THE SHANNON SCHOOL.

Shannon News, 21 December 1928, Page 3

THE SHANNON SCHOOL.

CLOSING CEREMONY AND PRIZEGIVING.

,There was a large attendance of parents at the breaking-up ceremony and prize giving of the Shannon School on Wednesday afternoon. Several of the committee were also present, ihc chairman (Mr A. E. Hyde) presided over the gathering. Addresses yck given by the . chairman and headmaster, which were interspersed by a song by Nellie Pirovano and choruses by the senior pupils, these were followed by the presentation of prizes. The - chairman in addressing those present, said the present year hao been quite an eventful one for tne Shannon School, as, after efforts bj many committees for some years, ten’ders had now been let for remodelling and making additions to the-school, while on top of this they are going to get a dental clinic The next thing they would aim to got was a septic tank. He congratulated the teachers on the results of their year’s work and on behalf of the committee he wished to'convey to them the latter a sincere thanks for the assistance they had rendered during the year in raising funds by means -of concerts, etc, for school improvements. The headmaster (Mr White) then thanked the Tennis Club for the use of their courts on two days a week for the boys and girls; Mr Peter Olsen for laying clown, the boys’ cricket pitch; Mrs Jones for assistance at entertainments; Mr Hyde for presenting the dux medal; and giving picture entertainments; the Mayor (Mr E. Butt) for two special prizes; Mrs Claude Speirs for two special prizes; Mr Radford, cutting out axes for use at concert; the parents, who provided material for concert; the Borough Council for three yards of gravel for pitch, and to the Committee for interest they had taken in the work. He also extended his thanks to the teachers for ■the assistace they had given him, stating that the Inspector’s report in general was very satisfactory. He stated that Miss Aim would be Reaving to enter the Training College. During the year, Dr. Shore had visited the school and examined the children for signs of goitre and from his report between 70 and 80 children or practically 25 per ceiit were found to be suffering more or less in a mild form. Thc-ir parents, had been notified _ and he asked them to take notice of the report and act upon to it by using iodisend salt ai recommended. In regard to the woodwork and cookery classes at Levin, the attendance was not satisfactory 'and was very disappointing to the teachers of subjects. He said the time would come when, if a child did not attend these classes regularly, he or she would forfeit , the right to an endorsed eomper,'ehey certificate and thereby lose the right to attend a technical school. He stressed the point that parents shout'.’, see that their children attended regularly. The general work of the school was good and the behaviour lmd improved, and was still improving. The application of the pupils of the upper standards were not satisfactory; they took too much driving at their work. Taken all round the work was satisfactory, but he hoped for better next year. He reported that £36 16s was taken at the concert, and after paying expenses there would be a balance or about £3l. Out of this amount they were committed for about £7 for books, and the balance would be handed-ove. to the school fund. In conclusion he wished the boys and girls the season.greetings. , The chairman then presented the attendance certificates, and in congratulating the winners expressed the hop. that they would attend regularly next year. Mr White pointed out- that tin prizes this year had been, bought om of a special fjnul, viz., from money obtained from Mr Foston’s lectures, from which the Committee had received 50 per cent of the profits. In the past the Committee had donated the prizes. The marks were counted on the three term examinations, this be ing considered the fairest way to ar rive at the most consistent work. The Chairman then presented the prizes and proficiency certificates (the list of which were published in the last issug of* the News). When presenting the medal donated by himself to the dux of the school, Joyce Ellwood, he gave a word of advice to boys ano girls who were leaving school.He impressed upon them that this day was one of the most important in then life as it was on this day they should decide their future, and it was the duty of their parents to help them to make up their minds. He said there is a tendency for boys and girls to leave school and just drift. Make up your minds for your future and work to that end,” concluded Mr Hyde. A very happy gathering was brought to a close by cheers for the teaching staff, school committee and scholars, flie Chairman wishing them all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.