THE CENTRAL SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 267, 18 December 1909, Page 6

THE CENTRAL SCHOOL.

HRMAKIXU-UP CEItEMONY. Xlie theatre lloyal was thoroughly filled yesterday afternoon with the pupils of the Central school, their teachers and parents, when the festivities in connection with the annual breakup of the school took place. Jlr. F. li. Corkill, chairman of the sctiool committee, presided, and several members ot .the committee were also iu attendance. Prior'to the distribution of prizes, a number of enjoyable items was contributed by pupils of the school. An exhibition of physical drill by Mr Bocock's pupils opened the programme, followed b,v a Fan dance by .Miss Dempsey'.s pupils. A display of calisthenics anil deep breathing by boys trained by .Mr. Sullivan ivas loudly applauded, 'us was the following item, a nautical song and dance ''J'aek's the Boy," rendered bv pupils trained by .Miss Dempsey. llhoda and her P.igoda" by senior girls was likewise well rendered, the whole of the items showing careful tuition and rehearsal, The Headmaster, Jlr. Dempsey, ex: I pressed liis gratification at seeing so] many parents, and friends of the school, in attendance. It showed that great interest was taken in the work of the School, and was very encouraging to the teachers. He went on to refer to the great difficulty of framing a just and equitable scheme of prize givin" - , but believed they had this evolved a scheme that was the best under the circumstances. After consultation with the committee, it was decided to take as a basis for awards the qualities ol proficiency, regularity, anil general conduct. These were the principles that governed succc.ss iu life, and it was the aim of the teachers to encourage tloi children to be industrious, careful, obliging and gentlemanly. As success depended 011 the actual way work h is done, proficiency was awarded •> points 'n compiling marks, attendance and con dud one point each. As the children might lose interest otherwise, the marks were computed and made known at til end of each term, and new interest was thus induced every three months. l"i addition to the ordinary school prizes, it number of specials were given toi* 'Patriotic interest in school welfare," and other commendable characteristics. He had to thank the scholars lor their courtesy, obliging manners and lovaltv, "i*l ( ' linl| l Si «y he had never had a jileas'anter year at the school. Regarding the Stair, lie assured the parent* tlicv were fortunate in having teachers who were so determined to make the school successful, and whose svmpathies were markedly with himself' and the children. To the parents he had tn return thanks for the splendid May tlicv had helped at the recent bazaar, anil he asked them to continue to help the School on by encouraging l.lie children to work, and (o lie proud of their school. The work of the year had been very successful iu all branches. The shooting of the cadets had won them the Challenge cup, and a central hov held the Challenge belt. The girls, on the other hand, hail shown great' interest in their tennis, hi conclusion, he than'k'od the committee for the way they had helped with the work of managing the all'airs of the school. (Applause.)

The Rev. S. S. Osborne (deputy-chair-man) tlio !ic<ul mnster and his assistants the fine work they were achieving at the school, which was a credit t.o the town. He did not refer to tlic building—that was a disgrace. To build up little gentlemen and little ladies was the great responsibility imposed on teachers, and lie could say lie knew ol no Imdv of children that showed to better advantage in this respect than the pupils of (he Central school. Itc referred to the Millie-reading lessons, ami he was sure the headmaster could not aay that the small amount of time given to the subject—half ail hour every Tuesday morning—had other than good results. hor himself, he said the happiest half hour he spent in. the week was thai half hour ou Tuesday amongst the children. He wished the children a pleasant holiday, and as pleasant a year in IHIO as the past had been. The Hev. K. G. Evans, who iv#s in happv vpin, impressed on the pupils the necessity for taking advantage of their present opportunities for learning. He said he could endorse all that had been said by the previous speaker about the behaviour of the children, Kvery girl ill the school could be « lady if they learned to act as became gentle people, and the same applied to the hoys. Hie character, not the clothes, made the lady and the mail, lie hoped also to see the sens'e of humor cultivated' more; it was a help in every sphere of life, Mr. F. B. t'or.liiil expressed his pride and pleasure at presiding over such a large gathering. He felt it a great privilege to be connected wil.li tile Central school, which was doing sueh excellent work. The school had now more pupils and a larger percentage of attendance than ever before in its histflyy. and the feeling pervading the school was as good as ever. Prize distribution, be went on to say, bad been auapemlod

for some years, festivals of various kinds taking its place. This year, howevir,| they were reverting to the old practice 1 by way of u change. He extended to j those who were leaving the-school the good wishes of the committee and teaerers. Some were going' on to the mg'i School, others were going out to cu.er on the battle of life. To all he t/uid, "God bless you; may prosperity go with you, and in years to come may you look hack with pleasure to your Central School days." ilu apologised for the unavoidable absence of four members of the committee, and expressed his satisfaction with the harmonious relations existing between the committee and the staff of the school.

