SCHOOLS’ BREAK-UP.

Temuka Leader, Issue 10486, 21 December 1929, Page 3

SCHOOLS’ BREAK-UP.

SUCCESSFUL FUNCTIONS. TEMUKA D.H. SCHOOL. Notwithstanding that the weather beautifully fine, there was only very moderate attendance at the Temuka District High School on Thursday aftrenoon, when the annual break-up ceremony and distribution of merit certificates took place. The fact that it had been decided not to give reward books to the pupils, but two or three certificates in each class, may have had something to do with the reduced attendance. The fact that ninetenths of the children were required to assemble for the purpose of listening to speeches for about an hour, to receive a minor reward in the shape of a tiny bag of 18 boiled lollies at the conclusion, did not lead to much enthusiasm among the juveniles, or among the adults either, for that ma'ter. There were not a few present who thought that at least part of the nett proceeds of the recent concert — which amounted to £26 —should have been devoted to the purchase of prize books, and if that money were required for other purposes, then the “sending round of the hat” would have resulted in sufficient money being obtained for the purchase of reward books, as had been the custom in previous years.. It was quite evident that the Committee’s decision, to say tlie least of it, was an unpopular one, but what has annoyed the parents—‘and the children too, for that matter —was the arbitrary way in which the custom was broken, the parents not having been consulted. Cliairman’s Remarks. There were only three members of the Committee present, the chairman (Mt A. E. Smith), Mr J. Henry and Mr C. L. Fraser; and outside of those taking part in the proceedings, there were two or three men, the rest of tne audience consisting of ladies. The proceedings commenced with the singing of a verse of the National Anthem, after which the chairman of the Committee addressed the children. He said they were met for the purpose of taking part in the annual break-up. From that day, the children would start on a. six-weeks’ holiday, and the Committee hoped they would have a good Lime, and that the vacation would be of benefit to them, so that when they rc- , assembled on February 3 of next year, they would be fit and well. They knew they had done well al school, and had done their best. This was all in the interests of themselves. Education was one of the best assets they could have, and would help them fight the battles of life. Some of ‘uthem would no doubt be disappointed at their not getting any books, “lint the Committee is hard up for ft funds, and yoar girls and boys will JI benefit by the books which have been added to the library. The library will be of great benefit to you,” and would be a valuable part of the school equipment, so that if they did not gain prizes, they had the benefit of a. library. He had received apologies from several members of the Committee, all of whom were busy men, and some were engaged at work in the country. He had also received an apology from Mr G. W. Armitage, a member of the Canterbury Education Board, who had gone to Christchurch on Board business. He then called on the Rev. A. Blakemore to address the children.

Kov. A. Blakemore’s Address. Mr Blakemore said it was thefirst time lie had had the privilege of addressing the boys and girls of Temuka School, and the difficulty ho could see was in speaking to grown-up hoys and girls and to the infants. He supposed he would have to adopt a middle course. He expressed himself as being very pleased to be .present to-speak to them, and to congratulate them on their year’s work. Of course, they could not all gain certificates, but that was not what they went to school for. They went to school to learn, and the question was: What had they learned during the past year? What lesson had they learned? The lessons of to-day were a good deal more interesting than they were in his day, for instance. In learning arithmetic it was not altogether to lie able to learn to say two and two made four, that they were taught arithmetic. They went to school to learn, among other things, the lessons of truthfulness and accuracy. Arithmetic taught them to be accurate. Then they had to learn to speak correctly, and their lessons in English would teach them that. Those of them in the higher classes who had been studying Shakespeare, and had been reading Hamlet, would remember the phrase: “To thine own self be true, and thou cannot then lie false to any man.” Then they had grammar. They learned grammar so that they may be accurate in speaking. He had to keep a dictionary close to his hand when he warn preparing his addresses. It was a fine thing to be able to speiak and ..write correctly. How often did they hear men and women using wrong words „_or rather, words in wrong places and words which were not at all pure. He wanted boys and girls to ■speak pure and to keep their lives pure. As the boys and girls advanced in the school, they would learn physiology. (Loud laughtei from the younger children). “Yes,” said the speaker, “that is a funnyword.” That word taught them the wonderful structure of the human

