LOWER HEATHCOTE SCHOOL.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 107, 3 October 1874, Page 3

LOWER HEATHCOTE SCHOOL.

The distribution of prizes in connection with this school took place yesterday, the presentations being made by Mr Montgomery. Prior to the prizes being given out a tea of a very substantial character was provided by the committee and laid out in the schoolroom. The children, it is needless to say, did their part towards disposing of the good things provided by Mr Poole, who had been entrusted with the task of catering. After tea an adjournment was made to the schoolyard, where games of various kinds were indulged in by the youngsters. The adult portion of those present then sat down, and after tea the room was cleared, and at the end of the room a platform was arranged, and upon a table was displayed a tempting array of books, &c., intended for prizes. The chairman of the district committee, Mr R. Davis, together with the other members, was on the platform, as also was Mr Wm Montgomery. The children having been marched into the schoolroom under their teachers, Mr Davis, the chairman of the school committee, said that they had met there that evening, as usual, to have their little merrymaking in the shape of a treat, and also the distribution of the prizes. On the part of the committee, he had to thank the teachers of the school for the way in which they had worked and the progress made by the school under them, which had been very great during the year. They bad cause to congratulate themselves upon this progress, which was more marked even than on former occasions, and gave promise of the school yet taking a high position in the province. At the general examination for scholarships recently, they had sent up four boys, one had gained a scholarship the second had succeeded in being placed fifth on the list, and the others had also achieved creditable positions. [Applause,] Therefore he thought that they had very good reason to congratulate themselves upon their progress. [Applause,] He would now ask Mr Montgomery, who had kindly promised to distribute the prizes, to proceed at once with it. [Applause.] Mr Montgomery, who was loudly cheered on coming forward, said it was now just a year since he had last had the pleasure of meeting them and addressing them from that platform. During that period the progress of the school had been most satisfactory, and it would perhaps not be amiss to state the number of children attending the school during the past year, and compare it with the attendance of three years previous, so that the parents of children, the residents in the district, and those who took an interest in the cause of education, might see the progress made by the school. The number of children on the books of the school as receiving instruction during the quarter ending Sept. 30th, 1871, was 47; in the quarter ending September 30th, 1872, they amounted to 139 ; do ending September 30th, 1873, 197 ; and during the last quarter, the one just ended, the number was 256. This large increase must be very satisfactory to all who had the cause of education at heart. He must say, however, that this increase was due in a great measure to the exertions of the committee and the teachers; and further than this, from the inspector’s report, the progress of the school ap; ’eared to have been very satisfactory. [Hear, hear.] The aim of the Board of Education had been to supply teachers who were gentlewomen and gentlemen, so that the pupils over whom they were placed could look up to and respect them, and who would also teach them, not only their letters, but the way in which they should conduct themselves. [Cheers.] He desired to congratulate the committee upon the very excellent stock of books he had before him to present to those to whom they- had been awarded. He would not longer detain them, but would proceed to award the prizes. Mr Montgomery then distributed the prizes, as under . First class—lst, Richard Snedden (prize given by the chairman) ; 2nd, Frances Staples; 3rd, Rosa Round ; 4th, Maria Mills ; sth, Elisha Round; 6th, Louis Marquet and William Dennam, equal prizes awarded to each. For diligence and

general good conduct: Maria Rainey, Louisa Harper, and Ellen Shepherd. For arithmetic ; Samuel Herbert. For general improvement : George Attwood. Second Class —Ist prize, Henrietta Keith ; 2nd, George Osborn ; 3rd, Eleanor McKeig ; 4th, Abel Webber ; sth, Emma Whittington. For good conduct: Charlotte Lea. For general improvement: James Stevens, Fred. Simmonds, and Mary Anne Dixon. Third Class—lst prize, James McHarg; 2nd, Elizabeth Webber; 3rd, Clara Adeline Davis; 4th, Mary Russell. For good conduct: Wm. Marquet. General proficiency: Thomas Rainey, Elizabeth Dunford, Selwyn Davies, Ada Davis. Fourth Class—lst prize, Jessie Wilson ; 2nd, John Horler ; 3rd, Mary Alice Freeman: 4th, Alex. McKay ; sth, Rowland John Calvert. Good conduct : Anthony Ashton. General improvement : Ernest Alexander Davis.

Fifth class—lst prize. Thomas Gofton ; 2nd, Archibald Russel ; 3rd, Emily Lea ; 4th Maggie Correll; sth, Oscar Johnston ; 6th, Harry Humber, Good conduct prize : John McHarg. General improvement : John Lea, Robert Day, Laura Brown. Sixth class —Ist prize, Zoe Davis ; 2nd, Thomas Mills ; 3rd, Fredk. Charles] North ; 4th, Edward Correll. Writing prizes—Class I—lst, Louis Marquet ; 2nd, John Boswell. Class 2 —lst, Abel Weber ; 2nd, Rosa Nankivell.

Class 3—lst, Thomas Dixon ; 2nd, John Falloon.

Class 4—lst, Harry Woodham ; 2nd, Elizabeth Aston,

Sewing Prizes—lst, Emily Sparkes ; 2nd, Emma Whittington ; 3rd, Mercy Maberly ; 4th, Mary Sparkes. Crochet Prize—Ellen McKay. Mrs Montgomery’s Prizes —For best knitted pair of socks, A. McHarg; for neatest girl in the school, Ist, Florence Legge ; 2nd, Jane Moody ; neatest boy, Frederick Legge, Mr W. Mills having given a prize, to be awarded by the boys for the best boy in the school, and one for the best girl, to be decided in a similar manner, the election took place as follows ;—Girls : Alice Purvey, 46 (the prize) ; Emily Sparks, 41 ; Ellen Davis, 30 ; Maria Rainey, 26 ; Rosa Round, 23. Boys: ffm Norris, 53 (the prize) ; Richard Snedden, 40 ; James Alexander, 28; Samuel Herbert, 14. A waggish youngster suggested that the girls should have the privilege of choosing the best boy, but as this was against the terms of the prize it could not be done.