A SPLENDID RECORD

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 35, 5 November 1917, Page 5

A SPLENDID RECORD

THE ROBIN HOOD BAY SCHOOL. Under ordinary circumstances the closing of a small, school is of intorest only to the Education Board and those immediately connected with it, but tho school which has lately been closed at Robin Hood Bay deserves some mention. This school was started in 1886, and had therefore been in existence nearly 31 years. When;it was closed it was'complimented by the Wellington Education Board for the good recorcfit holds. Nearly 200 boys have passed through it. Of that number over 50 have gone to the front—probably more than aro known, as in the lapse of years some liave beon lost eight of. As many are married and settled and some stiil too young to serve, the above number is quite a creditable percentage. They are serving in all capacitics—in tile Navy, as airmen, as privates, and as officers. Five 'have given their lives for their country, and some have been awarded military honours.

During the whole period of the school's existenco it was never closed for a singlo day on account of illness, whilo no accident of any importance ever occurred. A great many boys becamo excollont swimmers, some carrying off prizes when sent to other schools.

From a purely educational point of view this small school holds a) splendid record. When tho M.H.B. medals were instituted by Mr, Buick a Robin Hood Bay pupil waa tho first to gain oue, and on several subsequent occasions the medal was secured; also, a special prize which was open to all the Marlborough schools'.for tho best essay on Political Economy was gained by two of its pupils, who secured both first and second places. It is understood that a pupil from this school was the only boy in Marlborough who ever qualified for the Queen's Scholarship. Unfortunately he was not entered for it. He camo Bth for tho whole colony and itli for the Middle University district. He also hoadod the list for the ordinary reholaTship examination, being nearly 100 marks ahead of tho next competitor. Four other Marlborough scholarships have been won by pupils of this school, also an excellent pass for the Junior Civil Service, and in addition a Tccent pupil gained the Junior National Scholarship.