STOKE SCHOOL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 310, 30 December 1872, Page 2

STOKE SCHOOL.

v This school was examined on the 19ih instant,' by the Rev. G., H.' Johnstone, who. addressed the following letter to the Committee : — - <* . " Nelson, December 21, 1872. " To the Chairman and Local Committee of Education of Moke, near Nelson, NZ. •' Gjotlemen,— l had exceeding pleasure and satisfaction in examining the Stoke School on Thursday last, December 19. There were 37 pupils present, a very goodly proportion of the whole number attending. I found the reading generally very good, and most respectable for the ages of the pupils; the spelling universally, ia tbis school, from first to last, was excellent, and the arithmetic— runniDg up to duodecimals — was admirable. I may also speak in terms of the highest praise of the geography, which struck me as being particularly well taught. The discipline of the school also appeared to me to be particularly good; tha silence in school, and good behavior of the pupils left nothing to be desired. In history they wi-re chiefly examined in the later Stuart period, and the -times of the early Georges, and this was quite satisfactory, and the ; knowledge of elementary grammar I also found to be generally good. But that all important matter of spelling, which in this age indicates at a single glance the educated or uneducated person, was in the Stoke school something very admirable, thus the spelling, geography, and arithmetic were uniformly good. I fully concur in the. prize list you have sent me, and beg to state that my own observation of the recipients of the prizes fully confirms the experience of their excellent and indefatigable teacher, Mr Smith. I only regret that my previous engagements in Nelson precluded my giving the prizes, as was then proposed to me, not knowing that I was needed for more than the examination, or I would riot have failed you. I ' particularly congratulate the committee on having so efficient a teacher as Mr Smith, and one of whom all the pupils seem so fond. '• I am, &c, " G. H. Johnstone." The prize list was as follows : — First Class — Ist prize, general proficiency, Harri<t A. $mith; 2nd do, James Doidge; 3rd do, Alice Jellyman. - Second Class— lst prize, general proficieucy, ~ John Jellyman; 2nd do,' Eliza Burlace; 3rd do, Alice Burlace. Third Class — Ist prize, general proficiency, Joseph Walker- 2nd do, Alice Dale; 3rd do, Eliza Chin?. Fourth Class. — Ist prize, general proficiency, Agnes Jellyman; 2nd do, Jane Clung. Fifth Class — Ist prize,. Isabella Tear. • Sixth Class— Prize, Richard < hing. Special Prizes fof Arithmetic — Ist Class Harriet A. Smith; 2nd Class, John Jellyman.