SCHOOL YEAR ENDS

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19762, 18 December 1935, Page 3

SCHOOL YEAR ENDS

SOUTHWELL CEREMONY. PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. YEAR’S WORK IN REVIEW. Another year of studies and sporting activity was concluded yesterday at the Southwell Boys’ School, when the breaking-up ceremony and presentation of prizes were held in the school gymnasium. There was a large attendance of parents and old pupils, and after tea had been served the prizes and trophies won during the past year were presented by the Bishop of Waikato, the Rt. Rev. C. A. Cherrington. ' At the outset of the proceedings the boys entertained with choruses from “ The Mikado," while John Lethbridge, winner of the oratoricalprize, gave a speech on the life of King Edward 111. “ it, always gives me much pleasure when presenting my report for the year to find that 1 am facing not oniy parents of present boys but also those whom I might term ex-parents, and friends who have no direct connection with the school tout toy their presence show a friendly interest in _ us. We ■derive much encouragement from their attendance,” said the headmaster, Mr 11. G. Sergei, in reviewing the year’s activities.

“ This year has found us peopled mostly in the upper classes with the result that in different spheres of activity, whether in the class-room or in the playing field we have been strong. "For the second year in succession additions to the building's were necessary. The extensions involved the erection of another class-room, and other additions, so that another assistant master could toe accommodated in the dormitory building. A further useful addition was the provision of lockers in the gymnasium. During the year the accommodation for boarders was again lllled, sixty boys being in residence. As usual some came a considerable distance. Two were from Fiji, others from Napier, Wanganui, as well as various parts of the Auckland province. “ It has been satisfactory to find how well they thrived in this important centre of the North Island, especially those from the tropics,” added Mr Sergei. “ Some years ago Mr Major, then headmaster of King’s College, informed me, when I was on my way to Hamilton to take up the headmastership of Southwell, that during his long experience with the territorials he had found the best men physically came from the Waikato, a good testimony of the health-giving properties of the 'district." Examination Successes. In referring to the school work Mr Sergei said that they had practically two courses, one that lead to the type of examination necessary for the English Public Schools Entrance or, in New Zealand, to the Intermediate, and Tor entrants to King’s, Wanganui and Christ’s Colleges, "the other terminating in the profloiency, the qualification for entering a high school. In the former, three boys were successful last year, one 13 years of age gaining over 75 per cent, of full marks, and in the proficiency examination of this year, fourteen candidates were presented, thirteen gained full certificate and one competency, four earning over 75 per cent of full marks. “ The school was visited by two inspectors, and I was pleased to hear definite approval of the courses,” continued Mr Sergei. “ Visits toy inspec-