END OF SCHOOL YEAR

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1926, Page 7

END OF SCHOOL YEAR

BREAK-UP OF HIGH SCHOOL SUCCESS IN SPORT AND LEARNING PRIZES AND TROPHIES AWARDED To thex requiem of four hundred lusty renderings of the familiar “Gaudeamus Igitur," in unison, the inspiring optimism of a many tongued and full-throated “Land of Hope and Glory,” and the strains of a particularly well trained school orchestra, another scholastic year passed away at the New Plymouth Boys' High School last night. The fine assembly hall was crowded to overflowing with a patriotic public anxious to see sons, brothers or friends march proudly up to receive the rewards of accomplishment in scholarship and sport, and the handsome volumes imprinted with the school crest, the table gleaming with the splendid array of silver trophies and the enthusiasm of the applause with which each recipient was greeted, would have made any boy proud indeed to be a prize-winner. The chairman of the Board of Governors (Mr. H. R. Billing) presided, associated with him on the platform being the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Wilson), Mrs. Billing, Miss C. Douglas, Messrs. E. P. Webster and L. C. Sladden (members of the board of governors), Mr. E. Lash (secretary to the board), and Mr. W. H. Moyes (principal) and his teaching staff. Apologies for absence were received from Dr. E. F. Fookes and Messrs. A. E. Washer, J. S. S. Medley, H. Dempsey, S. G. Smith, and L. A. Nolan, all members of the board who were unable to be present. . . j In briefly reviewing the progress made during the past year, Mr. H. R. Billing, chairman of the Board of Governors, said that the duties of the board had not been onerous, though finance had been the subject of careful thought earlier in the year. Accommodation had been provided during the year for another 20 boarders, and a grant bad been approved by the Government for the erection of still more boarding accommodation, as well as for a much-needed enlargement of the boarding dining-room. It was hoped that this work would be carried out during the Christmas holidays. The efforts of the old boys to help their school as best they could had been crowned with the attainment of their object, namely the provision of a gymnasium, in which they had been assisted by a Government grant. It was confidently anticipated that the gymnasium would be available for use at the beginning of next year. The school on various occasions during the past had had to thank the old boys for their help, and this year he had to reiterate these thanks. There was still, however, plenty of scope for further help in the future, as had been indicated by Mr. Moyes at the annual dinner of the Old Boys’ Association.

AMALGAMATION OF SCHOOLS. Further progress towards the amalgamation of the New Plymouth secondary schools had been made during the year. When the school re-opened next February the Director of Education and Director of Technical Education would be present, and would give their assistance iu organising the school under the new conditions, and in making the amalgamation a fact in actuality, if not in law. He was sure that people would realise after the amalgamation had been in operation for a short time, what a benefit it would be to the pupils. With regard to the boys about to leave the school, he would like to impress upon them the fact that in this life all people were more or less dependent upon one another. People could not successfully lead a life separate or apart. As population increased so did inter-dependence increase, a fact that was realised particularly during the war. All nations were found to be dependent one Upon the other. And so it was with individuals. A young man could not go his own way and say to himself: “What does it matter, so long as I look after myself!” He must shape his life not only so that he looked after himself, but also so that he assisted others. When boys left the High (School football team to play in the much bigger team of life, they could only exist successfully by assisting their their and being loyal to it. THE PRINCIPAL'S REPORT. In his annual report the principal (Mr. W. H. Moyes) stated: “I am pleased to say that once again the school can claim to have had a successful year. The accommodation both in the classrooms and iu the boarding department has been fully taxed, but with our gradually increasing facilities the present numbers can be handled with much greater ease and efficiency than has been the case in the past. “The greatest difficulty with which we have had to contend was undoubtedly the disorganisation caused by an outbreak of fire on June 12. On that occasion six classrooms were entirely destroyed, while the assembly hall and the science laboratories were rendered unfit for use. Thanks, however, to our old friends on the Taranaki Jockey Club, who at once placed at our disposal the Jockey Club buildings, and to the prompt action of the board in arranging for reconstruction work, interference with the school curriculum was reduced to a minimum. In this connection our thanks arc also due to Messrs. Boon Bros, and their staff, who did everything possible to help us through a difficult time. “The roll number for the year is 429, made up of 380 in the upper school and 49 in the preparatory department. Of these, 187 have been in residence as boarders and 242 have been attending as day pupils. SUCCESS IN SCHOLARSHIP. “As usual, the school was well represented in the annual examinations. While the matriculation results must be regarded as somewhat disappointing, remarkable success was achieved in the higher examinations for degrees and in those for junior and senior scholarships. A detailed list of success achieved is as follows: University National Scholarship, J. Wright; Taranaki Scholarship, Al. Lysons; first section of B.A. degree. T. L. Bailey, S. F. Fookes, D. G. Grant and A. Moverley; second section of LL.B, degree, C. H. Strombom. Senior National Scholarship, E. P. Allen. B. C. Bell, G. L. Ewart. R. J. O’Dea, D. Phillips; Junior National Scholarship, J. Ford. G. Duff. A. Wells. T. Watt; Public Service Entrance, J. Wright, J. S. Leach, J. 8. Medley, 0. IL Wiltop, 11. A. Lawrence (In this examination J. Wright took second place and J. Leach fourth place for’New Zealand out of 1180 candidates). Matriculation and allied examinations.

