NEW PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8010, 22 December 1905, Page 3

NEW PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL.

BREAKING-UP CEEEMONY. There was a large attendance of parents and friends of scholars at the .few Plymouth High School on Thursday afternoon, when the annual distribution of prises took place. Amongst [those present were: —Messrs. N. K. MacDiarmid (Chairman of the Board of Governors), M. Fraser, J. B. Boy, Dockrill, 8. Percy Smith (Governors), and E. M. Smith, M.H.R. The proceedings commenced by the pupils singing "Gandramns," a Latin ;-ouiposition, in which the various parts were well taken and the effect very pleasing. Miss Drew acted as accompanist.

r Mr MacDiarmid then called upon ' Mr E. Pridhatn, the principal, to de- ■ liver his report. fbixcipal's bepobt. ' Mr Pridham reported that the numberon the roll at the beginning of the first term was as follows: Boys 55, | girls 45; and for the last term, boys | 43, girls 44, Percentage of attendance for the last term was—boys 94.6, girls : 96.3, and for the whole school 95.5. ' For the whole year the percentage was 96, so that the school had not much to complain of on the score of attendance. Nineteen girls and five boys have not been once absent or late, and are therefore entitled to attendance prizes. Dealing with the details given of the examination results, Mr Pridham said it wonld seem that in about 29 of the papers the work varied from excellent to good, and that in about nine it was more or less disappointing. Most of the pupils had worked hard during the last term of the year, and there was a tendency to imagine , that a special spurt at the end of the year would make up for slackness in the first part. •* During the present month five boys and girls have been up for matriculation, ten for Civil Service, ten for senior Education Board scholarships, and seventeen for senior free places, making a total of 41 out of 87 who havo entered for some public examination; and some of these have been continuously under examination from the fifth day of the month, only finishing at 1 o'clock to-day. The strain of these examinations, coming on top of the school examinations, is great, but it seems to be unavoidable. Six others are going up for the teachers' D. examination, which comes off early next month. The results of these several examinations will not bo known before the end of January. Last year seven entered for matriculation and all passed; two passed the medical preliminary, two the solicitors' general, three gained Education Board senior scholarships, four passed the Civil Service examinations (two of them gaining credit), and six gained senior free places in the examination held by the Education Board. I will now turn to the question of the conduct of the pupils, which, though occupying a secondary position in this report, is certainly not of less importance than their progress in their studies. lam pleased to say that I can speak in terms of unqualified approval of the ! behaviour of all the pupils. I should, ' however, be glad to see on the part of ' some a little {more enthusiasm in the ! matter of their games and athletic sports; a little more desire to advance the interests of the school outside of the duties thev are obliged to take up. Qnit« a number hold aloof from the games »nd sports; and this is not only bad for themselves, but for the school . also. It was this, I think, that Dr. ; Fookes had in his mind when he presented a challenge cup to be allotted on tljo grounds of proficiency in school work, conduct, and influence for good, together with excellence and interest taken in football, cricket and gymnastics. The girls' drill has been examined by Mrs J. W. Wilson,.who for severjl years has given us her services. ; Thr report praised the pupils for | excellent work with dumbbell*, clubs, and cymbals. The examiner remarked on the absence of new exorcises mid offered to teach same, This offer, Mr ; Pridham said, was one that would be thankfully accepted.

Mr Lints examined the boys' drill and gymnastics, reporting most favourably on the smartness and uniform excellence displayed. He had never examined any class where the marks were so close.

Dr. Fookos' prize for the best allround boy in conduct, work, and gen cral interest in athletics goes to HarryCook; and his other cup given as a Sints' prize goeß to Leonard Stohr, The tard'a prize* {or tennis go to M, Thomson for championship'and handicap singles; and to Bella Ford and Rennie Daines for the handicap double). Mr Isaac, during hii recent visit, spbke in high terms of Mrs Gaukcodgers' work from tho point of view of a technical school inspector, but from the examiners' report it would appear that too much time has been devotpd to demonstration, to allow sufficient tijnc for making and finishing the garments as neatly as should be."

The j'ldgcs expressed themselves as tiisftpd with the plain sewing, but the dressmaking was not up to the | usual standard, more particularly in over-casting and bntton-holes, which required greater attention.

The headmaster concluded: "I think it only remainß for me to return thanks on behalf of the Board and pupils to all thpse who had given ns their assistance. T!»e examiners of the dressmaking and gymnastics; to a number who contributed to the sports prlfc fund, and to Mr Fraser for botany prizes. I have no doubt that those who speak presently will give some kind words of encouragement to those who, though unsuccessful in winning prizes, have worked earnestly and conscientiously, and who assuredly will not lose the reward which must come to all who diligently strive to do their best. I should like to soy to those who are about to leave the school that I hope they will at least carry away with them a hatred of everything that is base or mean, and that they will never forget that as they are in the judgment of their fellows so will their school be."

