HOKITIKA HIGH SCHOOL

Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1929, Page 7

HOKITIKA HIGH SCHOOL

BREA KING-UP CEREMONIES. The Hokitika District High and Victoria [State Schools held their “breaking-up” ceremonies, prior to the holidays, yesterday, [flic weather was tine and there was a good attendance of parents and others interested, both at the forenoon and afternoon functions. At the forenoon ceremony, the Infant School was dispersed, but not before Santa Claus in orthodox manner, entered the school 'by a chimney, and addressed the children, and in his usually generous way presented each child with a gift. Miss Reid of the stall’ with the assistance of the young ladies of the Christian Endeavour, had prepared a Christmas tree, and from the well-laden branches, Father Christmas was able to disperse lollies, marbles, toys and picture hooks. It was all most engrossing for the juveniles who were delighted to meet Santa Claus in person and report as to their good conduct, all promising to be good hoys and girls'in the coming year and pay strict attention to their school duties. On condition that the compact was faithfully kept by the children, Father Christmas promised to return in a year’s time with another load, of presents. The whole ceremony was greatly enjoyed by the onlookers, and good wishes were extended by Mrs G. A. Perry (Mayoress) who presented the merit prizes, and Mr E. Partridge. the Rector, who wished the scholars a happy holiday. In the afternoon, the primary and secondary classes were dismissed for the six weeks’ holidays, following an outdoor ceremVniy .at the Technical rooms. Mr A. C. Armstrong, Chairman of the School Committee, presided and apologised for the absence of the Mayor (Mr Perry), Mr R. Wild (Chairman of the Canterbury Education Board), T. W. Duff (High School Board), W. E. Richards, J. Redder, F. Chestermaii (School Committee) .

Mr E. Partridge, Rector, in a few introductory remarks, expressed pleasure at seeing so many present interested in the school work. He was glad to .say that the scholars had done well, both in class work and in outdoor sports. He was glad at all times to have the hearty co-opera-tion both of the Commitee and parents, the help was of great assistance to the staff. Proficiency came from the degree of support accorded. He wished the scholars a happy Christmas and a pleasant holiday. Mr Armstrong extended his congratulations to the staff , and scholars on the good work done during the year. He referred to those who would be .leaving the school for good, and hoped they were well equipped for the outside world, aud would always remember their old school. He apologised for the absence of Dr Boyd, an ex-scholar, who was here on holiday and had hoped to be present that day but was called out of town. Mr Armstrong went on to refer to the possibilities of establishing a. separate High School, and hoped the parents of the children throughout the district would do their best to support such a movement by sending as many secondary scholars as possible. Hon. H. L. Michel, M.L.C., Chairman of the High School Board, in congratulatory remarks on the year’s success, referred to the fact that that day over a quarter of a million school children in the Dominion were participating in “breaki‘ng-up” functions. Of that number, something like 22,000 boys and girls would be leaving school and going out into the world. New Zealand held many fine openings jfor it>s scholars, and 'the present Minister of Education, always an enthusiast in educational matters, was more devoted now than ever in forwarding the national interests of education. The district was represented by IMr Wild on the Canterbury Education Board, and he could be relied on to do what was possible in advancing their educational interests. Personally lie (Mr Michel) had been an advocate of Westland 'being merged under the Canterbury district, and be was glnd good results were following. He extended to all the cordial greetings of the season, and wished them a happy holiday returning with renewed thought and vigor for another successful school term when work was recommenced again in February next. Mrs G. A. Perry (Mayoress) then presented a fine range of merit prizes and trophies to the scholars of the primary standards and the secondary forms, as follows: PRIZE LIST. PR IM A RY DEP A E TA 1 ENT Std. I—First in class, Sara Dalziel; best, bov in class, Fred Hansford ; for merit, Alison Perry, Billy McMullan, Graham Baird, Joyce Fairlie; for improvement, Jim Kearns; sewing, Otlilie Perry. Std. 2—Betty Brown 1, June Armstrong 2, Lilian Jones 3, Ethel Burrows 4, Edith Bone o, Enid Wishart 6, Hugh Allen 7. Prizes for neatness, Alnc Robinson 1, George Cooper 2, for conduct, Effie Huxford; sewing, Nora Park. Std. 3—Clem Paterson 1, Ellwood Armstrong 2, G Wynne Appleton 3. Harry Howard 4, Alillie Coulson o, Edward Reid (i, Roy Stevenson 7, Shirley Guthrey 8, Jack lioney 9, Alelvin Laing 10. Sewing prize, Mary Orpwood. Std. 4 Arthur Richards 1, Jean Thompson 2, Laura Bell 3, Billy Sweney 4, Joan Keller o, Billy Peck and Freu Cut hush 6, .8 tun Thurpo 8, Tom

