TUAKAU PUBLIC SCHOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6000, 9 February 1881, Page 6

TUAKAU PUBLIC SCHOOL.

The presentation of certificates of scholar-! ■ ship and. proficiency to the successful pupils took placeon Friday, 4th inst., at 3 p.m., in the Tuakau School, and was witnessed by the leading residents of the district. Major Harris was voted to the chair, and, after expressing his gratification at presiding on the .occasion, addressed the meeting at some length. He heartily complimented his young friends for the honours they had won. He could add nothing to the credit of the fact that of the 11,000 school-going children under the Auckland Education Board, Master John .J: Poland,, of his own district, was awarded the first place. He himself felt proud of the result. His other young friend, Master Francis H. Brown, who stood sixteenth among the winners of certificates of proficiency, considering his age and the number of candidates against him, also fully deserved being complimented. He would remind both of them of the necessity of still further prosecuting their studies with assiduity and energy, and hoped they would never forget -to cherish both gratitude and affection, not alone towards their worthy teacher, Mr. O'Donoghue, but also towards their parents, for the self-sacrifice made in keeping them regularly at school. After some remarks to, the schoolchildren upon the value of regular attendance, getting home lessons; &c, he said they ought all to feel proud at the success of their t«*j school-fellows l "'wlio reflected so much credit upon their school. Mr. Arthur Bbowx said he was sure all present had room for rejoicing, and no one was more inclined to do it than himself, who they were aware had taken a great interest in the welfare of the school since his arrival in Tuakau eight years ago. After giving a rapid sketch of its progress during that time, he read the following report of the examination of the school by the Inspector, at which he had been present:— On roll at time of examination, 55 males and 48 females ; not presented, 15 males and 11 females. Standard I.: Presented, 12 males and 18 females ; passed, G males and 15 females; absent, 3 males. Standard II.: Presented, 12 males and 9 females; passed, ,9 males.and 5 females; absent, L female. Standard III.: Presented, 11 males and 5 females; passed, 7 males and 5 females; absent, 2 males. Standard IV.: Presented. 4 males and 5 females; passed, 3 males and 5 females; absent, 1 male. Standard V: Presented, 1 male; passed, 1 male. Total in all Standards : Presented, 40 males and 37 females; passed, 26 males and 27 females ; absent, C males and 1 female. Object Lessons: Syllabus shown ; very satisfactory. Singing : 2s T pt taught. Elementary Science : Has not been attempted regularly. Laws of Health: Taught regularly; satisfactory. Drawing : Vere Foster's books in use. Recitation: Very fairly known in all Standards. Needlework : Only a few specimens shown ; teacher states that there is great difficulty in getting work brought. ■ Discipline and Drill : Good.—R. J. O'Sullivan. From this, he said, it appeared that 53 Standards—lst, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and sth— were awarded out of 103 pupils on the roll, which result was even higher, according to numbers, than the 229 granted at one of the principal Auckland suburban schools, taking the numbers from a very interesting report in that day's Herald ; while there were actually acquired 7nore 4th and sth Standards than at one of the principal city schools, having nearly 400 on the roll. Two pupils,.one having a 4th and the other a sth Standard, were the only candidates entered for the recent examination for scholarships, one of whom—Master John J. Poland—won the honour of Ist place, and stood 53 marks ahead of the next winner; and the second — Master Francis H. Brown—took 16th place among the winners of certificate of proficiency. Notwithstanding the disadvantage of a country school, it was evident that the proficiency of the pupils at the Tuakau school •« as not excelled in any respect, by what he had seen of any school under the Board. The improvement effected in the manners of the school children during the past two years was most praiseworthy, -which affordsd him much pleasure and was even commented upon by visitors to the district. Mr. Oldieam impressed upon the minds of the children and the winners of honour the wisdom of continuing their pursuit of knowledge, aud to value it as their choicest treasure. He himself had great difficulties to overcome, but he persevered, and now, although advanced in years, was regularly studying to increase his stock of knowledge. Mr. O'Do.voguue, the head-teacher, said in addressing a few practical remarks to the pupils, that no school or teacher could derive any credit.from irregular attendants. It was not reasonable to expect it. At the last examination in standards, about a dozen such pupils, anxious to get the honour of a certificate, came to the school on the day of the examination, after some months' absence from school, underwent the examination, and anxiously awaited the result which, of course, was only disappointment. They had not since attended school, but no doubt at the forthcoming examination, they were sure to put in an appearance. To his successful pupils, Masters Poland and Brown, he wished every success, and hoped the good conduct which he had seen might always characterise ' the rest of, their lives. He thanked Major Harris und Mrs. Harris for their presence. Mrs. Harris,,in presenting the certificates, wished the recipients every success. Cheers were then given for Mr.O'Donoghue, Major Harris, Miss Re veil, &c, when the meeting dispersed.—[Own Correspondent, February 5..] ■ ';..'