SCHOOLS BREAK-UP

Southland Times, Issue 17905, 22 December 1916, Page 2

SCHOOLS BREAK-UP

WAIHOPAI SCHOOL. At the tVaihopai side school break-up ceremony on Wednesday Mr J. T. Prain, member of school committee, presided, whilst the prizes were presented by Airs Stephens and Mrs Wallace. Reward books were distributed among all non-prize-winners in the Infant classes and Stadard I, whilst there were also flags for the little .ones and packets of sweets for all. Songs by the children varied the proceedings, and before dismissal a few words were addressed to the scholars by Mr Prain, Mr Gilchrist (chairman of the Education Board), and Mr McNeil (headmaster). In drawing attention to the framed roll of honour, Mr McNeil invited old Park School pupils to help In making the list as full and as correct as possible by sending to him additional names and particulars. The roll at present shows the names of 71 who have enlisted, of whom 11 have fallen on the field of honour. At the main school, at 2 p.m. a crowded audience followed with interest the proceedings marking the end of the school year. Mr Prain occupied the chair In the unavoidable absence of Mr J. J. Hlskcns, chairman of committee. The prizes were presented to the junior scholars by Mrsi Hlskens, and to the seniors by Mrs Prain. The children’s songs, Interspersed through the programme, were notably well rendered. Referring to the year’s work, Mr Prain mentioned the excellent success of the Standard VI class, under Mr Henry, first assistant, 57 pupils having gained proficiency and two pupils, competency certificates. The swimming instruction had resulted in quite a number of boys securing certificates for distances ranging from 100 yards to a mile and aquarter; the latter distance having been achieved with ease by Wm. Todd, one of too senior boys. It was hoped that the efforts to get the playground cleared o: stumps, drained and levelled would shortly result In a fine playing area being available in winter as well as summer for the games and recreations which so greatly enhanced the value of school training . The problem of Increased accommodation to meet the growing attendance could not be much longer postponed. The roll of honour showed 118 names, and, so far as was known 15 old Waihopal boys had given their lives in the cause. Mr Gilchrist, chairman of the Education Board, in the cause of an interesting address, said that physical education was at length coming into its due place, and the playground was now the recognised accessory of the class-room. The Waihopal School’s needs in respect of a better play-ground and more classrooms would receive the Board’s careful consideration. Mr McNeil, headmaster, said that he would in due time invoke the assistance of old pupils towards suitably mounting a permanent roll of honour, and also I as many photographs as could be obtained of the school’s past pupils who had Joined the colours. Towards this purpose a nucleus for the required funds had already been collected through the agency of Mr Newman. He commended the eager response made by the scholars, young and old, to the various appeals for help arising out of the war. During 1916 the school’s contribution to patriotic and relief funds had 'amounted to over £9O, Including £lB for the Barnardo Homes, whilst the sewing work, the soldiers’ gift parcels, and donations of goods to the various sales represented a substantial addition to that amount. Next year would open with the bottlegathering campaign for which plans and activity had already been set afoot. He had no doubt the published appeal for a Chrlstmastlde effort to help the Belgian children would be remembered. After the pupils had dispersed, the headmaster, oh behalf of the staff, made a presentation of books to Mr W. A. Anderson and Misses E. King, C. McGregor, and J. Lumsden, pupil-teachers and probationers, whose term of apprenticeship had expired. He spoke in high terms of the quality of the work done by the young teachers. Mr Anderson suitably responded. The chief prizes, those awarded for the highest aggregates of marks at the term examinations were- won by:— Main Shool:-r-Standard 6 —l Helen r aing (dux of school): 2 Phyllis RabJ bide, 3 Hector Macpherson, 4 Arthur Broad. Standard s—l5 —1 Rachael Donovan, 2 Kathie Brokenshlre, 3 Bryan Hag. gltt, 4 Olive Edmonds. Standard 4 —-I Norma Scott and Leicester Webb, 2 Litlan Service, 3 Beatrlo Fletcher and Nancy Rutledge. Standard 3—l Marion Miller, 2 Ella McCurdy, 3 Helen Stewart, 4 Edna Bain. Standard 2 —l Ruby Reid, 2 Ivan Mayhew, 3 Douglas Deacon and Elza Brown. Standard I—l Bruce Deacon, 2 Gwenda Brown and Isabel Topping, 3 Connie Miller. Side School.