SCHOOL YEAR ENDS

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7409, 17 December 1930, Page 5

SCHOOL YEAR ENDS

High Schools Breaking-up Ceremony DR. SCHOELFIELD PRESENTS PRIZES Tiio breaking-up ceremony of tlie Palmerston North. Boys anil Girls’ High Schools was held lust evening in the Opera house, when the speakers for the occasion were Hr. G. H. Scholeticld, librarian of tho General Assembly, and Mr J. fc>. Hanna, of Wellington, tho Old Boys’ representative. Mr J. W. Kuthcrfurd, chairman or the Board of Governors, presided. In opening the function ho referred to tho most successful year’s work accomplished at tho two schools. Both in scholarship and in sport tho traditions of tho schools had been more than maintained. If tho new educational proposals before the Dominion, came into i'orco this would be the last occasion on which tho Board would bid tho pupils and parents welcome to such a function but if it came to handing over to a new form of management, three schools equal to none iu tho Dominion would bo handed over (applause). fhcro was an insistent demand for a wider education iu New Zealand yet the two Palmerston North High schools had conscientiously met tlio demands mado upon them. The speaker referred to tho splendid work of tho Parents’ Association which had been of great assistance to tho principal and rector and to the board. The Parents’ Association had worked most generously to supply the needs of the schools which could not be secured from tho Education Department. He hoped that during next year the girts would get their long awaited assembly hall. The Education Department had twice as many calls made upon its funds than it could meet and Palmerston North had had its share. Mr Kuthcrfurd paid compliments to tho Ecctor and Principal and their assistants. He asked that appreciation of their services bo recorded by acclamation (applause). Mr Kuthcrfurd tendered the apology of Mr W. L. Fitzherbcrt, a member of the board, for absenco and welcomed Dr. Scholeficld, who is an ex-member of tho Wairarapa High School Board of Governors. No Schools With Better Records'. Dr. Scholeficld was greeted with applauso on rising to speak. He referred to tho critical time at which the boys and girls wero starting to venture out into business life. New Zealand had hud 30 years of prosperity but tho country was in a very different state to-day. He would not like to say it was on tho threshhold of a crisis but it was about to meet several years of depression brought about largely by the war and three or four big nations like Kussia, China and Japan with big national resources, coming to the fore. Tho boys and girls must already have felt certain features of the depression in their homes and now they were going out into tho world, they would ]iavo to work harder than boys and girls did a year or two ago and receive less wages. However, pupils of the Palmerston North High (Schools should not go out with any fear of not holding their own. No schools had better records behind them.

Dr. Echolclicld said he was obliged to think at times as to what was tlie real object of education. Was it to lit one to earn a living only? That was a main duty facing all citizens but if that was all that was required of education, there would bo no need for other than vocational training. He did not believe that was all that lay behind education, however. It should fit a boy and girl to meet life on the full and enable them to devote their leisure to the best advantage. The ability to devote one’s leisure in the right direction, spelt tho difference between civilisation and savagery. The enjoyment of life to the individual lay iu being able to appreciate the beauty surrounding one and tho high artistry that was in the world. The surroundings one had had during the last 30 years ot prosperity had not been such as to bring out the best that was in one.

Ho described as delusive the ambition of a boy to go to a university to get a- degree just to get a high salary, Dr. Scholeiield said he never was present at such a gathering as this one, without reflecting that to sonic of the boys and girls would come very high honours in one direction or another. Such honours were likely to conic to the brilliant student but more likely to the boy or girl with the brilliant character. A lot depended on the individual but each was stepping out from the school with a splendid equipment. He urged them to remember the school -it which they had secured such good tuition and by straightforward living, to hold the banner of Hew Zealand high up out. of the dust (applause).

Dr. Scholeiield then distributed the prizes won during the year. Speaking on behalf of the Old Boys, Mr J'. S. Hanna urged those pupils who were leaving school not; to abandon their high ideals not, to let, others do their thinking for them. He also urged the boys to stick to their games and play them just as keenly as they developed courage and character. Mr W. F. Durward moved a vote of thanks to the speakers which was carried by acclamation. During the ceremony the girls sang two of their choruses learnt under the instruction of Mr. W. Watters and the boys’ chorus under Mr. J. Holmes Runnicles. ANNUAL REPORT The 27th annual report of the Boys’ High School presented by the Rector (Mr. .T. Murray) at, the breaking-up ceremony was as follow; “The roll number reached on March I—393—raised the, school one grade, entitling it to a full-time staff of sixteen, and live part-time instructors. The average attendance for the year was 359. The number of boarders in residence at College House was 50. Eiglityone took the professional course, 101 the commercial, 114 the general, 12 the short'general, 63 tho agricultural course. Messrs. 0. Doel, L. J. Thomson, H. K. McKay and H. P. Glenn joined the staff during the year; (Messrs.. H<

P. Isaacs and T. A. Lappin occupied relieving positions, and Messrs. W. Mitchell and A. W. Cowan resigned, tho latter to tako up a New Zealand University travelling scholarship. Miss C. McKonzie, after ten years of efficient and faithful service as matron at College House, icsigned in (September, Mrs K. E. Harrison being appointed to the vacant position at tho beginning of the term