H. E. Bellringer, H. H. Brown, M. C. Lysons, A. E. Read, D. Robertson, H. Thomson, B. E. Collingc, J. Pease, R. J. Carey’, G. C, Mac Diarmid, R. J. Muir, R. J. O’Dea, J. Stronge, J. E. Warner. Eighteen boys also gained a partial pass in this examination. “In the University Terms Examinations, held in October last, the entrants from this school were all successful, R. J. O'Dea and H. J. Thomas passing terms for the LL.B, degree and A. Moverley, T. Bailey and J, Galbraith for the B.A. degree. It is worthy of note that in these examinations R. O'Dea, though only sixteen, passed in five subjects and gained a first-class pass in jurisprudence, while A. Moverley gained second-class passes in advanced history and political science. On the occasion of the annual visit of the secondary school inspectors, 08 boys were granted senior free places on recommendation. “With one exception the staff remains tlux same as that of last year. Mr. T. M. McDonald, M.A., left in the first term to take a position at the Balclutha High School, and Mr. W. Shrimpton, M.A., was appointed to fill the vacancy thus caused. Mr. Shrimpton has, from the time of his arrival, entered with enthusiasm into all phases of school life, and he will, I hope, remain with us for many years. It is with very real regret that I have to announce that Mr. Earl will be leaving us this year to join the staff of Christ College. He takes with him our very best wishes for his future success.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. “The outdoor activities have been carried on with the same enthusiasm as in previous years and with the same endeavour to keep the standard hitherto attained. I need not, I think, give a detailed account of the work done in this connection, suffice it to say that in all branches of sport the school has acquitted itself with credit. Perhaps the most noteworthy achievement in sport was the success of the school fifteen, which met and defeated Wanganui Technical College, Te Ante College, and the Auckland Grammar School, and was also successful in winning the Taranaki junior championship. “It is perhaps not realised by the general public, nor sometimes, I am afraid, by the boys themselves, how much is owed to the masters who organise and run the various school institutions. It must be remembered that all work in connection with these is taken out of school hours and means a great sacrifice of their own time. Where all on the staff are taking a share of the work, some, of course, of necessity a less important share than others, it would be invidious of me to mention names. I do, however, wish to say how much I appreciate the assistance the men of my staff have given me throughout the past year.

