ARAHURA ROAD SCHOOL

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1925, Page 1

ARAHURA ROAD SCHOOL

The Annual Prize distribution took place at Arahura Road School on Thursday last. Before opening proceedings the Chairman of the School Committee referred in feeling terms to the sudden death of an old pupil. Mr Dan Mason, and proposed a vole of sympathy to the parents and family which was carried in silence. As has been the custom in this school for some few years back, every child revived a prize of a book suitably graded to the Standard. It: is proposed next year with the liberal assistance of parents, to specially mark appreciation of (1) regular attendance at school. (2) diligence in school work, (3) neatness in work, by giving slightly better prizes to the pupils who under the above headings are found entitled to them. The Chairman congratulated the teachers on the good work done during tho year and on tho interest taken in improvement of school grounds. He also announced that of the fivo candidates for Proficiency— Neville Jellie, Lloyd Richards, and John Havill had secured it and L. Maloney and Dave .Tellie gained com petenev.

Justice was done to the abundance of good things kindly sent in parents. The Head Teacher gave out the prizes which included two special ones donated by Miss Chcsterman to Miss Louie Ackers and Master Tuhuru Tainui for their good work during the year. Mr Maloney thanked the parents for attendance and generosity in helping to provide the prizes and the afternoon’s spread and mentioned that special thanks wore due to the Committee not only in this connection but for their keen interest in the ground improvements. Whether these gentlemen remained on the Committee or not they could look back with satisfaction to the work done during the past two or three years, which started with the re-flooring of the old school and draining the swamp, and as far as the heavy work is concerned, will he nearly completed when the two acre plantation is drained and the planting finished. It had meant hard work to Committeemen and their wives getting up socials to raise the necessary funds but their reward is ever present. A meed of praise is also due to the Canterbury Education Board who evidently are willing to help those who help (hemselves.

At the call of the teacher, parents, teachers and children joined in singing of “ For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.”

During the afternoon recitations were given by Miss M. Honey, Geo. Richards and Jack Tainui and a combination of physical drill and step dancing by tho girls of tho sth and Gth Standards. The proceedings came to a close after those present at the call of the Chairman gave three hearty cheers for the teachers.