SCHOOL CONCERT.
The seating accommodation at the Town Hall on Thursday night was taxed to its utmost on the occasion of the State school concert. The first portion of the programme consisted of songs, recitations, physical exercises, and drills, dialogues, choruses and action songs by the scholars, «
the second hair was devoted to interesting moving pictures. Tue whole entertainment was thoroughly appreciated by the audience, and their pleasure was marked by loug and coutiuued applause. The programme by the children was not so lengthy, nor quite so versatile as on previous occasions, but owing to various causes, the teaching staff could not devote the time to the concert this year as in former years. This fact is not due to any unwillingness on the part ot the teachers to work up these anxiously looked for annual events —for be it known to committee men, that the Teachers’ Institute has set its face against school concerts. The Institute holds, and with certain good reason, that the teachers’ time should be devoted solely to instructing the scholars, and that preparation for concerts has a demoralising effect upon schoolwork. Further, that it is not part of the teachers’ duties to act as money-getters for committees, as the Boards should provide sufficient money to supply all needs. Of course, there is another side to these arguments, which we cannot enter into now, but were it not for such special efforts many schools would be very unlovely in their environment. A little selfsacrifice on the part of the teaching staff in order to beautify the school grounds has a marked effect upon the school life ot the little ones. The teacher who believes that his duties begin and end with the syllabus and time-table is not seized of the importance and fullness of the great profession which he seeks to make his calling. He should ever consider the environment of school life. We are phased to state that the principal teachers of our local school possess the wider outlook, and together with the committee are prepared to make sacrifices for the beautifying ot their school surroundings. We hope the good work they have done in the past will be continued in the future until the surroundings of the Foxton State school are equal in point of beauty to any under the Board's jurisdiction. The sacrifices made to this end by teachers, committee and children will not militate one bit against the general scholastic efficiency of the school, and the Board will be more ready to assist us by reason of the fact that we are not looking to be spoon fed. Now, “to get back to our muttons,” the school concert. The overture was played by Mary Collins to the tick of lime and the curtain was raised upon a very effective grouping of the scholars, attired in charming and varicoloured dresses. Right in front and squatting down, were represented the old Maori race. A number of kiddies attired in Maori mats aud armed with meres, etc., faces disfigured with extraordinary tattoo marks —not true to the orthodox but fearsome, nevertheless. At either side were grouped some sturdy and well setup school cadets. Then in tiers were ranged the scholars with Brittania grouped in the centre. A very fine setting which drew a; outburst of applause from the .1 lighted parents and public. Without loss of time the children burst into the chorus, “God Defend New Zealand,” followed by the chorus, “Our Flag.” numerous flags bsiug waved in lime with the air. It was a splendid and patriotic sight. Little Reggie McFvveu, who officiated as chairman, theu announced the items which followed itrt a masterly fashion. His enuunciation was splendid—and this was characteristic of the other performers —the only general fault being a too rapid delivery. Mary Collins recited “Pat’s Letter” very nicely and as she introduced some local asides the house fairly rippled with laughter. The piece was somewhat dragged and we have heard Mary to better advantage. Wallace Langley, Wilfred Rimmer and Austin Charles made a decided hit in the trio the “Three Duffers.” A number of infants recited “Silly’s Spider” very well. The wand drill by the girls was splendidly executed. The action song by the infants, “Gently Rock the Cradle,” was very pretty. Roy Bullard, made up as an old negro, aud Mona McEweu, as a little old lady at the wash tub, fairly brought down the house in the dialogue, “Counting the Eggs,” The part song by the senior pupils, “Canadian Boat Song,” was much appreciated, the boys voices, however, outbalanced the girls, but the euuunciatiou was a treat. We can staud more of such items iu school concerts. Some iufauts recited “The Naughty Kitten.” One of the most stirring items of the evening was the figure marching and physical drill by a squad of the senior boys. We cannot praise too highly the lads aud their officer in this item, the military bearing and splendid precision of their movements brought forth galvos of applause Irom the audience. The infants song about the Fox’s journey to the farmyard and his return with a fat goose, was very seriously aud correctly acted. Agues Skelleu aud Mark Griffin gave a dialogue entitled, /‘The Sick Doll,” their get-up and acting was very commendable. The Chairman of the Committee briefly addressed the audience aud thanked them for their attendance, also tfte teaching staff for the assistance tendered aud the Borough Council for the handsome dona-
tioa to the school kinds. He theu introduced Mr Piraui, chairman of the Education Board a man whose enthusiasm in the cause, of education is known throughout the Dominion from the Cape to the Bluff. Mr Pirani, alter dealing in a
general way with educational makers, congratulated lire pc ■; .
mvn the excellence of tiieir local biaie School, Iso making special reference to th . gardens. He then spoke to the children and impressed upon them the advantages of noble service, of serving their parents, their teachers, their playmates, their country and their fellow citizens. Service brought an advantage to those who gave it as well as a pleasure to those to whom the service was rendered. He expressed the hope that the children would have an enjoyable holiday and come back to school next year in good health and prepared for their studies. He then read a list of the prizewinners. At his invitation cheers were given by the children for the staff and committee. Mr Jackson, head teacher, acknowledged on behalf of the staff and scholars the kindly references made and also thanked the parents for their hearty co operation. The pictures were theu screened, during, which Mr Berthold manipulated the pianola. As a result of the concert, the committee should be able to carry a credit balance forward.
