EARLY SCHOOL DAYS!

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 24 December 1945, Page 5

EARLY SCHOOL DAYS!

STOKE 100 YEARS AGO CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS ON SATURDAY TRIBUTES TO WORK OF PIONEERS The days when the early settlers. l living in a dozen houses at Stoke and | with only tracks for roads, established j a school near the present Anglican Church at Stoke, were recalled when thg.j centenary of the school was celebrated ! on Saturday afternoon. There was a large gathering of residents, visitors | and old pupils of the school. Though | the oldest living old pupil is Mr J. B. | Doidge of Karori. the oldest ex-pupil j present at the function was Mrs J. Rankin, aged -83. who attended the \ school in about 1867. To Mrs Rankin went the honour of cutting the large centennial cake. The children were specially catered for in the celebrations, and free tickets were issued to all the children for Ice creams, and fizzy drinks, and a large, gaily decorated Christmas tree in the school grounds bore a gift for each child in the Stoke riding. The day was blazing hot and the boisterous wind made speech-making j difficult even with the aid of an ampli-l fier. Little did the children care Coi that handicap, and as soon ss the short speeches were finished the youngsters lined up for the interesting part of the programme, from their poin* of view. The celebrations commenced alongside the Anglican Church, where Mr E. R. Black, chairman of the school committee, reminded those present that the first school had stood on the paddock nearby, being established on 28th December 1845. He contrasted the scene as it must have been then with the countryside of to-day: no trees, no roads, just a few tracks, and only about a dozen houses. Mr Black praised the enthusiasm of the early settlers for making a beginning in the educational system in Stoke at that time. As a mark of respect two small children, descendants of the early settlers, laid a wreath on the nearby grave of William Songer. who landed in Nelson in 1841 and was i*esponsible for naming Stoke. The pupils and ex-pupils then lined up in a procession in order according to their period at school, the younger ones in gay fancy costume, and led by the Nelson Garrison Band marched off to the present school. It was a fine sight and there was a gratifying attendance of older ex-pupils. At the school Mr Black read greetings from many parts of New Zealand including two from the Minister of Education and Mr H. Atmore M.P. Referring to the ready response to appeals for funds Mr Black said the committee proposed to erect some permanent centennial memorial in the school ground. LARGE- SCHOOL PREDICTED Some people questioned the value of centennial celebrations, said the Hon. W. H. Mclntyre. M.L.C., chairman of the Nelson Education Board, but too many of the rising generation were inclined to take things for granted and think education as it existed to-day always had been. Tremendous improvements had been carried out since the Stoke school was established. In the early days there was no Government grant and fees had to be charged in order that the school could be financed. The fees were set at 3d per week if pupils took arithmetic, and 2d if they only took reading and writing. Now £l7 per annum was spent on every primary school child in the Dominion. During recent years the Stoke school had made great steps forward as far as numbers were concerned. In 1911 the role numbered 76. and after 30 it was between 70 and 100. In 1943 there were 88 at the school but at the end of this year the number was 164. When the building restrictions lifted and people were able to build in the Stoke district he foresaw a very large school at S + oke. The school was cramped for space but plans for extra classrooms had been approved and he hoped they would be proceeded with in the near future.

Mr H. Ching. headmaster, and an old boy of the school and a descendant of an early Stoke settler, thanked the residents for their support of the function and recalled some impressions of earlier days at the school.

