MOTUROA SCHOOL

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1924, Page 7

MOTUROA SCHOOL

BREAKING-UP CEREMONY. CONCERT BY CHILDREN. The year’s studies insofar as the Moturoa Schobl is concerned terminated yesterday, the occasion being marked by a concert given by the children in the evening, while to-day the annual school picnic will be held on the school grounds. The concert last night was held in the school, the attendance being so great that many were unable to gain admittance. A furtheY attraction in the evening’s entertainment was a dance, both for the children and adults, this following the concert programme. Mr. W. W. Thomson (chairman of the school committee) presided.

Mr. Thomson said it was very gratifying to see such a splendid attendance of parents and friends. During the year the school had been well supported by the parents, with the result that a considerable amount of expense had been saved. IMPROVING THE GROUNDS.Much time and money had been spent in the improvement of the school grounds, and it would not be long before they would be recognised as the beauty spot of the district. When the school was started about eighteen months ago the surroundings were in a very rough state, and the transformation which had been effected was really wonderful. The ground which was being laid out for a tennis court, was rapidly nearing completion, and would l>o in readiness for play early in the New Year.

The school was fortunate in its headmaster (Mr. H. F. McClune), whose efforts had been crowned with every success. Since the time the school had been established not one complaint had been received by the parents, and the children were a credit to the district. Tn his report Mr. MvClune said he felt sure the year had been a successful one in every way. His methods and ideas had been criticised, but this did not worry him in the least. He still maintained that his principles in regard to the education of the children were on the right lines and he acted accordingly. One of the main factors to his mind was to teach the children to love their work, and <so do it without fear of punishment or influence by the promise of a reward. All the children under his care had worked well during lhe year, and results had I ren maintained without their being goaded or threatened. Work was a pleasure because they did it themselves. A, SUCCESSFUL YEAR. W I am not going to speak much on the matter of examinations.” continued Mr. McUlunc. He did not consider they were the most, important things in the school life, but nevertheless he was pleased to report that all the children bad been very successful. In fact, he was almost sorry that they had been co successful as it meant that many of them would be leaving the school in consequence.

The following items were contributed during the evening:—Pianoforte duet, (Lucy Carr and Marjorie Stevens); song, '’Whisper Low,” (senior pupils); dance primers (primer classes): recitation, Nancy Molloy and Sylvia Duffin; song, "Gently and Low,” (junior pupils); The Marionettes (Ivan Parkinson); Lullaby Song, (primer classes) ; recitation (Roie Parkinson); song (Miss Emily Hoyle); "Evening Song.’’ (juniors); dance (primers); recitation (Joyce Maine) ; tion (Daniel Flu-ker and Monica Duffin); Japanese songs (juniors); song, "Ten Little Nigger Bovs” (juniors)-. dance (primers); recitation (Marjorie Wooldridge); dialogue. "The Bashful Boy,” (senior pupils); song. “Home, Sweet Home” (senior pupils). All the items were well rendered, and the little performers were recalled in nearly every ease. The costumes were without exception beautiful, and were a feature of the entertainment. A favourite adjunct to the programme was a rousing haka given by a team of boys under the leadership" of Mr. Atua. Mr. MoClune expressed thank* for the appreciative manner in which the. items had been received, explaining that little time had been found for any lengthy preparations.

The concert portion of the evening’s entertainment, closed with three cheers for the teaching staff and the singing cf the National Anthem. The floor was then cleared for dancing, which was continued until a late hour.