SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 76, 20 January 1872, Page 3

SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS.

HILLSIDE SCHOOL. Tbia school was examined by the Rev. G. H. Johnstone, on Friday, December 22, in presence of several members of tbe Scbool Committee and others. There were twenty-nine children preBent. Prizes were awarded as follows :—: — First Class— Adam Bell, 1 ; Alice Waßtney, 2. Second Class.— Arthur Wastney, 1 ; Emily L. Alborough, 2. Third Class — George Blauchett, 1 ; Albert Karsten, 2. Fourth Class — Bertha Boss, 1 ; William Karsten, 2. Fifth Class — Four only being present, and so nearly equal, it was decided to give a pi'ize to each. It is satisfactory to add, that with the exception of the third class, Ihe results of the examination corresponded with the class register. When the examination was concluded, tbe prizes were presented by the Examiner with ap- J propritite congratulatory remarks to the successful, and of encouragement to the unsuccessful competitors. The Examiner and J. Mackay (Secretary to the School Committee) endeavoured to impress upon the children the necessity of attending school as regularly as possible, the latter gentleman humorously remarking that he thought few parents in the district would be angry with their children for running to school every opportunity. Mr. Gilbert said ho had como us a spectator, but having been requested to assist in tho examination, he had much pleasure in testifying to the general efficiency. After a few remarks from tho Master, Mr. H. Martin said he had witnessed the examination with pleasure, but he hoped they would bear in mind however useful the education they received at school, they ought all to try to be useful and industrious at home, and to encourage them in that direction he would give a prize to both schools for the best sample of knitting to be produced by the children at the next examination. Mr. J. Mackay (for the Committee) thanked Mr. Johnson and Mr. Martin, and the proceedings terminated, the children being in high glee at the prospect of three weeks' holiday. NORTH DISTRICT SCHOOL, WAIMEA WEST. The annual examination of this school took place on December 22, and was conducted by J. W. Barnicoat, Esq., whose report is as follows :—: — To Mr. WlLi/iAM Bell, Chairman of the Local Committee of Education, Waimea West. Sib — The Rev. C. O. Mules, who found himI self prevented from examining the Northern School, in Waimea West, according to arrangement, having requested mo to do so in his stead, I attended there on Friday, the 22ud December, for that purpose. The number of scholars was as follows :—: — °» B «*-- AUenTnt Class 1 . 9 . . 8 „ 2 . . . U . .12 „ 3 . . .9 . .7 „4... 1 . .5 „ 5 . . .8 . .4 47 .36 besides an alphabet class of ten very young children, whom I did not examine. I have not actually awarded any prizes, becauae, (1), I vraa not definitely informed of the number which the Committee were prepared to give ; and, (2), because I was unaware of the views of the Committee as to what extent (if any) the marks of the year should guide these awards. The following is a list of those pupils in each class who received the highest number of marks during the examination, and from whom the prize scholars should be selected. When these marks approximate very closely, the Committee will, no doubt, be influenced in such selection by the maiks of the year, as furnished by the teacher : — Marks. Class 1. Harold Thorburn . . 131 „ Joseph Bartlett . . 129 „ William Bartlett . . 73 „ Mary Connor . . 58 Class 2. Sarah Gifford . . 45 „ Alexander Hammond . 45 „ Charles Ford . . 44 „ Arthur Thorburn . . 43 Class 3. Sarah Challies . . 38 „ John Dimmick . . 34 „ Stanley Ford . . 29 „ Esther Satherley . . 28 Class 4. Sarah Mercer . . 2-6 „ Julia Connor . . 21 „ Edith Thorburn . . 18 Class 5. Arthur Ford ... 16 „ Clara Ford ... 16 The foregoing marks, aided by the marks of the year, will without much trouble luvmah. tho prize list. In the first class, there is a wide interval between the two first scholars and the rest of the class. As this difference extends apparently to ago as well as to attainments, it would be desirable, if within the means of the Committee, to award a prize to the best pupil of tho second division of this class. In the second class, one of the boys (Patrick Connor), who would no doubt have stood high in the examination, was, after a short stay, unfortunately obliged to retire from Bickness. The duty of an Examiner on such occasions as the present begins and ends (in my opinion) with his ascertaining, to the best of instability, the relative merits, or rather the relative attainments, of the pupils of each class. As, however, a total silence outside this limit might be misconstrued, I have much pleasure in recording my impression that the educational condition of the school is

Buch as only the most careful and conscientious application to their duties on the part of its teachers could ensure. I am, dear Bir, Yours faithfully, J. W. Baenicoat. Riohmond, December 26.