THE BREAKING-UP CEREMONY. The breakiug-up ceremony aud distribution of prizes took place at the school yesterday afternoon. There was a large number of parents in attendance. The ceremony took place iu the spacious quadrangle. Brief addresses were delivered by the Chairman, Mr Alf. Fraser aud Dr. Maudl aud the headteacher, after which Mr Fraser awarded the prizes. Rousing cheers were given by the pupils for the Board, Committee, donors of prizes aud the staff. Sports were then held iu the school grounds aud the children were given a good time. The Committee desire to thank tradespeople aud others for gifts of lollies, etc. PRIZE LIST. attendance. Std. VI. — xst class, Kathleen Barber ; 2nd class, Bessie Lumsden. Std. V.—Vera Crowe, Rene Easton, Olive Nye, Ida Withers, Baden Barnett, Willie Baker, John Horublow, Jim Owen, Allan Walls i; Lizzie Bodeu, Annie Brewer, Ivy Crowe, Annie Ross, George Rough 2. Std. IV. —Harry Bradley, lan Ross, Vincent Burr, Willie Crowe, Walter Edliu, Willie Kruse, Eva Thompson, Milva Collins, Winnie Walls i; Roy Bullard, Mona McEwen 2.
Std. 111. —Sidney Beeslon, Robt. Horublow, Cecil Lawton, Harry Morgan, Chas. Wallbuttou,| May Bradley, May Brewer, Stella Barber, Rena Barber, Joyce Claris, Muriel Daniel, Lorua Woodroofe x ; Frank Davis, Mark Griffin, George Mitchell, Myrtle Easton, Ivy Hart 2. Std. II, —Philip Bright, Willie Griffin, Jack Reid, Wallace Martiu, Willie McKuight, Ethel Edliu, Ella Patterson, Maggie Reid, Agnes Skellen, Hilda Thompson ! ; W'l’ie King, Eva Cook, Kathleen de Ridder 2.
Std. I. Jack Baylis, Claude Cunuinghame, Charles Procter, Myitle Andrews, Maud Reid, Stella Robinson r ; James Burr, John Procter, Niuian Ross, Hilda Davis, Martha Mitchell, Ada Tozer 2. Infants. —David Derrick, Tom Powell, Beatrice Brewer (Pr. 3.), Avis Osborne (Pr. 2). Proficiency. Std VI. —Hazel Pearson “Dux” 1, Hettie Bauckham 2, Kathleen Barber 3. Std. V. —Hope Mackie, Baden Barnett, Clifford Walker. Std. IV. —Austin Charles, William Crowe, Harry Bradley, Std. 111. —Cecil Lawton, Joyce Claris, Stanley Collins. Std. II. —Ella Patterson, Agnes Skelleu, Fiona Spring. Std. 1.--Jobu Procter, Charlie Procter, Mavis Easton.
Primer 3. Vera Anderson, Agnes Brewer, Willie Claris, Nathalie Spring, Madge Barber, Joseph Williams.
Special Prizes. Football Best Forwaid, Arthur Thompson ; best back, Roy Coley. [This list is not completed.] The following are the results of the sports held iu the school grounds alter the prize-giving ceremony :
Menagerie Race. —Henry Robinson (call) 1, M. Maudl (dog) 2, R. McEweu (dog) 3. Hundred Yards Championship, —Win. Kruse 1, W. Langley 2, C. Wallbutton 3. Sack Race. —V. Burr 1, Win. Crowe 2, Rimmer 3.
Three-Legged Race. —Win. McKnighl and Tozer, Rimmer aud A ndrew.
Primers. Rimmer, Berry, Chalk. Hussey, Cunningham, McSaveuy. Wheelbarrow aud Pickaback Race. Robinson and Walls, Procter and Bradley.
Menagerie Race. Walden (dog) 1, Andrew (dog) 2, Rimmer (dog) 3. Monkey Race.-—McSaveuy 1, Rimmer 2, Bradley 3.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MH19121221.2.15
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1042, 21 December 1912, Page 3
Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,592SCHOOL CONCERT. Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1042, 21 December 1912, Page 3
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Manawatu Herald. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International licence (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.