as a result of the efforts of the past few years on the part of the board. Parents were, lie said, realising the necessity of a sound secondary education which the school was endeavouring to give to the children of the district. lIEADAIASTER ’S REPORT. Air. ray read the following repot of the work of the school for the year:— The numbers taking the various courses during the year were:— Literary.—Senior, 40; intermediate, 22; junior 41; total, 103. Commercial.—'Senior, 31; intermediate, 31; junior, 53; total, 115. Agriculture.—(Senior, 1; intermediate, 7; junior, 10; total, 18. Engineering.—Senior, 5; intermediate, lfi; junior, 23; total, 44. Home Science.—'Senior, 1; intermediate, 5; junior, 16; total 22. A grand total of 302. The outstanding feature of the year has been the lage increase in numbers. This has necessitated an increased staff, and increased accommodation. I The Public Works Department has in hand the erection of a fine room on the eastern end of the laboratoy, and we shall be able to occupy it next year. What we very badly require is an assembly hall, and I think it is about time that the towns-people took this matter up in earnest. We cannot hope to receive it from the Department, but every pound raised would be subsidised by a similar amount; and a hall is vitally to necessary for the satisfactory work of the school, and I hope next year will see a move in the direction of securing one. EX A Ai 1 XA'TTON SUCCESSES. The examination successes during the year are as follows: 1 Literary Students.—Matriculation, 8 (with credit); public service entrance, 4; intermediate certificate, IS (23 sat); junior nat. school 2 (6 qualified); senior nat. school, nil (7 qualified).

Commercial 'Students. —‘Public service entrance, 1; intermediate certificate, 12; Pitman’s shorthand •certificates: Elementary (3rd class), 17; theory (2nd class), 12. Speed.—so words per minute, 14; 00 words per minute, 5; 00 words per minute, 1; 80 words per minute, 3; 90 words per minute, 1; 100 words per minute, 1; 120 words per minute, 2. Government shorthand typist’s examination, 5.

Engineering Students.—Public seviee entrance, 4 (one with credit, also first in Taranaki); intermediate, 2. mediate, 2 (also first in Taranaki).

Other examinations. —■ r ßayley scholarship. 1 ; trades division, grade 1, mech. engng. city and guilds, 2; professional division, grade 1, mech. engng. city and guilds, 2: senior free place (students') granted by the Education Department,

The successful Taranaki Scholarship winner. J. Sargent, has been working n>t Canterbury College during the year, and has done well. POST-MATT? 1 OULiATJOX CLASS.

An important, step forward has been the formation of a post-matriculation class, which Isas Alone- excellent work during the year. Apart from the actual work done, it is good ter have a. group • T stable, brainy students at the top a .school. Next year I hope to see even larger class doing this advanced work, not only in the Literal-} Division, hut also in the other branches. With our present staff we could conduct classes in work of a part-matriculation (standard in almost all the courses.

It is. most pleasing to find parents cc .gnisitig the value of a full four years’ course. This year no less than 23 students are entitled to a full certificate, and l know that many of them are going on still further. The Staff.—During the year XT ires Hi: nor and Air Kinclla.ter have joined the staff, while Airs Howler, Aliss s.iiei' and Air AI. Gray were appointed L mpiirarily. .Messrs ‘Whitehead (science and agrieuliture) and Harris (generall take up work at the beginning of next year. Generally speaking it ,i.s not •< nsideiecl in the best interests of any school to be working with temporary teachers, but, in this instance we have been distinctly fortunate- in securing teachers, who have entered into the spirit of the school iso whole-heartedly. I wish to express my best thanks to them, and to the staff as a, whole, which iiu-s worked so well. Air D. Gmver leaves the staff this year end to ne e" 1 to Ohi istchurch Training College Air Gower has been a, conseiont’ -u.s tiainee, aiul we all wish him suc-

cess in hi,s profession. Miss Earl (home science instructress) has been absent in England on exchange with an English teacher.

SPORTS. A modern school dependis. tor much of its .success on sports. The year I!i2< iia.s keen an outstanding one wii.li re--1 .1 to sports activities. Football lias ..eon controlled by Air Thomas and -Messrs Gray and Gower; cadet work Air Eindlater; swimming by Air Larkman ; and cricket by Mess is iho-.rts. Eindlater, Tugwell and Gower 'Aitli the girls the hockey lia.s been in ■ barge of AJiss Turner and Aids (T Rorke; basketball, Aliss Jlritland ; ports were the winning of the both basketball banners by our A. and If outstanding features of the winter and tennis, all the lady teachers. Two

teams, and the winning of the Sargent Football Oup.

