PRIMARY SCHOOL CEREMONIES

Southland Times, Issue 23693, 16 December 1938, Page 12

PRIMARY SCHOOL CEREMONIES

INVERCARGILL NORTH The annual break-up ceremony of the Invercargill North School was held yesterday afternoon and there was a big attendance of parents and visitors present. In the infant department there was singing and an exhibition of folk dancing by the children which were enjoyed by those present. An inspection of the work done by the children in the main school was made in the class rooms, a varied display of handwork, project work and all sorts of surprising things being on view. A special feature of the classroom work was the dramatization of children’s stories. Christmas carols were also sung. Afterwards the children of all standards gave an exhibition of marching, quick-set exercises and folk dancing. These were all done to the accompaniment of music supplied by the sound system operating at the school. The precision of the marching and the drill reflected great credit on the work of the teachers in training the children. The dux of the school this year is Joyce Mortimer, to whom the chairman of the School Committee, Mr J. Pickard, presented the dux medal and complimented her on gaining this honour. A presentation of a reading lamp, • clock and perfume bottle, all in crystal ware, was made to Miss E. Doogin, who is leaving the school to take up a position at the Waihopai school. _ Mr Pickard, in making the presentation on behalf of the School Committee, parents and scholars, referred to Miss Doogin’s long association with the school and praised her valuable and loyal assistance throughout her 19 years of teaching there. He expressed the general regret that'the school was losing her services. Miss Doogin, in reply, stated that her memories of the school would always be pleasant ones. She regretted leaving the school and her many friends there.

Gifts of sweets and nuts were made to each of the children. On behalf of the School Committee Mr Pickard thanked the head master, Mr J. A. Cushen and his staff for their splendid work and co-operation during the year, and extended to them the season’s greetings. Mr Cushen, in reply, spoke of the work done at the school and on behalf of his staff heartily reciprocated the committee’s good wishes. MIDDLE A recital by the Middle School choir attracted a big audience to the Victoria Hall last evening, the proceeds being in aid of the musical appreciation fund. The singing of the children was a revelation to those who had not previously heard them, the clarity and sweetness of the voices being most marked. In addition to the numbers by the choir, which was conducted by the head teacher, Mr G. F. Griffiths, items were given by Gorden Elder, John Wilkinson, Mr J. Pringle, Miss Vena Gordon, Mrs E. K. Mills, Alex Lange, Gordon Chambers and Miss Lila Gerkin. The accompanists were Mrs A. F. Manning and Miss E.* J. Loy. During the evening the chairman of the School Committee, Mr W. Stewart, presented the dux medals to Alan McCurdy and Pat Tuson. This morning a picnic will be held on the Doon street reserve for the older children and the infants will enjoy themselves round a Christmas tree.

ST. GEORGE The break-up of the St. George School took place last evening, the functions including a sports meeting, the distribution of awards by Mr W. M. C. Denham, M.P., and a social gathering which was attended by members of the committee and their wives, the staff and Mr and Mrs Denham. In the afternoon a ceremony for the infants was held, the children providing a programme of songs and music. An address was given by the Rev. E. Gardiner and each child was presented i with a book and a bag of sweets. During the afternoon the chairman of the School Committee, Mr W. Carswell, and the secretary, Mr T. Walker, visited the Southland Hospital, where a class associated with the school is conducted, and handed a book and a bag of sweets to each child. Mr Denham presented the following awards: Dux, Elman Poole; best allround girl, Eunice Derbidge; best allround boy, Derek Wilson; library membership tickets, Gwen Shuttleworth and Gordon Feaver.