“Tho honours list for tho various examinations of 1929 comprised the following:—Junior University (Scholarship, pass with credit, 2; University terms B.A. subjects, I; N.Z. Educational Department, agriculture bursary, 1; higher leaving certificate, 7; x )ro ' fessional accountants’ examination,s subject passes, 3; senior National scholarship, 3; junior National scholarships, 1; matriculation, 23; accountants’ preliminary pass or partial, 23; Public (Service entrance, 21; senior free places, 75; teachers’ D certificate, group passes, 2; proficiency, -1. The Education Department’s inspectors visited the school in November and confirmed the recommendations of awards for S 3 senior free places and 19 higher leaving certificates. “The summary I have hero given is evidence in what may bo called tabloid form of some of the success attaching to tho indoor work of the school Outdoor activities are now an accepted part of a well organised and healthy school life; and all tho institutions of tho school in this respect have continued to afford ample opportunity for tho boys’ development, physically and morally. It seems natural to mention Now Zealand’s national game first. Judged by tho number of matches ivon, tho first fifteen results were not as good as those of some previous years, but in matches such as those versus To Auto and Napier Boys’ High .School ,tho fifteen put up really .guod performances and played football of a high standard. Tho second fifteen aro to be congratulated on an excellent season’s record winning 11, drawing two and losing only one of the 11 matches played. “The annual athletic sports were this year particularly succeessful and the all round ability shown by the boys demonstrated marked natural talent and careful prepartion. At no time in the school’s history has the general average of athletic ability been so high, evidence of which is seen in the fact that no less than seven of the school records wero broken.

“Cadet work, which is largely nowadays a mutter of physical training, has continued regularly throughout the year. The most noteworthy event was the supplying of a guard of honour on the occasion of the Governor-General’s visit to Palmerston North. The guard acquitted themselves with distinction and credit to the school. Tho artillery section of tho cadets has for some time now been an efiicient training unit for future officers of this branch of tho service. ‘‘As regards swimming and lifesaving activities this year has been a very successful one, 7G long distance certificates were gained, as follow: 4G merit, 19 proficiency and 12 learners’ certificates. As in previous years all the first-year boys wero instructed in tho life-saving laud drills and a great many of theso have carried on with water work; 70 awards granted by the Koyal Life (Saving (Society were gained, viz: 1 honorary teacher’s certificate; 3 bars to tho award of merit; 2 awards of merit; 21 bronze medallions; 21 proficiency certificates; 27 elementary certificates. In outside competitions school teams won the boys’ secondary schools shield and the IVeston (Smith rose bowl, a lifc-saviug competition open to all swimmers ii: the district. “The school is much indebted to the very practical assistance of the Palmerston North Lawn Tennis Club in freely allowing tho use of their line courts for our annual tennis tournament and in granting free membersihp for the season to the senior champion. As in football, so in cricket, practically the whole school participate in this great team game. In the inter-club team competition 24 teams aro engaged and available playing areas are naturally somewhat taxed to allow this to be done. Weather conditions this year compelled the abandonment of the annual match with Wanganui Collegiate School. That against Wanganui Technical College was won by the school eleven by an innings and 10 runs, and we have the pleasure of congratulating tho eleven again on securing a comfortable win by four wickets last week against our old friends, Napier Boys’ High School The school has been pardonably pleased to notice that in. the country eleven, which quite recently played iu Wellington, four members are old boys of the school and the school is not without hope that it will have representation throughout at least some of these on the playing fields of England next, season.

Old Boys through whose good offices the memorial library was erected will be gratified to know what a most valuable institution the library is proving. Numerous friends who have already received our thanks have during the year presented volumes, and such assistance is over most welcome to the readers and book lovers of our school community.. The school’s Dramatic Club, ably directed, is a useful agency in opening up an avenue of interest of both present and future pleasure to its members. The club and the school choirs also look part in the very successful concert held reccntliy in aid of the ground funds. Each year it is my pleasure to have to thank friends of the school who in various ways have encouraged us in our work and in our play. This year has been no exception and in particular I have to convey the boys’ appreciation for the very active interest and sustained effort the executive of the Parents’ Association has been taking on their behalf. “Jn concluding this report I wish to thank sincerely my colleagues for giving unsparingly of their time ami energy in the boys’ interests and also members of the board for their helpful co-operation in tho year’s work.” SPORTS TROPHIES AT P.N.B.H.S. The following Sports Trophies were presented on Tuesday morning at the school:— Shooting: X.Z. Clothing Factory Cup, Ncilson Rees; Lady Godlcy Cup, Neilson Rees; Butherfurd Cup, Ncilson Roes. Physical Drill: Monrad Cup, Albion

Club, Sergeant Ronald Hatch. Cricket: Loot Bros. Cup (best alt rounder'): Arthur Cutler; Batting Cup, George Robertson; Bowling Cup, Arthur Cutler; McSwceny Cup (fielding), Alan Trcmewun; Butler Cup, Albion Club (Ken 01 liver.) Football: Caps: K. Ollivcr, W. McCorkindal, A. Penman, R. Moxon, H.i Aputari, M. Duric, C. Evans, R., Clevely, IT. Crawford, D. Waldcgravc, D. Stewart, A. Parsons, N. James, A. Tremcwan, A. Cutler, K. Small, T. Shaw, W. Miller. Millar and Giorgi Cups: Best back, Alan Tremcwan; best forward, Derek Waldcgravc. Swimming: Senior Championship (Old Boys’ Cup): William Penman; Junior Championship (Clerc Cup): Alan Fletcher. Tennis: Senior Championship (Ekstedt Cup): I’etcr Ralfe; Junior Championship (Hooper Cup): Erie Orgias; Iloddcr Medal for Senior Tennis: Peter Ralfe. Debating: Senior Championship (Lancaster Cup): John Price; Junior Speech (Park Cup): Leslie Vcrry.