FOXTON STATE SCHOOL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3734, 22 December 1906, Page 2

FOXTON STATE SCHOOL.

Farewell to Mr W. Stewart. Distribution off Prizes. The breaking up of the above school took place on Wednesday afternoon. Mr Clemett, Chairman of Committee, presided and several of the parents and committee were present. The ceremony had a double interest, for on this occasion the joy of the children was tinged with sorrow in having to say farewell to their kindly headmaster who has been connected with the school for many years. Before the prizes were distributed several valedictory speeches were made. Mr Frankland said although a breaking-up function of this kind is essentially a joyful occasion, yet invariably there is an element of sadness mingled with the joy. Some of the children —the oldest ones principally—know that they have now been in the school buildings as pupils for the last lime, that the games and romps with . their playmates, the kindly watchfulness of their teachers, are to be exchanged for the serious duties . of mature life. But there was an additional reason —one which affected all the children, not merely the older ones whose school days were ending. There was an additional reason why they could not help mixing sorrow with their festivities, they were saying good-bye to their dear friend, Mr Washington Stewart, the headmaster, at least in his official capacity. Although the speaker had only lately had a child at the school, he had for nearly a human lifetime—for more than thirty-one years—had relatives and friends who had either been going to this school or who had had children going there. And most of those children —for the greater or most important part ot that long time —have associated this school in their minds with Mr Washington Stewart He had been the centre of its activities, he had been its leader ; and they all knew how prone the affections were to entwine themselves round that which is the kindly centre, the kindly guardian of their daily life. Parting was at such times apt to be hard, perhaps most especially for the young, whose hearts were fresh and to whom time, which for the older ones passes so quickly, seems an eternity. He had hoped until lately that we could feel sure we were only parting with Mr Stewart in his official capacity and could look forward to seeing the kindly faces of Mrs Stewart and himself among us just as frequently as before for many years to come. But_he had been much disquieted at a rumour to the effect that they' may be leaving, for a while at any rate, not only Foxton, but also New Zealand. However that may be, they must not allow this opportunity to pass without rendering their thanks, both on their own behalf and on behalf of the, children, to Mr Stewart for his long and valuable services as the head of the school. The position of a schoolmaster, especially of a head master, was a very trying one; and as the older ones look back and think of their own school days, think of the pranks played on the masters, think of the way they tried their tempers by their dullness in learning, he was sure their gratitude would be increased toward one who had given his services for so many years in training the new generation of our own boys and girls, He concluded by wishing Mr and Mrs Stewart many happy years of life—-to be spent, if possible, in our midst.

After the Rev. Mr Wilson had spoken in similarly enthusiastic terms of Mr Stewart’s services, and Mr Alf. Fraser had given the boys and girls a stirring address stimulating them to diligence in their studies as an indispensable condition for the enjoyment of subsequent recreation, Mr Stewart feelingly replied. He referred to the two most cherished testimonials he#iad received during his long pedagogic career as being the ones which had proved, respectively, that he loved the children and that the children loved him. He also spoke ot the very harmonious relations which had almost always existed between the Committee and himself, and added that the few commitee-men who had occasionally censured him must have been actuated by a humane desire to save him from the curse contained in the following words “ Woeuntq you when all men speak well of you.” (daughter).

As the Committee were unable to give every child a prize this year they decided to award prizes under three headings, viz., proficiency, diligence, and good conduct for the first girl and boy in each standard. A number of special prizes were giveu by Mr and Mrs Fraser, Mr and Mrs Walker, the Chairman and members of the committee. Mrs Frankland offered a prize for the neatest girl and the chairman (Mr Clemett) for the neatest boy, but the master was unable to single out any one, as there were so many about equal.' The prizes will therefore bs set aside for some other year. Before proceeding to distribute the prizes,' the Chairman took the opportunity to pay a very high tribute to Mr Stewart’s worth as headmaster of the Foxton schoql for so many years. He said Mr Stewart, in retiring from the Edu. cation Department, carried with him the good will of both parents and children. Mr Stewart had spent the best years of his life in training and moulding the characters of the young, and his own clean and exemplary life would have a good and lasting effect on ' all who had been fortunate enough 1 # d

to pass through his hands. Recent events, added Mr Cleraett, bore ample evidence oi this. He was credibly informed that the children had shown their good will and regard for the master they were parting with by presenting him with a beautiful clock and other small tokens ot esteem. In conclusion the Chairman was sure that all would join with him in wishing Mr Stewart every happiness and that he may long be spared to enjoy his well-earned rest. The following is the prize list, coming in the order of proficiency, diligence and conduct: — St. VI.: Boys—Percy Overend, Sid. Gray, Carl Berthold ; girls— Christina Honore, Pearl Hughes, Bessie Speirs. St. V.: Boys William Hennessy, Edward Westwood, William McAllister; girls—Belle Small, D. Osboldstone, K. Berthold. St. IV.: J. Hennessy, W. Barber, W. Nye; girls -Ivy Small, Alice Frew, Mary Skellen. St. III.: Boys—E. Burston, W. Neylon, C. Nelson ; girls—Ellen Skellen, Nellie Arbou, Lily Coley. St, II.: Bovs—W. Plowe, J. Frew, L. Kelly; girls —Gertie Neylon, Mary Hughes, Ruby Hudson.

St. I.: Boys—E. Osboldstone, R. Coley, S. Moran ; girls—Doris Small, Cissy Betty, Evelyn Reeve. Primers ; Boys —D. Gray, E. Sullivan, G. Jones; girls—C. Andrew, K. Barber, O. Nye. Best attendance :—W. Speirs ; 2nd, E. Withers.

Most popular boy—E. Westwood, pnze given by Frankland ; girl—Emma Clemett, prize given by Mrs Gray. For best attendance, no absence : V. Betty; prizes given by Mr and Mrs Fraser. Second best attendance : Boys— J. Cooke ; girls—Bessie Speirs ; prizes given by Mr M. Walker.