The distribution of prizes' then took place, salvo* of applause greeting the various batches as they came forward to claim their rewards. Appended is the prize-list: IMUMKUS. Proficiency, full jittendanee, and conduct.—l'rimer 111: Clarice Moverlev, ttouald Lints. Primes 11: Mureia (.Jntliths, Jack Jlaldane. Primer J.: iiailie Humbling. Prolii'.eney, regularity and conduct. — Primes ill: Colin Bayly, Harry (iuss, Sydney White, Leonard Hughes. Jan MaeLeau, Willie Wood, Jack Wlnttle, Fred Webster, Uruce llutchen, Harold Spencer, Charlie JluUher, Willie Waters, J'red Furze, Cecil Powley, Ktnel Gibson, Klsie llonuor, Kileen MeAithur, Kita Houlton. Mildred .Monk, UerUia Mliott, I Jiuby lievell. Klsie Stanley, I'rimer 11-: ! Bertha White, Maxwell Kuild, Tom t'oulthard, Clillord Hall, Colin Murray, Graham Canavan, Willie Short, Pearl Clark. Primer 1: Charlie Waters, Koy Tait, Sydney Wood, Willie Gray, Horace Twuedale, kene Deighton, Gwen Waters, ; Eileen Buttimore, Flo Ingram, Iris i White, Eva Stroud.

Full attendance and conduct.—-Primer 1(1: .Millie Boon. Primer 11: Bertie lloon, Marjorie Dicky, Gladys Hardbraves. Primer I: Irene Dickey, Myrtle

Best progress made iu year.—Primer 1111: Ruth Callander, Douglas Bradbury. Best writer: Herbert Thuckwell. Boat oral work: Inn lienaud. STANDARD I. Proficiency, regularity and conduct. — .Maude Way (dux of class), Miri Os'win, Willie Kong (2nd), Teddie Pope (3rd), James llenrielis, .Monte Winter, Doris .Metiomigle, Robert Glasgow, Harold Kliott, Violet Uroombridgc, Lny Davidson, Koy Murray, Loftu.s ltussell. Full attendance and conduct. —Hurry Buttimore, Hector Oliver, Kilee.i Bond, Frances Larseii. •STANDARD 11. Proiicicncy, full attendance and conduct.—Zoe Riley (dux of class), Arthur i'hipps (2nd), JLyndall Kudd (Ilrd), Melbourne Darker, Leslie Duwkins, Gordon liellringer, Hilda llarle. l'roliciency, regularity and conduct.--Eric Hambling, Kirsteen Montciitli, Frances Goodwin, Jack Cottier, Nancy Pott, George Way. Full attendance and conduct.—Ti'iinyn'oii Scott, Baden Moverlcy, lau Murpiiy, Olive Ilardgraves, George Boon, Jina Priar, Cjyr.il Way. Full' attendance.—Donald Doilc, Roy llai'vey, Fred Nicholls. STANDARD 111. Proficiency, full attendance and conduct.—Eniest Way (2nd), Leslie Bellringer, Tom Crone. Proficiency, regularity and conduct. — Alex, Callander (dux of class), Alice McArthur (3rd), .Marjorie Waugli, Zillali Mini lie, George Mason, Katie Groonibridge, Charlie Lawn, Jack Rutledge.

Full attendance and conduct.—WilliElliot, Beryl Sowry, Jessie Home, Join Page, Doris Sturniey, Henson Jury, Al belt Ilardgraves.

STANDARD IV. Proficiency, full attendance and conduct.—Zeala Bcllriuger (dux of class), Phyllis King, Leslie lintier (3rd). Proficiency, regularity and conduct.— Nellie liulliird, Marjorie Snowball (2ndh Hylton Bellringer, Albert Smith, Haroli"i Uibbons, Florence .Mace, Harold lledlcy, Stanley Grayling, Leslie Penn, Lionel Spencer. Full attendance and conduct.—Doris llenrichs, Harry llarkev, Lionel .Spencer. Full attendance—Norman llaudley.

STANDARD V. Proficiency, full attendauce and conduct.—lvy Hardgrave, Annie Frcthey, Ilrene Brown, Mabel Okcy (2nd). Proficiency, regularity and conduct.— Leslie Hay, Leonard Avann (dux of class), Willie Gibson (3rd), Lawrence Rudd, Ivy Scott, Clara Turnbull. . Full attendance and conduct.—Muriel Harkcr, Koy Murphy. Full attendance.- May llarvev, Ethel Buckle, lionald White. STANDARD VI. Proficiency, full attendance and conduct.—Alexander Bruce (Did). Proficiency, regularity and conductClarice Herbert and Cedrit Uibsuii (dux of school, equal), Herald Cliong (2nd), (Jcoffrcv Whitcombe, .Elliot Snowball, Leonard Uoss, Mona Corkill. Fill! attendance and conduct.—<.«us Hundley, Meta Ford, Marjory Shaw. Special prize for comiioaitioß.—Clarihcl Pellew. SPECIAL PHIZES. For patriotic interest in the school's welfare.—standard VI: L. Iticbards,A. Monk (from .Mr. Dempsey), Mai'gt. Corkill and Ivy Davidson {from Miss 1 Dempsey). Standard V: F. Harvey. Standard IV: S. Bridget (from Jlr. Dempsey), E. James, G. Knight and E. Roberts (from 'Mr. Sullivan). Standard 111: J. Clarke, (i. Bradbury, H. Bradbury, F. Joiner, L. Cavcncy. Standard 11: If. Shirley and W. Cooinbe. Standard I: G. Bayly and E. Bedford. Ivy Hardgravcs. who had not missed an attendance oucu in eight years, was presented with a handsome woilibox. Tennis.—lst (Mr. Dempsev's prize), Ivy Scott; 2nd (.Mr. Mcllro'v's prize). May llawes. "

At the conclusion, cheers were given ami the .National Anthem simg. The dux prize, were donated bv Mr. T. Avery.