Commenting on the report, Mr MacDiarmid said it was very satisfactory, j and bad a ring of sincerity about it, for Mr Pridham had remarked on I the weak points of the year's work as well as displaying that which was good. Song, " The Hardy Norsemen " the pupils. Mr MacDiarmid delivered his annual address. First, on behalf of the staff and the Board of Governors, he wished to assure those present that it was gratifying to them to see so many present. This showed the increasing interest in the cause of education. After touching on the united efforts of the Board of Governors and the Board of Education to secure a Technical School for New Plymouth, Mr MacDiarmid addressed himself more particularly to the prize-winners, who that day, as Professor Huxley had said, " placed their feet on tho first rung of the groat ladder which leads j on to the universities of our country." j Mr MacDiarmid concluded by wishing! all a very pleasant holiday, a Merry' Christmai, and a Happy Xcw Year. Song, "The Hunting Chorus," the I pupils. The school prizes were then distributed by Mrs MacDiarmid amidst I hearty applause by the pupils. [ Mr M. Fraser. a member of the Board, briefly addressed the children nn botany, making bis remarks humorous and intcre..i:ng. Mrs l!iK-k:i!l di-tribnled the prizes w>n at I lie recent sports, the boy.eiviiif: the winners loud applause. Mr K. M. Smith, M.H.R.. in a brief and pithy speech, referred to the excellence of the teaching received at the school, the growth of the attendance and the successes of former pupils. He intended to obtain the required Parliamentary grant for the erection of a Technical School Mr MacDiarmid thanked M* Smith fir his rr.-iwV,; and also iVr Tory i'~, k' m t0

, wanted them to realise their responsibilities in home and public life and in connection with their old school. To reach the top in trade or profession they must practise abstemiousness. Modesty, not a strong point in the colonial, was ono of the greatest claims in life. Mr MacDiarmid then thanked the judges of gyniaastic and sewing wo»k, and apologised for the absence of Mr D. Berry, a member of the Board. Cheers were given for the teachers. After singing the National Anthem, all adjourned to the " green," where the girls showed their skill with clubs and cymbals. Mrs Pridham's invitation to after-1 noon tea was largoly accepted, after which the gathering dispersed. PHIZ* LIST, Dili (gold medal). —0. Haddrell. Arithmetic. —Form V., H. Cook and J. Bullard, equal j Form IV., Eennie Daines; Form,lll., Alico Cutfield. Algebra.—Form V., May Arthur; Form IV., Ernestine Howell ; Form 11., Sybil Dixon, Bertha Matthews and P. Grey (equal). Geometry.—Form V., Mary Arthur j Form IV., H. Cook; Form 111., Annie Noble; Form 11., Mary Dowling. Latin.—Form V„ Bella Ford; Form IV., no prizo given; Form 111., Alice Bollinger; Form 11., F. R. Sole. French.—Form V., Isabel Mace j Form IV., H. Cook; Form 111., A. Healy; Form 11., E. Quilliam. History.—Form 111., Eennie Daines. Geography.—Form IV., B. Grey; Form 111., Mary Dowling. English.—Form V., Edith Evans; Form IV., Annie Noble; Form 111., R. Bailey. [ Composition. Form IV., Isabel Mace; Form 111., C-, Youngman. Literature.—Form V., Isabel Mace; Form IV., Florence O'Brien; Form 111., Mary Dowling. Science (Mr Fraser's prices).—Form IV., Mary Arthur; Form 111., Edith Arthur.

Drawing.—Form IV., Edith Evans; Form 111., E. Bailey; Form 11., D. Collis; Form 1., P. Tunbridgo. Gymnastics.—Girls: Senior, F. O'Brien ; junior, M. MacDiarmid. Boys: Senior, A. Arthur 1, M. Pepperoll 2;, junior, E. Baily. Needlework.—Senior, A. Arthur 1 M. Pepperell 2; junior, M. McWhinney 1, A. Gleeson and R. Daines, high-, ly commended; N. Jackson, commended. Attendance. —Girls: M. Arthur, B. Ford, M. MacDiarmid, 0. Haddrell, M. Addenbrooke, F. O'Brien, A. Arthur, B. Carter, G. Kyngdon, D. Roberts, R. O'Loughlin, N. Jacksori. Boys: A. Osborne, E. Baily, G. Bollinger, J. Bullard, H. Blyth.