PAEROA HIGH SCHOOL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5219, 21 December 1927, Page 2

PAEROA HIGH SCHOOL.

“BREAKING-UP” CEREMONY.

PRESENTATION tOF CERTIFICATES.

The 1927 school year was brought to a close yesterday afternoon in the Auckland province. At Paeroa the leave-taking between teacher and scholar was of ap affectionate nature, and the greatest goodwill prevailed.

At 2 o’clock the deputy-chairman of the Paeroa District High School Committee (Mr J. C. H. McDonald) formally visited the school. The pupils a,nd staff werei drawn up in the playground, and they listened with respectful attention to the remarks: made by Mr McDonald. "With the knowledge that the children were that afternoon commencing a carefree holiday of six weeks his address was appreciably short and snappy. After apologising for the unavoidably absence of .the chairman (Mr W. T. Power), Mr McDonald paid a tribute to the work done by the teaching staff during the year. A special welcome ami good wishes, were extended to Mr E. G. Preston, of the secondary department, on his return after a “w. ary sojourn” at the Thames Hospit 1. After expressing the hope that the scholars would spend a, happy timei during the holidays he expressed the hope that they would return to their old school in February, 1928, fully prepared to work hard and bring honour and credit to their schoolSpeaking to the staff, Mr McDonald assured them that their work and successes were keenly followed by the committee, which rejoiced or sympathised with them. The year had a hard one, and there had been manychanges, but by loyalty and co-opera-tion thej teachers had done wonderfully well, and he hoped they would enjoy every minute of their wellearned holiday. Before the assembly dispersed Mr McDonald referred to the fact that another record had been established at the school in that fpur higher leaving certificates had been awarded to pupils. It was with pleasure and pride that he congratulated the teachers and scholars on their good work. The advantage of gaining such certificates was that the winners) were entitled to continue their studies at the school after matriculating. Higher leaving certificates: were not awarded unless they were, specially recommended to the Education Board by the senior inspector. It was desirable that children should be encouraged to stay on at school and avail themselves of the secondary department. With the winning of the certificates the pupils were admited to the University, where their fees were paid for them. Il congratulating the winners, who were Annie Southby, Isabel Dare, Lena .Williams, and Arthur Flatt, Mr McDonald wished them good luck and happiness for the future. Each recip’ent was heartily applauded on coming forward to receive the certificate

The names of the 27 winners; ot proficiency certificates, four competency, and three endorsed competency certificates were read out, and the certificates were handed to Mr J. E. Insley, first assistant teacher, -who wag congratulated on the creditable wfrk he had done during the year. In conclusion Mr McDonald wished them all a Merry Christmas and a Bright and Happy New Yegr, and asked the headmaster (Mr G. H. Taylor) to declare the rest of the, afternoon a holiday. HEADMASTER’S REPLY. In acknowledging the committee’s seasonal greetings Mr Taylor referred to the, assistance he had received dur-

ing the year. He assured those assembled that the committee not only, took an interest in the administration of the school, but also a dejep and sincere interest in the welfare and success of the pupils individually and collectively. On behalf of the ptaff and scholars he wished Mr McDonald apd his colleagues every good wish for the festive season. PRESENTATION TO MR. PRESTON. Just prior to leaving the classroom for the last time in 1927 the senior pupils of the high school asked their teacher, Mr E. Gv Preston, to accept a leather dressing case as a slight token of appreciation of h's services and a proof of thejr love and regard for him. In making the presentation for the pupils Mr Taylor inferred to the fact that dark days had come over the school whem it became known that Mr Preston had had to enter the hospital, and great relief was. felt when word was received that

he was we,ll on the road to recovery. T.he year ihafi certainly been a strenuous one for all, and he felt sure that when the results of the examinations were known it would be found that the high school was not far behind its record of last year. It was hoped that Mr Preston would benefit greatly by the holiday, and W’ould come back to Paeroa fit and well when school assembled in 1928.

Mr Preston, who was obviously taken by surprise, thanked the headmaster for his kind remarks and the pupils for their handsome presentation, which he said he would value highly.