.However, probably the most important advance made' in the sport’s field ■hats been the entrance of the first eleven to senior cricket. This marks an entirely new epoch in our school sports, and must be most heartening to the cricket coach, Mr Thomas, who has spent a great deal of his own time in bringing the eleven to its present state. Barker, the captain of the team, wais selected as a South Taranaki representative. In another direction, too. the school lias reached championship standard, D. Willis having been selected to represent Wanganui and West Coast districts in the championship walks held at. Christchurch last week. APPRECIATION. I beg to express to the chairman and the board of managers my nest thanks for their interest and support during ’:e year. The school is fortunate in its managing body, and everyone of us is glad to do anything that, he can to help so sympathetic ;a board. To the Pre&s w© owe a debt of gratitude. Records and accounts of our various functions have been splendidlv attended to, and the school realises just how much .it owes to the Press. School Orchestra.—Next year a start will be made with the school orchestra. Already a quantity of music has been [ordered so that the conductor, Air Fox, may make a start, as soon as school starts. Any ambitious young musicians from tbe. various prima.ry schools had better bring along their instruments next year. For next year the outlook is most) bright. The past year has been easily a record up to date, but .1 think there is no doubt that next year will be even better. The staff is preparing for another record year. Air Gray concluded with wishing all •onnected with the school the compliments. of the season. COST OF EDUCATION.

Air Dickie thanked the board for giv ing hint an opportunity >f presenting kite prizes. He referred to the remarks of the Dominion president of the Farmers’ l nion who, at a meeting at Jtlltham on Monday evening, had referred to the fact that this country was spending over two and :a. half millions sterling on education more than it had clone 14 years ago, but it was generally realised that there was need for the expenditure of a very large amount i'o.the education of the boys and girls of the country in order that they might be properly fitted for their important work. Ali- Dickie congratulated A] ■ Gia.v on the. excellent- year as shown by his report,' which indicated that the -school was reaching a high standard. He referred to- the value to a. school of a good reputation for sport and hoped that the llawera, High School would benefit in that way. Speaking to the pupils, who were leaving school, Ali Dickie said that they were taking one o-f the most important steps in the r lives. He hoped that in whatever a vocation they would be engaged they would benefit from the instruction the?! had received at the school. He reminded them that they would probably mcct with “ups and dowius,” but urged that they should strive- for the highest in their professions, for if they did this they were bound to succeed. In conclusion he wished them success. Air Trimble .said that an important question affecting children nowadays was what occupatcion they were to take up when they left school. Them was a decided tendency for tire children to drift to -the towns-, but the •speaker urged that the schools wouki endeavour to place before the pupils the advantages of living in the country. Although the life was not- easy, the open air occupation of the farmer was healthy, and if one was not- afrahl to work hard it was possible to make quite a good living.

CHAT RAJA.VS TRiIBUTE; The chairman paid a tribute to the work of the headmaster and the stall. He spoke of the difficulties of teachers especially in the case of those instructing young men and women. A vote o! appreciation proposed by Air Sage was carried by acclamation. Speaking to the students, who had completed four yea is and more and to whom leaving certificate.-; were presented, Air Gray said : “This year we are again losing some fine students, aim while wo are worry to see them go, we recognise that they cannot stay with ns longer. The question arises, “flow are these boys and girls of ours going to fare, when they come in contact witli the- big things of life? Personally, i have not much fear tor most of‘our people. 1 would, however, say .that each one who succeeds must succeed alone—each battle must be fought by .vou and won or lost by you alone. The props which have helped to support you are about to be knocked away, and we who- hr. ve been doing our best to make if earth one an edifice worthy of the school will .soon know whetiutr we have built well or ill. Will you stand like granite against the storms that will be sure- to beat on you or wiil you collapse. i .have no fear. I feel that the years to oo ; me will find you strong am; tine, in whatever sphere of work you may he engaged. The best hopes of the school go with you.’ ’ Afr. Dickie said that after seeing ' the pupils- who were leaving receive

their certificates no one would have

any fear that they would not make good. He wished them success, and said he believed they would have a better chance than many of those of the speaker’s generation. THE CONCERT.

The ceremony was followed by an interesting and enjoyable concert given by the boys and girls. This portion of the programme opened, with a chorus by the girls, who gave a pleasing rendering of “Dreamland Voices.” A squad of boys under Air. Findlater gave a. good exhibition of drill and marching. A party of girls taught by Miss Cathie proved most interesting in a series of folk dances. The wellknown chorus “John Peel” was well sung by the boys. Marching to music ;vitii a number of special exercises was featured by a number of girls under Aliss Turner. An interesting demonstration of gymnastic exercises, which included tableaux and leaping events, were given by a score of boys under Air. Findlater. An item of particular merit was the singing of “Belle Alahone” by the girls, Betty Tonics taking the solo part, supported by Kathleen Peterson. A drill party of girls went through a series of physical exercises with excellent precision, while at! the wings a numlier of girls sang the j various choruses played for the drill, j These performers were instructed bv AI iss Britland. Toe dancing by an- 1 other party of girls under Mrs. Bowler also proved an interesting item. The concert closed with the farewell chorus “This Time Next Year,” sung by the girls and boys. The singing, which had been organised by Air. Gray, was of a high order. A feature of the entertainment was the neat appearance of the performers, all of whom were attired in the school uniform.

