OXFORD SCHOOL

North Canterbury Gazette, Volume I, Issue 7, 23 September 1932, Page 4

OXFORD SCHOOL

Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. TWO FINAL DAYS. The Oxford School diamond jubilee celebrations were ended on Sunday with a commemoration service, in the Town Hall. A procession of old scholars, led by the Oxford and Salvation Army Bands, left the school for the hall, which was too small to hold the very large audience, so that an overflow meeting was held in the Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s Hall. The total attendance was well over 600. A large jubilee choir, with Mr. L. Watson as conductor, and Mrs. H. Thompson as organist, led the singing. The hymns included a special commemoration hymn. The lessons were taken by Mr. H. C. D. Somerset, who read Job xxviii., verses 12 to 28, and Mr. A. J. R. Smither, who read Romans xii. The Rev. John Allan, Moderator of the Christchurch Presbytery, gave the address, special reference being made to education in itself, education and religion, and the place of religion in human life. ' Saturday’s Functions. On Saturday morning there was a large attendance of pupils at the school, who decided on the establishment of an Ex-Pupils’ Association, with Mr. L. Watson chairman and Mr. K. D. Henderson secretary, provisionally, of the Committee. A jubilee oak was planted in the school grounds by Dr. L. B. Burnett, and a. totara set apart as a commemoration tree. In the afternoon a sports gathering was held in Pearson Park, where, in spite of the weather, there was a. very large attendance. Although a number of the proposed events had to be deleted, because of the state of the ground, there were some very interesting displays, particularly the folk dancing and the Maypole dance. Mr. Harry Morris, who is over 70 years of age, gave a fine exhibition of rope walking. The Oxford Band supplied music. “ The Story of Oxford.” During an interlude in the dancing in the Town Hall on Friday night, Mr. H. C. D. Somerset referred to Mr. Lancelot Watson’s valuable contribution to the jubilee celebrations, in “The Story of Oxford.” The committee Avished to recognise that service and, on their behalf, he presented the author with a copy of the book handsomely bound in leather, and suitably inscribed. Mr. Watson, in acknoAvledging the gift, said the Avork Avas something that he had felt should be done. It had been a. labour of loA r e.

KAIAPOI SCHOOL. The Infant Department, after being closed for a fortnight on account of whooping cough, reopened on Monday with a much improved attendance. The school presents a fresh, bright appearance with its sunny open air rooms, clean concrete paths, and wellkept border gardens. Green grass, which forms the greater part of the grounds, makes a healthy background. Consequently the children take a keen interest in their school, as the wellmown lawns, and the brightly flowering borders around each class-room tesifv. The school garden, which was formerly at the Technical School site, has been abandoned, and a new one set out in the present school grounds. The ornamental shrubs planted along the fence by the children are growing vigorously, and will add much beauty. The playing field, which was once sandhills and broom but is now level and green, gives the children all the exercise they need. Who woudd not wish to be at school in such ideal conditions ?

OHOKA SCHOOL. The school is now back for the third term of the year, and in contrast to last term the attendance has been very well maintained. The pupils seem to be free ,of the colds, influenza, etc., that caused such a poor attendance during the second term. With the coming of spring we have had the lawn top-dressed, and are hoping that it will be a credit to us in summer. In addition to the lawn we have planted numerous native shrubs, broadleaf, kowhai, matipo, veronica, lancewood, and boxwood. These ought to have an excellent chance of growing now that all danger of a hard frost is over. The basketball team recently played Clarkville, and won by 12 goals to six after a keenly contested match with good combination and snappy passing. Another match with Southbrook had to be postponed because of the wet weather. Gardening is going on, and all the plots have a clean and fresh appearance. Vegetable gardens are well under weigh, too, and we hope soon to have many varieties, above the ground.

SOUTHBROOK SCHOOL.

There has been a marked increase in the attendance of the school during the present term, the pupils being free of most ailments, while Avhooping cough has entirely disappeared. At present all are busy in the garden preparing plots for late vegetables. The school ground is always so moist that early vegetables cannot be planted. As there will probably be some basketball matches to play yet, the girls have not begun to play rounders, but the boys are actively engaged in cricket, Avhile both boys and girls are awaiting the warmer days when the baths will be opened. The large number of native shrubs which were given to the school by Mr. W. Johnston, one of the Canterbury Education Board’s instructors in agriculture, appear to be doing Avell, but it is hard to tell yet Avhethsr they will tall live or not. Some were severely nipped by frosts during the winter. The school intends to foster the boys’ and girls’ agricultural clubs as much as it can. All the children are keenly interested, and a large number have stated their intention of competing in the calf section.