FAREWELL AT WHAREROA

Hawera Star, Volume L, 20 December 1930, Page 4

FAREWELL AT WHAREROA

POPULAR TEACHER \S DEPARTURE

SCHOOL AND DISTRICT TRIBUTES /

Evidence of the popular esteem earned by Miss M. McCormack, who for seven years has officiated as teacher in charge' of the Whareroa School, eras given .at the “break-up” ceremony yesterday when, in view of her transfer to Eltham, Miss McCormack was farewelled by the school and a representative assembly of district residents. Gaily decorated with flowers and varicoloured balloons, the school presented an attractive scene during the progress of a delightful programme of concert items rendered by the school pupils, whose interpretations of the various numbers, particularly in concerted dance movements gave indication of careful and successful tuition.

Apologies for absence from the function were received from Mr A. Lees, district member of the Taranaki Education Board and Mrs Lees. The affection felt by present pupils of the school towards Miss McCormack was expressed gracefully by Mary Hughes, one of the senior scholars, during the presentation to Miss McCormack from the school children and ladies of the district of a leather ling case. “We are assembled to farek 'V - well our dear teacher,” said Miss' Hughes. “We are very sorry indeedthat you are leaving us and hope that you will be happy and successful whereever you may go. ’ ’ It was hoped, concluded the speaker, that the gift would allways bring pleasurable' memories to Miss McCormack of her many friends at Whareroa.

Another of the senior pupils, Joan Oliver, handed the gift to Miss Mewho also received;, from Mollie Wells, a tastefully arranged bouquet. Expressing her appreciation of the' honour conferred by the gathering together with the affectionate message voiced and the handsome gifts, Miss McCormack said that, while she regretted greatly that her active association with the school had ended, she would always be able to recall with .particular pleasure her final day at the school, the work in which had been replete with reasons for pleasant recollections. She expressed appreciation of the application given by past and) present pupils to their school studies and appealed to those whoso school days were still in progress to maintain a'similar spirit in' order that they should gain the greatest benefit possible from their years at school. Referring to the proposed closure of the school and the transfer of the pupils to 'Hawera, Miss McCormack gave the opinion that the step would be a progressive one on the part of the Education Board, the chief object o'f (which was always for the welfare o‘f the school children. In comparison with pupils of the smaller country schools, children attending the town .schools were favoured by certain advantages, such as keener competition in school work, homo science classes for girls and woodwork instruction for ■boys and greater facilities for swimming and general sport-s, all of which exercised important influences towards the objective of securing the maximum of benefit through the primary school training. Each item of the concert programme which preceded the presentation ceremony wag received with keen appreciation. The programme arranged was as follows: “Pianoforte solo, “'Sabot Dance,” Olive Smith; recitation, "The Hole,” Joan Fraser; vocal solo, “Eileen! Aroon, ” Molly Wells; piano : forte solo, Joan Oliver; rhythmic exercise, “Fairies,” infant pupils; recitation, “'Content,” Bobbie Hicks; pianoforte solo, “Wedding Bells, ’ ’ Mollie Wells; 'folic dance, “The Basket Dance,” all pupils; recitation, “After Christmas,” Veta Chappie; folk dance, “Grand Old Duke of York,” all pupils: pianoforte solo, “The Water Babies,’"’ Grace 'Chappie; folk dance, “Tantoli, ’ ’ Grace Chappie, Veta Chappie, Mollie Wells, 'Hilda Hald'ener, Victor 'Chappie, Jack 'Smith, Roscoe George, .and Jack Nelson; choruses, “There’s Never Any Trouble ” “ Tangi Tangata, ’ ’ alii pupils; piano solo, Joyce Dix. Balloons, paper hats, and sound producing toys of various description were provided for the children by Miss McCormack, and sweets, soft drinks .and nuts by the school committee. Afternoon tea provided' by ladies of the district followed the concert and farewell presentation and a. further gift to. Miss McCormack was a large, gaily bedecked Christmas cake presented by Mrs H. Wells.

Attention during the afternoon was drawn to the fine record of attendance maintained by a number of pupils. Eive pupils had ‘full attendances .throughout the year, these being Olive Smith, Grace Chappie, J oyee Gibson, Erie Gibson and Victor Chappie. Two pup'ils, Andrew Irvine and 'fan Irvine missed only one half-day, while Vita Chappie and Jack Smith respectively missed only one day and a day and a-hadf. The ladies who superintended the arrangements for afternoon tea were Alesdames G. 'Gibson, L. Oliver, Bryant, Aliases Smith (3) and G. Hughes.