THE SCHOOLS

Southland Times, Issue 21580, 18 December 1931, Page 8

THE SCHOOLS

END OF THE YEAR BREAKING-UP FUNCTIONS HELD GATHERING AT WAIHOPAI In view of the fine weather the break-up ceremony at the Waihopai School took place out of doors yesterday in the presence of a fair attendance of parents. Mr R. M. Strang, chairman of the School Committee, presided and in the course of his introductory remarks said that this year the school entered 61 candidates for the proficiency examinations, the standard of which had been raised. This action had been, desirable in many ways, since it provided a higher standard of education. Of the school’s quota 40 had gained proficiency, 17 competency and four had failed. In the opinion of the headmaster had the standard not been raised Waihopai would have had ten more pupils gaining proficiency, but the extension of the scope of the examination without warning had had its effect on the other children. Mr Strang congratulated the staff on the results of the school examinations, stating that there had been very few failures in the standards. Referring to finance, Mr Strang said that the Waihopai School obtained £215 from the department through the Education Board for various expenditure throughout the year. Fuel had cost £BO, the cold climate in Invercargill calling for greater expenditure in this respect than in other centres further north. Had it not been for the -assistance of parents the committee would not have been able to spend as much as it had. This year the sum of £153 had been raised in voluntary contributions. In ordinary years this would have received a £ for £ subsidy, but this year none had been granted by the department on the score of economy. Mr Strang stressed t he. necessity for continued support from parents and concluded by congratulating the caretaker on the improvements he had effected to the grounds. The prizes were then distributed by Messrs H. Royds, F. 11. Tucker, T. S. Tomlinson and W. Grieve. Where books were not awarded the successful children stood up and were applauded for their efforts. In presenting certificates won by Waihopai pupils iij the recent essay competition conducted by the local branch of the League -of Nations Union, Mr Tomlinson expressed disappointment that these numbered only four and hoped that, next year there would be larger entries from the school. He briefly outlined the aims and objects of the League in the outlawry of war and said that in this respect the education of the young played a big part. Mr Tomlinson took the opportunity of congratulating Master Stephen Barclay whose enterprise had resulted in the appearance at the school of the Waihopai Chronicle.

Mr Grieve, on behalf of the Southland Education Board, expressed appreciation of the committee’s work during the year. The headmaster (Mr J. Smith Nelson) returned thanks to the parents for their presence mid detailed the work of the staff in developing the school along academic and sporting lines. The progress being made at Waihopai was due to the interest being evinced by the teachers in the pupils and by the parents in the school. He referred to the transfer of Mr L. J. Clapp and extended a welcome to his successor, Mr L. R. Lewis, paying a tribute to the ability of both. In conclusion he expressed appreciation of the staff’s cooperation and extended seasonal greetings to all present. An event of considerable importance to the children was the arrival of Santa Claus who distributed presents from a Christmas tree to the younger boys and girls. Considerable amusement was caused when the genial old gentleman included the headmaster and caretaker amongst those receiving toys. Following is the school prize-list:— Standard 6: Dux: Hugh McLean; Atheneaum prize, Donald Campbell; Desmond Todd Memorial, Robert Marshall; R. M. Strang prize, William Millar (boys) and Hazel Gordon (girls) ; Attendance medals, John Agnew (7 years) and Gordon McLachlan (6 years) ; best all round sport, lan McCurdy. Attendance certificates: Hazel Gordon, Peggy Whyte, Betty Boyes, Jean Henderson, Elinor Mitchell, Ismay Green, Jessie Carrick, Ivy Biel, William Cundall, Ralph Evans, Lyndsay Challis, Rex Boyens, Raymond Melhop, Arthur Saunders, Gordon McLachlan, Graham Thomson, David Duncan, Hugh McLean Donald Campbell, Ernest Hunt. Form 1. —Attendance certificates: Margaret Lee, Joyce Mackrell Margery Day, Bessie Fosbender, June Bath, Mary Thompson, Nancy Wilson, Margaret Tomlinson. Glenn Robison, Irene Adamson, Rxymond Bridgman, Harry Diver, Philip Fougere, Douglas Hale, Noel Hannah, Reginald Huffadinc, William Russel. Dibgencc prize (Mrs Tomlinson) —Mamie Kean. Diligence prize (Mr H. Halligan)—lrene Adamson. Athenaeum prize, Hazel Moore. Football cap, John McCrostie.

Standard 4: Progress: Alan Huffadine. Attendance certificates: Margaret Tucket. Sheila Morgan, Margaret Bath, Madeline Cook, William Smith, Cecil Smith, James Senior, Harold Halligan, Mervyn Harper, Ralph Copland, Michael Jenkin, Alan Huffari'.ne.

Standard 3: Progress, Helen Dalgamo (prize donated by Mr H. Halligan). Sewing, Joyce Challis (prize donated by Mrs Bain Challis).’ Attendance certificates: Marion Agnew, Joyce Challis, Margaret Grant, Harold Cundall, Kenneth de Garnham, Wallace Green, Percy Taylor, Nancy Henderson, Mary Johnstone, Esther Stewart.

