Colyton

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 302, 22 December 1939, Page 3

Colyton

From Our Own Corre*nnn<l*nt School Children’s Prize-flivinQ Concert and Dance. Enthusiasm by the children, and cooperation between parents and teachers was evidenced by the performances of the school children in presenting their annual concert on Thursday evening of last week. Always a highlight of school days, the end of another scholastic year was brought to a fitting close, with happy young faces deriving as well as giving pleasure. The .careful training of the teachers, Mr. Nicholson (head) and Miss La Couta, was reflected in the confidence and stage artistry possessed by the youthful contributors. The frocking in the playettes and dancing was effective in creating delightful scenes, and credit in this respect is mainly due to Mrs. Nicholson, who spent much time in planning and making the costumes. Miss La Couta acted as accompanist. At the conclusion of the concert Mr. J. Crook, chairman of the schooi committee, expressed his thanks to Mr. Nicholson and Miss La Couta, commenting upon the hard work and training which must have been necessary to attain such a high standard. Mr. Crook also conveyed the thanks of his committee to the ladies who supervised the supper arrangements, and finally to the parents and audience for their support and patronage. The prizes were then presented to the children, each child receiving a book as a reward for a good year's work. The fluor was quickly cleared for adult dancing which, to music supplied by a professional orchestra, interspersed with novelties, continued into the early hours. The curtain rose on the entire school singing “God Defend New Zealand,’’ which was followed by verse speaking by the senior pupils. A folk dance performed by Mathel Scott, Phyllis Crook, Nola Palmer, John Allerby, Murray Jensen and Bill Heap was much enjoyed, as was the play “Nursery Rhyme Land’’ with Christine Langdon and Walter Scott in the principal roles. A humorous playette, “Daddy,” with Vernon Myers and Teddy Thomas in the main roles caused much merriment, as did the play “Merry and Bright,” with Mathel Scott as the stern school mistress. The primers’ songs with Shirley Wexell as the soloist, were popular, while the primers’ percussion band displayed talent. ’Obstructive Hat” was the title of another humorous play by tne senior pupils. The first portion of the concert concluded with folk dances by the primers. In the second half the stage presented a colourful scene for “Dame Durden’s School,” Aileen Trewhitt being the fairy queen. Elocutionary numbers were given between the changing of the scenes, while a playette, “Changing Places,” by Jack Thomas and Margaret Scott, was followed by an action song, “Policeman.” A Dutch song and dance was given by Beverley Funston, Nola Palmer, June Bassett, Margaret Scott and Penelope Langdon. A song by six senior pupils, and the clap dance by Erica Scott, Freda Allerby, Nola Bassett, Aileen Trewhitt, Neville Lind, Milton Allerby, Ivan Lynch and Noel Lankshear, followed by the singing of songs concluded an enjoyable entertainment.