body, and it showed that “we were fearfully and wonderfully made.’’ He hoped that those boys and girls who were learning physiology would learn how to care for their bodies. God never intended them to abuse the bodies He had given them. A strong mind in a healthy body was what they should aim at possessing. It was all very well to have plenty of money, but that was not everything. They would have noticed that the men who stood out most prominently in life were those who looked after their minds and bodies. They should aim at serving their country and humanity. In the matter of geography lessons, these were now made more interesting than was at one time the case. By means of the lantern, in some London schools a boy or a girl was taken in an imaginary trip round the world. The geography lesson was presented in the form of a delightful tour. Then, again, they were living in an age of quick travel; reference to their newspapers gave instances of that. Another advantage of geography was that although a man or woman had a different-coloured skin to that of our own, he must not be despised. We were all bound together in the bundle of life. He wanted to impress on boys and girls the necessity of learning the wider lessons of life. He supposed some of the bigger boys and girls would be leaving school and would be going out into the world. He wished them to remember that, although leaving school, their education was not finished —their lessons were not finished. They were only just beginning their education and their lessons: they were going to be taught in the school of experience. (Applause). Merit Certificates. The chairman then invited the Mayoress (Mrs T. E. Gunnion) to present the merit certificates, which she did as follows: — p IV.—Grace Fell 1, Robert McLeod 2, Elsie Thompson 3. Std. I. —Leith Baxter 1, Margaret Paterson 2, Patricia Swap 3. Std. ii.—Doreen Denison 1, Alice Jackson 2, Ronald Gray 3. Std. 111. —Dorothy Lloyd 1, Elsie Ackroyd 2, Leslie Lamb 3. Std. HI. a.—Hector McMillan 1, Norman Baxter 2. Std. IV.—May Berry 1. Bruce Baxter 2, Horace Longson 3. Std. V. —Joyce Trigance 1, William McLeod 2, Stuart Taylor 3. Std. vi.—Geoffrey Eraser 1 (and dux medal), Robert Geddes 2, Allan Cameron 3. Form 111. —Joan Henderson 1, Helen Cribb 2. Form IV.—Winston Smart 1, Ethel Airay 2. Form V. —Daniel Hopkinson 1 (and dux medal), Elizabeth Austin 2, Proficiency Certificates. Mr W. L. Harrison (headmaster) then presented the following proficiency and competency certificates which had been earned during the

year: — Proficiency.—Melville G. Baillie, Merton V. Baxter, Reginald Boyle, John Brensell, Sydney Burns, Keith Caesar, Allan Cameron, Geoffrey Fraser, Marshall Forrester, Robert Geddes, Edwin Hutcheson, Ronald Jamieson, James Kennedy, Robert Kennington, Darcy R. Lacy, Gordon Mathieson, Randolph McMillan, David Rawson, Eric W. Sherborne, 'Joseph D. Scowen, Francis Young, Mary E. Chester, Edna A. Clark, Joyce 0. Coombs, Mary R. Davis, Katherine Day, Elizabeth Duncan, Joyce E. Henry, May E. King, Alice G. Lamb, Evelyn Woodhead, Minnie Williams. Competency. — Raymond Bain, Thomas Crannitch, John W. Foster, Cliff Hewson, Hugh Hewson, Ronald Larsen, Leonard McFarlane, Beatrice Allfrey, Dorothy Lyon, Joyce Sewell. Mr Harrison said that one pleasing feature was the increasing advantage which was being taken of their secondary department. The roll number of the high school was now 80, and he hoped it would continue to grow. An increase in attendance meant an increased staff, and the pupils got the benefit of that. He appealed to parents to take advantage of their own high school. He drew attention to the change that had recently been made regarding admittance to the secondary department of the school. This coming year, the holder of a competency certificate would be admitted free to the high school, and could take a commercial or an agricultural course. This was an important step and he hoped those holding these certificates would take advantage of it. There were not many parents present, but he wished them to interview Mr Campbell or himself, when enrolling their boys or girls

in the secondary department. He mentioned the case of a girl who had spent two years in a commercial course, and at the end of that time her parents discovered that they had intended her for a matriculation course. This meant that two years of her secondary school life had been to a certain extent wasted. Mr Campbell or himself would be only too pleased to give advice on this matter. Another matter he wished to draw attention to, was that of absentees on wet days. There were days when there was only a slight rain, and the child did not attend. Probably that day- was beautifully fine, although showery in the morning. That abstention from school made a big gap in that child’s education —a bigger gap than most people thought. He had noticed 100 children absent on occasions of that kind. A great deal of it could be avoided if parents understood. Higher Leaving Certificates. Mr Harrison then presented higher leaving certificates to the following:—Muriel Meek, Ineen Stack, and May Walker. He explained that these certificates were granted to pupils who had put in an extra year in the high school after gaining matriculation. It had

