Public School Closes for the Year

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 300, 20 December 1935, Page 8

Public School Closes for the Year

YESTERDAY’S FUNCTION. Prize-giving day, the one big event on every school-child’s calendar, took place at the Pahiatua District High School yesterday afternoon, when members of both institutions assembled under the charge of the headmaster, Mr T. Clark.

Mr Clark, introduced .Mr G. Godfrey Taylor, chairman of the school committee, saying that everyone was glad to havo him present at the function, and. that presence, despite many calls made on him, had been a feature of the break-ups for many years back. Mr Clark addressed a few words to the primary children leaving school, and said they carried the best wishes of their teachers, who hoped they would obtain good situations. The headmaster then made an appeal to the parents to take an interest in the school, pointing out that their absence at the function was the one thing lacking. It was disheartening for the teachers and pupils when the parents failed to interest themselves in the affairs of the school, both inside and out, he said, and then made an appeal to them to visit tho school where they would bo most welcome. He then took the opportunity of wishing the children, staff and committee a very happy Christmas and also returned thanks to Mrs P. L. Matthews and Mr Taylor for donating special prizes to tho school. Mr G. Godfrey Taylor assured tho children that it always gave him the utmost pleasure to attend their breakup, and in looking over tho list of proficiency passes, of which there were 15, and two competencies out of 20 entrants, said it was gratifying to know that the children of Pahiatua were good at their studies as well as being proficient at sports. When handing out tho proficiency certificates (not published owing to the Education Department’s request), the speaker- congratulated Kenneth Paterson, who was dux of the school for the year. Tho presentation of certificates was then mad; as under:—

Double entry bookkeeping: Joan Sowery. Shorthand: Beryl Buckingham, Enid Edmonds, Joan Sowery. Attendance certificates: Jean Britland, Lola Ewen, Dawn Cook, May Britland, Enid Edmonds, Alexander Macrae, Henry Anglini, Beryl Buckingham, Bay Prussing, Henry Wagner, Bobert McDonald, Fred Groves, Buth Wagner, Colleen Boyd, Prank Amundsen, Harvene Davidson, Mary Hutton, Lorna Pratt, John Davidson, Gwen Old, Alison Thompson, Bonald Carrad, Bettio Brabner, Vern Hewitt, Baymond Petersen, Margaret. Mills, Ida Mills, Beam

Kershaw, Digby Beauford, Arthur Devonshire, Phyllis Brady, Evelyn Wilson, Buss Mcrrie, Julian Adams, Max Bently, Clarence Tatauraugi, Ivan Hansen, Allan Wood, Victor Boyens,, Eileen Wright, Beryl Wood, Bruce Brady, Douglas Glassey, Douglas Mitchell, Erie Staples, William Macrae, Brian Stanley, Beg. McKinnon, Fred Staples, Ralph Ewen, Allan Carrad, Norma Hewitt, Yvonne Matthews, Nancy Gunn, Marjorie Wallace, Peggy Gunn, Jean Watts, Nola Prussing, John Hutton, Elaine Maekley, Skirely Clark, Ruth Chatwin, Monty Jackson, Joan Brabner, Ida Pcareey, Eric Brown, Bex Mitchell and Phyllis Wood. Mrs Matthews’ special for progress: Joan Goer.

Mr G. Godfrey Taylor’s special for progress: Eric Staples. Mr G. Godfrey Taylor’s special prize for stamp collectors: Arthur Buk. Senior free placo awards: Marjorie Bisset, Harvene Davidson, Joan Sowery, Bentley Biggar, Joan Bisset, Rhoda Aston, Bertha Redmond, Yvonne Wills, Ramon Pringle, Mac Mason, Frank Ammundscn, Bob McDonald, Bobert Matthews and Fred Groves.

SECONDARY BREAK-UP. ! In the morning the scholars of the secondary department held their annual breaking-up party, tho proceedings opening with the National Anthem, after which the scholars joined in tho rollicking chorus, “Vive la Company.” This was the prelude to the gathering round the festive board, which occupied them for some quarter of an hour, when musical items were continued. Dick Austin then gave the first toast of the day, that of tho pupils leaving school, and tho speaker wished them every success in their future career. Responding, Boy Prussing assured thoso staying behind at school that their school-days had always been the happiest of their lives, and reciprocated tho felicitations of the previous speaker. Mr T. Clark, who acted as chairman, took the opportunity of congratulating the school tennis champions, and then presented the Buttons .to Jeanette Prussing and Mac Mason, who was deputising for Gavin Callender. Mr Clark then addressed the pupils in a very sincere speech, in which he pointo. out that, the life ahead of those who were leaving would prove to bo much harder than that they were leaving behind, and reminded them that their actions in the years to come would be reflected on their school, tho teachers of which had endeavoured to instruct them to the best of their ability. The speaker then referred to tho scholastic attainments of the pupils, and congratulated them on their respective successes, also paying tributo to Mis s D. E. Junker and Mr G. L. Stafford for

their praiseworthy efforts in the school. Marjorie Bisset was then presented with a beautifully bound book given in conjunction with the public speaking shield by members of tho staff. Another pleasing little ceremony took place when Colleen Boyd bestowed upon Miss Junker a pretty china rose .bowl, and conveyed the thanks of the 'scholars to the latter for her many acts of kindness during the year. Miss Junker warmly thanked the pupils for their token of esteem and assured them that she never carried a book out-of-doors, and when sho had been obliged to admonish them, it was for their own good. The juniors had a pleasant surpriso in store for Mr Stafford, and Jean Britland called on the latter to accept an appropriately bound literary gem, wishing him a happy holiday and a merry Christmas. Mr Stafford replied briefly, expressing his sincere thanks, and imparted some valuable advice to the classes.

Cheers for the teachers brought the function to an end, and after singing Auld Lang Syne, the classes filed out to enjoy their holidays.