WAITOHI SCHOOL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 15, 15 December 1932, Page 2

WAITOHI SCHOOL

54th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS. It is now more than 54 years since the Waitohi School was first opened with an attendance roll of 25 pupils. Many of the present residents in the district received their education at the school, which was functioning throe years before tho Rongotea (Campbelltown) school was built. Yesterday afternoon there was a happy reunion of ex-teachers, ex-pupils, and all those who had at some time or other been associated with the school.

Unfortunately, owing to harvesting operations, the attendance was not as large as was expected. However, the gathering was a representative one and most pleasant afternoon was spent. Mrs A’Court, of Sanson (nee Miss I. Hammond), who had the distinction of being the oldest pupil of the school, was present and was accorded a very hearty welcome. Mrs A’Court, who still enjoys good health, was able to recall many incidents which occurred during her school life at Waitohi, and treasured happy memories of tho pioneer days, when tho scope of communication was very limited. The spirit of co-opera-tion was paramount, in the minds of the pioneers who were always helping one another in every possible manner, she said.

Mr E. Rowe, chairman of the School Committee, in addressing the gathering, extended a hearty- welcome to those present and apologised for tho absence of Mrs T. Rowe, who owing to the serious illness of her daughter, was unablo to be present. Mrs Rowe was one of the first pupils of the school and had been looking forward- to' the celebrations, said the speaker. The, chairman also read a letter from the secretary of the Wanganui Education Board, which intimated that owing to the monthly meeting of the board being held it would hot bo possible for the chairman or the secretary to be in attendance at tho re-union. The board, however, hoped that the function would be successful, and wished the members of the committee, the teacher, and the pupils a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Continuing his address, Mr Rowe complimented the teacher, Miss 11. B. Mitchell, on the progress the children had made during tho year. At tho final examination they had come through with flying colours. Mildred Nicholson had been successful in tho proficiency examination and congratulations were due to her, stated the chairman.

Mr Rowe then called upon Mrs A. Howell (nee Miss A. Silby) an exteacher, to present, the prizes to the scholars.

Special prizes were awarded as follow:—Fred Rowe (attendance), Ngaire Dear (attendance), Mildred Nicholson (proficiency), Rex Pearce (dux), Doris Pearce (teacher’s special for neatness), Mavis Pearce (teacher’s special for neatness) ; at the close of the prizegiving ceremony, Mrs W. Henson presented Mrs Howell with a beautiful bouquet. At this stage the pupils entertained the gathering with folk-dancing. Those who took part in the dances were as follow: Mavis and Ross Telford, Betty Chapman, Fred Rojvc, Doris Pearce, Stan Rowe, Josie Chapman, Tommy and Eileen Manson, Ngaire Hcnsen, Nicholas Rowe, M. Nicholson, Sylvia Beckman.

Before afternoon tea was served an opportunity was taken to photograph the gathering, the ex-pupils, the oldest ex-pupil with tho young present pupil, and past and present teachers. The group of ex-pupils consisted of: Mrs A’Court (nee Miss I. Himmand), Mrs Chapman (nee Miss Mavis Penny), Mrs Adams (nee Miss S. Scandlyn), Mrs T. Manson (nee Miss P. Scandlyn), Miss G. Henson, Misses L. and M. Nicholson, K. and L. and H. Rowe, and Mr Bernard Rowe. The group of past and present teachers consisted of Mrs A. Howell, Botanical Road, Palmerston North (nee Miss A. Silby) ; Mrs Simons, Foxton (nee Miss A. M. Williams) ; and Miss 11. B. Mitchell. The oldest and youngest pupil photograph was of Mrs A’Court, and Stanley Rowe. A rich fruit cake, beautifully made and artistically iced by Mrs H. Rowe, attracted much attention. The cake was decked with four flags which were later given out as mementoes of the reunion.

Before asking Mrs A’Court to cut the cake, Mr J. Bradley thanked Airs Roue for donating it. During afternoon tea, Mrs Simons, on behalf of the visitors, expressed appreciation for the invitations to attend the function, which they had thoroughly enjoyed. Mrs Simons was sorry that there were not many of the ex-pupils present but as it was a busy time for the people in the district, it W'as obvious that it could not be helped! The sfieaker stated that she had enjoyed her sojourn at Waitolie as teacher of the school and would always remember the hospitality accorded her by the residents. Airs Simons then congratulated Ali-s A’Court on her good health, and thanked the chairman, Air E. Rowe, the committee, and ladies for the enjoyable afternoon she had spent. Air Rowe, on behalf of Airs A’Court, suitably replied, and thanked the teacher, Aliss Alitchell, and the committee for their work during the year, and the ladies for providing and serving the afternoon tea.

Mr J. C. Glover, in recalling old days, stated that he remembered when the first dairy factory in Rongotea was erected. At that time the the township w-as known as Campbelltow-n. The Primitive Methodist Church authorities had asked Mr Glover to conduct Sunday school services at Waitolii 28 years ago and for many years these services were held in the Waitolii School. Associated with him in this work were Miss Mabel Dear, now Mrs W. Wood, of Birkdale, Auckland: and Mr 0. A. Harris, now Rev. O. A. Harris. Mr Glover stated that he was pleased to be present at the re-union, and found great pleasure in discussing pioneer days with old pupils and associates of the Waitolii School.

The re-union was brought to a close late in the afternoon.

It was announced at the gathering that tile first teacher at the school was Miss Matthews and the second teacher Miss Stevens. Mr A. G. Dear was chairman of the school for a period of three years.