Following are the results of the finals of the sports events:— High Jump, senior boys: A. Small 1, W. McGavock 2, A. Semple 3. High Jump, senior girls: Lena Aitken 1, E. Kennedy 2, J. Munro 3. High Jump, junior boys: R. Longley 1, T. Anderson 2, W. Keast 3. High Jump, junior girls: Nola Agnew 1, Alice Cook 2, Audrey Clyma 3. 75 Yards, junior boys: R. Sycamore 1, K. Butson 2, W. Keast 3. 75 Yards, junior girls: Nola Agnew and Audrey Clyma (dead heat) 1 Betty Semple 3. 100 Yards, senior boys: W. McGavock 1, T. Flint 2, A. Small 3. 100 Yards, senior girls: E. Kennedy 1, I. Aitken 2, Joy Morris 3. 75 Yards Hurdles, junior boys: R. Sycamore 1, W. Keast 2, R. Semple 3. 75 Yards Hurdles, junior girls: S. Metzger 1, S. Clifford 2, Joyce Rillstone 3. 100 Yards Hurdles, senior boys: A. Small 1, T. Flint 2, W. McGavock 3. 100 Yards Hurdles, senior ’girls: E. Kennedy 1, L. Aitken 2, Joy Morris 3. Champion boy: Senior, Alex Small; runner-up, Travis Flint; 3hh lor > George Freeman; runner-up, William Keast. Champion girl: Senior, _ Lena Aitken; runner-up, Joy Morris; junior, Alice Cook; runner-up, Nola Agnew. The social gathering was a happy little function, at which the pleasant relations existing between the committee and the staff were emphasized. Mr Carswell presided. The toast list was as follows: The Staff” (proposed by Mr Carswell and replied to by the head teacher, Mr T. V Haydon); “The Committee (Mr Haydon—Mr T. Daniel); “Parliament (Mr W. Murray—Mr Denham); The Chairman” (Mr Walker-Mr Carswell); “The Secretary” (Mr Carswell—Mr Walker); “Our Boss” (Mr A. KinrossMr Haydon). . On behalf of the committee Mr Walker made presentations to Messrs Imbs and Daniel in recognition of their work in organizing card evenings during the year and to the chairman and the head teacher.

SOUTH The break-up ceremony of the South School took the form of a concert in Stobo Hall last evening. An enjoyable programme by the children was well received by a big audience and the excellence of the entertainment reflected credit on the efforts of the performers, as well as the work of the teachers. During the evening the dux medals were presented to Raynor Huffadine and Graham White, who were congratulated on their success. Mr L. S. Alsweiler, chairman of the schol committee, expressed pleasure at the big attendance and the success of the evening’s entertainment He thanked the teachers for their work during the year and the assistance that had been given by the parents. Mr Alsweiler congratulated two members of the teaching staff, Miss J. McCrostie and Mr G. K. Nicholson, on their recent musical successes in gaining L.T.C.L. awards. He mentioned that the Diamond Jubilee of the South School would be held early in February next and it was the committee’s aim to have as big an attendance as possible to celebrate it. Mr C. N. Lawless, head master of the school, conveyed his thanks to the parents for the assistance given to him during the year. It had been a remarkable year, in which an almost continuous epidemic of measles had been experienced This had made the year s work much more difficult for the children, but even more so for the parents. He appreciated the continued interest shown by the parents, as this had assisted the children greatly in their work. Thanks were also expressed to the staff, the members of which had worked together throughout the year. The programme was as follows: — Songs: Std. 1 boys, “Cherry Song,” “The Fairy Glade” and “The Farmyard”; cornet solo, Alan Aldridge; Russian dance, soloist, Raynor Huffadine; banjo-mandolin solo, Henry Alsweiler; physical drill, Std. 3 boys; tap dance, Mabel Swan; playette, Std. 2 girls, “Molly’s Wish”- dance, rendezvous; songs, Form 1 girls, “Silent Night,” “Water-lilies,” “Come Lasses and Lads and “Come Now, Sail With me”; banjomandolin solo, Henry Alsweiler; American tap ballet; cornet solo, Harold Wilson; playette, Form 2 girls, “Incomprehensible.”

