THE TERRACE SCHOOL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5532, 19 December 1878, Page 3

THE TERRACE SCHOOL.

The distribution of prizes to scholars of the Terrace school (one of the city schools under the Board of Education),' in connection with the work of the past year, took place place yesterday. There were present—Rev. J. Paterson, Mr. Hislop (Secretary for Education), Kev. W. H, West (chairman of the school committee), Messrs. Cook, Baird, J. Burne, E. B. Gore, E. P. Field, and Lindsay (members of the committee), and a numberof parents and friends of the scholars.

The Eev. W. H. West, in opening the proceedings, said the Minister of Education, the Hon. Mr. Ballance, wa3 to have been present, but had not been able to attend in consequence of a pressure of business in connection with his public duties. However, in the absence of Mr. Ballance, which he was sure no one regretted more than the hon. gentleman himself," it was tho wish of the committee that the Eev.. Mr. Paterson should occupy the chair, and no doubt that gentleman would have pleasure in filling the position, inasmuch as it was well known that he took a deep interest not only in the progress of this school but also in the progress of education throughout the educational district and the colony at large. He (Mr. West) wished to say a few words as to the work of the committee during the past year. The committee of course would present a report of their doings to the meeting of ratepayers to be held at the close of the year, but nevertheless it might be interesting to those present if he mentioned a few facts relative to the past. Considerable additions had been made to the school building during the year, as a result of which the committee had been enabled to accommodate a much larger number of scholars than formerly ; but the pis co wa3 still quite inadequate to the demands made upon it, so that during the year little short of 100 pupil 3 who applied to be admitted had to be refused. He hoped in the course of time they might be able to induce the Education Board to accede to their request for an additional wing to the building, which would Enable the committee to accommodate a much larger number.- During the last year, through the generosity of the public, they had been able to provide the boys and girls with means of amusement. The committee had also made arrangements to enable the Bcholars to attend the Thomdon baths, and were in hopes of making further arrangements by which the children would get instruction in the very necessary art of swimming. It was proposed to plant the ground around the school, so as to make the place sightly and pleasant in appearance, and he had- no doubt that the committee whom the ratepayers elected at their next annual meeting would undertake to carry that proposal into effect. As to the distribution of prizes, he might say the committee had found some difficulty in connection with the matter. Last year the principle which had been acted upon was the giving of a prize to every child who had passed a standard, but a change had been made in the standards this year, the number of scholars had also greatly increased, and the committee had not deemed it wise to follow the course adopted by their predecessors. They had resolved, therefore, not to give a prize to every boy or girl who passed a standard, but to reward each boy and girl who obtained the highest number of marks in each standard. That of course had very greatly reduced the number of prizes, but although there had been a limitation of the number, the committee had increased the worth of the prizes. The matter had been given full consideration, and they thought a proper decision had been arrived at. It had also been thought advisable to give two medals one to the boy who had attained the greatest proficiency during the year, and one to the girl who had done the same. They were given not to award merit in any particular direction, but for proficiency in all the subjects studied; and he v/ais quite sure the boy and the girl to whom these prizes had been awarded would be pleased with such a reward, for they were not ordinary prizes, but something which ever afterwards must be looked upon with especial pleasure. With regard to the work done in the school during the year, as a member of tho committee he might say he bad attended tho school very frequently, and had carefully watched the general management." He had taken great interest in the subjects studied, and had been present during part of the time when the Inspector was conducting the usual examination, and he certainly thought the work docewas thoroughly satisfactory, and of a character of which the committee need not be ashamed, no matter with what other school in tho provincial district the Terrace school was compared. The children were well grounded in the subjects studied, and that was a very important thing, for desirable as it was to acquire a great deal of knowledge, it was far more desirable- that what was- learned should be learned thoroughly. Ho held that a man only knew that which he was capable of using, and one could only use that which he had thoroughly mastered, and which had become, so to speak, part of his mental Belf. The committee felt very much indebted to their teaching staff. Ho was sure he expressed the opinion of his fellow committeemen when he said tho teaching staff of the school was all that could bo desired. An addition to it had been made in tho person of Mr. Watson, a gentleman who came with high recommendations, and who by the ability he had shown had thoroughly justified tho nomination of the committco and tho appointment of tho Board. Tho committee had not given a price for good conduct. It was assumed that the pupils attending the school were all well conducted, and that there was no necessity for singling out any boy or girl for a prize of that kind. Every boy or girl who ill-conducted himself or herself, as tho case might be, was better out of tha school than in it, setting to tho well-behaved an example of evil habits. Although ho believed that tho Terrace school was quite equal in point of good behavior to any other school, still, speaking generally, he thought there might bo a great improvement in this direction everywhere. All the Poet Laureate put it—- " Manners arc- not Idle, but the fruit (of loyal nature i and of noble mind,"