Certificates and the dux medal were presented to the successful pupils by Mr Mclntyre. The children’s fancy costumes were judged by Mrs U. R. L. West and Mrs C. Cannington. Outstanding among the costumes was that of a girl wearing the outfit her great aunt wore to school in those early days—sunbonnet, long pinafore and long pantaloons, lace-up boots, and string bag containing a slate. The children were further entertained with races while the adults enjoyed afternoon tea in the shade of the trees. The band added considerably to the enjoyment by its playing of selections at the grounds, and leading the fancy dress procession. A display of photos of events in the life of the school attracted much interest and created no little amusement. Mrs M. E. Palmer, of Nelson, the old. est living ex-teacher of Stoke school made a special trip out to the celebrations to sign the register. FANCY DRESS COMPETITION The winners of the fancy dress competition were as follows: — Under 5: Isobel Langbein (1870), 1; Philip Strawbrjdge (Pierrot), 2; AHison Hodge (Mary, Mary). 3. Six to ten years: John Weston (Pirate), 1; Graham Allport (Indian), 2; Patricia Wilson (Little Bo Peep). 3. Eleven to 14 years: Margaret Carson (Little Miss Muffitt), 1; Barbara Taylor (Old English Gentleman). 2. Fifteen to 18 years: Caroline Black (Watch), 1; Doreen McMurtry (Gipsy), 2. National costumes: 6-14 Years: Scotch Boy, P. McLaughlin 1: Tyrol Boy, Robin Alnatt, 2; Spanish. Janet Strawbridge, 3. Under 5 years: Dutch pair, Bandra and Michael Stephens, 1; Cossack, lan Allport, 2. Original, under 5: Olive Anderton (Reckitt’s Blue Bag), 1; 6-8 Years: Colleen O’Donoghue (Irish Washerwoman), 1: Noeleen Stratford (Cow Girl), 2: Eric Johnson (Scarecrow). 3. 8-10 Years: Patricia O’Donoghue (Washer Woman). 1; Bill Moffitt (Robin Hood). 2; Margaret Gough (Granny), 3. 11-12 Years: Kevin McSavaney (Swagger) and Aroha Foster-Barham and Hector Foster-Barham (Billy Goat), 1 equal. Special Prize: Doreen Sutton (Old Pupil). SPORTS RESULTS The results of the races were as follows: — Under 5: Gale McCarthy 1. Barbara Strawbridge 2. Mary Knapp 3. 5-6. boys, Philip Strawbridge 1, David Mof- j fat 2. Lewis Brown 3; girls. Beryl King j 1. Colleen O’Donoghue 2, Rosina Hardy- 1 ment 3. 5-6 Pat t Anderson 1, David i Moffatt 2. Allan Harford 3. 7-8. boys. Robin Black 1, Pat Judge 2, Bill Moffatt 3; girls, Beverley Walker 1. Noeline Stratford 2, Doreen Taylor and Helen j Carson, equal 3. 9-10 Boj-s. Ron j Walker 1. John King 2. Richard Raine 3: girls, Patricia Wilson 1, Katherine Pitt 2. Marlene Hubber and Patricia O’Donoghue equal 3. 11-12. Boys. Graeme Strawbridge 1, John McSaveney 2; girls, Ann Nicholls 1, Patricia Jellyman 2. Aroha Foster-Barham 3. 13-14 Boys. Brian McMurtry 1, Ron Holman | 2, Walter Mills 3: girl-. Nara Howat I.j Ann Hodge 2, Margaret King and Mary Stratford equal 3. 15-16. Girls. Caroline Black 1, Natalie Nicholls 2. Thre*'- j legged, boys, John King and Des Gill 1. 1 Graeme Strawbridge and Ron Walker 2; girls, C. Black and N. Nicholls 1. Ann Nicholls and Margaret Carson 2, Doreen

Sutton and Barbara Taylor 3. Sack races, boys, Robin Black 1, Hugh FosteiBarham 2, Richard Raine 3; girls, Marlene Hubber 1, Patricia O’Donoghue 2, Nola Johnston 3. Bill Moffatt 1, Ron Walker 2; Heather Gribble 1, Doreen Sutton 2, Margaret Carson 3. Natalie Nicholls 1, Caroline Black 2. Centenary Handicap, men, C. Dee 1, H. L. Ching 2, E. R. Black 3; ladies, Mrs Heath 1, Mrs Wilkinson 2, Mrs Stevens 13. SOCIAL EVENING Following the afternoon’s official celebrations ex-pupils and friends met in the Stoke Hall at night to spend a social hour or two. A musical programme arranged by Mr Clarrie Lee was much enjoyed and in between the items old acquaintances were renewed and old events recalled. Mr E. R. Neale, Mayor of Nelson, was present and addressed the gathering, offering the congratulations of the City of Nelson to its suburban daughter. The secretary, Mr L. N. Heath, read a list of apologies from absentee pupils and ex-teachers —a letter from Mr Wilmot who was teaching for r*. number of years from 1901 being listened to with great interest. A written commentary on pupils of the ’nineties who were at school with him, was received from Mr Pat Ching and was thoroughly enjoyed. Mr S. F. Morris, headmaster from 1928-38, spoke on behalf of the past teachers. He offered congratulations to the organisers on the great success of the function. He made reference to the .School’s proud record and alluded feelingly to four old boys, Val Allport. D.F.C., Alf. Corby, Walter Weston and Peter Vercoe, who had died in the service of their country. To the bereaved families he offered deep sympathy and assured them of the deep pride the school felt in remembering the sacrifice made. He was sure that their gallantry would be an inspiration to the new generation attending school, j Just before supper was served, the [ chairman, Mr E. R. Black, referred to the excellent work done by the secre- ! tary, Mr L. N. Heath, who had to a I great extent been responsible for the success of the celebrations. On behalf lof the Centenary Committee he pre- ! sented Mr Heath with a fountain pen laj an appreciation of his splendid 1 efiorts. Mr Heath suitably replied. After supper dancing was indulged in, the evening concluding with “God Save the King” and “Auld Lang Syne.” The following programme was presented during the evening: Orchestra, Mr Lee’s orchestra; vocal duet, Messrs D Bishop and J. Wilson; recitation, Mrs Weston; vocal solo. Miss Edna Officer; pianoforte duet, Mrs and Miss Lawry; vocal solo, Mr Bishop; recitation. Miss Beth Cooke; vocal duet. Misses E. and M. Officer; orchestra: recitation. Miss Lois Boyes; vocal solo, Mr Wilson; vocal duet, Mrs and Miss Lawrj* i orchestra.