CENTRAL SCHOOL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143976, 19 December 1912, Page 4

CENTRAL SCHOOL.

THE PEIZE--GIVING. Following is the headmaster’s report, read at the prize-giving in the Good Templar Hall this afternoon: — Roll, Attendance and Staff. —The roll number at the end, of 1911 was 604, It now stands at 630, or an increase of 26 during the year. The attendance suffered severely during the first six months, the average daily number ah'sent during those months being over one hundred. Owing to the increased attendance last year the school was placed one grade higher at the beginning of the present year, the staff being correspondingly increased. Of this staff three. Miss Rowntree, Miss Crawford (now Mrs. Waters), and Sir. Wagstaff, resigned, their places being filled by Miss Ford,; Miss Henderson and Miss'Vickers. The staff now consists of one head, , eight assistants, four pupil teachers, and one probationer. Epidemics.—The low attendance referred to-was caused by an epidemic of mumps which passed through the school from the intent room to the highest standard. The provoking part of it was that instead of coming all at once it dragged oh month after month, one child after, another in the same class or family being affected. To this may be added a similar attack of, measles during the latter'part of 1911, so that for nearly twelve months the work of the school was completely disorganised. We seem to have had more than our , share'of the “ills that flesh is heir to, and may, hopefully look forward to more favourable conditions during 1 the Coming,year. , Efficiency of 1 School. —In spite of all these drawbacks it speaks-well for the industry of the children and the earnestness and efficiency of the. staff that the inspectors were able, at their annual examination last month, to speak flatteringly of the condition of the school, anil to report the efficiency, discipline and tone to be good. The School Committee congratulated the staff on the excellence of.- the report, and expressed their appreciation of the success that had been achieved under discouraging circumstances. Standard 6 examination.was held a fortnight ago, when in a class 0f,53, 45 gained proficiency certificates, 5 competency, and 3 faile'd. This result is highly gratifying and reflects the highest credit on Mr. Sullivan, who has taught the same children 3-years, passing up through standards 4, s‘and 6 with the class. School Games.—The school games on tlie girls’ side have 1 been much interfered with through the state of the playground, which is unfit for any system of organised play. This matter, how'ever, is referred to later.. The boys have shown commendable keenness, in football and cricket, although thcirffield of play also leaves room for much] imprpyenlent. - . For the latter however,.' through : the courtesy of the United' Service-. Cricket Club, the school team, has been _ allowed to practice, in the Recreation Sports. Ground; a .privilego which they appreciate' and take advantage of. In the competition among local schools for the, Shield the Central boys were fortunate in being the victors, and hold the trophy for the present year. The competition will be continued -after the holidays. An attempt will»bo mode during the coraing'year to still further systematise the games of both boys and girls, and endeavour to'get every one to look upon these games as part of the school routine. In future less at-tention-will be given during the drdl hour to the military side, and more to physical exercises., tending to develop the body. Deep breathing will continue to receive considerable attention. It is hoped that during the coming year a systematic course of gymnastics for both boys and girls will be .introduced, and that the services of Mr. Dints will be secured , os instructor. It is our intention to build up a squad of selected boys who will bo put through a course of advanced gymnastics, and we hope to have something to he proud of by the end of the year. There appears to be a tendency to take up association football during next winter season. The boys will be encouraged to do this, and probably a dompetition will he arranged among the local Improvement. if . Grounds. The School Committee have the misfortune to be always ih the condition of being ‘.‘hard up,” the capitation received being wholly inadequate to cover the expenses of the upkeep of the echoed and its surroundings. Realising this a number of the citizens formed themselves into a committee called the “Central School Carnival Committee and set about organising a monster carmcal in the Recreation Sports Ground. With the success of that carnival you are already acquainted. The amount realised from this source, together with the proceeds of an entertainment by the Courtenay Street Infant Pupils came to nearly £l7O, which after all expenses are paid will leave about £l2O clear The greater part of this will be subsidised by the Education Board, so that in a short time, in wet immediately, we hope to spend about LAX in improving tho school grounds and securing additional comforts and advantages to the children. ,” e are enabled to do this through the generous response of the public in connection with the carnival. This makes about £4OO raised for the school during less than four years, which is a record not easily beaten. In; connection with this matter, I wish to publicly thank those gentlemen who formed the Carnival Committee, through whose enthusiasm and energy the Carnival was such a success Our thanks are also due to those who trained the children in their several parts. , _ Swimming and Life Saving. The school is placed at a great disadvantage in not having any convenience tor learning swimming. The matter of constructing a swimming bath on tot. Michael’s Square was mopted some time ago, but the, prohibitive charge for water proposed to be levied by the Borough Council completely smothered the ardour of the- promoters, and the preparations came to a. standstill, the Municipal Baths are too far away to be taken any advantage of for school classes and the beach near the school is unsuitable for the purpose Something! might be done by utilising tn,e lake iu Pukekura Park, and it is my intention after the holidays to get a short course of swimming and life saving practice. I know I can rely on several gentlemen in the town to lend a hand in the instruction of the pupils. The Prize Gist.—Owing to so much sickness and enforced absence during the year, attendance was not taken into account in making up the prize list. In fact, now that attendance every day is compulsory, it is not likely that .it will receive much consideration in future. Efficiency was looked upon as the chief factor, modified to a certain

extent with conduct and industry, The class teachers and myself feel tliat it is-those who “try” and not those who are fortunate enough to be gifted by nature, who aro tho most deserving of reward. Eight special prizes for compositions on the “Temperance Wall Sheets,” on efor a boy and one for a girl in each of standards 3,4, 5, and 6, were offered by Mr. N. T. Maunder. Tho winners of these prizes are given in tho prize list. Tjie essays were judged by an outside examiner, wlu. speakes very highly of tho work as" a whole, and says “the winners aro really excellent.” Mr. Maunder asks me to congratulate the children on their “excellent work.”