“As in the past, the Old Boys' Association has stood firmly behind the school, assisting the board to provide funds fqr many necessary improvements, and lending its support to anything pertaining to its Welfare. The new gymnasium, for which the association has worked so hard for the past four years, is now in course of erection, and will be ready for use when school re-opens. Only those who have been responsible for the physical training of the boys here ean realise what an asset this building will be to the school. With a floor - space of 5700 square feet, it will probably be the finest school'gymnasium in the Dominion. SUPPORT FROM OLD BOYS. “With the growth of the school, it is only natural that large numbers of our old boys should settle in the bigger centres. A gratifying result of this lias been the formation of branch associations in Auckland and in Wellington. To the latter association we are indebted for the gift of the very handsome cup which is to be awarded this evening for debating—a branch of school activity which lias, unfortunately, not received during the last few years the attention it deserves. I wish to take this opportunity of expressing our sincere thanks to the Old Boys’ Association and to old boys generally for the support given us during the year. We realise fully that the interest they continue to take in the school continues in no small measure to its growth, to its reputation, and to its success. “Coming to individual old boys, I have again to offer congratulations to all those who have done so well at the various university colleges. Nothing has given us greater pleasure than the news of their successes. Amongst the many successes gained two are undoubtedly of outstanding merit. I refer to the wonderful achievement of Ronald Syme, who, at the annual encaenia at Oxford, read both the Latin and Greek prize compositions, and to the winning of the Wembley Scholarship by L. Richardson, who lias also been awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. We also tender our congratulations to Jack Brodie, who was this year one of the Canterbury College nominees for the Rhodes Scholarship. “The preparatory department, under the charge of Mr. Pope, continues to do good work. The position left vacant by the resignation of Miss Campbell has been filled by the appointment of Mr. A. Blundell, who has been responsible for the work of standards 2, 3 and 4. In the recent examinations, of the 23 boys entered, 17 gained proficiency, two were granted competency, and four failed. SPECIAL CHURCH SERVICES. “Special church services for Church of England boys have again been held on Sunday mornings in St. Mary’s by the Rev. E. H. Strong, to whom our thanks are due for the great interest he takes in the welfare of the boys attending the school. Confirmation classes were held regularly from the beginning of July, and on October 20 92 boys were confirmed by our old friend Archbishop Averill. To him the school is under a deep debt of gratitude not only for the valued help he has given us in the past, but also for his kindness in making a special trio to New Plymouth on this occasion. We also owe our thanks to Mr. Renaud for sparing time to preside at the organ. “Under the guidance of Mr. Dobson, who has been assisted by Miss Dowling, Miss Coleman, and Mr. F. W. G. McLeod, 62 pupils have been learning music. Of these, C. G. Campbell gained the Associate Diploma (A.T.C.L.), M. Good passed the intermediate division, and J. Avery and D. Lee the junior, the latter gaining honours. An innovation this year has been the formation of a -junior orchestra, the members of which will thus be able to take the places of the senior boys leaving the school. •Perhaps the most important change in the school work has been the partial adoption of the proposed amalgamation scheme. The boys taking agriculture in this school have been able to take advantage of the facilities offered by the workshops at the Technical College, while a portion of the general work in that institution has been taken by members of this staff. Post matriculation boys have also attended classes for mercantile law at the Technical College.

COMPOSITE SCHOOL NEXT YEAR. “The opening of next term will see the scheme in full working order. A new block of classrooms has already been erected on this site, and ail arrangements have been completed for the organisation and working of the composite school. The more I consider the scheme the more I am convinced that it will be of lasting benefit to the people ot this district, for, offering as it does courses of instruction to meet the wants of every boy entering the school, it will reduce to a minimum the danger of his being started on a course totally unsuited to his future vocation. “Finally I desire to thank all those who have assisted the school during the year. We are deeply indebted to a large number of parents and friends who have generously forwarded donations for our sports funds and for other objects, and to others for the donation of trophies. In particular I have to thank an anonymous donor for the gift of a valuable telescope. To the chairman and bers of the board, and to Mr. secretary, I am also indebted for much help and assistance, and I take this opportunity of assuring them of our sincere appreciation of their interest in the welfare of the school.”

