BREAKING-UP CEREMONY.

Otaki Mail, 17 December 1919, Page 2

BREAKING-UP CEREMONY.

CONVENT SCHOOL. One of the most successful pieuies and prize-giving ceremonies held in connection with the Otaki Convent School took place yesterday in perfect weather. There was a large number of children present, also several visitors, and the utmost enthusiasm prevailed throughout. The centre of attraction was the distribution of prizes, many of which were of a handsome nature, father Maillard, who presented the prizes, in a few well-chosen words, said that during the year the children had worked hard, and had done well, but the fact should not bo overlooked that the Sisters had also worked well, and had ir not been for their efforts the children would not have been so successful. Luckily, during the year there had been no sickness, and this was a blessing for which all should thank Almighty God. Ho asked those who were leaving tke'seliool this year not to forget it, but to be a credit to it and thus show their gratitude. After the distribution of prizes Hie attention of all was drawn to a large Xmas tree, gaily and beautifully decorated with all manner of toys, whoso numbers corresponded with those drawn haphazard for the children. By so doiug it was plainly shown that, there was no favouritism, while children, visitors, teachers and Fathers received most, acceptable presents-. In many instances the gifts to the adults caused great hilarity, tand the children were not behindhand in enjoying the fun. Cheers followed for the Sisters, the Fathers, and the visitors 1 , after which the children dispersed to enjoy the day in amusement. Following is (he prize-list:— Class Prizes. . Standard VIII.— George Cottercll 1, •Ethel .Tones 2. Standard VII. —Ellcrslie D’Atb 1. Emily Batten 2. Diligence: Keith St. George, Kathleen Vaughan and Maud Johnson. Standard VI. —Jean .MacLeod I. Andrew Kockel 2. Diligence: Vera Galloway. l'illiey Picked. Polly Riwai, Arthur Bennett. General improvement: Doris Jell's res, Doris Penman, Myrtle Ransom. special for drawing: Raymond Noble. Special Prizes. Good conduct: (Boarders) May, Sweeney. (day pupils) Kathleen Vaughan, (senior boys) Tdl 1 or- lie D ’A tli. Politeness: (Girls) Huiu Nobb-, (boys) Keith St. George. Singing: Senior division. May Sweeney “(Miss Kilsby’s special); interaujdmie, Beryl D’Ath; boy-. Leo JB -M vision, Mona Picked (equal). Full attendance: Mavis Murphy and Keith St. George. Christian doctrine (Rev, Father Melu’s special): Polly Riwai .1, Jean MacLeod 2, May Sweeney 3. Honouraide mention: Mona MacLeod and I-'il-bey Pickett. Special for house duties (boarders): Vera Galloway. Music: Higher division, TTuia Noble (gold modal); elementary division, Madge Kirkland; primary. Molly D (A tli. Special prizes for progress in music: Mona MacLeod and Kitty Muir. Theory of music; Doris Webby and Madge Kirkland. Commercial work: Molly Curran 1 (gold medal), Louisa L-herwood (intermediate), .Maud Isherwood (junior). Special prize for bookkeeping: Esins Pepper. Proficiency certificates: Arthur Bennett, Andrew Rockcl, Lizzie Kevati. Vera Galloway, Doris Jeifare-. Jean MacLeod, Mavis Murphy, Doris Penman, Filbey Pickett. Myrtle Ransom, Polly Riwai. Competency: Raymond Noble. Class Prizes. Standard V. —Irene Dwyer 1, Beryl D’Ath 2, Brian Harper 3. Diligence and tidincs--, Mabel Inge; drawing, Harold Baker; writing and spelling, William Mead; recitation. Leo Bowden; arithmetic, Charles Gordon; composition, Kitty Muir; reading. Rita Kirby; general improvement, Marie Grim-tone. Special Prize?. Agriculture: Brian Harper; good conduct, Rita Pepper; politeness, Katie Hakaraia (intermediate division); needlework, Brenda Knight; full attendance, Marie Grimsto nr and Mary Webby; neatness, Madge Kirkland. Christian doctrine (Rev. Father Maillardspecial), Mary Webby 1, Irene Dwyer 2. Standard. IV.—Margaret Ahern I, rristram Harper 2; diligence, John Suez; drawing, Bopata Kerioai; irithmetic, Patrick Ahern. Standard Xll.—Florence patten L Jwt-n Knon 2, George Lima 3. Dinrence, Millie Jenkins, Mavis Parrsut, .ois Jones; drawing, Cyril Buckley; rithmetic, Vida Muir; reading. Molly )’Ath; Somposition, Ne.eta Tremcwsn; andwork, Andrew Carter; good conact, Millie Jen Kins; poll tone-.2, Molly i’Ath and Patrick O’Rourke; general nprovemect, Patrick O’Rourke-, lad go Bennett. Eunice Kaos, Tom ordon; full attendance. Mavis Parmi and Lois Jone-; needlework, lorenee Batten and Nest a Tremewsu Christian doctrine (Rev. Father Mailini'a special): Madge Bennett 1, unite Knox 2. Francis Riwai 3. Standards 11. and I. received rizes from the Christens tree Special prizes, Standard XL: Good ndnet, Anthony Harper; Ist and nal in ciasswork, Anthony Harper d Brindsley Ryder. Standard Lr mi conduct, Party D’Ath; pollic&ewb la Thomas. Primer Classes, Special Prize?. —Good conduct; Kelts ion. Christian doctrine (Be*/. Father lillardT special); Onion Ryder 1. mica Thoms 2. Olive HsJcaria 5. Ec-isl for needlework.- Rita JTijehsos,