LOWER WAKEFIELD. This school was examined on Friday, the 22nd, by J. Shephard, Esq , M.U.R., assisted by Mr. Fittall. Mr. Shephard reported favourably of the intelligence and good behaviour of the pupils, and the caro whicli Mr. Chattock had bestowed upon their teaching. Mr. Shephard announced his intention of giving an extra prize for arithmetic, to be competed for when the school should reopen after the holidays. The following were awarded prizes :—: — Fiest Division. First Class.— Fanny Chattock, 1 ; Eliza Painton, 2. Second Class.— Emily Gapper, 1 ; Arthur Bird, 2 ; Jessie Bird, 3 ; John Verry, 4, Third Class.— Emma Carr, 1 ; Ada Bird, 2 ; Maude Fairhall, 3 ; Bessie Gibbs, 4. Fourth Class —Sarah Taylor, 1 ; Laura King, 2 ; Fanny Gribbs, 3 ; Margaret Verry, 4. Second Division. First Class.— Ada Squire, 1 ; Wallace Fairhall, 2. Second Class. — Edward Puinton, 1 ; Edward Fittall, 2. Third Class.— Kate Bird, 1 ; Alice Nichol, 2. WAIMEA WEST VILLAGE SCHOOL. The usual Christmas examination took place at this school on Tuesday, December 22. The examination was conducted by the Rev. C. O. Mules, whose report is as follows :—: — " To the Waimea West School Committee. " Gentlemen— As I was asked by you to undertake the examination of the two schools under your control, I attended at the South Schoolroom on Tuesday last, and examined the school. I had appointed Friday for the examination of the North School, but finding the day before that I should be unequal to such an effort on the morrow, I was compelled to seek assistance. At a moment's notice, Mr. Barnicoat (to whom I feel much indebted) most kindly undertook the examination, and his report will doubtless be speedily, if it be not already in your handß. " With regard to the South School, I feel glad to be able to state that in comparison with the results of last year's examination, those of this year show a marked improvement in the general condition of the school. The attendance was much larger at examination. In tho First Division there is an advance in Grammar, Arithmetic, and Writing, aud History has once more a place in the school work, but in particular I noticed the efficient control which the master, Mr. Larchiu, exercised over the school. In the Second Division thero was nothing which call 3 for special mention, excepting the good attendance. A little more practice in tho elementary rules of Arithmetic seems needful in the case of those about to be promoted to the First Division. " I am, gentlemen, " Yours very faithfully, "Chaeles 0. Mules. " Spring Grove, December 23." The prizes were awarded upon a combination of the marks gained during the year with those obtained on the day of examination : — Fiest Division. First Class — G-eorgiana Palmer, 1 j James Hastie, 2. Second Class — Percy Palmer, 1 ; Janet Kerr, sen., 2. Third Class— George Morgau, 1 ; T. J. Chapman, 2 ; Richard Arnold, 3. Second Division. First Class— Florence Palmer, 1 ; Grace Eban, 2. Second Class — Walter Millard, 1 ; John Satherly, 2. Third Class — Eliza Kerr, 1; John Livingstone, 2. Fourth Class — Joseph Arnold, 1 ; William Bell, 2. Fifth Class — Laurence Bell. In addition to the above, there is a prize for general good conduct, which falls to Annie Kerrj and the Master's prize for regular attendance — David Bell ; also a prize for the best writing — Ada Martha Millard. • UPPER WAKEFIELD SCHOOL. The annual examination of this school took place on Friday, December 22nd, and was conducted by Mr. James Pease, Chairman, and Mr. Gardner, one of the members of the Local Board of Education. In distributing the prizes, the Chairman expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the children Bince list year. The following is the prize list for the Ist Division :—: — First Class — For General Proficiency : Annie Hoult, 1 ; Sarah Wacbwortb, 2 ; Samuel Hoult, 3. For Reading : Annie Hoult, 1 ; David Wadsworth, 2. For Dictation : Jane Hunt. Second Class — Charles Hoult, 1 ; Henry Tunnicliff, 2 ; William Fanchelli, 3. Reading : Annie Lines. Third Class — William Currin, 1 ; Martha Currin, 2 ; Alice Fanchelli, 3. Writing : Eliza Tunnicliff, 1 ; Arthur Batt, 2 ; Thomas Tunnicliffe, 3. Arithmetic (special prize) : David Wadsworth, 1 ; Rose Fanchelli, 2. Master's prizes for good concLiot : Annie Hoult, 1; Sarah Wadsworth, 2; S-muel Hoult and Eliza Tunnicliff equal in number of marka for the third prize. The examination and distribution of prizes at Fox-hill school took place on the afternoon of the same day. The annual tea party in connection with the

Sunday school held here came off onßaxing Day, and was very largely attended, notwithstanding two picnics held at Wakefield on the same- day.