STRIKING DISPLAY

Southland Times, Issue 21579, 17 December 1931, Page 4

STRIKING DISPLAY

VISITORS’ PAY AT SOUTH SCHOOL CONCERT IN THE EVENING. Yesterday was “Visitors’ Day” at the South School when many hundreds of parents and friends were afforded an opportunity of seeing the work done by’ the pupils during the year. In each classroom the boys and girls were seen engaged in some interesting task, while on the walls were displayed samples of what they had already accomplished. Parents must have been both amazed and delighted at the exhibits, for whether one entered the room occupied by the youngest pupils or that of the sixth standard, one saw work that spoke volumes for the skill and originality of the boys and girls and for the efficiency’ of the teacher. The days have vanished when the only form of drawing permitted in the primary schools was by pencil; and then it was of some dull object such as a vase or a teapot. Yesterday in all the classrooms excellent work with brush, and pen, as well as with pencil, was seen. The exhibits of the senior pupils were so good that many of the water-colours would have graced the walls of a private home. The work shown was not merely that of the most gifted pupils. Every boy and girl had something displayed. The articles made by the sixth standard boys in the woodwork class were greatly admired, as was the sewing of the senior girls. Equally good, when their age is considered, was the plasticine modelling of the standard one pupils. Altogether the display was remarkable testimony of the work being done at the school and must have made parents feel thoroughly satisfied that their children are in good hands. Last evening another side of school life was seen when the children provided a most enjoyable concert. Stobo Hall was crowded and the items were very enthusiastically received. Mr L. Alsweilcr, chairman of the committee, presided. The programme was as follows: Infant Room. — Song, “Three Mice”; recitation, '“The Four Sunbeams”; song, “Bye Baby’ Bye”; recitation, “Go Out!”; song, “Sandman”; recitation, “Evening Songs.” Std. I and II girls.—Song game, “We all went marching” ; song and dance, “Rainbow”; march, song and dance; song and dance, “Sunbeam and Shadow.” Std. 5 boys.—Mouth organ solo, Paul Tansley; physical drill. Std. 4 boys.—Burlesque Ballet. Std. 5 and 6 girls. —Part song, “Fair shines the moon”; song, “In a little old garden” (Joyce Spence) ; violin solo, (Winifred Shiels) ; recitation, “Supplanted” (Betty Semmens) ; song, “Daffodils” (Blanche Beadle) ; duet, “Farewell” (Winnie Shiels and Joyce Spence) ; dance military, Adele McDonald; part song, “God Defend Now Zealand.” Std. 4 girls. —Folk dances. Senior boys.—“Hi Diddle Diddle” (nursery rhyme to music). At a suitable interval the dux medal was presented to Winifred Margaret Shiels. WAIHOPAI SCHOOL

LARGE ATTENDANCE. Both the upstairs and downstairs portions of the Orphans’ Hall were filled, to capacity yesterday afternoon on the occasion of a concert given by the pupils of the Waihopai side school. Mr R. M. Strang, chairman of the School Committee, presided. Mr Strang said he wished to stress how much the School Committee relied on the parents of the pupils for financial assistance. The committee received £2OO a year for incidental expenses and out of that amount they had to find minor maintenance and pay the janitor. That was impossible. The committee had control of three buildings and two playgrounds. Last year the parents had voluntarily subscribed £153 9/-. Mr Strang also made reference to the highly satisfactory percentage of passes in the proficiency examinations at the Waihopai School. The headmaster, Mr J. Smith Nelson, who also spoke, paid a tribute to the work of Miss Pay and her assistants at the school. The following programme was submitted: Song, “Britannia,” Std. 2 anti 3 boys; recitation, “Owls at Bedtime, ’’ Lois Stewart; song, “Spring has Come,” infants; recitation, “Jerry Joy,” Gordon Hopgood; folk dance, Clap Dance; song, “The Brownie Hen,’’ Primer i and Standard I; recitation, “Tire Elfman,” Owen Lewis; song, “The Little Gardeners,” Standard 2 anti 3; recitation, “Tomtits,’’ Coral Gudgeon; folk dance, “Noriu Miego”; song, “Sweeping and Dusting,” Primer 4 and Standard I girls; recitation, “Lucky Ducks,’’ Joan McCreary; games, “Chimes of Dunkirk,” infants; recitation, “Father Christmas,” Jim Kilpatrick; folk dances, (a) skipping; (b) running; (c) shoemakers; song, “The Brownies’’ Primer 4 and Standard I boys; recitation, “New Year Bells” Joyce Kilpatrick; song, “Poppies” Standard 3 girls; recitation, “Poor Tom’’ lan Dixon; song game, “Hen and Chicks” infants; recitations, (ai “Christopher Robin” Edwin Barnes; (b) “Emmiline’’ Robin Wish; song, “Spring” Primer 4 and Standard I; recitation, “Picnics” Shirley Wish; song game, ‘Yes, I Will’’ infants; folk dance, “Reap the Flax”; song, ’Merry Workers” Standard 2 and 3; song, “My Rocking Horse’’ Primer 4 and Standard I; recitation, “Miss Nan Nockabout” Claire McCreary; nursery rhymes, infants; song, “Little Boy Blue” School. MIDDLE PUPILS EXCELLENT PROGRAMME, Last night the Middle School pupils, under the conductorship of the headmaster, Mr G. Griffiths, gave an excellent programme of musical and other items. The whole of 29 items was confined to pupils of the school. Among the solo performers Master T. Campbell deserves special mention for two violin solos in -which, considering the age of the performer, remarkable skill and tone were always evident. The displays of physical drill, folk dancing, ballets and other dances were ex-

