SOUTH SCHOOL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21842, 20 December 1940, Page 10

SOUTH SCHOOL

BREAKING-UP CEREMONY A large number of parents enjoyed the excellent programme presented at the breaking-up ceremony of the Timaru South School last night. The dux medals were won by Clem Paterson and Shirley Howe. Kathleen Bignell won the Young Medal and Noel Stray was awarded the Gibb Memorial Rose Bowl for most points in flowers and vegetables at the annual flower show. Before the programme commenced bouquets were presented to Mesdames A. H. Toneycliffe and J. T. O. Stephens. In welcoming those present Mr A. H. Toneycliffe, chairman of the School Committee, after paying a tribute to the members of the committee, headmaster, Mr J. T. O. Stephens and staff who had co-operated loyally during the year, said that there had been many calls on the parents, both for patriotic causes and other purposes. However, as was always expected of South End residents, they had loyally played their part. In addressing the children the Rev. F. Green congratulated the choir on their singing which he was sure had been fully appreciated by the audience. He thought that perhaps not enough was made of singing in British countries, whereas in certain other countries singing was used as a means of instruction and as a subtle form of propaganda. Mr Green described incidents in connection with the interruotion to school work in “Edinburgh in the early stages of the war, when the children were sent to the country. After a few months many of them returned to the city and parties of 12 children were taught for two hours daily in private homes by the teachers until brick air raid shelters had been constructed in the school grounds. The short period of instruction was because of the relays of classes which had to receive instruction.

During the evening an enjoyable programme was presented by the pupils as follows: Choir, “God Defend New Zealand,” “Creation Hymn,” “Nymphs and Shepherds”; tap dance, Shirley Mcßride; carols, school choir, “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Alleluia,’’ “Noel” and “Silent Night”; violin trio, D. Smith, V. Toneycliffe and S. Howe; comet solo. Mr R. Thomas; comet duet, “Larboard,” Mr R. Thomas and Master M. Thomas; dance, "Irish Washerwomen,” A. Nutsford, B. Currie and E. McDougall; songs, the choir, “The Rivetter,” “Cherry Ripe.” ‘Blue Danube,” “Sussex by the Sea” and "Wings Over the Navy.”