ADVICE TO BOYS. He had heard with great gratification the reports of the headmaster and the chairman of the Board of Governors on the past year's progress, said the Mayor of New Plymouth (Mr. F. E. Wilson), for the progress 'both in material things and scholastically had certainly been considerable. He did not know who were to be the prize-win-ners, but he hoped to make the lads feci that each one of them was in one way a prize-winner. There was not one who had not learnt something new, or overcome some obstacle during the year. Every time they did that they had achieved something and gained a reward. Youth was the time for building up the character that meant so much in after-life. Opportunities were passing by. It rested with the boys whether they seized or lost those opportunities. Once lost they did not come again. A boy was his best friend or his worst enemy according to the use he made of his opportunities. Boys could not all be the dux of the school, said Mr. Wilson, but that was no reason why they should not all try. Whatever talents each possessed, whether they be five, three or one, let them not be buried, for it was a law of Nature that if those talents were not used they withered away. There was a time for sport and a time for relaxation, but the real thing in life was work. One of the saddest things in New Zealand to-day was to see in the daily newspapers from time to time that some young New Zealander had gone wrong. And it was nearly always because he gave up work to seek what ho thought was pleasure. Honesty was the essential feature in life, not only honesty in money matters, but honesty to one’s ideals. A short address was given by Dr. Campbell Mac Diarmid, a former dux of the school, and at present chairman of the board of governors of the Hamilton High School, who said how pleased to was to be back at his old school, and how delighted he was to see his old friends. Several pleasing, orchestral selections were rendered during the evening by the school orchestra under the baton of Mr. J. Dobson, and the songs previously referred to were sung by the boys, J. M. Buckeridge and G. S. Anderson taking the solo parts. The school prizes were presented by Mrs. Billing and the sports trophies by Mrs. Wilson.

THE PRIZE LIST. The scholastic prize list was as follows:—■ Preparatory School. —Form 18, Mr. Frazer’s prize, W. Saunders; Form IA, H. B. Nolan; Form 2C, D. Blackley; Form 28, M. Harvey; Form 2A, first G. Harvey, second H. Law. Lipper School.—Form 3D.—W. Harbutt I, A. Field 2. Form 3C.—D. A. Elliott 1, H. F. Short 2, Form 3B.—F. V. Morine 1, J. D. Ekdahl 2. Form 3A.—R. Clayton 1, D. A. Stewart 2. Form 4C.—-R. Whitehead I, M. Palmer 2. Form 4B. —W.S. Thomson 1, C. Cave 2. Form 4A. —T. N. Watt 1, J. W. Syme 2. Form SC.—J. L. Bransgrove 1, E. J. Lynch 2. Form SB.—G. L. Ewart, Mr. R. George’s prize. 1; B. C, Bell 2. Form SA.—T. S. Hayton 1, E. L. Cresswell 2. SPECIAL PRIZES. Music prize.—C. Campbell, Mr. Collier’s prize. Daily News prizes for essay on Taranaki History.—Senior division!! M. Geddes 1, Bruce Bell 2. Junior division: W. S. Thomson 1, D. Phillips 2. White Memorial Prize.—E. W. Tonks. Benedall Memorial Prize. —E. L. Cresswell. Debating Cup (presented by Wellington Old Boys’ Association). —J. Galbraith. Head Boy’s Prize (presented by Mr. H. Billing).—F. L. Read. Dux Prize (presented by Mr. Sladden). —E. W. Tonks. General excellence cup (presented by Dr. Fookes).—F. L. Read. SPORTS TROPHIES. Old Boys ’Trophy and Pewter (winner of senior championship).—J. M. Buckeridge. Junior Challenge Cup and Silver Medal (winner of junior championship, first long jump junior, first high jump junior).—G. Burwell. Bennett Cup and Silver Medal (winner of under 14 championship, fastest time junior steeplechase, first 220yds under 14). —L. G. Dickey. Carter Cup and Silver Medal (winner of under 12 championship, first 150yds under 12, first 100yds, a record, and first 50yds, a record). —A. Callaghan. Moyes Cup and Silver, Medal (winner of under 10 championship, first 50yds, first 75yds, first 100yds under 10). —C. Weston. 1911. Challenge Cup (winner of senior steeplechase).—G. S. Anderson. Bothamley Cup and Silver Medal (winner of 440yds junior).—P. H. Eaves. Mason Memorial Cup (winner of 880yds senior). —J. M. Buckeridge. Bryce Cup and Mr. Easton’s Medal (fastest time senior steeplechase).—G. S. Anderson. Noakes Cup and Bronze Medal (winner of junior steeplechase).—V. Stace. Beckbessinger Cup (winner of 100yds junior championship heat).--P 11. Ea vcs. Old Boys' Shield and Silver Medal (winner of 440yds senior championship, first ICOyds senior).—R. Watson, Harman Cup and Bronze Medal (winnor of 440yds junior handicap).—E Colson. Fookes Cup and Mr. Anderson’s Medal

