THE HIGH SCHOOLS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 17, 17 December 1937, Page 9

THE HIGH SCHOOLS

BREAKING-UP FUNCTION. PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. Professor J. Shelley, Director of Broadcasting, was the principal speaker at the breaking-up ceremony of the Palmerston North High Schools, held in the Opera House last evening before a large attendance of parents and supporters of the schools. His address dealt with the importance of getting down to fundamental understandings and the dismissal of trivialities. Chairman of the Board of Governors, Mr M. H. Oram presided, and stated that among others apologies for unavoidable absence had been received from the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs A. E. M.ansford) and Mr J. Hodgens, M.P. He welcomed Professor Shelley and Mr F. Stockwell, president of the Old Boys’ Association, and commented that the function was a unique one. as it probably would be the last joint prize-giving ceremony of the boys’ and girls’ schools. 'Through the generosity of its supporters, who had raised over £IOOO towards the object, the girls school was at last to have its assembly lnll. It had been a year of progress, and material improvements had been made to the facilities of both schools. Now a grant had been made by the Government for the completion of the Boys’ High School hostel, to make it a self-contained economic unit. It was through the public-spirit-ed action of Mr J. Murray (the rector) and Mrs Murray that it had been possible to keep the hostel open filltino- the years of depression. The BiTard of'Governors felt that it could genuinely congratulate the principals of both schools and their staffs on what had been accomplished during the year in the realm of scholarship, the field of sport, and in what was more important, character - building. Mr Oram congratulated the staff and pupils on the year’s achievements. Addresses were delivered by the principals of both schools, Miss E. E. Stephens dealing with the need for self-analysis and honesty of personal motive, and Mr J. Murray discussing the main values of the secondary school curriculum and changes in the educational system. Comment was made by Mr Murray on the difficulty of the educationist s task to-day and, after quoting the statements of a colleague who had been engaged in educational _ research, lie instanced several directions in which the system was getting away from the weaknesses of snapshot examinations, which he considered were not a fair test. He said that results should be based on observations over a long period. Mr Murray stated that among those present was Dr. T. R. Vernon, now of the staff of the New Zealand Dairy Research Institute at Massey College, and a son of the speaker’s predecessor in office. Also present were the first eleven of the Napier Boys’ High School. He cordially welcomed them and, among the achievements of old lioys, mentioned that Dr. P. E. McMahon had this year secured his Doctorate of Science at Leeds, Mr D’Arcy Walker had been an Auckland University nominee for a Rhodes scholarship, Mr R. Grigor had completed his medical course at Otago University, and Mr E. V. Paul no woccupied the important position of Government Printer.

Prizes -were presented at the conclusion of the remarks by the lady principal and the rector respectively. Professor Shelley then delivered his address (reported elsewhere) and wished the pupils a happy holiday, being accorded a hearty vote of appreciation on the motion of the chairman, who thanked the parents and friends of their school for their continued support, and wished them the season’s felicitations. Head prefect of the Girls High School, Miss Betty Stubbs, on behalf of the prefects, presented Miss Stephens with a pretty bouquet as a gesture of their affection. Two songs were contributed by the Boys’ High School under the direction of Mr J. Holmes Runnicles.