SCHOOLS CLOSE

Southland Times, Issue 22770, 21 December 1935, Page 4

SCHOOLS CLOSE

BREAK-UP CEREMONIES OTAUTAU The annual break-up concert of the Otautau School was held on Wednesday evening, when there was a large attendance of parents, pupils and friends in the Town Hall, over which Mr G. Sinclair, chairman of the committee, presided. In his remarks the chairman stated that the Otautau School had experienced another successful year. Good work had been accomplished by the headmaster (Mr H. Gazzard) and his efficient staff. He was pleased to be able to state that the average attendance had increased during the year from 159 to 173. Staff changes had taken place during the year. Mr Gazzard had taken charge of the school from Mr Milne, and Miss Petrie had taken Miss McConachie’s place. He was very sorry to state that they were losing the services of their probationary assistant, Miss R. Couper, who had been on the staff for the past two years. Miss Couper had proved herself to be a valued young teacher, was keen and enthusiastic, and was highly esteemed by th® pupils. In connection with the school concert Miss Couper had trained the children, the operetta, “The Stolen Princess,” had involved a tremendous amount of work, and the children had shown evidence of careful tuition. The operetta was well received, and was much enjoyed. Miss Couper had been ably assisted by Miss Petrie. Not only were these young ladies competent musicians, but they had also been efficient dressmakers, as all the concert costumes had been made at the school under their supervision. In presenting the dux medal to Mary Bone, the chairman congratulated her on her performance, and hoped she would go to the High School and attain higher honours. Mr Sinclair said he was pleased to note that last year’s dux winner, Eric Hill, had distinguished himself at the Boys’ High School, and Wallace Coster, another ex-pupil, had also done well. The chairman also referred to the fact that the pupils of Otautau School, and the Hassed family in particular, had distinguished themselves in connection with the agricultural clubs’ competition. Master R. N. Hassed had won the Stewart Cup (to be held for one year) and also a gold medal (to be his own property) for the best crop of potatoes in the Dominion, with 474 tons to the acre. The Hassed family had also secured second prize in the pig section in London. The Farmers’ Union Shield had been won outright, and the school had also held the Thomas Shield for one year. Other pupils who were connected with the club were: William and Eric Batchelor, Rita Collie, Lex Liddell, Madeline Ireland, Bernard Healey, Jean Pullar and Mary Ayson. He congratulated one and all on their success, and presented the medals to Master W. Hassed and Robert Hassed. The programme consisted of a playette, “The Stolen Princess,” the pupils taking their various parts and acquitting themselves creditably. At the conclusion a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to all who had contributed in any way to the success of the entertainment. Following is the prize-list:— Form II.: Dux of school, Mary Bone; library prizes, Yvonne Paulin, Robert McMillan (runner-up to dux), and Lex Liddell. Proficiency certificate, Edward Baker, Ritchie Callam, Geoffrey Butler, Alexander Liddell, Robert McMillan,, William Miller, Roy Simon, Mary Bone, Jessie Lay, Yvonne Paulin, Zora Sutherland; competency: Bernard Healey, Robert Thomas, Selwyn Pulley, Margaret Kennedy, Margaret Collie, Estelle Mackie. Attendance certificates: Ritchie Ballam, Alexander Liddell, William Miller and Margaret Kennedy. Form I: Dorothy Baker 1, Edwina Hamlyn 2, Alison Angus 3. Attendance certificates: Basil Jamieson, Edwina Hamlin, Ernest Kennedy and Sybil Norman. Standard IV.: Patty Anderson and Dorothy Jellyman 1 (equal), Allan Fisher 3. Attendance certificates: Albert Chilton, Allan McCrostie, lan Sutherland, Dorothy Jellyman, Jessie Rowe, Standard III.: Joan Chandler 1, Madeline Ireland 2, Marion McCrostie 3. Attendance certificate: James Miller. Standard II.: Joyce Thomson 1, Alma Denniston 2, Eileen Ballan 3. Attendance certificates: Edward Coombe, John Herron, Lindsay Silverwood, Vernon Silverwood, Alma Denniston. Standard I.: Peter Chandler 1, Jessie Anderson 2, lan Hodges 3. Attendance certificates: John O’Neil, Ivor Hawkins, Charles Ballam, Dorothy Williams.