ceedingly well done. The feature of the concert, however, which is deserving of special mention, was the class singing under the direction of Messrs Griffiths and Deacon. The tone produced was now and then weak, as is almost inevitable, but a remarkable sweetness of tone, and a good attack characterized every piece sung from the primers up to 'Standard G. There was a complete absence of that strident, harsh tone so common in school singing. Then, too, considerable ambition was in evidence. Three-part singing was attempt ed with something like complete success. Many items had descant accompaniments, and these were always charming. The descant was always subdued, intonation was good, and considerable light and shade as well as time-liberties were obtained. The whole performance of the class singing showed very careful and constant training by the staff, and Mr Griffiths was congratulated on the marked excellence of the children’s singing, and also upon the intrinsic excellence of the music chosen to be sung.

The concert is to be repeated this evening. The programme was as follows: — National Anthem (two verses), Std 5 and 6 girls on stage; piano solo, Frances von Tunzelman; infants’ choruses and dances; Std. 4, whistling chorus “The Merry Schoolboy”; Highland Red, B. Ramsay, W. Bayes, M. Glasson, E. Birse; senior choir, Londonderry Air, Lullaby; recitation. Betty Hay; hornpipe, Rosie Tomlins; song, Annie Jenkinson; violin solo, T. Campbell; Physical drill, Senior boys; dance duo, Sylvia Raines, Kitty Sutherland; Part songs Stds 2 and 3, “O Hush Thee, My Baby!’’ and “Golden Slumbers”; mouth organ solo. Clarence Swan; recitation, Muriel Smith; song in character, “Old John Braddieum”; piano solo, Florence Olds; “Cook” Ballet; part songs, Stds 5 and 6 girls, Girls Nymphs and Shepherds and Madrigal of Spring; violin solo, T. Campbell; solo, Audrey Sloan; Carols, junior choir, folk dancing, senior girls; dance, Yvonne Webb; piano solo, Isa Ramsay; sola, Phyllis Stalknrt “Out-West’ 1

Ballet; senior choir, “Water Lilies” and “O Holy Night.” ISABELLA DRYBURGH SCHOOL A BRIGHT FUNCTION. A bright function took place at the Isabella Dryburgh School yesterday afternoon when the children assembled at the close of the year each to receive a Christmas present. Mr T. S. Tomlinson, a member of the Waihopai School Committee, who presided, addressed those present and spoke of the great work of the school, speaking in particular of the efforts of Miss Macdonald, the teacher in charge. Mr Tomlinson also made mention of the work of Cousin Betty and her helpers, who had provided the school with equipment. In thanking those who had donated prizes, the speaker referred to the progress made by the pupils of the school, one of whom was to enter the Technical College next year. Mr A, W. Jones, who also spoke, presented each child with a Christmas gift.