SYDENHAM SCHOOL.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20093, 24 November 1930, Page 15

SYDENHAM SCHOOL.

NEED FOR NEW ROOMS. PROTESTS AT C'AIiMVAI.. Strong protests ;it the failure of tlio Government to provide lor the erection of new classrooms at the Sydenham School were made at the opening uf a fete held in the school grounds on Saturday afternoon, when it wa.> decided, in view of the dilapidated and insanitary condition ot part of tho builrlim:. that; :> cnniijhiint choiild bo made to the Minister ior l'.duent ion (the Hon. 1!. Atmore), in the hope that the position would be remedied. The chairin.'ui of the Sydenham School Committee, Mi' C. H. Itiiitoul. in asking the Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) to open the tote, suggested that a protest should be forwarded to the Minister to the effect that he had hindered the progress of the district by failing to provide tor a new school. A motion on those lines was moved by Mr Gilbert lirown. deputy chairman ol the School (. onimil tee, who declared that the time was opportune to condemn the Minister ior his inactivity. In declaring the carnival open, IVli j Archer referred to the disgraceful condition of some of the rooms, and hopol that the new school would soon be , provided. He congratulated the t-tall, members of the committee, and the j children oti the amount of work which ■ they had performed in preparing for j tho i'ete. ! "Part of the buildings her 6 was j erected 60 years ago." said Mr H. 1. Armstrong, AI.P. lor the district, •'and rooms are in a dilapidated and j insanitary condition. They should not j be- used as schoolrooms at all. ' Mr ; Armstrong endorsed the* remarks 01 ths previous speakers. The Sydenham School was, following the promise ot the Minister, the nest in Christchurch which would receive the necessary al- j terations. Mr E. J. Howard. M.P., also expressed tho hope that new buildings wou'tl be erected, and Air J. J. Hurley a member of the North Canterbury Education Board, said that he could state unoflicially that the district had tho whole-hearted support of the Board. The motion of protest was carried unanimously. Carnival festivities were then continued for the afternoon, and the grounds were filled with a large number of people, who found opportunity for amusemcut in tho many sideshows, competitions, and .stalls, which were aiding in the collection of funds for the school picnic and tho children's Christmas tree. The fete is an annual gathering, arranged by the stafi and members of the School Committee, and-as a result of Saturday s ellorts, the funds will benefit to a considerable extent. Children in fancy dress marched in u parade and the judging of the best costumes was done by Mesdames H. T. Armstrong, It. Anderson, Boon, and Neville. Stalls were in the charge of tho following: Sweet stall, teachers of the Bchool; afternoon tea, Mesdames Thompson and Llovd; 'produce stall, Mr L. I<\ J*'. Ward and pupils; cake stall, Mesdames Brown, Milne, Newberry. and Cobb. The results of the fancy dress and other competitions were as follows: Girls' fancy dross: Verna Barton (Blue Fairy) 1. June Newberry (Hawaiian Girl) 2; cheapest: (Christmas Parcel) 1, Marion Carr (Crimped Paper Dress 2; original: Jean Collins (Your Country Needs Your Money) 1, Winnie Itogers (Stand-by Plant) 2; poster : \V r innie Halsey (Colman's Mustard) ; best couple: Lola and J.yla Blyth (Bride and Bridesmaid); scholar riot attending Sydenham School: Edith Wootton (Blue Bird); scholar attending Sydenham School: Joyce McCalluin (Buy Empire Goods;); parent most children : Mrs Glastonbury: boys' fancy dress: Lennie McGratli (Chinaman) 1, Laurie Smith (Eskimo Matches) 2; cheapest: (Paper Bag), 1. Bernard Kiesanowski (The Cause of Tears) 2- original: Gordon Martin (Chip of the Old Block! 1, Clarrie Hill (Certificate of Jtegistration) 2; best poster: Walter Amos (A Sweet Little Boy) ; best couple: Allen Mansell and Willie Hannock (Mickey the Mouse and the Cat) ; specials: C'live Homes and (Minstrel Boys) ; Jessie ltodda and Nellie Fravlo (Victorian Couple). Other competitions were won ns follows: Mrs Lloyd (box of chocolates); Mrs Cunnnrd (hox ottoman); Mrs \Vilson (cushion) ; Mrs O. Brown (Christmas cake) ; Miss Vass (iced cake); Mrs Kiesanowski (flour).