this additional advantage now—that it was one of the qualifications for admittance to the Training College, for training as a teacher. Presentation of Medals. The Mayor (Mr T. E. Gunnion) was then called upon to present the following medals:— Dux in Secondary Department— Dan. Hopkinson. Dux in Primary Department — Geoffrey C. Fraser. Most improved forward in football —Gordon Ackroyd. Most improved back in football — John Foster. In presenting these medals, the Mayor said he felt proud to do so. They were medals which the recipients should be proud to wear all through life, and decorations they could wear before the King or the Governor-General. He congratulated the boys, and hoped they would live long to wear them. Mayor’s Remarks. The Mayor prefaced his remarks by saying: “I am afraid that the Committee have not taken the advice of writers to the newspapers and sprayed the grass on which to scramble the lollies. —‘(Laughter).— Oh, well, that doesn’t matter.” The Mayor, continuing, said his remarks would be brief, and what was more, he believed in punctuality. He had an appointment at Seadown at 3 p.m., and he understood that did not mean five minutes past three. Personally, he believed in punctuality, and he hoped that the boys and girls he wfas addressing would feature it. He had a very pleasing duty to perform, and that was to wish Mr Harrison (headmaster) and the members of the teaching staff a very happy New Year. They certainly deserved it. He also wished to include the members of the Committee in a vote of thanks. He wished to remind them that they had with them Miss Phillips, a lady who had taught in that school 40 years ago. His Worship then called for three cheers for Mr Harrison, the staff, and the Committee, also Miss Phillips. These were given most heartily, and the chairman called for a similar compliment to the Mayor and Mayoress as they left to fulfil their engagement at Seadown. These, too, were heartily given.

GERALDINE D.H. SCHOOL. The annual distribution of prizes took place at the Town Hall, Geraldine, on Thursday afternoon, a very large gathering of parents and friends being present. Mr A. M. Fyfe (chairman of the School Committee) presided, and Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., gave the prizes away.

Mr Fyfe, in his opening remarks, said he hoped the children would have a good time during the holidays, and would come back to work full of energy to commence school again. To those who were leaving school, he said that they should always support their old school, for what they had learned there had fitted them for the positions they would have to take up in later life. Mr Fyfe told the parents that the Committee would have to ask their assistance in raising the necessaij funds, for they had to pay a certain amount of the cost of the new secondary department. They were very pleased at having Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., with them. Mr Burnett, who was received with applause on rising, said it gave him great pleasure to be present to hand out the prizes, and to say a few words. He would not make a long speech, for he felt sorry foi the children below the fourth stall dard, who would, he was sure, rather be out playing in the fields. He congratulated them on having the secondary department housed in a new and up-to-date building, and referred to the teaching of agricultural science, which was most important, as the future of the country was dependent upon agriculture. He looked forward to the time when agriculture would occupy 100 acres instead of the present ten. Unless boys and girls, Mr Burnett continued, had a real love of thenwork, they could not make a success of it, and to this end the aim of the school should be to find out to what sort of work each boy and

girl was adapted. No workman evei made a good job of his work unless he really loved doing it, and if they did this, nothing could keep back the prosperity of the countiy. In this democratic country of theirs, it was possible for any boy or -Ari to advance from the bottom to the top. Mr Burnett impressed upon the children the old Wykamist motto. “Manners makyth man,” and said that manners went a long way to carry boys and girls to success. New Zealand was getting an older country all the time, and 1700 children were leaving school each year, to seek work, and to face the problem of getting jobs. Machinery was taking the place of many hands, and the whole outlook of industry was changing year by year. It was a task for the statesmen of the country to find useful work for the young people. Mr Burnett congratulated the school on having had a good year, and said he regretted Mi Piper, who h'tad given of his best, was leaving and retiring into private life. He urged the children to keep up the traditions of their school, and said that it was not always the most brilliant child, but rather the hard-working plodder, who made the best success in afterlife. He wished them all happy holidays, and said that notwithstanding the price of wool, New Zealand was all right, and should keep on sending to Britain all that they wanted. He hoped their holidays would be free from care, and that

