BRIGHT CONCERT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20294, 18 December 1935, Page 11

BRIGHT CONCERT

END OF THE YEAR FUNCTION WAIMATAITAI SCHOOL Pupils of the Waimataitai School brought their school year to a happy conclusion last night when they held an end-of-term concert in the Bay Hall. The programme presented was varied in the extreme and provided excellent entertainment for the large audience. At an interval a brief address was given by the chairman of the School Committee (Mr G. Benstead), who welcomed the large gathering and expressed pleasure at the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs T. W. Satterthwaite). Mr Benstead said he hoped that before many more years passed the municipal authorities would give the people of the north end of the town a suitable hall to which they coulcl bring their children and enjoy themselves in comfort. He congratu?iated the school on the excellence of its work during the year, and referred to the fine report received from the inspectors. Although he was not allowed to release any results of the proficiency examinations, he could say that practically all the children had gained their proficiency or competency certificates. The school was one of the happiest in the Canterbury Education Board’s area ancj now had a roll of about 750 pupils, its popularity being due, in large measure, to the expellent work of Mr S. Sullivan and his staff. During the year there had nearly been a catastrophe for Mr Sullivan had been offered the position of headmaster of the Normal School in Christchurch, but he had decided to stay in Timaru and Waimataitai was the richer for that. In its outdoor activities the school had been equally successful. For the first time it had won the inteivschooj swimming shield and that was due largely to the facilities for swimming provided by the people. The Borough Council was to be thanked for having lent the money but the baths had now been handed over to them and were their liability. In all other branches of sport the pupils had been well catered for, and, on behalf of the School Committee, he thanked the staff for the work they had done during the year. Thanks were also due to the children and the parents for their cooperation. The Government had promised to re-?admit the five year olds, but he thought it was going to take a bit of doing. Already there were 103 five year olds waiting to come to Waimataitai in February, and if they were admitted more classrooms and teachers would be necessary. The Training Colleges were to be opened, blit the teachers who were there would fiot be available until 1937, and it appeared there was going to be a shortage of teachers next year. Parents should remember, however, that every child who was six years old on May 24, 1936, was entitled to be enrolled as a pupil at the opening of the first term in February. In conclusion, Mr Benstead thanked all those who had given prizes, and wished the children a happy Christmas and a pleasant holiday. Medals Presented The dux medals and sports trophies were then presented by Mrs Benstead as follows: Dux girl.—Jean Runciman Dux boy—Bob Wilson. Sports championship—Girls, Rona Hamlyn; boys, Jim Clark. Best all round sport (Mr R. Seaton’s trophy)—Garth Williams. The concert programme was as follows: Choruses, standards I and 11, “The Three Bears,” infants; Chinese ballet, standard HI boys; play standard 111 girls; “Covered Wagon," standard V girls with infant ballet;’ choral, the school; tin can band, standard II boys; minuet, Standard I and II girls; play, senior boys; maze march, standard VI girls; Japanese ballet, standard IV girls; choruses, standard 111 to VI boys gymnastic, senior girls led by Mr F. E. S. Long verse speaking, Miss B. Mclnnes’s class; huntsmen’s ballet, Miss N. Sullivan’s class; drill, standard VI boys; play, Miss Melnnes’ class; ballet, senior girls, choruses, standard 111 to VI.