Prize-Giving At Whau Valley School

Northern Advocate, 20 December 1945, Page 7

Prize-Giving At Whau Valley School

There was a happy atmosphere and yet a touch of sadness at the annual-breaking-up ceremony at the Whau Valley School yesterday. There were goodbyes to be saidgoodbyes that meant a lot to the children of the school and to the retiring headmaster (Mr T. W. Bowman). The joy sprang from the communion between parents and pupils. Favour-

ed with beautiful sunshine, the mothers were -wearing their newest summer costumes and the neat blue uniform of the girl pupils added to the general gaiety. The smart appearance of the buildings and grounds spoke volumes for the interest and care tpken by all connected with the school. The visitors were welcomed by the chairman of the school committee (Mr D. J. Thomson), who expressed the pleasure of all at seeing Mrs Roger Lupton and a former school mistress. Miss Dorothy Luptop, present, VICTORY YEAR

“This is victory year,” Mr Thomson said. “The war is over and we are hoping that the outcome will be a fairer and better world. I trust that the statesmen of the Empire will take measures to ensure that the sacrifices of life have not been in vain and I hope that the lives of the children of today will not be affected by the terrible scourge of war.” Mr Thomson paid tribute to the splendid work of the headmaster and his staff. “The school is most fortunate,” he remarked, “in having a staff who cooperate to the full, not only with the headmaster, but with each other and with the committee.

“This enabled such troubles as the loss of the second assistant, Mr Strong, only recently replaced by Mr I. Menzies. who has been overseas, to be overcome. However it was a severe drain on the resources of the headmaster and staff.”

“In addition.” Mr Thomson said, “Miss Morgan has been in hospital foxseveral months and will be there for some time yet. This is all due to her untiring work at the school.” FIRST DENTAL CLINIC

In referring to the excellent work of the school authorities, Mr Thomson spoke of the committee’s good fortune in obtaining premises which enabled it to possess the first dental clinic in Whangarei. This double clinic would be a wonderful help to the dental nurses in the performance of their valuable work. Mr Thomson praised the stex-ling efforts of Miss Hitchcock and her staff. The dental clinics, he said, were without doubt the most wonderful things ever introduced into the schools.

They made it possible for the children’s mouths to be treated practically from babyhood. He felt that it would not be long before the treatment was being carried on in the high schools. Speaking of the addition of two rooms to the school building, Mr Thomson expressed the thanks of all to Mr Arthur Tucker, who, assisted by MiBill Howson and Mr Homer, had been responsible for their erection. These men, he said, had given up manj r of their week-ends to get the job done. The obtaining of a grant from the Education Department for this purpose had been a boon to the school. The chairman expressed the thanks of the school to Mrs Allan, who for many years had conducted the Red Cross class, and to Mrs Armstrong, who throughout the winter months had provided hot soup and cocoa for the infant children. The secretary and treasurer (Mr Dent) was also complimented on his fine work. The sum of £7O had been raised as a result of the ball. FIELD OF SPORT In the field of sport, the Whau Valley boys had done particularly well. They had won both the big events for. primary schools in Whangarei. A photo of the team, autographed by Mr Bowman, had been given to each boy as an expression of congratulation from the committee.

During the year, the children of the school had contributed £32/10/- to Dr. Barnardo’s Home.

The Mayor (Mr W. Jones) and the member for Marsden (Mr A. J. Murdoch) added their congratulations to the school on a most successful year. Prizes were presented by Mrs Jones as follows:

Tennis championship, Peter Ridgley; runner-up, Bryce MacPherson. Garden plots, Arran McKinnon; runner-up, Ralph Dunn; Pamela Stainton and Margaret Keane, 3; Robyn Davison, Lindsay Grist, David Lough, Albert Northwood and Heather McGaughey, highly commended.

Class Prizes.—Std. 4: Barbara Horrell; progress, Reg. Wilson; diligence, David Lough. Std. 3: Kay McCarthy; progress, Billy Meyer. Std. 2: David Cameron; progress, Judy Foster. Std. 1: Anne Houlihan; progress, Janice Homer. Primer 1: Marilyn Sands; progress, Jill Stevenson. Primer 2: Joy Robinson; progress, Joyce Irving. Primer 3: Barry Jones; progress, Frank Armstrong. Primer 4: Sally Crawford; progress, Margaret Hewlett. Mrs, Allan’s prize for sewing was won by Joy Dobson, the progress award going to Shirley Finlayson. Standard 4 pupils To gain honours in the exams were David Lough, Bobby Sands, Glen Hamilton, Peter Salmon, John Hamilton, Rolfe Dunne, David Drew, Barbara Horrell, Janice Ford, Joy Dobson. Glenise Cunningham, Marie Goode and Marie. Chissell.

CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT The entertainment provided by the school children was of a very high standard. To the young performers apd their tutors, Miss C. Lupton, infant mistress, Miss G. McMillan, Mrs C. Reed,' Miss E. Buckland and Miss M. Frood went the congratulations of all who were present. The following items were given:— Dance, “Spring Idyll,” by Std. 4 girls, who made a pretty picture in their white gowns and head-dress of rambler roses; dance, “Black Nag,” Std. 2 boys and girls; Maypole dance, infants; songs, “Who is Sylvia” and “Hushecn,” Std. 4 boys and girls; dance, “Lady Spellor,” Std. 3; march, Std. 4. The visitors .enjoyed afternoon tea and later passed through the classrooms, where samples ofthe children’s work were imposingly displayed. Ice-cream for the young folk was-a popular innovation.