OTAKI STATE SCHOOL

Chronicle (Levin), 23 December 1946, Page 2

OTAKI STATE SCHOOL

END OF YEAR FUNCTIONS To mark the end of the Otaki State School's year, three separate paroies were nem in All Saints' Haii, which presented a gay scene on each occasion. Standards 1 and 2, under the supervlsion of Misses Keddell and McGreevy, held an afternoon function where games, itemk, playettes and afternoon tea, mciuding ices, pleased the children who participated. Owing to the inclemency of the weather, it was xmpossible to take the children 011 to the lawn for afternoon tea, but everyone enjoyed the function. The nall had been tastefully decorated with sonie of the children's own handwork and presented a colourjful display. Miss Keddell and Miss I McGreevy kepc things moving at a igood speed and both children and I parents had no dull moments. The 1 afternoon tea, organised by Mrs. Royal, was excellently distributed by a willing band of workers. The playette "A Stone in the Road" was given by Standard 2, while Standard 1 gave a nativity play. . i An evening social was held for ! Standards 3 to 6, when some 160 | children and a like number of adults caused the hall's s'ides to ; bulge, and the floor to shakej especially during one particular leame. "Ice Hockey." when even the

teachers forgot themselves, joining in and thoroughly enjoying it: ! Dances, games and amusing com- ' petitions were indulged in yntil a j late hour, another excellent supper | was handed out ~ by a willing com- | mirtee of ladies, assisted by ma.e members, a'nd the' singing of the j National Anthem and "Auld Lang | Syne" brought what has been i expressed as "the best yet'-' to a j close. During the evening, Mr. Haroid , Taylor, chairman of the school j committee, spoke in eulogistie terms ] of the school staff, and thanked the! headmaster and his stafif for the successful year just closing. He congratulated the children on their behaviour, and wished everyone the season 's greetings. The headmaster, Mr. James, replied, thanking Mr. Taylor for his remarks and for the assistance the committee had been.. He urged the parents to get behind the Home and School Association in its endeavours to better the conditions prevailing | between home and school, and also ( to support the school committee in ; its eftorts to improve conditions generally in the school. To all who , had helped to ; make .the functions i possible by monetary donations,' providing the catering and coming along to assist in each function, the children owed a debt of gratitude. Mr. James paid a tribute to his staif, whom he thanked for their'; loyal co-opcration during the year. Mr. James acted as M.C., assisted by Mr. Townrow, Mr. Hewitson and, Miss Campbell, and a visiting student, Mr. N. Pearce. Mrs. Bartholomew, who provided the music for the evening, gave untiringly of her scrvices, and received the thanks of the children and teachers. Another most delightful afternoon party brought many parents out when the infants, under the direction of Miss Lochore, infant mistress, and Misses Cockrell and Rydcr, assembled in numbers to enjoy games, items and a play, besides partaking of ice creams, soft drinks and a boimtiful afternoon tea. A fealure of the afternoon was the wonderful spirit with which the teachers entered into the i'im. A Christmas tree, on which was a present for "Mother," had been prettily decorated by the teachers, who had spared no pains in making this an attractive part of the party. Afternoon tea was served io the children on the lawn. The headmaster thanked those who had assisted in any way, and paid a tribute to the teachers for. their excellent work. The children expressed their pleasure in saying a "Btg Thank You." A small play, "Big Chimney and Little Chimney," was presented by Miss Cockrell's class, Primer 4. That these functions are growing in popularity has been evident from the many congratulatory remarks expressed by ihe public of Otaki, but it is hoped that by next year's end, there will be a large enough hall to accommodate the whole school at the one time. The three parties meant heavy work on behalf cf the school staff, and had it not been for the generosity of the parents and well-wishers, it would have been impossible to hoid the functions at all.