P. IV.: Fay Lindsay 1, Richard Hodges 2, Eunice Jellyman 3. Attendance certificates: Jenny Lee, Eunice Jellyman, June Ballam. Merit certificates were awarded for first, second and third places in the classes. NIGHTCAPS (From Our Correspondent.) The break-up ceremonies of the Nightcaps School were held on Thursday. Santa Claus arrived in full regalia to sojourn for a happy hour with infant classes. Santa officiated at a gaily bedecked Christmas Tree and every infant pupil received a Christmas gift and lollies. There was a large gathering of parents present to witness the presentation of prizes won during the year. Mr W. Excell, member of the Southland Education Board and chairman of the Nightcaps School Committee, presented the prizes. In his remarks Mr Excell extended.a welcome to the parents present. Such an attendance on break-up day, said Mr Excell, evinced a fine interest in the school and school affairs. The 1936 year would see a Form 111. established and the inauguration of this form, together with the recommencement of five-year-old pupils would mean the advancement of a grade to the Nightcaps School. This advancement under usual circumstances meant the transfer of the present staff, but the Nightcaps School, through its committee, were so satisfied with the headmaster and staff as at present that recommendations placed before authorities would probably obviate any change and such recommendations would be advanced. Proceeding, Mr Excell said this was the 51st break-up of the Nightcaps School. Great changes had taken place since the first breakup. Last year a memorable jubilee had taken place and an Ex-Pupils’ Association formed. The picturesque state of the school gardens was due in the first place to the Ex-Pupils’ Association and also to past and present teachers who had taken a fine interest in the upkeep of the gardens, lawns and grounds. Opportunity was taken during the afternoon to bid good-bye to Miss E. Thomas, who is being transferred. Mr Excell presented Miss Thomas with an appreciation from the teaching staff and pupils. Mr Excell trusted Miss Thomas would have a prosperous teaching career. Mr O. V. Berry, headmaster, endorsed Mr Excell’s remarks. The boys and girls gave three hearty cheers for Miss Thomas. Miss Thomas returned thanks; she

said her association with the Nightcaps school and citizens had been a very happy one. She wished one and all a happy and prosperous New Year. The headmaster, Mr Berry, then thanked the parents for their co-opera-tion during the year, in making the year a successful one. He said the manner in which the children had been prepared at home for their school work was very pleasing. The parents were entertained to afternoon tea, after which an inspection of many examples of school work was proceeded with. The weather, not being suitable, a sports programme was postponed. Mr Excell then presented the prizes and Mr D. Sinclair the certificates won during the year. The prize list was: Dux of School (School Committee Medal). —Andrew Rollands. Progress prizes (donated by Mr and Mrs Excell). Stds. 5 and 6, Boys.—lvor Robmson; girls, Mavis Brown. Stds. 3 and 4.—Boys, Jack Grant; girls, Avis Bennett. Stds. 1 and 2.—Boys, George Brighton; girls, Gladys Braithwaite. Writing, Stds. 4, 5 and 6.—Joan Nutter. Handwork, Stds. 4, 5 and 6.—Margaret Nicholson. Good behaviour and most helpful pupil.—Boy, Herbert Morris; girl, Margaret Crammond. Most marks for year, Stds. 4, 5 and 6 (committee’s prize).—Boys, Neil McLeod; girls, Jem Crofts. Attendance Certificates. Std. 6 —Douglas Dixon, Alfred Excell, Gladys Hedley, Mona Magee, Ada Sneddon. Std. s.—Martin Currie, George Marelich, Campbell Mason, Ernest Braithwaite, Clarence Thompson, Herbert Morris, Albert Fordyce, Jessie Robertson. Std. 4.— Thomas Robertson, Stuart Sinclair, George Thompson, Jean Crofts, Linda McDowell. Std. 3.—Llewellyn Marelich, Frederick Webb, Valma Lowe, Avis Bennett, Margaret McLeod, Joyce White. Std. 2.—Jack Hyde, Doreen Hyde, Enid Magee. Std. I.—Robert Cui-rie, Daphne Joseph, Isobel Goudie, Ellen Crammond. Primers.—Freda Duncan, Anna Goudie, Rayma Mcßae, Alwyn Hyde. Sports Competitions: (Herbert Smith Trust Cups).—Swimming championship, boys, Peter Lowe; girls, Thelma Tinker. House Competition for Sports. Arawa House Leaders. —Boys, Edward Moseley; girls, Gladys Irwin.