INFANTS’ SCHOOL YEAR ENDS

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1933, Page 10

INFANTS’ SCHOOL YEAR ENDS

BREAKING-UP CEREMONY.

VISIT OF FATHER CHRISTMAS.

The annual breaking-up ceremony of the Courtenay Street infant school, New Plymouth, was held in the Workers’ Social Hall yesterday morning and was attended by, a large number of parents anCF friends. No prizes were given, the Ceremony taking the form of a short concert by the children, and later “Father Christmas” arrived to distribute books and sweets to each of about 250 children. A bouquet was presented to the principal, Miss C. M. Robertson, by the children.

Work during the year had been difficult,’ said Miss Robertson, owing to the reduction in numbers through the exclusion of the five-year-olds. This had meant a corresponding reduction in staff. While the roll had at the beginning of the year been small it had grown steadily each term, making large classes. An assistant had been .procured, but her work had been made more difficult by her having to . deal at various times with' children of all ages. However, the children had not suffered, and a very high standard of work had been attained. To her staff Miss' Robertson paid tribute for their fine work; they were particularly fortunate in having Miss M. O’Sullivan, whose musical knowledge and ability had been a great help. The excellent concert to which they had listened, said Mr. F. Coleman, chairman of the Central School Committee, was evidence of the very careful training given by the teachers. The work they had done during the year had been wonderful. In the infant school were laid the foundations of all future work, so that that stage was most important; Mr., Coleman thanked Miss Robertson and her staff on behalf of the school committee for what they had done. Every year, he said, they were unfortunate in losing some of the staff", this year Miss Robert-

son, Miss G. Brooker and Miss B. Mullon were leaving.

The musical programme proved very interesting, giving a good z idea of the bright and imaginative type of work being done in the infant-classes. The items were as follow:,Primers I. and IL: Songs, “Nest Cradles” and “Muffin Man”; dances, “Tramp, Tramp” and “Running Dance.” Prime IL: “Duck’s Song” and dance, “I See You.” Primer IIL: Rhythmic movements; drill movements to music, including rowing, with an explanatory introduction by Shirley Allom; rhythmic interpretation of farmyard, with ducks and ‘bunnies. Primer IV.: Sailors’ hornpipe; songs, “Sing a Song of Sixpence,” “Telephoning Mr. Santa .Claus” and “Mr. Baggy Breeches”; percussion band, “Up in the Sky” and a march.