they would turn to and help Mum and Dad on the farm. The prize list was as follows: — Form VI. —Grace Hewson 1, Dorrie Wilks 2, Mabel Ray (special for progress in music, drawing, and English). Form V.a.—N. Smith 1, B. Bell 2; J. Callanan 1, M. Hayes 2. Form V.b.—J. Reid 1, N. Kelman 2; T. Ragg 1, G. Fyfe 2. Form IV.—Girls: Geraldine Reid I, Beryl Twigg 2. Boys: Norton Wallach 1, Edward Wood 2, Roy Hayes 3. Form Hl.—Girls: Jean Chisnail 1 and special, Dora Deßenzy 2, Joyce Lawson 3, Nellie McCullough (diligence). Boys: Leslie Ellis 1, Alex. Kelman 2, Richard McNamara 3; J. Lockhart (industry). Form II. —Berna Lysaght (dux) I, Wilmore Patrick 2, Lyla McKenzie 3; C. Wilson, Winnie Davis, J. Lapthorne, W. McCullough (industry); Iris Evafis, Joan McKechnie, Gwen Howens, Sybil Twigg (progress); S. Patrick (Mr N. McGregor’s special for agriculture). Form I.—Margaret Wood 1, Betty Dean 2, Elliott R-agg 3 Bert Wylie (agriculture and diligence); Roma Barrett (drawing); Grace Charles (essay); John McNamara (progress) ; Gordon Paterson (collection of poems); Dave Blissett (best history notebook); Margaret Wood (scrap book); Margaret Wood (neatest set of books); Ralph Hayes, Bill McShane, Kathleen Maister (dilidence); Ralph Hayes (best allround boy). Std. IV.—Janet Gresham 1, Eileen Thornley 2, Jessie McWhinnie 3; Sydney ’ Cowie and Daisy Brown (neatness); Douglas Bennett, Freda Hansen (progress); IJ'im Stringer (drawing); Jean Rose (industry), Alma Lord (conduct). Std. HL —Katie Davis 1, Gertie Templeton 2, Nita Morgan 3; Edith Waters, Pat Gilmour (neatness); Betty McGregor, Stewart Waters (progress); Jim Stevenson (drawing); Hugh Mitchelmore (conduct). Std. ii.—Eileen Baker 1, Helen Watts 2, Andrew Lysaght 3; Chas. Grindell, W. Kerr, Colin Small, Cairo Kelman, James 0 Connell, Hunter Bell, Marion Redmond, David Grindell, Mervyn Hughes, Trevor Turner, Eonia Lynch (progPQSS)a Std.’ I.—Lily Willoughby 1, Geo. Allen 2, Ron Keeble 3; Colin Waters, J. Watson, Ross Templeton, Mavis Wright, Walter Vial, Egerton Pierce, Frank Moyle, Mary Gresham, James Bowkett, Mary McPherson, Jack Moyle, Edna Hutt (progress). Infants. — Catherine McPherson (Pearson Memorial prize). P. IV.: Stanley Williams 2, Gordon Vincent 3. P. III.: Bruce Sherratt 1, Chrystelle Lynch 2. Sewing.—Std. VI., Maggie Vincent; Std. V., Margaret Wood; Std. IV., Alma Lord; Std. 111., Edith Waters; Std. 11., Olive Jones; Std. 1., Joan McColl. Miss Alice Hughes gave away the Pearson Memorial prize for the dux of the infant classes, explaining that the annual prize was purchased from the interest on the balance of the mone’y which had been collected for the memorial to Miss Pearson, who was greatly loved, and who had been mistress of the infant class for 29 years. Miss Hughes also announced that the Young Helpers’ League had subscribed £5l 16s 2d to Dr. Barnardo’s Homes last year, and that this year £l2 had been found in the boxes which had been opened, though there were many more to come in.

Before closing the function, Mr Fyfe referred to the number of teachers who were leaving at the end of the term, including the headmaster (Mr F. Piper), who was retiring into private life. He hoped Mr Piper would enjoy health and happiness in the future, and that Mrs Piper, who had been ill, would speedily recover her health. Hearty cheers were given for Mr Burnett before the ceremony terminated.

WINCHESTER SCHOOL. Almost every home in the district was represented at the breakup ceremony which took place at the Winchester School on Wednesday afternoon. A short musical programme was given in the school, including a novelty playette, composed in class and acted by Standard VI. pupils, and which was well received.

