CENTRAL INFANTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 297, 16 December 1932, Page 12

CENTRAL INFANTS

LAST BREAKING UP 20 YEARS’ SERVICE ENDED. After 20 years’ service the last prizegiving ceremony of the Wanganui Central Infants’ School was held yesterday morning when special prizes were distributed by Airs. J. Siddells and the pupils and parents were addressed by Mr. A. Veitch M.P. Mr. J. Siddells, chairman of the School Committee, welcomed Airand Airs. Veitch, Mrs. Siddells, Airs. N. G. Armstrong, members of the Education Board and the School Committee. Several songs were sung by the children* A tribute to the work done by Mrs. Siddells wa a paid by Air. Veitch, who said that she had visited the school for the past 20 years once a week during every term. Aluch gratitude was due to her for her work and interest. Mr. Veitch also complimented the School Committee for its work and for the great source of encouragement it had been to the teachers. The greatest satisfaction was felt by the teachers when they saw the result of their work with the children and when they knew that their efforts were appreciated by the parents. Proof oi th 0 children’s good work and the parents’ appreciation was to be seen chat morning for the children’s entertainment had been listened to with a great deal of pleasure, while there were many parents present, whose presence indicated their interest and appreciation.

Air. Veitch referred to the friendship formed among the children and said that it wa s & good thing that they should learn to work together and to develop their friendship, which was the greatest thing in the world to-day. “It must be most gratifying to the teacher s to see the large number of parents here this morning,” continued Air. Veitch. “The teaching profession is different from most others for it is a matter of giving rather than getting. The teachers’ lives are wrapt up iu what they can do or give to the children and it must b c a matter of great appreciation and comfort to them to see so many here.” It was gratifying also to those present to bc able to look round and see the healthy physique and mentality of the children. Air. Veitch said that he had met men of experience and standing from all parts of the world and all had remarked upon the quality of the children of this country, for they were healthy and mentally strong and sound, well educated, well housed and well fed. For those reasons he considered that there was no need to fear for the future of the country. The future belonged to the next generation and it was not possible to find a more poten tial force for usefulness and advancement of the country than the children who attended the New Zealand schoolsAir. Veitch thanked the teachers for the work they had done and the service they had given and a vote of acclamation was passed in recognition of the work done by Miss Hall-Jones and her staff.

Special prizes were won as follows: Primer I.—Tom Philpot. Primer IL—June Muir and Teddy Dash field.

Primer 111.—Edna Couchman, Alyrtle Harle, Dick Lamerton, lan Marshall and Leslie Durrant.

Primer IV. —Saxon Bullock, Joy Denman, Alary Grinstead, Dennis Turner and Jack Skelsey.

Standard I-—Vera Jones, Daughne Kclpe, Nathlie Langman, Helen Lamerton, Kathleen O’Toole, Jean I’ickworth, Elva Philpot, Balfour Balfour, Edwin Hart, Barney O’Toole, Fraser Rowe and Peter Turner.