—Standard 2—l Dick Stephens, 2 Winnie Gd.er, 3 Harry McGavock, 4 Claude Eden. Standard I—Eileen Fraser, 2 Cathie McManus, 3 Tom Paton, 4 Gladys Cameron. Athenaeum Prizes —Edward Pickford, Alary Dickens. 1916 Holders of Victory Shield —Annie O’Brien, Lilian Service, John Philip. ST. GEORGE SCHOOL. The annual break-up of the St. George School took place on Wednesday evening, when a large gathering of parents and friends of the scholars assembled, I The chairman of the school, Mr J. S. bamett, presided. Air D. Gilchrist (Chairman of the Education Board) addressed the children and presented merit certificates to those pupils who had gained 75 per cent, of the total marks for the year, and it was very pleasing to notice the large number of certificates required. A number of handsome books donated hv ii, nc:, were pre elite t co the miv.es girls and boys, of the upper Standards. Mrs Paisley, president of the W.C.T.U., was present and presented six prizes won by the girls and boys of St. George for an essay on Temperance. Mr Crosby Smith presented a handsome book to Alona McKenzie for the best collection of Native plants (pressed). . Air R. M. Isaacs, representing the Southland Schools Cricket Association, presented the Stevenson Cup which the School team has won for the second year in succession. A member of the I cricket team, Les. McDermott, also won 1 the Association’s bat for the batting average The captain of the cricket team received from Mr Isaacs a handsome watch, the gift of an unknown donor, as an appreciation of his allround good qualities as a sport and also as a scholar. The dux prizes in the senior standards were as follows: —Standard VI: , Girls, Emily Lock; boys, Teddy Isaacs. Standard,V; Girls, Sarah Altken; boys. Jack Barnett. Temperance Essay Prizes; —Girls: Ist. Olive Carter; 2nd, Sarah Altken; 3rd Marjorie Clark and Gladys Warburton, 'Boys: Ist,' Cecil Seftcn; 2nd, Albert Smith; 3rd, Jack Barnett, MATAURA SCHOOL. The annual break-up of the Mataura School was held on Tuesday, when there was a large attendance of parents and friends. Mr T. Carrol) (chairman of tlie School Committee) presided and read an apology from Air John MacGlbbon (member of the Southland Education Board). Mr Carroll said the year just closed had been an exception to the rule and many difficulties had been faced which meant hardships for the teachers and scholars. Notwithstanding all these disadvantages the result of the year's work compared favourably with other years. The speaker referred to thr loss the school and teach In . profession had sustained in the death of the late Mr Gilchrist. The schoo 1 had been for;unate in securin'’' Mr Donald as headteacher. and the other members of the •taff had done excellent work durin the year. He regretted that they were losing the services of Mr Brown, first assistant, and Miss Fowler, second assistant. On behalf of the committee the speaker wished to thank Mr Brown for h's excellent work and also Miss Fowler, who had been connected with the school for a long number of years, and whose position would be hard to fill. The speaker concluded by referring to the question of pro', iding stationery and books by the State to school children ! and also the system of medical examin at on (if pupils and advocated improvements in the present system. On tbspeaker's call a vote of thanks to th teaching staff was carried by acclamation. . I Mr Jas. Donald (bead teacher) als spoke and stated that the attendance o ad: its a' owed that l.icy w,ar« inicrestei in the work of the m hool He a’so m ferred to the late Mr Gilchrist, and tio loss sustained by the school and the teaching profession by his demise. Considering all things the school had done

remarkably well in the year just closed. The speaker also made reference to the work of Miss Fowler and Mr Brown, and the staff as a whole. The prizes won during the year were distributed as follows to Standards V and Vl; Duxes; —Standard VI: Olive Brand and Oscar Davies. Attendance Prizes:—Standard VI Olive Brand, Doris Gay, Lillian Crocker, Nelliie Whlttingham, Ethel Caithness, Isabella Quilter, Maggie Carroll. Oscar Davies, Thos. Quilter, Reginald Walton, Jas. Spooner, Leslie Henry, Chas. Smith, Donald O’Leary, Valentine Bigwood, Henry Wright, Frank Ashby, John Crocker, Arthur Duncan, Edward Curtin, David Todd. Standard V.—May Garden, May Mitchell, Agnes Knight, Thos. Carroll, Thos. Davies, Robt. Sleeman, Alex. Walker, Ted Richmond, Arthur McLaggan, Frank Glllanders, R. McQuillan. Special Prizes for knitting donated by Miss Fowler—Olive Brand 1, Jessie Shanks 2.