The a' companiments were played by a cajiahle orchestra, consisting of Aliss M. Tapp (piano), Air. J. " Aloloney (violin), and Air. N. AVills (drums).

THE PRIZE LIST. The list of prizes as presented by Air. Dickie was as follows:

Dux of the school (medals presented by Air. Charles Curtis). —Boys. Oscar .Shield; girls, Jessie Henson*

SC HO LA R SHIP CER TIFICA T ES. Literary Division. Form Va.-—Boys: Reginald Brett 1, Colin Sturrock 2, Alexander Clement 3. Girls: Mary Harley 1, Freda Finlayson 2, Jean Sproud 3. Form V.—Boys : Clyde Griffin 1, Clive Sage 2, Hugh Westwood 3. Girls: Jean Allan 1. Ruth Findlay 2. Phyllis Death 3. Form Vh.—Boys: Malcolm Morrison 1, Leonard Lewis 2, Lloyd Westwood 3. Girls: Wynne Hall 1, Audrey Harding 2, Muriel Black 3. Commercial Division. i j Form ITJ.— Boys: Barney Thomas 1, Frank Sargent 2. Kenneth Wills 3. Girls: Barbara Woods 1, Enid Evans 2, Barbara Walker 3. Form Va.—Boys: Dudley Wills 1. John Gower 2, John Tonkin 3. Form Vh.—Boys: Alistair Macßae 1. John Herbert 2, Herbert Barker 3. Girls: Nellie Davis 1. Tna Havbittl© 2. l’hoebe Allan 3. Form IV. —Boys: Ronald Hancock 1. Boy Miles 2. Charles Signal 3. Girls: Queenie Beale 1, Pearl Toy 2, Kathleen Goodwin 3. Form ITT.—Boys: Harold Hancock 1. Harold Woollett 2, Murray Fairweather 3. Girls: Queenie Goldstonc 1, Margaret Lamb 2. Patri ia Ekdahl 3, Engineering Division. Form Va.—Raymond Hemsley I, Ronald Milroy 2. Form Vb. —Eric Gane 1, William Amon 2.

Form IV.—lan Govyie 1, Raymond Kobe 1 v 2, Cl aren co Feron 3.

Form 111.—Raynell Lord 1, Ronald Thrnsl) 2, Percy Pinson 3. AGRICULTURE DIVISION. Form V.—Gordon Castle 1. Form IV. —Ronald Evans 1, Laurence Herbert 2, Gordon Grawvord 3. Form 111. —David Kippenberger and Colin Chadwick (equal) 1, Thomas Tarrant 2. Harry lien lon 3. HOME SCIENCE.

Form IV.—Kathleen Petersen 1, Jeanne Whiteiock 2, Pearle Gane 3. Form lll.—May Allen 1, Margaret McNeil! 2. Mona Dymond 3. Head Prefects’ Badges.—James Standish and Jean Sprouil.

SPECIAL PRIZES.

Books presented for general work by Mrs. Wright.—-Olga Harding and Shirley Roberts.

Books piesented by Mrs. Coleman.— George Nicholas, Ronald Hancock, William Cooley, Hugh McCall, Eric Vooilett. Alice AVytkin, Herbert Barker, Svivia Schwieters

Books presented for improved work by Ur. Sage.—Blanche Knight (111 Com.) and /Muriel Martin (IV Com.). Books presented for top senior commercial boy Dudley Wills, top senior commercial girl Nellie' Davies. Leaving Certificates.

Leaving certificates were presented to Jessie Henson, James Standish. Reginald Brett, Colin Sturrock, Alex. Clement, Jean Sproull, Alary Harley, Alice AVytkin, Evelina Oliver, Cieo Quinn, Kathleen Brown, Freda Finlayson, Joan Catchpole, Rita Sanson, Oscar Sheild, Dudley Wills, George Nicholas. John Tonkin, John Gower, 'Wiimifred Johnson, Eric Gane, AVilliam Anion. A Til LETIC SPORTS. School Events

Girls.—Senior (cthaimp ibnsh i p rose--1 owl. Betty Stevens; junior championship cup, Patricia Ekdahl. Boys.—Senior championship cup. James Standish; intermediate cup, Ronald Thomas; junior championship, Frederick Taylor.

Steeplechase medal, James Standish (fastest time). Hockey coffee urn.—lnter-divisional championship, literary division Basketball (Taranaki Ladies' Basketball Association). —Shield, Grade A ; banner, grade B. Football cup. —Inter-divisional championship, literary division.

Primary School Championship (medals presented by High School students) —Girls, E. Sowerby (Tawliiti); boys, S. Cleaver (Alatapu). Swimming.—Girls : Senior championship cup. Thelma Clement ; junior championship, Joyce Crompton. Boys: senior championship, Albert Dawdle; junior championship, Patrick Keegan; half-mile championship and medal presented bv Air A. H. Larknran, Patrick Keegan.