Breaking-up Ceremony At Otaki School

Chronicle (Levin), 19 December 1949, Page 2

Breaking-up Ceremony At Otaki School

The breaking-up ceremony at the Otaki School was held on Friday afternoon, presided over •by Mr. W. Wilson. In attendance were the Mayor and - Mayoress, Mr. C. F. Atmore and Dr. Atmore, the headmaster, Mr. O. H. E. Yates, and Mrs. Yates, and members of the staff. Mr. Wilson, in welcoming the Mayor and Mayoress on behalf of the School Commit&ee, briefly reviewed the happenings at the school during the year and congratulated the staff and pupils on the results attained. To those moving on to higher schools best wishes were extended. Mr. Yates thanked the many boys and girls who throughout the year had so successfully carried out the many tasks allotted them, with special reference to the school safety patrol leaders and members, those who had brought honour to the school through the home gardens and the prefects for their general and individual efforts. All these pupils, said Mr. Yates, had helped the work of the school to go easily and well. He wished one and all a happy holiday, cautioned all to be careful and offered helpful advice to , the many who were stepping up to take secondary education. Mr. Atmore, who was greeted with applaUse on rising to speak, offered congratulations on the meritorious achievements which had taken place during the year. He wholeheartedly endorsed the kindly sentiments and words of wisdom of the headmaster. He was glad to know that so many of Form 2 pupils would attend Horowhenua College next year in furtherance of their education. "What does this word education mean," the speaker . asked. "In its widest sense, and in the words of a Governor-General of New Zealand, it meant to 'train you to use wisely and usefully all the faculties with which you are endowed'." Mr. Atmore counselled his audience to strike a balance between learning and sport, and recommended them to take part in all sporting and social activities of the college. "It is.only by entering into the full life of the college that you can expect to derive the full benefit from your training there. "Try to get to ihe top," added Mr. Atmore. "You have a splendid inspiration in the words inscribed on the School Memorial, 'To the illustrious dead who once were pupils of this school. By the tried valour of their hand their Monarch and their Empire were nobly served.' These men possessed in good measure the qualities which you will possess in the years ahead. ' We shall watch your progress with the greatest inteTest, knowing. full well that you will worthily uphold the traditions of your own school and in good time will make your contribution to the welfare "of this our own country." The speaker concluded by extending to all present the sincerest good wishes of the Mayoress and himself for a Merry . Christmas and a very Happy New Year, The Mayoress, who was presented with a dainty shoulder spray by Melva Walsh, extended congratulaitions and presented School Leaving Certificates to the following: — June .Bartosh, Jocelyn Boswell, Nellie Carkeek, Mary Cook, Beverly Edwards, Rachael Harvey, Valerie Larkin, Doreen Lowe, Eileen Taucher, Shirley Taucher, Marie Tahiwi, Joyce Tomlinson, Melva Walsh, Nahleen Walton, Mo Howard Annan, . Roy Bevan, Cecil Cootes, Peter Davis, Frank Duncan, PeteT Edwards Gordon Jenkins, Warwick Knox, Ken Ludlam, Bevil Roach, Bill Ropata, Pat. Tetau, Rober.t Seal, Frank Snowdon, Hugh Thorpe, pred. Vickerstaff, Morgan Webster and Edward Gibbard. Following the singing of the National Anthem, afternoon tea was provided for the visitors by the staff and Christmas greetings were exchanged before dispersing.