GRAMMAR PRIZE-GIVING

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 541, 19 December 1928, Page 13

GRAMMAR PRIZE-GIVING

MT. ALBERTS SUCCESS FACILITIES FOR MANUAL WORK Tliu annual prize-giving of the Mount Albert Grammar School was held in the school hall, Mountain Road, last evening, when Professor A. P. W. Thomas, chairman of the Grammar Schools Board, distributed the prizes for scholastic attainments, and Mrs. W. Ward Baker the sports prizes. Both lists were published in yesterday’s Sun. Professor Thomas said that some years ago the Education Board wanted to do away with p.rize-givings, but the people would not have it. “Prizegivings have a real value in stimulating study and so raising the standard of scholarship.” He pointed out, however, that the system selects the few for distinction and leaves many who may be almost as good without distinction.

Lending a little advice to the boys, the professor said their task was to find out their special aptitudes and choose their life work accordingly.

“But whether you win prizes or not, endeavour to do your best —it is great even if you learn nothing more.” THREE COURSES AVAILABLE

The headmaster, Mr. F. W. Gamble, M.A., in his annual report, stated that a very satisfactory standard of work had been maintained throughout the year. The roll on March 1 was 568 —ln a school built to accommodate 450.

With the opening of part of the new wing next year, including a workshop, the school would be able to offer three courses—general academic, commercial and one featuring manual training.

Tho time was rapidly approaching. Mr. Gamble said, when the school playing fields would more fully cope with the demands of modern games. The present field had been top-dressed by the boys under the supervision of some* of the masters. Next year should see such developments outside that the borrowing of grounds fo,r important engagements will be a thing of the pas +

Referring to the matriculation examination, Mr. Gamble hoped that parents would be readier than hitherto to accept advice as to the adoption of modified courses for their sons. “In the past matriculation has held such sway over the imagination of parents that any suggestion to give a boy other than the full curriculum is apt to be construed as an attempt to rob nim of liis rightful heritage. In regard to matriculation, I must assure parents that, no matter how iconoclastic I may feel concerning this popular educational idol, my aim is rather to clear unnecessary difficulties from the path of young devotees.” Items by the school and choir, and dramatic scenes from Shakespeare pSpilsi 0 k Wer6 given by the OTAHUHU PUBLIC SCHOOL PRIZE-GIVING AND CONCERT Alan 5 relatives and friends rtf attendeh f tl thS . otahufi ' u Public school The»tlo d o ri f® nl ® rht in the Orpheus ilieatre, Otahuliu, last evening. ve i*y enjoyable programme of musical numbers was provided by the pupils, whose efforts met with the ent'l1 i>^ °*- *-h© large gathering Items were contributed by the pupils of Pn mer IV., song, “Santa Claus”; MatrtT’ recitation; Gerty Ellis and Joan F earn ley, dance duo; Rupert Robinson recfi-ation; Standard IV. girls, playette, .Parliamentary Law”; Fanny Philip, song; Primer 1., eurythymies; Mr. !• Sissons, song; Mr. Norman Tait, juggling; Standard 111. girls, character song; Don Jarvis and Walter Speedy, recitation; Standard 11. girls, “The Rainbow”: Standard V. girls, “The Broken Cup”; Gerty Ellis, dance; Neva Copway, recitation; Joan Fearnley, dance; Standard IV. boys, “The Village Pump.” During the evening Mr. A. Burns, chairman of the Auckland Education Board, presented the school with a number of shields Avon during the past year. Included in these were the Auckland Primary Schools’ Championship Athletic Shield, won three times in succession; Auckland Primary Schools’ Rugby Union Gunson Shield, for the runners-up in the senior championship; Auckland Primary Schools’ Rugby Union, Rupert Moore Shield, for the winners of the junior championship; Basketball Rupert Moore" Cup, for the runners-up in the senior competitions.

Medals were also presented to the following for winning championship events at the primary schools’ sports meeting: .T. McManus, half-mile champion; D. Cochrane, half-mile walking champion; C. Dochertv, three medals, high jump champion, long-jump champion, and 100 yards under 14 champion. Mr. A. Trenwith presented the Trenwith prizes, won by pupils for good,work throughout the year, as follow:

Standard I.—Boys: Henry Whittle, 1 Robin Clark, 2. Girls: Doris Clarke, 1 Merle Hopkins, 2.

Standard II.—Boys: Robert McSporran 1; Alan King, 2. Girls: Una Worker, 1: Joan Smith, 2.

Standard III.—Boys: Rusell Milligan, 1; Rupert Robinson, 2. Girls: Audrey Downev, 1; Clare Downey, 2. Standard IV.—Boys: John Atha, 1; lan Reid, 2. Girls: Florence Stewart, 1; Jean Pankhurst, 2. Standard V.—Boys: Stephen Arlington, 1; John Norman, 2. Girls: Cassie Cook, 1; Meryl Edwards, 2. Standard Vl.—Boys: Leonard Lee. 1; Bruce Cowper, 2. Girls: Norma Norman, 1; Esther Moller. 2.