Standard 2: Attendance certificates: Joyce Halligan, Lorna Mason, Clara Smith, Stanley Cundall, Robert Johnstone, Lester Tucker, William Watts; Blanche Mclnnes, Joan Robinson. General excellence, Ken Miller. Standard I: Attendance certificates: Gordon Collett, Ray Colley, Colin de Garnham, Rex Jackson, Ken Y’oung, Irene Joyce, Myra Polson, Eunice Smith, John Smith. General excellence: Bruce Moffett (awarded by Mrs Oliver). Primers 3 and 4: Attendance certificates: Bruce Rice and Ray Telfcr. Primer 2: Attendance certificates: Mary Joyce and Bobbie Joyce. In the prize list supplied no mention is made of ciass positions for which no prizes were given this year. ST. Ueobge At St. George there was a large attendance of parents and friends for the break-ing-up ceremony, the chairman of the School Committee, Mr T. J. Daniel, presiding. After the awards had been distributed a concert programme was given by the pupils. Mr Daniel said they could congratulate themselves on having one of the finest grounds in the city. In sport the school had done very well. During the year subsidies had ben reduced, with the result that the committee had had to rely more than over on the parents. If they looked around, however, they would see that their money had not been wasted. Their two probationary assistants and their two probationers would be leaving them at the end of the year and he wished to pay a tribute to their work. At the conclusion of the chairman’s address Mr A. J. Deaker, on behalf of the local branch of the League of Nations Union, presented certificates to the pupils who had passed the examination conducted by the union. The following programme was then submitted: “The Sahib of AUuhabad,” dance, Lola Hoffman; playette, Standard I; “Columbus,” Standard 111 boys; song, Standard II boys and girls; recitation, Peggy Ball; folkidancc, Standard VI; rural dance, Standard I; songs, Standard VI; dance, Standard I; folk dancing, Standard n. The following special prizes were award-

ed : Dux medal, John W. McChesney; champion athletic boy, Robert Thompson; champion athletic girl, Moira Wohlers; Mr Warburton’s medal for best all-round boy, Norris McEwan. In addition a book was presented to each child in the primers. The following were the placed pupils in the various classes: Dux of schooL John W. McChesney; second in class, Florence Orr; Standard V, Desmond Crowley 1, Arnold Jones 2, Esnes Orr 3; Standard IV, Peggy Ball 1, Joseph Taylor 2; Standard 111, Adrian Turner 1, Lucretia Dale 2; Standard 11, Isobel Swain 1, Jean Gordon 2; Standard I, William Scully 1, Ella Taylor

The second annual sports meeting of St. George School was held in the school grounds on Tuesday afternoon in the presence of a fair attendance of parents. This innovation in the school curriculum provided keen competition among the pupiLs, practically every phase of athletics having been fostered. Swimming, running, field events, football, cricket, basketball, baseball, tennis, deportment and dancing are the divisions under which points were allocated. In all there were 29 boys’ events carrying a total of S 7 points and 21 events carrying 63 points for the girls’ total. The pupiLs receive organized training in all the above physical developments throughout the year. To stimulate interest in the progress of these athletics two handsome cups have been provided by the Herbert Smith Trust with miniatures donated by the School Committee. These are given each year to the champion boy and girl of the school. The champion boy for 1931 is Robert Thompson, who gained 41 points out of the possible 87, while the champion girl gained 18 out of a possible of 63. Cyril Orme with 31 points was runner-up in the boys’ championship and Maisie Scott with 17 points runner-up in the girls’. WAIKIWI In conjunction with the breaking-up ceremony of the Waikiwi School a concert was given by the pupils on Wednesday evening. There was a large attendance of parents and friends who showed their appreciation of the work of the children. Part-songs, drill displays, folk and ballet dancing and playettes were staged in quick succession. At the conclusion of the programme the Rev. W. J. Robertson, chairman of the committee, thanked the staff and pupils for the enjoyable evening, and conveyed the thanks of the committee for the support given to the school by the parents of the district. The programme was as follows: —“Sellenger’s Round,” folk dance by St. 1; “The Elephant,” song by Primers and “Elephant” (Std. 6 boys) ; drill, St ds. 3-4 girls; Dutch song, P. 3-4; Dutch dance, Joyce Tinker; “Jingle Bells,’’ Std. 1; “Afton Water” and “Bumble Bee,” songs, Stds. 3-4; “Red Riding Hood” playette by P. 4; Epping Forest folk dances by Std. 5; apple pie, P. 1-2; boat song, Std. 1; part-songs by Stds. 4-5; recitation, D. Scott; ballet, Std. 3 girls; “Slumber Song,” P. 2-3; drill, Stds. 3-4-5 boys; “Cinderella,’’ play by Std. 1; “Baby Girls,” song, by P. 3-4; folk dance by Std. 1; songs, Stds. 5-6; “Dame Durden,” play by Std. 6 girls; “Forty Years Onward,” Stds. 4-5-6 boys.