Parents And Teachers Hold Pleasant Social

Chronicle (Levin), 3 July 1948, Page 2

Parents And Teachers Hold Pleasant Social

Described as one of the largest sociai functions held in Otaki for some time, more than 100 people attended the Otaki Home and School Association's monthly gathering, held at the schooi on Thursday. The evening took the form of a social and card competitions, two buildings being utilised for this purpose so that the noise made by the joymakers would not disturo those engaged in the more serxous occupation of playing cards. Those who elected to attend tne social were treated to a delightful evening's entertainment. It opened with community singing led by Mr. A. Lumley. Oid and new fav- j ourites were rendered, after which a number by Mrs. J. Duncan anci Misses J. Keddell and F. Fogaen was presented. Musical choirs foilowed and caused a great deal of amusement. Four choirs were formed and were called upon to sing nursery rhymes in quick succession, the penalty being disqualification if the number had beexr sung before. Musical arms was the next item, this "oeing conducted in two heats. Winners rof

the first heat were Mrs. H. Grant i and Miss P. Fogden, whiie Misses L. I Cockrell and J. Rodgers won the second. A musical quiz kept the function going and so attentive were the "pupils" under the watchful eye of Mr. R. Bills that a triple dead heat occurre'd when Mesdames W. Herbert and J. Duncan and Mr. W. H. Townrow were awarded full marks. An eliminatiorx contest saw the latter defeated by one mark. Mrs.- Barthoioxnew excelled herself at the piano. Other items were as follows: — Vocal sOlos:'. Miss D. Avery; recitations: Miss F. Fogden; huxnorous dialogue: Messrs. J. E. James and A. Lumley. A trio oy Messrs. James, Lumley and Townrow brought forth generous " applause, a variety of nuxnbers being well received. A further "pillow dip" game saw the maie xnexnbers of the two teaxns under pressure attempting to keep pace with the members of the opposite sex. The concluding' itexn, a huxnorous sketch by Mrs. C. F. Wiison, Miss Keddell and Mr. A. J. Klrkwood literally "brought the house down." In another portion of the school, enjoyable oard games were induigea irx and many keexi contests ensuea. Winners of the 500 were Mrs. F. Cootes and Mr. W. Pex'cival, whxle Mrs. A. Taylor and Mr. Houghton won the bridge. Consolation prxzes were awarded to Mesdames H. Cole and E. Howe. and Messrs. L. G. Gimblett, J. E. Snowden, H. T. Mould and J. Hancox. The chairman of the association, Mr. R. Bills, then spoke briefly, thanking those preseno for their attendance. The headmaster of the school Mr. J. E. James, also expressed his gratitude at the large number present. He said that he hoped to see as many at the monthly xneetings of the association xn the future. Functions where the teacher and, the parent met rogether tended to break down -tne barriers between them. He e.xtended an invitation to all parents to visit the school at any tixne anci see the children working nappxxy. However, he would like them also to see the unsuitable conditions under which they had to work. The school was very xnuch overcrowded and the committee was endeavouring to get three new rooms built. Only by the parents givlng their wholehearted support could this be achieved. An excellent supper was provided by the lady members of the association, and many of those presexxt expressed a wlsh for a further such function in the near future.