SCHOOL CEREMONY AT ISLAND BAY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 305, 20 September 1919, Page 11

SCHOOL CEREMONY AT ISLAND BAY

A very interesting ceremony took place oil Thursday ut Island Jiny School, when the new rooms recenWy added to the school were formally opened, and .1 .New Zealand ensign was ilreswilcd to the school by the IN'avy League, Ainoni; those present were: The Mayor (Mr. J. I'. Luke); Mr. Ji. A. Wright, M.i\; Mr. T. i'orsyth, chairman of the . Wellington lulucation Hoard j Captain C'hudley, tt.N.li.; .Mr. J, 0, fihorland, chnirinuu of the lichool Committee; and other members of the .School Committee. Mr. Forsyth, in opening the proceedings, remarked upon tne steady iuereaso ut the school 1011. He eulogised the work of the lieadmaster, Mr. 'i'hwaites, and his eilicient stall' for teachers, ami said that tlio work done in tho school was a credit t» tlio district. die announced that in. honour of tho occasion, 11 half-holiday would he granted, to the children. This announcement was received, with great applause. . The <;h,airman then niiirotiuced M1 1 . Luke, who unveiled a memorial to those who had fallen, in the war. Ho also wpuke of the duty which each child owed, to its school and lo its country, and urged title children to live up to Un. highest ideals. '• Scholarship winners during the. last two years were awarded gold medals, and Mr, Wright congratulated the three recipients, Hilda Morgan,- Lois Martin, ana Duncan Hereus. The speaker afterwards addressed tlio school children, in'lnippy voin, giving by way of story, lessons in sell-neip and in taeiihce fori otheri;,. . Mr. tihorland referred to the good work dono alike by teachers and by scholars, and in welcoming Captain Cbudley spoke of the gallant deeds done by 6ailors of every rank. Captain C'luidley, 011 behalf of tho Navy League, Olien presented to the school.u New Zealand ensign, and referred to the necessity of maintaining' a strong Navy, and also to tho courage and devotion to duty of thoso brava men who had fought for our freedom.' . . '■ Tho headmaster, in returmug tlihiucs to the Navy league for its valued gift,, said that the ceremony of that day would, increase tho deep interest the children already showed in the work ol' the Navy, and would probably double the school membership. The parents of the children were invited,® inspect the rooms, land, tho visitors were .entertained at morning tea after a most enjoyable function. ■ ■ ■ , ;