Second Edition. ST. MARY'S SUNDAY SCHOOL

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 September 1910, Page 3

Second Edition. ST. MARY'S SUNDAY SCHOOL

ANNUAL PRIZE GIVING IN

LEVIN

The annual Sunday School prizegiving was held in St. Mary's School room last .night. The children assembled in the afternoon for tea and games, and a very merry time was spent, thanks to the ladies who so kindly volunteered their services. Tlio vicar (Rev. S. G. Compton) gave away the prizes ami laid strcs.. upon the importance of the largo infants class, numbering thirty children, and the credit that was due to Mrs Winchester, who had organised it, and, on Mr Burns' departure, had so ably filled the position of superintendent. Both the first prize for boys and the special prize for the whole school was won by Geoff. Gapper, who secured the highest possible marks for the year. The report of the superintendent is appended below.

"The average attendance since •Tannary last has been 29, and the number of children on the roll is f)0. Though this is protiably an improvement on last year, the avorage is not nearly as good as it should !>e.

"Besides being most discouraging to the teachers, who give their time to the work, it is impossible to make satisfactory progress in teaching the children unless they come regularly. This has been proved the case in the State schools, where attendance is now compulsory; and the same thing applies in a greater degree to Sunday School work, to which 'only one hour a week is given. "It has been found that in Simday School tea chit"- the best results are obtained by giving a consecutive course of lessons, and this is the system now in practice in St. Mary's Sunday School. It is obvious that this cannot be followed successfully unless the children are sent as regularly as possible. We ltopo that parents will realise this more fully and that the average attendance will be much better the coining year.

"It is gratifying to report that n marked improvement has been shown both in singing and general behaviour in the school. The Sunday School is at present handicapped for want of one or two more teachers, and any offers of help in this most important branch of Church work will be verv welcome. -Levin, September 22. 11)10."