ST. MARY’S SCHOOL There was a big attendance of parents and friends at the annual break-up of the St. Mary’s School (Gore) yesterday afternoon. The ceremony was held in the main hall of the school. The Rev. Father T. S. Kavanagh expressed his personal thanks to all those persons who had assisted with the queen carnival, which was conducted recently in aid of the school funds. He especially thanked the people of the Riversdale parish for their assistance and cc-operation, and said that he would later have an opportunity of thanking the people of Gore and Mataura. As a result of the effort it was estimated that the school debt would be reduced by £325. Father Kavanagh then presented the prizes to the successful pupils. The prize-list was as follows:—

Primary department.—Form II: Christian doctrine, Magnus Murray; dux of form, Marie Poppelwell; second in form, James Burns and Lindo Cooney (equal); fourth in form, Marie Cowan; arithmetic, Louis Johnston; reading and recitation, Magnus Murray; writing, May Hoffman; drawing and English, Sylvester Hoffman; spelling, Margaret Kelly; arithmetic and writing, Jack O’Connor; sewing and handwork, Julia Ward; arithmetic, Tom Hanley; composition, Brian Welsh and Jack Francis; English, Helen Dees; writing, Margaret Bogue; composition, Patricia Hailes; neatness, lan Smith; general improvement, Kevin Smith; drawing, Edna Rasmussen; spelling and drawing, Hilda Swallow; composition, Joe Burke; writing, Claie Ford. , . T , Form I.—Christian doctrine, Jack Mallon; first in form, Russel Steel and Eunice Wallis (equal); third in form, Alice Holland; fourth in form, Jack Groves; general improvement, Isla Monaghan and Con Nolan. Standard IV.—Christian doctrine, Gabriel Farry; first in class, Monica Cooney* second in class, Michael Strang, 'third in class, Maureen O’Brien; general improvement, Cyril Bonisch, lan McGoldrick. Standard lll—Christian doctrine, Patricia Churstain; first in class, Dorinda Holland, Rita Kerr 2, Raymond Johnston 3; handwork, Mathew Hanley; general improvement, Hazel O Connor and Leo Cooney. , Standard ll—Christian doctrine, Valerie Waddell; first in class Marie O’Brien, Shirley Cowan 2, Lenore Mallon and June Holland equal 3; general improvement) Patricia Holland and Teresa Hardiman; attention to study, Margaret Hanley. Standard I.—Christian doctrine, Peter Murray; first in class, Joyce Wallis, Pauline Poppelwell 2, Maureen Monaghan 3; general knowledge, Peter Davis; arithmetic, Jim O’Connor. Preparatory.—Christian doctrine, Eileen Hanley; first in class, Noel Wallis, Dawn Holland 2, Margaret Welsh 3; general improvement, Nellie Ryan and Noeline McKinnell; reading, Patricia Kerr. Infants.—P. HI.: Catechism, Paul Thompson; first in class, Pauline Holland. P. II.: First in class, Dan O’Neill. P. I.: First in class, Noehne O’Brien; Desmond Turnbull 2; recitation, Graham reading, Francis Casey; print script, Sabina Hardiman. Special Prizes.—Politeness, Magnus Murray; elocution, Josephine Dowling; drawing, Leslie Hailes. Forth V: Dux, Winifred Cody. Form IV: Dux Imelda Fahy. Form Hl.—General, Erin McGoldrick; commercial, Frederick O’Neill.

EAST GORE The annual break-up ceremony of the East Gore School was held in the school yesterday afternoon. There was a big attendance of parents and friends. Mr A. T. Newman, chairman of the School Committee, presided, and associated with him were Messrs T. L. Macdonald, the newly-elected member of Parliament for the Mataura electorate, E. H. W. Rowntree, rector of the Gore High School, and J. IL Park, head master.

Mr Newman referred to the progress of the school and congratulated Mr Park and his teachers cn their good work. The school inspectors, he said, were very pleased with the work of the pupils. , . . ■ Mr Macdonald’ impressed on the pupils that to gain success in school and later in life it was necessary to to work to the best of their ability. By doing so they would bring credit to themselves and to the school. Mr Rowntree and Captain Elliott, representing the Gore Ministers’ Associa-

tion, also spoke. The dux prize was presented to Alexander Teschner by Mr Newman, who also presented the other prizes with the assistance of Mr Rowntree. Because of heavy rain the annual school sports were not held, and will probably be held today.