The Sisters of St. Joseph desire to return most sincere thanks to all who kindly, contributed towards tho prize fluid. . ; OTAKI STATE SCHOOL. The Otaki State school “broke up’' yesterday for the Christmas holidays. In tho afternoon a considerable number of parents and friends assembled at the school to witness a little ceremony and partake of afternoon tea. Mr August Anderson, a member of the School Committee, addressed the children, impressing on them the importance of education in their lives. The boys and girls of to-day were the men and women of the future, and they should take every advantage of every opportunity of fitting themselves for their after life. Mr Anderson also congratulated the children on tho excellence of their work during-the year, and asked for a vote of thanks to the teachers, which was given with enthusiasm.

Mr \V. E. Smith (headmaster) said the children had done a good year’s work, and he hoped they would do as well next year. Speaking of the elder scholars, who were about to leave school, he said he would bo only too pleased to give them any advico and assistance he possibly could at any time.

Attendance certificates were then distributed to the following children, all of whom bad boon absent from school not more than live half-days during tho year:— Elsie Noble, Ellen Anderson, Olive Kershaw, Janet Smith, Ernest. Debreceny, William .Roach, Rita Bennett, I. M. Penn, Dorothy Smith, Doris Baker, Edwin Debreceny, Stephen Watts, Mcrvyii Webby, Douglas Debrcceny, Madeline Bills, Ray Melrose. The following proficiency and competency certificates were also distributcd’by Mr Anderson:—

Proficiency: Walter Arnold, Percy Cornish, Ernest Debreceny, Fred Edwards, John Ferry, James Matgic, Hugh McDonald, James Powell, Mike Roach, William Roach, Harold Sherman, William Watts, Ellen Anderson, Gladys Campion, Dorothy Cornish, Edna Cotterell, Olivo Kershaw, Bernardino Maddoek, Elsie Noble, Janet Smith.

Competency:' Maud Bennett, Ela Mitchell, Goldie Eikihana.

Mr Anderson referred to the fact that no less than twenty proficiency certificates bad been secured—a record for tho school. This reflected great credit on the teachers. Hearty cheers were then given for tho teachers, Mr Anderson, and other members of the committee.

Afternoon tea was then served to old and young, tho children in particular having a royal time. Thus ended a pleasant little function.