ASHWICK FLAT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19374, 24 December 1932, Page 5

ASHWICK FLAT

TEACHER FAREWELLED. Matters in connection with the school have taken a prominent place in our social life lately. A very enjoyable social was tendered to Mrs and Miss Whitefield on the occasion of their leaving the district. Miss Whitefield has had charge of the Ashwick Flat School for three years, and has won the respect and esteem of the district both in her school work and as a resident, and all here wished Mrs and Mrs Whitefield every happiness in their new surroundings at Esk Valley. The large number of presents at the social spoke highly for the popularity of the guests, the school being well filled. During an interval in the dancing, Mr Carter, chairman of the School Committee voiced the feelings of those present in their regret at the loss that the district would sustain in Miss Whitefield’s transfer. He eulogised the work that she had done, and wished both her, her mother and her sister, Miss Jean, every happiness. Mr Carter then handed to Mrs Whitefield a silver cream jug and sugar basin, and to Miss Whitefield a toilet set, as a small token of the esteem in which they were held in Ashwick Flat and surrounding districts. Miss G. Riddle replied on behalf of Mrs Whitefield, while Miss Whitefield replying on behalf of her sister and herself thanked their friends for their gifts, and the kindness they had received in the district. Bouquets were presented to Mrs and Miss Whitefield by Misses Gay Allan and Marjorie Moyle. The following speakers testified to the good work accomplished by Mrs and the Misses Whitefield Mrs Mackenzie (women of the district), Miss Isitt. (Allandale School), Mr T. B. Crampton (surrounding schools), Mr Armitage (Sherwood Downs), and Mr Galwey. During the evening songs were sung by Miss Whitefield and Mr G. O’Dowd and Mr Cruickshank.

SCHOOL BREAK-UP. A number of parents and friends assembled at the school on Wednesday afternoon on the occasion of the annual break-up and presentation of prizes. Mr Carter, chairman of the School Committee, addressing the children, congratulated them on a good year’s work, and wished them all a very happy holiday. He then called upon Mr C. H. Whatman, who had been chairman of the School Committee for many years in the past, to present the prizes. Mr Whatman stressed the value of school days to life as a foundation on which to build their future. He trusted that they -would all bring back their happy smiles to greet their new teacher. The following prizes were awarded: Standard s—Mark5 —Mark Hutt (dux), Lyndsay Allan, Evelyn Carter, Dan O’Reilly. Standard 3—Burnard Whyte, Grace Allan. Standard 2—Gay Allan, Melville Doyle, Melville Geddis, Eric Whyte. Standard I—Keith Allan, Gwen Jones, Walter Valentine. P. 11.—Jack Hutt, Pauline Whyte. P. lll.—Vincent Jones. Special prizes were awarded—Sewing —Evelyn Carter. Gardening—Grace Allan. Marjorie Doyle, on behalf of the school children, presented Miss Whitefield, with a cup and saucer. Miss Whitefield thanked them for their kindly thought.

SCHOOL PICNIC. The annual school picnic took place on Friday, when the children were taken to Timaru. The committee worked hard to give the children a good outing, and with ideal weather conditions a very happy day was spent. THE PASSING OF THE YEAR. And now the shadows of the Old Year are lengthening, and the evening brings into relief the light and shade of 1932. A poet has said that life’s greatest things are born in travail, and as we look back over the past year we realise how great has been the sympathy of one to another. Many who in times of prosperity go glibly on, taking no heed of the burdens that others have to carry, these now are Stirred to give thought to the weary. There are always dark valleys in some lives, but the sunlight of generosity has lit up many a dark alley this year. Some there are who will fill their pipes with the noxious weeds of despair, but if we follow the evening star it will lead us onward ever upward where the darkest shadows will have their silver lining. We stand on the brink of another year, and the mists of early morning encompass us about. We see but dimly through the haze, but the sunshine is behind the cloud. In a little while the mists will roll away, and the morning will greet us with renewed hope for 1933. A new year, a new life, in which is our opportunity to take our message to Garcia, and help to build from the ruins of the past, a castle with foundations that will last. We wish the “Herald” and staff the best that enterprise and life can bring, and may the “Herald” be able to record a brighter and better year for all.