MAHORA SCHOOL EN FETE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 66, 10 December 1937, Page 14

MAHORA SCHOOL EN FETE

Record Attendance for Parents' Day DISPLAYS AND DRILL Associations between school and parents were fnrther cemented yesterday afternoon when Parents' Day was held at the Mahora School; The occasion was another "red-letter" day in the school 's history, for the attendance was a record. In every respect the function was an undoubted success. There were present Mr C. Lassen, chairman of the school committee and a member of the Hawte's Bay Education Board, Mr W» L. Dunn^ secretary of the board, the Mayoress, Mrs G. A Maddison, Mrs C. Lassen, as well ^s representativeg of other school comioittees in Hastings. The main portion of the function was held in the quadrangle which was lined on all sides by parents and friends, while a big portion of the assemblage was obliged to view the 'children 's display of dancing f rom the windows of the classroqmB. Following the presentation by pupils of beautiful bouquets to the MayoressA Mrs- E. Bissell, and Mrs 0. LasBen. a remarkably fine display of folk dancing and physical oulture was provided by the various elasses, froin the primers up to the senior boys and girls. While certain of the movements were special to the occasioni the majority Were part of the normal course of physical exercise and development carrieS out at the school during the year and afforded the parents an opportunity of appreeiating what the staflO is accomplishing in the way of developing deportment as well as physical fitness. Physical Training. The infants of Primers 1, 2 and 3 opened the programme with a dance, "To push the business on," under the direction of Misses Satchell, Hay, Pranklin and O 'Neill; then followed Primer 4 in the dance "I see you" conducted by Misses Pownall and Currie; drill and dancing by the girls of Standards 4 and 5 (Miss Epps); a series of folk dances by girls of Standards 1 and 2 (Misses Black and Wastney)j the "Norwegian Momntain Dance' ' by the girls of Standards 3 and 4 (Mts MacDonell)} physical drill and exercisea in deportment by the senior girls under Miss Donnelly, and by the senior boys under the direction of Mr Cornes. Altogether it was a fine display and was fully appreciated by the parents, who were given an opportunity to obtain .some conception of the modern trend of teaching now encouraged in the matter of physical culture in the schools. The more formal proceedings followed with Mr Lassen briefly addressing the children and parents. He apologised for the absence of the Mayor, jJIr G. A. Maddison, who is chairman of the Hawke's Bay Education. Board, and read the following letter that the headmaster, Mr E. Bissell, had received from Mr Maddison: — " Will you kindly apologise for my unavoidable absence, and if you have the opportunity, will you publicly accept my sincere congratulations to yourself and members of. your staff for the high standard of education and youth training that your school has ae.liioved during the current year. Mahora to-day, I believe, is the largest primary school from the East Cape to Woodville, and in the realisation of that position and the supervision and attention that is required by you and those associated with you in the care of our children, your performance is all • the more outstanding4 "Will you also extend to Mr 0. Lassen, your chairman, and the "members of your committee, my deep gratitude for the unfailing interest which they have taken in the advancernent of your school, and in the improvement of the school grounds." Staff Congratulated. Mr Lassen, too, congratulated the headmaster and staff on the high standard of efficiency that had befin attained during a year that must have been oue of the most trying in the history of the school, for, OWiflg to the prevailing epidemic, there had been a big curtailment in the school year. However, the inspector's report on the efficiency of the school had been most favourably and highly commented upon. The speaker also expressed his pleasure at the excellent attendance of parents and reminded them that,. in. the new year, it would be necessary for them to elect a new committee. Many of the present members of the committee had been giving service for many years now, and it was felt that the time had come when they should be relieved of this duty. He hoped that parents would give this some thought during the nexfc few months, with a view to finding others who would eatry on the worlc. Owing to the school aUthoritieS being imable to differentiate this year, tWo pupils, Gordon Knox and GeoffrOy Clarlc, tied for the dux honours and each was presented with a gold medal, these having been donated bv Messrs C. Lassen and Hugh W. G. Baird. The actual presentation of the medals to the pupils was delegated to Mrs Maddison. Other awards made were the Matheson Sewing Cup to tTean Simpson (Standard 6) and the Mrs Lassen special to Patricia Tabley (Standard 5); the Grieve Oratory Cup, presented by Mrs Grieve, to Pat Tabley and Derek Wedd, who tied. Headmaster 's Review. • The activities of the pupils during the year were briefly reviewed by the headmaster, Mr E. Bissell, who assufed the parents that the standard of the pupils ' worlc was equal to, if not better, than previous years. As the result of the abolition of the proflcieney examination, it had been possible to extend Ihe scope of the worlc for pupils in the higher classes, and, in consequence, the children would be better equipped for life. He referred to the savings banlc into which the children had contributed over £530, and also to the special hobby clubs tliat had been formed among the pupils. Opportunity was taken at the close |,of the function to exprosa appreciation

of the effiorts of Mr W. L. Dunn in the installation of the public-address and radio equipment in the school, and, on behalf of the pupils, he was presented with a coektail set. For some timo after the outdoor function4 parents and friends wandered through 4 the classrooms inspectihg the various displays of work done by the children throughout the year, and here again inere was ample evidepce provided of their industry and application, for a splendid show was made possible.