Rongotea

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7035, 20 December 1932, Page 10

Rongotea

SCHOOL CONCERT From Our Own Correspondent. On Thursday evening the Coronation Hall was filled to overflowing, the event being the annual school concert staged by pupils of the Rongotea School. Mr. L. J. Walker was master of ceremonies, and tho following was tho delightful programme Tendered:— Opening modley by the Negro Minstrels; song in character, Jim Barlow; songs and solos by tho infant classes; playette, “Miss Amelia Obliges,” by Std. 5; vocal duet in costume, “Madam, will You Walk?” Kathleen McCormack und Donald Hancock; song, Shirley Gloyn; chorus, “Fall In, and Follow the Band”; pianoforte duct, Ailsa Buchanan and Joyco CavorhiJl; chorus hunting songs by the senior boys; recitation, Roy Bond; vocal duct, “I Don’t Want to Play in Your Yard,” Ailsa Buchanan an<J, Molly Slattery; chorus, “Live, Love and Laugh”; sor.g, "When Irish Eyes are Smiling,” Marie Fyfc; dialogue, ‘‘Washing Day,” Std. 6 girls; recitation, Phyllis Hill; tap dance in costume, Molly Slattery; concluding chorus, “Tho Changing of tho Guard.”

At the conclusion Mr. L. J. Walker upon thanking the teachers and those who. helped in making tho function such a success, congratulated Miss Betty Aird and Miss Ruth Tunnicliffc, ex-pupils of the school, upon tho dialogue, “Washing Day,” which was composed by them. Tho composition was very witty and those who had the parts played them to perfection. As well as composing the play Miss Aird and Miss Tunnicliffe acted as producers. The function ended with the singing of the National Anthem. Prize-Giving

Friday afternoon saw a good crowd of parents and friends at the Rongotea Scliool to witness the annual prizegiving. Mrs. Tunnicliffe, a committee member’s wife, distributed tho prizes, each child receiving one. Special prizes were handed to Ronald Hill and Sydney Burgess for mangold growing competition, where they annexed first and second prize respectively. Marjorie Johansen as dux of the school also received a special prize. Tho trophies in connection with the Calf Club competition wero presented to Molly Slattery 1, Donald Arnott 2, Gordon Arnott 3. School Committee Meeting

At the monthly meeting of tho local school committee there were present : Messrs, W. J. Amies (chairman), F. C. Saxton (secretary), O. D. Tunnicliffe, A. Hill, W. Matkeson, J. C. Glover and headmaster reported that the roll number was 110. Out of ten candidates who were presented the proficiency examination, eight obtained proficiency and one competency. lho school environment was in excellent order and outside visiting officials and others express their appreciation .of the care bestowed to keep the Rongotea School up to its roputation. On behalf of tho staff the headmaster expressed appreciation of the eve T-ready assistance rendered by all members of the school committee, and wished them the compliments of tho season. Mr. WalkeT presented his statement of the position regarding the cleaning of the school by the children. He stated that the system in operation when he took charge was to pay willing workers who swept the school out of the funds allowed. This he found was not working satisfactorily, so he formulated a system of his own. The scholars in each room were divided into groups. Each day one of these groups attended to the cleaning, and it was so arranged that each group was only called upon once a week. This work entitled them to tho amount allowed for cleaning each week (10s 6d). The children then procured through .the headmaster what they required. It would be interesting for any parent to interview the headmaster and give •a list of things bought and show how the money was spent, an expenditure in which every scholar benefited. For his report Mr. Walker was heartily thanked. Tho sura of £1 15s was voted for keeping tho school grounds in order during the vacation. Mr. H. J. Fagan, of Sanson, president of the Te Kawau . Rugby SubUnion, who "was present, then made a presentation of the trophies won by the Rongotea-Kopane combined team. In congratulating the team upon its unbeaten record in tho competitions, by which they annexed the Penny Banner, the McCarthy Trust Cup and tho To Kawau Sub-Union’s seven-a-side cup, the president exhorted tho young players to continue to play with the real team spirit which was a feature of the training they received in their schools. Mr. Fagan said that the lads had not only won the competition in their own district but had successfully competed with all tho schools in the Manawatu Union’s competitions, and were the present holders of the historic M.A.S. seven-a-sidc cup. Mr. Fagan said lie was most enthusiastic in his praise of the fine environment of the Rongotea School, and was particularly impressed by the wonderful team spirit among all the scholars, who carried tho true sportsmanship idea into their school work.

Mr. Walker (Rongotea), on behalf of the team, suitably responded and handed over the trophies to Miss Pennall (Ivopane), who will have charge of them for tho first term of 1933, when they will bo returned to the Rongotea School.