AWAMOKO SCHOOL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1181, 29 January 1880, Page 2

AWAMOKO SCHOOL.

(FE6M A CORRESPOSTP^TO . . The ftmnial examination of the school of, ; this district took place on Monday last. It had been decided by the Committee of the school that an effort should be made to give prizes tnlhflßchnb™ • «mfl

the " needful " for the purpose, a house-to-house canvass was made, this resulting in the raising of the handsome sum of Ll3. As this was more money than required to give prizes, it was decided to give a book to all rton-prize-takers, aud the balance to be given in prizes at sports which were to be heldiat the - picnic on the 27th. Our teacher was requested to choose the books, and a very handsome aet were procured ; and, being all; suitably inscribed, everything was ready for the distribution on Mon~day.i By 10 o'clock, the children were all assembled, dressed in their "Sunday braws." The afternoon turned out rather wet; consequently, very few of the parents were there. The Awamolcians are a very easy-going sort of people in educational matters, and it is disgraceful that so little interest is taken in so important a subject. It is to bo hoped they will " mend their ways " in this respect, and at future examinations will turn out in full force, encouraging alike both teacher and children. The children were put through a severe examination by the teacher, and those present were highly satisfied with the efficient manner Mr. Henderson handled his pupils. He is, to all appearance, a most painstaking teacher, and the Awainokians would do well to encourage him in every way. The examination being over, the event of the day was now proceeded with, Mr. Anderson requesting the only lady , present (Mrs. Smillie) to hand over the prizes to the winners. Mrs, Smillie kindly did so, and also handed a book to all non-prize-takers. We all know how difficult it is to please everyone in tho matter of prize-giving, but in Awamoko, with one notable exception, both children and parents are highly satisfied. Tho prizes being all distributed, our worthy chairman, Mr. Johnston, addressed a few pithy remarks to tho " bairns," giving them the welcome news that there would be no more school till March Ist, and also that a picnic would be held on Wednesday, when he hoped to see all, young and old, there. He hoped, too, that they would muster in good forco on March Ist to " hansel " the new building, which is almost ready, and said the parents in Awamoko would do well to remomber that one of the best ways to encourage the teacher is to send their children regularly to school. I am sure they will not find so good a teacher as Mr. Anderson every day. The day's Vusiness being over, three cheers were given with a will by all present for the teacher, and then the children were dismissed, all highly pleased in mora ways than one. The following is the prize list :

Class V.—School work : Ist, W. Pringle ; 2nd, 0. M'Auley. Homo exeroisea : Ist, C. M'Auley ; 2nd, W. Pringle, Class IV.—School work; Ist, W. R. Ure ; 2nd, John King ; Homo exercises : Ist, W. R. Ure ; 2nd, W. Gardiner. Claeses VI. and Y.—Arithmetic : Ist, W. Pringle ; 2nd, W. 11. Ure. Writing: Ist, C. M 'Auley ; 2nd, W. Gardiner. Mapping: Ist, W. R. Ure ; 2nd, W. Gardiner. Class lll.—School work : Ist,-11. Smillie ; 2nd, Louisa White. Arithmetic: Ist, 11. Smillie ; 2nd, Louisa White. Writing : Ist, John Geddes ; 2nd, Louisa White. Class ll.—School work: Ist, Mary A. M'Donald ; 2nd, Lizzie M'Auley, Arithmetic : Ist, Mary A. M'Donald j 2nd, Mary Cosgrove. Writing : Ist, Lizzie M'Auley; 2nd, Mary Cosgrove, Class I. Division I.—School Work : Ist, Jessie Henderson; 2nd, Emma J. Fridcl. Arithmetic: Ist, Jessie Henderson; 2nd, Emma J. Fridd; 3rd, Mary Henderson. Writing : Ist, Jessie Henderson j 2nd, Margaret M'Phee. Class I. Division ll.—School Work : Ist, Mary Henderson; 2nd, George Geddes. Writing: Ist, Mary Henderson; 2nd, Donald M'Auley. Juniors. Agnes Henderson; 3rd, Thomas M'Phoe. ■ Best Liked Boy and Girl in decided by the votes of tho children.'—Wm. Pringle and Caroline M'Auley.