KEREPEEHI SCHOOL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4359, 23 December 1921, Page 3

KEREPEEHI SCHOOL

CONCERT AND PRIZE-GIVING. BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS TREE. The Kerepeehi school children , enjoyed a rare treat on Wednesday evening, at a concert and Christmas , tree, school prizes also being distributed. The Christmas tree, “growing” in the middle of the stage ’ and bedecked with coloured balloons and numberless presents, looked exceedi ingly pretty, seeming the exact replica for those you read about, requiring only the presence' of a Santa Claus to make .the picture complete. The children had arrived in full force, as also did their proud parents. The first portion of the programme consisted of items by the children, and that many were fully appreciated by the large audience could best be. judged by the thunderous applause which greeted each performance. The most popular item appeared to be nursery rhymes, sung lustily anl with great vim, by the children, most of the singing coming from the girls’ side. Another very popular perform-' ance was by Master Dally, who was twice encored. Other items were rendered by Misses Chatfield, Till Devereaux, Davis, and Pollard; Masters Phillip Innis, Tommy Dykes. Mrs Murdoch played accompaniments. At the conclusion of the musical programme Mr Booth, chairman of the School Committee, thanked those who had so generously helped to make both the picnic and the concert a success. The children had given a very creditable performance, and were a credit to their trainers, while in their general appearance they were a credit to their parents. He then distributed the school prizes, which had been donated by the residents of, KPrepeehi.

It was on the order-paper that each child should receive a present from the Christmas tree, and so, jn turn, each one was called up to receive his or her present, and at the same time a toy balloon and bag ofl sweets. Before very long, the hall resounded with noises denoting the winding up and demonstrating of various mechanical toys, the clicking of toy pistols, the blowing of mouth-organs—-then bang goes a balloon!

There was a very amusing . interlude when Mr Booth asked if any child, had hot received a present. A hand immediately shot up from the rear of the hall and a gruff voice said “me,” while on Mr Booth’s invitation rather a portly gentleman, possessing not only a broad grin but a broad waistcoat, toddled to the chairman’s table and; to the enjoyment of young and old the same portly gentleman received his present, balloon and bag of sweets. Supper, which came next on the was ,followed by a dance to the music of? an orchestra compos ed of Mrs Murdoch, Messrs M. Harrison, J. Twist, J.,Murdoch, and Davis. Mr Dent was M.C.

THE PRIZES. While announcing the prizewinners it, perhaps, ( may be appropriate to give the report of Mr J. Twist, head-i master of the school. The report says’. “Much interest has been taken in local school matters. Quite a number of parents and residents have given prizes. There is nothing more gratifying to a schoolmaster than, encourage-: ment and enthusiasm from parents and outsiders in anything that pertains to make t,he life of the pupils happier and brighter. To this end quite a number have shown their interest and consideration for child life In donating substantial sums of money for prizes. Each donor nas left the selection to the headmaster.” The following is a list of special prizes, the names of the donors in each case being given in parenthesis ~ Best attendance (Mr and Mrs R. L. Davis), Clarice Davis and. John Mqpeke ; girl with highest marks at an nual examination (Mrs Innis), Ronu Taylor; boy with highest marks a. annual examination (Mrs Murdoch), Phillw^liinis; best behaviour (Mr Roberts), Clarice Davis and Bertie Thompson; most popular boy ami girl (Mr Morrison) Laura Nicholson and Charles Castleton; general excellency of work (Paeroa lady), Lizzie Kotara and John Smyth ; general excellency of work and progress duriu:; year (School Committee), Prime- I, Rosie Wapriki and John Mopeke; Primer 11, Dolly Connor and Tommy Baggs.. , .

The prizes for. the most popular boy and girt were decided on the vote of all the children. School picnic prizes were won as follows: Flat race (girls), Marion Peterson 1, Lizzie Kotara 2, Ina Smith 3 ; boys, Leslie McKay i; Henr/ Troughton 2, Charlie Castleton 3; Primer girls, Nellie Fisher ,1, Mona Twist 2, Betty Rangi 3 ; junior, boys, 'Joe McKay 1, Arthur Frecklingtpri 2, Donald McKay 3. Three-legged race (boys), Stewart Rangi and. Tommy Baggs 1, Nikau Baggs and George Dixon 2; girls, Rangi Dixon and Emma Rawiri 1, Rosie Waoriki and Eva Rangi 2; Primer girls, Andry Booth and Betty Rangi .1, Nellie Fisher and Lillian Peterson 2. Hat race (boys), Charlie Castleton 1, Tommy Conner 2, Phil. Innis 3. Boot race (girls), Dolly Conner 1, Naomi Chatfield 2, Ina Smith 3. Egg Spoon race (boys), Roy Smith 1, Henry Troughton 2 ; small boys, Morris Potter 1, Tommy Baggs 2, Graham Frecklington 3; little girls, Muriel Jury 1, Nellie Fisher 2, Clarice Davis 3Primer, boys, William Troughton 1, John Kotara 2, John Mopeke 3. Sacx race (boys), Donald McKay 1, Nikau Baggs 2, Tommy Conner 3, Sum race (boys)', Roy-Smith 1, Henry Troughton 2 ; girls, Lizzie Kotara 1/ Apple, race (boys), Morris Troughton 1, Henry Troughton 2. Skipping (senior girls), Verna Davidson 11 junior girls, Naomi Chatfield 1; special, Rangi Dixon 1.