SCHOOL VACATIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3275, 20 December 1916, Page 18

SCHOOL VACATIONS.

GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. The annual break-up of the Girls' High School was held in the school hall on the 13th inst., when there was a very large attendance of relatives and friends of the pupils. Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., chairman of the High Schools Boardl of Governors, presided. On making their appearance on the stage the lady principal (Miss Allan) and Miss I. B. M'Lean were presented, amidst applause, with beautiful bouquets of flowers. Mr Sidey referred to one or two subjects not mentioned in the report, including the changes in the staff.

Miss M'Lean congratulated the winners of the prizes, and gave a word of encouragement to the unsuccessful pupils. She could not claim the honour of being an Otago High School pupil, but she could claim the honour of having been a pupil of Miss Allan.—(Applause.) The speaker paid a high tribute to the work of Miss Allan. She referred to work now being done by women in the Old Country, and she asked the girls there that afternoon to try to fit themselves to take _ thenpart in filling such positions. " Set up a high ideal of work and strive to reach that ideal. Let that ideal be Empire, and strive and struggle to become noble citizens of our great Empire."—(Loud applause.) The speaker concluded by referring to the deeds of the New Zealanders at Gallipoli, and said that every girl had the right to feel very proud every time they heard the word "Anzac." Let them so order their lives that, with the help of God, they might be worthy of the supreme sacrifice the men had made, and remember always that they had died that wo might live.

A particularly fine programme of part and other songs was contributed by the pupils, under the baton of Mr Sydney Wolf and to the accompaniment of Elinor Rose. Miss M'Lean handed out the general prizes, and Mr A. S. Adams presented the Navy League prizes. The dux of the school (Miss Martha Smith) was honoured with three cheers from those present, three cheers and a war cry from the boys of the High School present, and the singing of "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow" by the girl pupils. Miss Mona S. Woodhead was congratulated by Mr Adams, who said ho had read her Navy League essay and that he considered she richly deserved the prize. Three cheers were then given for Miss Woodhead by those present, and the High School boys gave her a special three cheers and a war cry.

BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL. Friends and supporters last night flocked to the Boys' High School in such numbers that the hall was crowded to excess. The attendance included many "old boys." Mr T. K. Sidey, M. P. (chairman of the Board of Governors) presided, being supported by Dr Fulton, other members of the Board of Governors, and prominent citizens. The Chairman referred to the fact that during the year Mr G. C. Israel (a member of the "board) and Dr W. Brown (a former member) had passed away. It was a matter of gratification to know that many old boys had recognised their duty to the Empire. Close on 800 old boys had offered their services to their country.— (Applause.) Seven masters of the school were either at the front or on the way. — (Applause.) The self-sacrifice and the acts of heroism that were being performed just now by old boys would always remain a treasured memory, and a precious reminiscence in connection with the institution. No fewer than 85 old boys had given their lives for their country, and Bugler M'Curdy, of the School Cadet Corps, had been reguested to sound " The Last Post" that night in honour of the memory of thoso old boys. " The Last Post " was soimdod by the bugler, the whole audience standing. The Chairman congratulated the boys on the evidence they had given that athletics were not dead in the school. It would interest them all to know that arrangements had been completed to enable Mr Campbell to carry on the rectory for another five years. —(Applause.) On behalf of the board he congratulated the rector and his staff on the excellent work of the school.—(Applause. )

Dr Fulton, tho speaker of the evening, was received with cheers by the old boys and the present boys. Dr Fulton asked why it was that so many old_ boys living in Dunedin did not send their boys to the school. It was a thing that had given him serious thought. Why did these parents deprive themselves of the right to send their boys to this school, and why did the* deprive their boys of the right to attend the greatest school in New Zealand? (Applause.) From inquiries he had made, he had learned that the reason was that sports were not compulsory at the school. For himself, he would like to see sports made compulsory.—(Applause.) Every boy ought to play football or an alternative, such as hockey, tennis, fencing, or some other game, and every boy ought to pass a proficiency test and enter at tho school's annual sports.—(Applause.) Dr Fulton read a sonnet entitled " And Who Is My Neighbour?" composed by Mr D. W. M. Burn, an old pupil of the school, and then made some interesting remarks., revealing considerable study and research, on what science had done for us in the last half century- While speaking Dr Fulton was frequently interrupted by a band of young men in the gallery. Dr Fulton read tho following telegram from Trentham camp: —"Regret our inability to be with you.—T. J. Deehan (20ths), D. E. Robertson (24ths), E. J. Nutting (25th), T. G. Robertson (26ths), 11. W. Slater (26ths), E. S. Smith (26ths), S. G. Paterson (26th.=)."— (Applause.) Two memorial tablets to the late Mr Graham Turton and Dr J. B. Thomson were unveiled by Mr A. A. Finch (president of the Otago High School Old Boys' Society). Mr Finch referred to the services rendered by both gentlemen to the school in their day. Mr Morrcll (rector), on behalf of the school, accepted the tablets, which, he said, would always remain among the most respected possessions of the institution. The tablets bore the following inscriptions: — " In memory of Graham Hanson Turton. A purril of this school, 1878-1836. The founder of the 0.8.H.5. Magazine. Born 1869. died 1014 ; aged 45." '• Tn memory of Dr John Bell Thomson, of Arrowtown, New Zealand. A pupil of this school, 1880-1886. Dux of school and Otago representative footballer. 1886. Died 1915; aged 42 " Mr W. C. MacGregor. K.C., in presenting the Navy League prizes, congratulated

the school on the vitality of the School Navy League Mr W. Govt presented the Chamber of Commerce prizes. The challenge cup for shooting', won by the Old Boys' team, was handed to Colonel E. R. Smith, who was welcomed with vociferous applause. Colonel Smith wore the cadet champion medal for the dominion, won by him in 1873 while a member of the High School Cadets. Tho dux of the school, William Parker Morrell, was introduced by the senior member of the staff, Mr M. Watson. On coming forward ho was greeted with lusty cheers and a haka.

The rector's report contained the folloAVing clauses:—The roll on March 1 was 445, as against last year's record of 398. Tho steady increase during tho past few years is matter for real gratification. The averago leaving age, which last year showed a slight tendency to drop, has now risen age.in. In tho face of the strong demand for boys in business houses of all kinds, this gives yet another proof that parents generally are more and more coming to realise that the best advantages of a secondary education aro not to be secured without time. The roll of old boys in tho Empire's service includes 767 names, and doubtless there are many more that might be added. Eighty-four have already given their lives to help on the sure triumph of a righteous cause.