School Year Closes With Prize-Giving

Chronicle (Levin), 19 December 1949, Page 3

School Year Closes With Prize-Giving

-The Shannon School held its " end-of-year function. on Thurs'day afternoon when there was an ex- ; cellent attendance of parents and ;; other interested cixizens. The prize-giving ceremony was held in . the pieasant surroundings of the , school grounds and many people . remarked on the excellent condition of the gardens and grounds. The school closed for Christmas recess on Friday afternoon and will open for^the fir'st term of the 1 New Year on Wednes'day, Febru- ■ ary 1. ■ • " \ The following are ,the' scholastic i awards for . 1949, which were pre- 1 sented last Thursdays: — Most' amproved , pupils. — Std. ' 1: Dennis j: Batt and Judith Tippler. Stds;.'l i and 2; Glynn Harrison and Mary ! Redshaw. Stds. 3 and 4: Fred Kilmister and Grace Trueman. > Std. 4 and ■ Form 1 : Raymond Harris and Rachel McDowell. ' Forms I and II r John Herbert and Dorothy Kennard. Special prize ■ (s'econd in Form II) : Brian Lowry. The - following were first in their classes. — Std. 1: Lorraine Vinsen. Std. 2: James Hing. Std. 3: Joan McNeile. ' Std. 4. Christine Ford. ! Form I: Beverley Dujany. Form * II and Dux off School: Doreen Moss. The' headmaster (Mr. F. O. . Burtt) presented his report for the year as follows: — "The past ; year has been one of historical significance from the point of view of the school. It is fitting that the diamond- jubilee should ; have' been5^marked by promises of new buildings and by the purchase of up-to-date educational facilities. ' "The outstanding event of the year "Was the celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the establishment of a school in Shannon, ■ and it was an inspiration to those of us who are still closely asso- ' ciated with the school to realise that it was the medium which brought so many from all corners of New Zealand to renew earlier friendships." Already many are looking forward to the next jubilee in 1959. With the surpliis of the jubilee funds a sound projector was purchased and is proving to be a very valuable teaching aid in the field of gerieral knowledge. "During February the school grounds were re-sealed and the annual picnic was held at Foxton Beach, when six buses and at least 50 private cars were used for transport. "In March the annual swimming sports and athletics meeting were held. In April the school ,fair, which is' the school's only appeal for funds each year, realised £105. Arbor Day was celebratea by planting 50 flowering native trees in the native reserve. The annual calf and lamb judging was held in November, when the entries. presented constituted a record. '• "Throughout • the year Bible in-: struction has been given by Revs. M. J. Wheeler, J. M. Martin, J. A. Ashworth and Father Foley and the Sisters from Foxton Convent. For this important service to the children the school' is grateful. ' "Games have been played throughout the year against many other, schools and 79 children were taugiit to swim in the school baths at the beginning of the year. "I take this opportunity of thahking the district nurse, Sister D. J. Macdonald, for her assistance on many occasions and ' for the conscientious manner in which she has carried out her monthly inspections of the pupils. "The Parent-Teachers' Association has contmued to be weir attended and has proved its talue as a* means of maintaining contact and harmony between the parents and the teachers for the benefit of the children. I hope that our membership will grow to even larger numbers next year, when the possession of a sound projector will help to provide even more interesting programmes. - "The school roll has risen to such

an extent that an additional teacher will be appointed to the staff in February and pians for new classrooms and other amenities are well advanced. Mrs. J. B; Ward and the aentai nurse, Miss M. K. Gardner, have moved to promotions and ' their pl^ces have been raken by Miss C. Davis and Miss S. Gatdner respectively. Miss J. Wharrie, who completes her term of duty in Shannon at the end of this year, has been appointed to Otaki School. "The Junior ..Red Cross groups have had a successful jear, having sent food parcels to England, 'provided gift boxes to lmmigrant children. and Christmas presents to

two children of displaced persons and made other efforts. Much credit for the development of this movement must go to Mrs. J. D. Campbell, district organissr, and Miss Davis, the teacher in charge. "To the many friends of the school who have generously assisted during the war I- offer my sincere thanks. Mrs. E. L." Hyde, ih' particular has always been generous to the children and I take this oppor- ' tunity to express thanks. I thank the members of the teaching staff for their loyalty and support. Their efforts to assist me at all times have been very much apreciated. I thank Miss Gardner, the dental nurse, and Mr. Chester, the school caretaker. I thank the members of the School Committee for another year of help and co-opera-tion. The school is very fortunate to have a committee of men and women who devoie so much time and thought to it. Again I am glad to have the opportunity of publicly thanking them and of acknowledging my. debt of gratitude to them. "To those children who are leaving school .may I say that the teachers wish them well in their future chosen careers. They hope that they will carry on with their schooling and will remember that education is a continuing process, and what has been. leamed at school is merely a foundation for future learning. Our school's primary function is the training of character and we feel confident that all our pupils will remember at all times that honesty and perseverance are their most valuable n 5KPtS "