LYTTON STREET SCHOOL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 18, 17 December 1938, Page 4

LYTTON STREET SCHOOL.

BREAKING-UP CEREMONY. The Lytton Street School breakingup function was held yesterday afternoon when the chairman of the School Committee (Air C. V. Jewell) presided and welcomed the Alayor (Air T. L. iSeddon), Hon. J. G. Cobbe, AI.P., and the parents. Prior to calling on Mr Seddon to address the gathering, Mr Jewell referred to the year’s activities at the school, stating that despite the fact that epidemics had affected the attendance the standard of work both in the school and in the field of sport had been something to be proud of. Air Seddon, in his speech, pointed out that' visions emanated from school days. He spoke of the vision of Joan of Arc and the Biblical version of St. Paul’s vision out of which he saved Christianity from lieing a purely local religion and by bis missionary work and writings caused it to spread over the then known world. It would perhaps be said that visions did not happen to-day, hut really we were living in an age of visions, continued the Mayor, who, after developing his theme referred to the vision which appeared to a man hundreds of years ago when he said: “And I saw a new' heaven and a new' earth for the first heaven and the first earth w'ere passed away—and there shall he no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away.” “That is the vision splendid I want you to set before you and strive to make it a reality as you go on with your schooling and out into the world,” the Alayor added. “I want you boys and girls to work to try to make the vision real, to make this earth your own land,” concluded the Mayor, who then thanked the teachers for what they had done and asked the children to give three hearty cheers for them. The season’s good wishes were extended by Air Seddon to all present.

Hon. J. G. Cobbe referred to the fortunate position the school was in in regard to sport. Air Smith (headmaster) was a keen cricketer, and was also interested in other sporting activities. “We are living in one of the finest countries in the world,” said the speaker, who added that the children should play the game always whether it be in regard to sport or work.

At the conclusion of the distribution of certificates Mr Smith thanked the visiting speakers, the committee, the parents, and the staff for the parts taken by them in the proceedings, and said he appreciated the trust and confidence reposed in the teachers by the parents, some of whom he did not see from one year to another. At the conclusion of the ceremony afternoon tea was provided by the staff.

It was announced that Brian Smith had been awarded the dux medal, and Joan Scott had won the H. C. Stewart memorial medal.

This morning opportunity was taken by the staff and pupils to farewell

Miss Enid Chambers, a member of the staff, who is shortly to be married. Miss Chambers has been at the school for the past live years, and presentations were made from the children and also a gift from the teaching staff.