PARTING OF THE WAYS

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 5, 21 December 1928, Page 7

PARTING OF THE WAYS

AT PRIMARY SCHOOL

PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATES. Proficiency certificates gained during the year were presented at the Primary school on Thursday to Standard VI pupils, the Mayor (Mr J. W. McMillan) and Mr W. Hoskin, chairman of the School Committee, being In attendance. CONTINUOUS EDUCATION, Addressing the children, Mr L. J. Furrie, headmaster, thanked the Mayor and Mr Hoskin for attending. Both were keenly interested in the school and had been useful supporters for many years, and, although busy men, they always found tim e to help with the breaking-up ceremony. The Standard VI. pupils, had now reached the end of the primary school course. That did not mean that thei r education was finished—in fact, their education was just commencing. And t'he word "education" was used in its widest sense. . The word meant not only hook learning, but everything in the way of experience which would fit them (to become useful citizens of the town and of the country As they moved along they would learn" many things, completing! their education, and what was education but the development of the mind and Ithe body. Some would go on to the High School and others would go to work, but those going to work should not regard themselves as inferior. Some of the best hoys and girls might 1 be in the position of having to go to work.

IISDUSTKY AND HOISESTY. Abtut eighty pupils were eligible to go on ito the High School, and no doubt the sections going to High School and going to work would be about equal In number. Wherever t'hey went, he hoped they would always remember the lessons of the primary school— industry and honesty. All should see that they were not

frightened to do Itoo much—there was rather too much of th e -spirit of stopping work at 5 o'clock although lititle jobs might remain to be done. Any Of the pupils might have a lowly part to lay, but if everybody did his part well it would be to the benefit of the town and the country generally. Children owed it to their parents to make the most of their opportunities, for many parents made great sacrifices to enable their children to oe properly educated. They had come to the parting of the ways. He hoped all these leaving the school would-take an honourable part in life, and nothingwould give 'him greater pleasure (than in future years to renew acquaintance with the pupils.

CITIZENS INTERESTED. The Mayor said .it was hardly necessary for him to say anything except to heartily endorse all that Mr Furrie had said. The school's successful year must be gratifying to pupils and parents, and particularly to the teachers. He hoped his young hearers had not had tco much experience of the cane, and that they would recognise that they would succeed best in life if Ithey had not to be pushed too much to do their work. Whether the pupils went to High School or to work they should remember that the people of Stratford were interested in their progress. Mr McMillan then presented the proficiency certificates, and athletic certificates were presented by Mr Hoskin. THE BAYLY SCHOLARSHIP. Mr Hoskin. said it: was pleasing to see the large number of certificates for work both in and out of school. He congratulated the school on its work. Congratulations were also due to Bruce Fisher for winning the Bayly Scholarship. Cheers were given for the Mayor and Mr Hoskin, and for the teach- ; ers. PROFICIENCY. I The following received proficiency