■(winner of senior mile, first 880yds senior handicap).—G. S. Anderson. Gilmour Cup (winner of 880yds junior championship).—P. H. Eaves. Noakes Cup and Bronze Medal (winner of 120yds senior hurdles).—F. L. Read. Pridham Cup and Bronze Medal (winner of Old Boys' race).—E. P. Webster. Mr. Finlayson’s prizes (winner of junior mile and first 880yds junior’ handicap).—B. Walsham; and first of 150yds open. L. Petty. Silver Medal (winner of long jump, senior, a record). —J. S. Medley. Silver Medal (winner of 120yds hurdles, junior, record). —J. Jones. Bronze medals were awarded to the following winners of events on sports day:—J. Abraham, D. J. Blackley, H. F. Fookes, A. Hetherington, 11. Whittle, W. J. Thomas. M. Good. J. Syme, M. Rogers. A. E. Evans, D. Dallison, H. J Whittington. R. Shepherd, E. Hammond, L. L. Bailey. SWIMMING TROPHIES. Sykes Memorial Cup and Pewter (winner of senior championship, first 220yds open, first 220yds senior championship, first 33 l-3yds, first 50yds and first 100yds junior).—H. J. Thomas. Junior Championship Cup and Silver Medal (winner of junior championship, first 33 l-3yds, first 50yds, first 100yds junior).—L. Pgtty. Fox Cup and Replica (winner of under 14 championship, first 33 l-3yds, first 50yds, first 75yds under 14). —D. Dallison. Smith and Easton Cup (winner of life-saving competition).—H. J. Thomas. O’Halloran Shield (winners of interform relay race). —Va, G. S. Anderson, R. Lawrence, S. Hayton and H. Fookes. 'Medals for winners of swimming races were awarded to the following:—J. M. Buckeridge, A. Hetherington, E. Colson, M. Good, G. S. Anderson, J. Stronge, G. Beaven, T. Morgan. A. Wells, J. D. Ekdahl, C. R. Lister, R. Ward, J. Galbraith, R, Lawrence, J. Law. SHOOTING TROPHIES. Mac Diarmid Belt and Pewter, Kelly Memorial Cup (long range championship and long range match). —J. M. Bueke> - - idge. Searle Cup and Silver eMedal (miniature range senior championship).—E. GHarman. Ilamblyn Cup and Silver Medal (under 16 miniature range championship). —W. Harbitt. ah' Loveday Cup and Bronze Medal (under 15 miniature range championship). —N. Fookes. McLeod and Slade Cup and Bronze Medal (under 14 miniature range championship).—S. J. Bird. Lady Gcdley Cup (No. 24 Co., classfiring).—E. G. Harman. Lady Godley Cup (No. 110 Co., classfiring).—G. A. Nicholls. Sole Cup and Col. Weston’s Medal (best N.C.0.). —Sergeant-Major F. L Read. BOXING TROPHIES, Lepper Memorial Cup and Chaney Cup (winner of senior championship).—F, L. Read. Kidd Memorial Cup and Silver Medal (under list championship).—J. Galbraith. Chivers Cup and Silver Medal (under lOst championship).—W. Hayward. Bronze medals for the other championships were awarded to the following:—F. Matthews, M. Ingle, R. Gibbons, D. Latham, P. McDonnell. TENNIS. Candy Cup and Bronze Medal (for winner of singles championship).—W. A. Beck. FOOTBALL. Pease Challenge Cup (for winner Day Boys-Boarders football match). —Day boys (K. Fookes). Messrs Cook and Lister’s Bat for best performance in the match against Nelson College last year.—R. Fletcher. Mr. W. Weston’s bat for best average for last season.—K. Fookes.