CADRACN HOUSE SCHOOL.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 12975, 14 December 1910, Page 1 (Supplement)

CADRACN HOUSE SCHOOL.

ANNUAL PRIZE DISTRIBUTION,

The annual conceit aud distribution of prizes in connection, with Cabragh House School took place at the Oddfellows' Hall last evening, in the presence of a good attendance of parents and friends. Mr A. T. Maginnity, Chairman of the Education Board, presided. Before the presentation of prizes took place, the lady principal, Miss Hornsby, expressed her thanks to those who had shown an interest in the school, and to Mr Maginnity for presiding at the gathering. In regard to the work carried on by the school, Miss_ Hornsby explained that the upper school was divided into two classes, ranging from Standard VI. to matriculation and junior civil service work. As a test of work, at the annual examinations this year most of the papers, she said, were taken from past civil service and matriculation papers, with satisfactory results. In arithmetic all the class, with one exception, gained over 50 per cent. The English work included Shakespeare^s "Macbeth," Milton's "Samson Agonistes," and Dickens' "Nicholas, Nickleby." The writing for the annual examinations was kindly judged by Mr W. S. Hampson and the art work by Mrs Topliss, who highly commended it all, special notice being taken of the work of Aileen Batchelor. The needlework was judged by Miss Cleland and the .reading by Mrs Wilkinson. The school, said Miss Hornsby, owed much to the visiting teachers, including Mrs Nicholson (elocution, Miss Sadd (art) , and Miss Elwood. Coote (singing). The singing class distinguished themselves in the Associated Board this year and were complimented by the examiner (Mr H. Hudley). Miss Hornsby expressed regret that Miss Coote was relinquishing teaching work, and she wished her every happiness in the future. Both the upper and, lower school attended Miss Greenwood's physical culture class, and a most successful display .was given last month. Mrs Tomlirißort kindly examined this class. Amongst those who. had presented special prizes were Mrs Nicholson, Miss Savage, Miss E. Snaile (Blenheim), and Mr and Mrs C. F. Hornsby (Dublin). Miss Hornsby said they would notice that the ages of the pupils attending the school ranged from 5 years to 18 years. She was glad to notice that they had girls of the ages of 14 to 18. Whether it was owing to the constant competition in professions and other occupations or" whether it was

a. caused by the lack of appreciation of t the value of education by the girls 1 themselves or their parents, it wag a r fact that the education of girls bows' adays did not extend beyond 15^— '„ classes excepted, whieb. were la great help, but it did Jiot educate: in 3 the same way. Her opinion was that ,' girls between island 18 had a much f< greater mental capacity than younger 3' ones, however brilliant, they might be. 1 There were plenty of cases in which »•' a precocious child, entered school early -.and left school early, the knowledge l passing through- her mind like a sieve. . so that when compared; with a girl r who had taken h&f wt?rk more glowJy I and steadily she X^as far inferior ia 1 general inowlodge ana! character tot* . ination. Physical development was [ also often neglected and young girls > left school badly" equipped for life in s that way also. . ; Mr Maginnity then presented the > prizes as fct'lows : — - • " ; ;?■ LOWER SCHOOL. [ Preparatory Division. L Reading:- Malcolm Whelan. [ Arithmetic : Ivan Bird. , Plastecine modelling : Nancy Wilkinson. "" : Attendance (full) ; Meliart Griffin j , pros, ace, M, Whelan, [ . Standard Division. Reading: Violet Mills; pros, ace., ,- I, Nalder and A. Batchelor. - Writing and spelling : JEvelyn Bigg- : Wither; pros, ace, T. Meadows. Scripture :Muir McLaren ; I. Nailer. ; . Arithmetic; C. McLaren ; prox. Acc it ;• I. Nalder. . . " ■ Drawing and brushwork : A. Batehe- , lor ; prox.;,-,acG.; C» Mahoxe^. -6 >_ * --- prKS '"I**** 11 Geography: T.J|©a^oivp. UPBERgCHOOI.. majkir (highest t^vo terms): P, Evangj grox. ace, A. DartnaU. -Exanunation marks: C. Evansprox._ ace., D." DartnaU. . ' Arithmetic, highest marks annual examination: A. DartnaU) tfjox. ace, I. Smart. ' ' ' • .. . , I History:. Special prize annual exam<P^^J V Foster;' prox. A, "Reading and^ spellinfi : 0. EvowSs prox. ace, D. Dartnall.- ; ' , W .; C .. |^U^t & Tame; p^x. *&<, C. --'|'reich:ip.% an B;E.Taine. • ;. Qbject lesson :;E.Taine;C. Evans. - f™Z£ utlon '• E - Time ■> Progress, J. LaS^'-'^J special, A. 3 Spi' L .°^» se^. v Musio: Prog.yes*, senior. I. Coote: PF« ct ! c V 2, Dartndl j unior, m! /physical culture : A. Dartnall. o ; Map : E. Tame. „•.-•.,.•' ' ;'-'■ The Chairman then deliverpil o ; *hort stress. He 4id^ waf the . first time he had Ka3 the .nl^ and of meeting the. pSpik of Cabngh House gchopl jn an official capac■,'ityv A? they were aware aU private" might nbw be examined ; antl inspected by the inspectors of the aJepartment, and the inspectors had visited the school, and their reports : were most satisfactory. As the/ had that ovening a very wide scheme of education w&s undertaken at that school. In- regard to Mis.* Hornsby's remarks about keeping pupils at school iUntil they w^-q 18 years of age, he pointed out that competition was very .keen in New Zealand, arid there were many people whose circumstances did not nermit them keeping their children ..at school until they were that age. Now in New Zealand education was jreo from tho lowest standards to the university, but whether that system was right or wrong he was not going to, say. He felt that when the State had educated a child to Standard VI it had performed its obligation..' He was. afraid education had been made too cheap: to.. be appreciated by many.Those who wished to succeed must take advantage of every spare/ moment to improve their minds and make full use of their opportunities for acquiring- knowledge. In conclusion Mr , Slagihnity urged the pupils to try as far as.possibla to live greatly, to be sincere, to b<j,straight in rrarpose, wide in sympathy, and high in "courage, that ;t%ir minds might reflect, not the poor , .tbjnga of life, but the strong , pure things which suri^ynde^ them on every hand. . • ' the evening a» excellent programme, consisting of vocal and instruinetital -itemß, recitatwin?, club Viraging:, etc., was gone "through by. the pupjls in a very creditable manner. . Songs were eontributftd by Miss 'Copte'a class, the lower school, and ; Miss Wilkinson, recitations by Misses T; Meadows, V. Mills, A, and D. Dartnail; J. Foster> E. Tame, and E. Eyans> pianoforte pieces by Misses . .Hornsby, Sharp, I. Coote, E. BiggAVither, A. Batoholor, A. and l>. Dartliifil, and an exhibition of club swinging by Misses Tame and Dartnoll.

, A vote of thanks to the Chairman •proposed by Mr McLaren concluded a most successful gathering,