And this was a point to which mora attention might well be called in these colonies, where there was so much of the " I-am-as-good-as-you"and " I-don't-care-for-anybody " sort of feeling abroad. It was the duty of the public schools to teach pupils to be courteous and respectful to their superiors, especially to teachers. But this sort of training to be effectual must be commenced at home, and then the school, with its machinery and the example of the teachers, would confirm the habits in the young. He had much pleasure in calling upon the Rev. James Paterson to award the prizes, which the committee believed to be deserved. (Applause.) The Rev. Mr. Paterson saidhehad been called upon rather suddenly, and was afraid ho would make bnt a poor substitute for the Minister of Education, whom he would have been de-. lighted to meet there, and who he felt sure would havi been present if he could have possibly made it convenient, as the hon. gentleman took such cfreat interest in educational matters. However, he was happy to respond to the request. .As a parent he felt interested in the welfare of the school, and he also felt interested in it from tho fact that he had carefully watched its progress from the time of its establishment till now. The result of his attention was that he believed the school to be in a high condition of efficiency, while the class of education imparted was a credit to the head master, Mr. Young, and all who were associated with him, and satisfactory to the com-: mittee and to the Board. The rev. gentleman then urged the pupils to be earnest and thorough in all they did, studying not merely to escape punishment for neglected duties, but studying intelligently with the object of improving themselves. If they early learned to apply their energies to what was set before them they need have no fear for the future. Also, he urged parents to interest themselves in their children's work, and to use every influence to induce them to study at home. Prizes were then awarded according to the following list: — Ist Standard: Anna Toxward, Charles Mould.— 2nd Standard : Jano Davis, John Fringham.—3rd Standard: Letitia Smith, William Gavin.—4th Standard: Ellin Collins, Archibald Scott.—sth Standard: Grace Osborne, Lewis Cook.—6th Standard: Elizabeth Smith, William McLean.

Specfal Prizes.—English Composition, David Hutchison ; mechanics, Georgo McGregor; physical geography, Strang Thompson: writing, Henry D'Arcy. and John Steel (both equal); drawing, William Baker, Medals.—Elizabeth James and Arthur Whitehouse.

The medals, it may be mentioned, were very handsomely chased, and bore on one side the inscription, " Terrace School, Wellington, 1878," and on the other side the name of the winner and a statement of the purpose for which the medal had been awarded. They were enclosed in a handsome case and attached to blue silk ribbon. Mr. Hislop, of Lambton-quay, supplied the medals.

Mr. Young, the head-master, said that the teachers had promised prizes for good conduct, and as it would disappoint those who felt themselves deserving of a prize if none were given, he must, notwithstanding the decision of the committee, ask that the prizes which the teachers had resolved to award be presented.

: The Eev. Mr. Patekson then, at the request of the committee, prasented the prizes for good conduct to the following pupils :—Walter Fisher, Eoso Gore, Thomas Butts, Kate Chappell, Keith Bettiune. Several of the scholars here stepped forward and read on address to Mr. Young and the teachers, and made the following presentations: —To Mr. Young, an inkstand and an epergue; to Mrs. Young, a writing-cass and an epergne; to Mr. WatsoD, an edition of Shakspere ; and to M iss Beresford, a glove-box. All the articles were exceedingly handsome. Mr. Yodvg returned thanks for himself, Mrs. Young, and Miss Beresford, and expressed his great surprise at the presentation. He could only say they had at all times.done their duty conscientiously, and were glad to receivo such a mark of appreciation from the scholars. The gifts were indeed valuable, but much more so was the good feeling which had prompted them. . Mr. Watson also returned thanks, remarking that it was pleasant to find that the little troubles and occasional asperities incidental to school life did not create any ill-feeling between the teacher and the taught. Such a mark of esteem was gratifying, and could only be exceeded in value to the teacher by the scholars working hard to maintain the credit of the school. He had been pleased to see so large a nnmber pass the standards this year, and he only hoped that past success would act as an incentive to renewed exertions during the next nine months.

Mr. Hislop having been called upon to speak, said he would prefer keeping the scholars no longer, but he must just say he was exceedingly pleased with what he had seen that day. The school was evidently in a very satisfactory state. A small minority of the scholars had received prizes, and he confessed he sympathised greatly with those who were not prize-takers, at least with those of them who had struggled hard and had failed, not from want of perseverance, but from want of opportunities and of those talents which God did not bestow on all alike. He hoped these would not be discouraged, but would persevere in their efforts to excel. For those who had good abilities but would not work of course he had no sympathy. He apologised for the absence of the Hon. Mr. Ballance, who regretted extermely that pressure of work prevented him being present. He was sure Mr. Ballance would have come if he could, but it was quite impossible for him to have been present. Proceedings terminated with the usual cheers incidental to " breaking-np" occasions.

The committee desire to thanks the friends who subscribed so liberally towards the funds fo r providing prizes.