GERALDINE DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23387, 19 December 1945, Page 3

GERALDINE DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL

Breaking-up Ceremony Advice To Youth “I have always advocated that youth must be given a chance. I would say this to you, there is no merit in being young, but there is immense opportunity and yours is the opportunity to influence your fellowmen for good or ill. Yours is a great responsibility and you must prepare yourselves for it. That is why it is so essential that you make the best possible use of your time here," said Mr J. Acland, M.P., speaking at the annual break-up ceremony of the Geraldine High School lon Monday night. “We all "want to help our fellowmen, 'but it is no use having a heart of gold land a head of feathers. We want to build up a race of clear-thinking and strong-minded men and women in this country, and this is where your education will help you.” Mr Acland continued. “Try to think of yourselves as individual bricks in an enormous building, each brick depending on the next one. If the structure is not sound and if a few bricks are crumbling and rotten, the whole building may collapse, destroying the good with the bad. It is up to each and everyone of you to see that your structure is sound both mentally and physically and here, too, education will help.” Mr Acland wished the pupils, the staff and parents pleasant times during the holidays.

“We should not judge a thing before it has been tried out,” said the headmaster (Mr A. G. Williams) when speaking of the new curriculum which would come into force next year. It was a pity that such a large school as Geraldine should not be staffed with more pupils, Mr Williams said, and he thought the time would come when the small country schools would cease to function and Geraldine would have one big consolidated school. He thanked the parents and committee for their co-operation during the year. Mr J. M. McKenzie, chairman of the School Committee, also spoke. During the evening a gymnastic display was given by senior girl pupils, and opportunity was taken by parents to view the various items of school work set out in the classrooms. After the function supper was served in the cookery room. Certificates and trophies won during the year were presented by Mr Acland as follows: Dux: Ken Maister.

Higher leaving certificates: Diana Morgan, Winnie McClelland, Noel Titheridge. Merit certificates: Form 5, Ken Maister. Ron Davis, Teresa Gresham; Form 4, Fay Hawcridge, Daphne Neutze, Lester Bell, Mark Grayburn, Robert Morrison, Brendon Neutze, Jean Buchanan; Form 3, Margaret Armstrong, Mae Marshall, Shirley Payne, Isobel Robertson, Ngaire Watt, Douglas King, Ross Titheridge, Gladys Tagg, Seymour Gaulter, Dan Leary; Morrison Cup for best all-round girl, Beverly Bean; senior champion girl athlete (Morrison Challenge Cup), Cicely Withers; junior champion girl athlete (Herbert Smith Trust Cup), Nan Charters; senior champion boy athlete (Herbert Smith Trust Cup), Ken Maister; junior champion boy athlete (Herbert Smith Trust Cup), Ross Titheridge; Morrison Challenge Cups, boys' 440 yards, Ken Maister; 100 yards, Ken Maister; swimming championships (Herbert Smith Trust Cups), senior girl champion, Ngaire Marston; senior boy champion. Mark Grayburn.

River Protection Because of the transfer of the Public Works bulldozer to Kurow, the construction of protective works at Upper Orari Bridge is held up. The bulldozer was ready to start work when the recent flood in the Orari made it impossible to do so, and it was decided to use it at Coffey’s frontage until work could begin on the Orari protection job. The Geraldine CountyRiver Board engineer (Mr J. R. Hawcridge) said yesterday that the Department had found it necessary to divert the tractor temporarily" to Kurow, where a serious threat had developed owing to debris piling against the bridge between Kurow and Hakataramea. Soldiers’ Memorial The building of a sanctuary m memory of the men from the parish who gave their lives in the war is the aim of St. Mary’s Women’s Guild This was disclosed at the annual meeting and garden party held at the home of Mrs E. N. Ritchie and Miss E. Templer. The Rev. H. A. Childs, who presided, congratulated the women on their successful year's work. Officers were elected as follows:—President. Mrs G. N. Feilden; vice-presidents. Mesdames H. A. Childs, R. H. Orbell. G. R. Knibb, W. Grindell and Miss R. Williams; treasurer, Mrs R. H. Orbell; secretary. Miss E. Templer.