STRATFORD GIRLS’ SCHOOL

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1926, Page 7

STRATFORD GIRLS’ SCHOOL

FINE SCHOLASTIC ATTAINMENTS END-OF-YEAR CEREMONY. The annual “speech day” break-up and prize-giving ceremony at S. Mary’s Diocesan School took place yesterday in fine weather ami in the presence of a large attendance of parents and friends. The Ven. Archdeacon Evans, of New Plymouth, presided. Mrs. H. E. Abraham presented the school prizes. A sports programme was held, followed by eurythemic exercises by the senior pupils and songs by the juniors. The prize list is: Board of Governors' scholarship.— Janet Mackay. Spencer Rutherford Memorial Prize.— W. Freeman. FORM PRIZES. English Senior.—A. Lowers 1, J. Abraham 2. Middle: B. Moline I, B. Fannin 2. Junior: A. Haylock 1, D. Abraham 2 (Miss Stanford’s prize). Preparatory: B. Malfroy. Attendance.—A. Redmayne. DRAWING PRIZES. Senior. —A. Gibbs. Middle: B. Moline 1, M. Freeman 2. Junior: H. Young. Preparatory: I. Curtis. Sewing.—Senior (Mrs. W. Young’s prize): A. Lewers. Junior: H. Young. Middle: B. Fannin. Music. —G. Hall 1 (Mrs. Kears' prize), B. Fannin 2. Drill. —Form Cup: Middle Form. Drill | Badge: A. Gibbs. SPECIAL PRIZES. I Home Nursing (Junior Division), B. I Moline; mental arithmetic (Miss Wilson’s prize), D. Shannon; map drawing (Miss Bannister’s prize), D. Abraham; general knowledge (Miss Wilson’s prize) M. Hooper; bookkeeping (Miss Wilson’s prize), J. Abraham 1. B. Moline 2, poetry (junior division), L. Penn.

HEAD TEACHER’S REPORT. The headmistress, Miss Wilson, in presenting her annual report, extended thanks on behalf of herself and her stall’ for the splendid way in which they had been treated since their arrival in Stratford. The school had opened in February with a roll of 44, 21 of whom were boarders. As there were present at the function a number of children who had not yet taken up school work, Miss Wilson, gave a short resume of the procedure in connection with the school. She outlined the work of the school during the past year, and spoke of the results of the pupils’ studies. She paid a tribute to Miss Riera for her work as music mistress during the year, saying that that lady had worked wonders with sometimes unpromising material. In regard to music, Miss Wilson said that through the co-operation of Sister Mildred of the Convent, it had been possible during the year to arrange for a recital of M. Antoine Konstart, of Wellington. This had been of great value to the pupils in their studies, and it was hoped to arrange another early next year. In conclusion, Miss Wilson paid tributes to her staff and to the Board of Governors for the assistance she had received, to Mrs. Edgar Young, the former head mistress, and to others who had rendered invaluable assistance. Mr. H. Abraham (chairman of the Board of Governors) spoke of the understanding between the board and the headmistress. He had known Miss Wilson for many years, and he knew she would make her mark in the district. The staff, too, had done their duty nobly,and the institution had been run most efficiently. Mr. Abraham spoke of the healthy position of S. Mary’s, which, because of its having its own farm, was able to offer pupils facilities unavailable_ at other schools. He expressed the hope that the roll number would increase to its full capacity. As all possible co-operation was necessary to effect further improvements he hoped parents would let them have their children to teach, hi conclusion, the speaker paid a tribute to the vicar, Rev. J. L. A. Kayll, the secretary (Mr. A. J. Barr), and the treasurer (Mr. S. Porritt). TRIBUTE TO THE BOARD. Archdeacon Evans expressed congratulations upon the advent, of Miss Wilson and her staff, and upon the position of the school. He also spoke of the Board of Governors. For years, they had gone on year after year, carrying on steadfastly. A school like S. Mary’s was a decided asset to a town. From a meterial point of view it meant a good deal of extra money spent in the town, but it enabled girls to receive the best possible education, and, what was most important, religious training. Proceeding, the Archdeacon said that he regretted religious instruction was not include l in the syllabus of primary schools. He knew that there were many difficulties in the way of giving such training in school hours, but it was a pity it was not possible for a short service to be held at the beginning and end of the school day. He would never forget the influence of the evening hymn at Chester College when he was a boy. Speaking to the young people, he said the greatest thing was to retain the spirit of youth. There were great opportunities for gaining knowledge to-day, and his hearers should take full advantage of them. Education was vitally necessary so that the youth of the present could take their places in the society of the future. Citizenship was necessary, for it meant doing all one could fee one's fellows, not getting all one could out of them. In conclusion. Archdeacon Evans expressed good wishes to the pupils and the'school. ATHLETICS AT SCHOOL. ■The results of the sports events which followed were: Slow Bicycle Race. —D. Shannon 1, L. Penn 2. Hopping Race (under 9). —E. Blair 1, K. Amon 2, M. Pitt 3. Three-legged Race.—J. Jackson and D. Abraham 1, M. Freeman and A. Gibbs 2, J. Abraham and M. Amon 3. Skipping (under 9). —J. Blair 1, K. Amon 2, M. Pitt 3. Crawling (under 9). —E. Blair 1, JStandish 2, K. Amon 3. Costume Race.—M. Freeman 1, D. Abraham 2, A. Abraham 3. Walking (book on head) Race.—M. Freeman 1, J. Abraham 2. B. Moline 3. Sack Race (under 9).—E. Blair 1, K. Amon 2. A. Redmayne 3. Obstacle Race (open).-—B. Moline 1, J. Abraham 2, G. Hall 3. Obstacle Race (under 9). —K. Amon I. J. Standish 2, E. Blair 3. Wheelbarrow Race (open).—J. Abraham ami D. Abraham I, D. Shannon ami J. Sutcliffe ■’

Bnnny Hop.—E. Blair 1, J. Standish 2. K. Amon 3. 25 Yards (under 9). —Q. Rutherford 1, j. Standish 2, E. Blair 3. 50 Yards Race (over 12). —M. Freeman 1, J. Sutcliffe 2, J. Abraham 3. Throwing the Cricket Ball.—J. Sutcliffe 1, M. Wright 2, M. Freeman 3. 100 Yards (12 to 9). —D. Abraham 1, J. Jackson 2, D. Shannon 3. 100 Yards (over 12). —M. Freeman 1, A. Gibbs 2, J. Abraham 3. Hop, Step and Jump.—M. Freeman 1. A. Gibbs 2, D. Abraham 3. Skipping Race (12 to 9). —D. Abraham 1, J. Jackson 2, D. Shannon 3. High Jump.—M. Freeman 1, B. Moline 2, M. Amon 3. 50 Yards (over 9). —A. Abraham 1, J. Jackson 2, D. Shannon 3. Long Jump.—M. Freeman 1, D. Shannon 2, J. Sutcliffe 3. Potato Race.—M. Freeman 1, D. Shannon 2. D. Hall 3. Blind Driving.—A. Gibbs and M. Freeman 1, M. Amon and J. Hall 2, J. Jackson and H. Haylock 3. Consolation Race.—H. Vince 1, R. Lees 2, 11. Young 3.