In conclusion I wish to thank the School Committee, who have worked very amicably with me during the year, the press, who have been most generous in their treatment of anything connected with the school, Mr. Mcllroy, who has relieved me of a considerable amount of clerical work, and the staff generally, who have loyally and efficiently done their best for their respective classes. H. DEMPSEY. PRIZE LIST. STANDARD I. Best boy, E. Coleman. Best girl, G. Waters. E. Hoffmann, D. Wood, G. Haigh, H. Tweodale, I. White, H. Riley, H. Holden, H. Day, S. Wood, D. Butler, G. Hopkins. 1. Butler, C. Waters, M. Alldricige, V. Graham, L. Dinnis. Special for good conduct. Boys : V. Fletcher, J. Wiley. Girls; N. Shirlev, I. Bell. STANDARD 11. , Best hoy, S. Hayden. Best girl, G. Hardgravcs arid R. Benbow (equal). K. Ward, J. Pott, IV. Stewart, T. Coulthard, H. Asher, 8.-Boon, C. Hall, F. Ingram, N. Brooks, N, Walker, L. Jenkins, S. Luing, C, Jvidson, M. Griffiths, G. Sole,lß. White, B. Way.. Special for good conduct,—Boys : S. Hayden, IV. Stewart, IV. Short. Girls: R. Moodv, U. Lee. STANDARD 111. Best boy, E. Brewer atid C. Noble (equal). Best girl, E. Honnor. C. Butcher, S. White, R. Pascoe, C. Ennis, L. Hughes, E. -Smith, P. Phipps, C. Webber, N. Waddle, R. Boulton, E. Jury, C. Bayly, B. Elliot,. K., Ward. ‘ Special for best conducted boy in class, Frank Bethel. Special presented by Mr. N. T. Maunder tor essay on Temperance Wall-sheet.—Boys; N, Waddle. Girls: B' Elliot. STANDARD IV. Best boy, R. Glasgow. Best girl, I. Smith. , E. Bedford, T. Pope, E. Bullot, D. Leech, G. Ching, E. Hooke, IV. Brown, R. Blundell, D. Gibson, G. George, C. Gilbert, J. Henrichs, *M. Way, N. Bellringer, B. -Wilson, L. Pellew, IV. White, E. Graham, E. Curlino, L. IVood. Specials.—Mrs. Denny Brown’s prize for arithmetic: Boys, Percy Crann. Special for arithmetic: Girls, Martha Lee. Special for written home work, Z. Kivell. Special presented by Mr. N. T. Maunder for essay on Temperance Wallsheet.—Boys, B. Wilson. Girls, E. Taylor. STANDARD V. Best boy, A. Phipps. ■ Best girl, K. Monteath. C. Bain, H. Harle, E. Riddles, A. Allan, T. Monteath, B. Hartnell, A. Peppered, E. White, G. Clinch, G. Boon, B. Moverley, C. Fitzsimoiis, D. Doile, A. Brooker. Specials presented by Mr. N. T. Maunder for essay on Temperance Wallsheet.—Boys, B. Moverley. Girls, K. Monteath. . Special for arithmetic. Boys, J. Roberts. Girls, N. Corkill. STANDARD VI. Dux of school (in-izo presented by Mr. T. Avery), Joan Cooke. Dux of boys (prize presented by Mr. T. Ayery), Alex. Callender. ’ «Next beat boy, E. Way. Next best .girl, M. Waugh. . E. White, F. Ford, F. Mace, D. Sutherland, R. Banks, A. Honnor, D. Saxton, R. Lealand, E. Campbell, C. Bishop, G. Mason. Special for best written homo work, F. .Ford. Specials presented by Mr. Tweedie.— For most popular bov, D. Sutherland; girl, V. White. Specials presented by Mr. N. T. Maunder for essay on Temperance Wallsheet.—Boys, A. Callender. Girls, E. White and M. Waugh (equal). Special prizes for valuable sendee? rendered during the year.—V. Kirkby, T. Corkill, S. Bridget, P. Sheppard, A. Main, P. Mills, IV. Wood, L. Davies, E. White, R. Shirley, C. Harvey. COURTENAY STREET SCHOOL. PRIMER I. Best boy, Clyde Cook. Best girl, Phyllis Snowball. Alan Gordon, Molly Goodacre, Dorothy Hellyar, Rita Buttimore, Jeitn Davison. Special.—Best conducted boy, Lindsell Simcock; best conducted girl, Marjorie Barlow. PRIMER 11. Best hoy, Willie James. Best girl, Myrtle Newell. Myrtle Bell, Milton Hintz, Bertie Mills, John Dickey, Sydney Bellringer, Harold Winslade. Special.—Best conducted boy, Ken Buttimore; best conducted girl, Bella Millar. PRIMER 111. Best boy, Alfred Smith. Best girl, Doris Cliff and Frances Smith (equal). Ethel Smith, Eileen Honeyfield, Eileen Jordan, Irene Johnston, Jean Cliff, Jean Archibald, Irene Bailey, Vera Black, Pauline Dunn, Edna Bullet, Lily Bruce, Evelyn Knight, Gwen Knight, Gladys Bond, Alice Fitzsimmons, Bertie Simmonds, Bertie Lee, Maolaurin Robertson, Albert Siras, Clarence Koster. Special.—-Best conducted boy, Wilfred Hamling; best conducted girl, Irene Holden; full attendance and good progress, Ned Smith.