Browne 9. Prizes for improvement, Warren Radford; sewing, Edna Woolhouse 1, Jean Bone 2. Std. 6—Jim McDougall Ist. and Dux medal, Ken Wallace 2, Mavis Christensen 3, Marjorie McCarthy 4, Jean Ziegler 4, Eva Randall 6th. Sewing, Amelia Sherriff. Mr Wild’s special for diligence, Jack Roberts. Progress, Jessie Thompson. SKCON DA R Y DEPARTMENT. Form 3—lst. (General) Robert AVilson; 2nd. (General) Jean Barrowman. lpt. (French) Douglas Spence. Ist. (Commercial) Dora. H. Thiele; 2nd. (Commercial) Icla Pascoe. Special prizes:—Diligence, Joy Ware ; Progress, Jack "Williams. Tennis trophy won by Jack Walker. Form 4—General: Ist. Lillian Linklater; 2nd. Desmond Cagney; 3rd. Gordon Oliver. Commercial: Ist. Christine Linklater; 2nd. Didie Wallace. Special prizes: Merit, Edwin Richards; History Progress, Audrey Baird; Diligence, AVinston Reynolds; Special French, Lillian Linklater. Form 6—Jessie Veale 1, Constance Newman 2. Form oa—Rita Thiele 1, Chris Preston 2. Form ob—lsobel Bell 1, Francis AVallace 2, Alan Shannon 3. Form oc—Elsie Robinson 1, Ruth Bell 2. Special prizes in Commercial work (presented by Airs Linklater) —Best Commercial student (boy) Percy Atkinson ; (girl) Helen Ridland. Industry -Ruth Bell. Dux of Secondary Department—Rita Thiele. At the request of the Rector, Mr D. J. Evans, President of the Westland Competitions Society, presented to the School the Competitions banner for the action chorus won at the last competitions. In doing so, pleasure was expressed at the school entering for the competition, and recognition paid to the excellent tuition of Aliss Anne Duff, the singing mistress.

On behalf of the AVe.stla.nd SubUnion, Air H. M. Coulson, President, presented the Alandl, Devaney and Shrimp Cups and Haybittle trophy, won in the Rugby competitions by the School. Air Coulson praised the good spirit shown by the players, and in congratulating the teams referred to the special help of Air Williamson, who was leaving them unfortunately, but who had done so much to promote the fortunes of Rugby locally. Air Coulson handed over to the School library a copy of Mark Nicholls’ “All Blacks’ Tour in South Africa.” Aliss Audrey Baird and Alaster AlcDougall each made presentations on behalf of Standards 5 and 6 to Air AA’illiamson as marks of esteem and good will to the departing teacher. Air AA r illiam.son acknowledged the gifts.

Rev. J. AA r . Hayward on behalf of the parents, thanked one and all who had assisted to make the afternoon function so .successful. He thanked the donors of prizes, specially mentioning the gift of a gold medal from Air Sutherland for the Dux of the School. Also Airs 'Perry for distributing the prizes in so happy a manner.

The National Anthem was sung, and cheers given for Mr Partridge and staff, and the scholars were dismissed for six weeks.