The prize-giving took place under the trees in the school grounds. The chairman (Mr T. H. Langford) apologised for the .unavoidable absence of Mr T. Hughes, who was to have presented the prizes. Mr Langford congratulated the staff upon the completion of a very successful year’s work. He said he sincerely hoped that before long the Education Department would be convinced of the urgent need of providing more and better accommodation.

The headmaster (Mr J. L. White) speaking on behalf of the staff, thanked the Committee for their unfailing and courteous assistance in every project for the betterment of the school. The parents, too, had co-operated sympathetically, thus lightening the teachers’ task. He wished to gratefully acknowledge the able and faithful service of the staff, both permanent and temporary—Miss McArthur, Miss L. Hope, Miss Lee and Miss Tizard. Mrs G. Gudsell then handed to each pupil a handsome book prize, also giving picture books to children under school age.

Before the good attendance certificates were distributed, Mr White stated that although there had been severe epidemics of sickness during the first and second terms, the number qualifying for good attendance certificates was 23, a record for the school. He wished specially to draw attention to the unique record of the Kernohan family. This family lived more than three miles from the school, yet in four years had qualified for a gross total of 23 years’ good attendance, 13 of which were perfect. Probably that family record had very seldom been excelled in South Canterbury. The average attendance for the year was 81.25, raising the school into a higher grade, for which satisfactory state these good; attendance certifi-

cates and G.A. roll of .honour were largely responsible. The following certificates were awarded: — Five years (Committee’s framed certificate): Doreen Philp, Annie Kernohan, Rainie Kernohan. Three years: David Kernohan, Raymond McCaughan. Two years: George Townley, J'ames Kernohan, Lorna Pye, Margaret Scott, Isobel Burborough. First year: May G'Udsell, Mary Townley, Joyce Gudsell, Thomas Connolly, Harold Langford, Kathleen Mcßratney, Lynda Pye, Ruby Toomey, Ronald Niles, Gordon McClelland, Richard Deßenzy, Rita Curry, Nola Gudsell. Headmaster’s book prize to the youngest pupil to gain a certificate: Nola Gudsell (5 years 11 months). Mr C. J. Mcßratney’s book prize to the youngest boy to gain a certificate: Richard Deßenzy (6 years 6 months). Mrs J. L. White’s book prize to the youngest pupil to gain a gold seal for perfect attendance: Kathleen Mcßratney (6 years 7 months). Sewing prizes (donated by Mesdames G. and A. Gudsell, Burborough, Austin, Mcßratney, and Miss McArthur). —Std. VI., Doreen Opie; Std. V., Annie Kernohan (2); Std. IV., Joyce Spurden and Rainie Kernohan; Std. 111., Vera Jackson; Std. 11., Rita Curry; Std. 1., Lorna Pye. Neat work (Miss McArthur’s prizes).—Margaret Scott, Charles Scott, Charles Kenny, Karin Scannell, Lorna Pye.

Young Helpers’ League service awards. —Silver knife: Patricia DeRenzy. Silver badges: Margaret Austin and Joyce Gudsell. During the afternoon, Agnes White, a pupil of Std. VI., made a presentation to Miss McArthur, from Std. VI. scholars; while George Townley, on behalf of Std. VI. pupils, presented Mr White with a leather-bound pocket diary. Miss McArthur and Mr White suitably replied. Afternoon tea was dispensed. Subsequent to the break-up ceremony, the headmaster received advice that all Std. VI. pupils had obtained their proficiency certificates, viz.— Theodora Smith, Doreen Philp, Agnes White, Mildred Austin, John Hawke, and George Townley.

WATT-LOWRY SCHOOL. The break-up ceremony at the Watt-Lowry School at the Bramwell Booth Boys’ Home took place on Thursday afternoon, prior to the break-up at the Temuka District High School. The headmaster was in attendance, and with him were the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs T. E. Gunnion), Mr A. E. Smith (chairman of the School Committee), and the Rev. A. Blakemore, the latter giving an interesting and encouraging address to the boys. There are only four standards besides the primer classes at the Home, the boys in Standards V. and VI. attending the main school in Temuka. The usual loyal singing and reciprocal good wishes took place. The following are the names of the recipients of certificates: — Std. I.—'John Opie 1, Fred Dempsey 2. Std. II. —David Edgeworth 1, Leslie Brown 2.

Std. 111. —George Ensor 1. Std. IV.—Albert Morgan 1, Neil Edge wort h 2.