TAURANGA DISTRICT SCHOOL EXAMINATION AND MR R. McDONALD'S PRIZES.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 135, 17 December 1873, Page 3

TAURANGA DISTRICT SCHOOL EXAMINATION AND MR R. McDONALD'S PRIZES.

i he exaimualaon of the above school tools place on C<int.ujtii JLovey, i»eoretury ; and Messrs Conway and Kirk, of the school committee, Messrs Corbett, mill Warbrick were also present towards the close. 'I ho examination, which lasted about, o no,;rs huu & nun, was tlio nioro sutislactory as ir qusto nnpii Ui^cl;tv^tt>d j t**uchefß not* scholars having hud any notice of if, as the committen considers a art examination, though appiareutly very brilliant, is not a fair criterion "of improvement The children were therefore examined on the lessons of the day, Their progtesa was very gratifying, especially to those who have been m the habit of visiting the school Irooi month to month, and have an individual knowledge of the scholars. One of the most marked im-tunccs was that of a little boy, who, eis. monliis ago, did not know bia letter* ; ho cun nowread and write v, ry fairly. The school i* divided into six classes. The reading generally was good, tiiuugii abounding in the common faults of children, viz., emphasizing little words—such as of and the, and not attending to stops. Trio children appeared to bo very well tip in the geography ot our own country. After having examined the five classes, the most pleasing feature of the examination perhaps was hearing tiie snr h class, the wee little ones with their clean bright faces at their ooject lesson —their eagerness to answer questions about some of our domestic animals was very amusing. The children were in their every nay school drees, and presented a neat, clean, and orderly appearance. The prizes (liberally presented by Mr 3i, MclJonald) were eighteen in number, and very cureluhy selected by Captain Skeet (lute secret iry). 1 hey wi re awarded for literary attainments, goo i com!uo , and regularity in attendance. .nr Cvoertz, in order to secure a regular attendance, hag adopted the plan of requiring a written reason for children absenting themselves from school. The result, is, the parents of some children, have discovered, while they were fondly hop.ng their children were at school, that t hey have h“cn playing truaot, iMrcnts would do wed to assist the ellorts of tbo master and mistress by sending their children regularly.