School Holidays.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 165, 18 December 1914, Page 7

School Holidays.

BREAKING-UP CEREMONIES, ' THE CENTRAL SCHOOL.

The animal red-letter day in the lives of the children attending Central School, viz., the breaking-up and i>rize..j;iviii i i| ceremony, took place in the Cood'Tcrnplar Hail yesterday afternoon, there being a good sprinkling of parents present. "til 1 . S. 11. Siiwtli (chairman of the .School Committee) presided, and there, were also on the stage the Rev T. 11. Roseveare, Messrs. 6. T. Mills and Hardgrcaves (members of the School Committee), Messrs. A. H. Halcombe and E. Alarfell (members of the Taranaki Education Board), and Mr G. 11. Maunder. ll'he proceedings opened with tile singing, most enthusiastically, of the Xational Anthem.

Mr. H. Dempsey (the hcadmastei) read the annual report as follows: "During the ]>ast two years no epidemic had in. terfered with the attendance of the pupils, so that the average, 5:-!2. out of an average roll of 554, or 111 per cent., could hardly be considered satisfactory, for, although 91 per cent, compares favorably with otlier large, schools, still it allowed too great a margin for those ■who were indifferent to the progress of their children. There were in the" school, however, 71 who have not missed an attendance, while 77 others have not been absent more than five times during the year. The examination for proficiency certificates was held on Friday, the 4th inst., when 53 pupils in Standard VI. presented themselves, of whom 50 passed and 3 failed. In the otlier standards over 'JO per cent, would be promoted on the resumption of the school work in February next. The cause of failure generally was in most cases due to the want of ability to advance with the others, which was only to be expected, as all children were not equally endowed. The failure of a few, however, was owing to carelessness, indill'erence, and irregularity of attendance. It was not always remembered that success or failure to a great extent depended on the character of the work done during the year, and the probability of the con. tinuance of the same kind of work during the coming year. One important factor was regular attendance, as children who habitually absented themselves once or twice a week, or were in other ways indifferent, quickly dropped behind. Hence, in making promotions the pupils who, though possessing only average ability, were doing their best, received greater consideration than those who made no effort, as it was reasonable to suppose that a child who was in earnest one year, would continue to be in earn, est, while those who had to be driven would continue to have to be /driven. Standards VI., IV., 111., and 11., and the girls of Standard 1., had been under the same teachers throughout the year, and the progress of the classes had been highly satisfactory. Standard V., on the other hand, had had a most unfortunate time. During their year no fewer than six changes of teachers had taken place. Mr. Sullivan, to the great ', regret of all who. knew him, resigned at the end of March, and a few weeks after joined the Expeditionary Force, which was now in Egypt,, For some time his place was filled by a temporary teacher. Then Mr. Bertrand was appointed, and remained for about two months, when he left in order to take his share in the defence of the Empire. We have no doubt that both Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Bertrand will do their duty to their King and country, and our earnest wishes are for their safe return to the Dominion. For a time after Mr. Bertrand's departure the class was without any special teacher, hut eventually Mrs. Firth was appointed temporarily, and the committee and the speaker were so pleased with her work that they asked the Board to retain her services till the end of the year. The request, however, was not granted, and Mr. Sissons took up his duties in the middle of October. The class had pulled itself together wonderfully well under his sympathetic but firm control, and he had been able to make up to a certain extent for the unfortunate circumstances with which the class had to contend during the previous part of the year. Quite a new interest had been added to the work of the school this year by the introduction of physical training. They had formerly been carrying this on in a desultory sort of way, but the system introduced by Mr. Royd Garlick, and into which the teachers were initiated by a fortnight's training at the end of September, had thrown quite a new light on the matter. Hence the scheme had become very popular, both with teachers and pupils. The system was so simple, and yet the effects were so far.reaching, that it was no wonder that the educational authorities in these districts, where it had been introduced, were loud in its praises. It demanded that at least fifteen minutes per day should be devoted to the development of the body, together with the practice of certain indoor exercises, the room being flushed with fresh air while this was being done. There was not the slightest doubt that the effect on the pupils would be highly beneficial, and that their industry and concentration of thought would be increased. Parents were already remarking its improving tendency, and as time went on j this effect would be still more apparent. ( Since the beginning of the war the cliilj dren had shown their loyalty, self-denial, f and patriotism by subscribing generously j to the War Fund, and to help in ameliorj ating the sufferings of those who had i had the misfortune to be affected by ;■ the barbaric cruelty of the Germans. I By helping to provide a horse, by giv. > ing U)i their prizes, and by their weekly j contributions, about £45 had been contributed, so that if all the schools in the Dominion gave in the same proportion the sum raised would amount to about '£17,000. In lieu of prizes, each child who had qualified was being given a certificate, setting forth the position in the class, and the fact that the value of the prize was being voluntarily given for the relief of those in Great Britain, Ireland, and Belgium suffering from the effects of the war. flhe possession of these certificates should be a source of pride to the holders, as they would be reminded in f years to come, as well as at the present time, that by their self-denial and sympathy they had done their part in a practical way in lessening the privation of those who so much need help and sympathy. Tie referred to the. general goodfeeling that seemed to exist between the parents, the teachers, and the children attending the school. Cases of friction were almost unknown, and the opinion, | often expressed, that a teacher's life must be a harassing one owing to the 'interference of the parents, did not u'lplv fo the Central. Then! was one point, however, that he had often wished to make clear, referring to the assistance given to children at home. The methods sometimes adopted by parents, especially 'in arithmetic, were not alwavs those used by the teacher of the class, and this children refused to accept help on these lines, as it was not in accordance with

the plan adopted i n school 1 i n

""Ist iint lake any notice o Hi 1 i %Tt&U as any intelligent met i 1 i be accepted, the quickest bun„ il \i\ preferred. To those who had pistil througli the school, and wile k i\in 0 1 ( would simply say that he hoped their future careers would be Mich is o \ a rant his being proud of linnnw ring them .as his old pupils." (Applause.) The chairman said lie con lined it i great honor to be presii in, then il it afternoon, as it was not o in in, \e us ago since lie was a pupil of tl l inn school. 'lie congratulate it l i i d i of the Education 'Hoard on bun jic sent. He considered that >i<| kit were apt to discount the pn ih„c o i good education, and failed 11 „ c tn n children all the oppoituniti s they should of attending school I'c cu il tulatcd the school teachers and the children on the successful result is hown at the examinations. The Cuitial Scl 00l Committee had, he said, been one of the first to recognise the value of ph\ k il | culture, and had urged the Department to send the instructor to New 'Plymouth. Too much credit could not be given to the children for so willing foicom their prizes in aid of the 1 il n un 1 un 1 They would, in the future, be able to prize their certificates as valuable records. This act was of espiual tabic from the point of view of self denial lie gave a special word of advice to those leaving school, exhorting tli m luat to conduct themselves so as to b( a a edit , to their teachers, and to uphold the best < traditions of their school "Do your duty,'' he concluded; "netir speal out of your turn, and when \ou do spial always use good, clear English litir ring to the work of the committee dur. ing the past year, he said that this had been hampered .by tightness of money owing to the war, but the committee ' still had in mind the installation of swimming baths and the levelling of Poverty Flat. Mr A. Tl. Halcombe said that the Board thoroughly appreciated the difficulty the Central School had labored under in regard to shortage of teachers. ] They had done their best in all cases to i fill vacancies caused by the war, but in somo instances they had had to close schools. Regarding | finance, he said that the effect j of the war bad been to place the finances , in a tight corner, and the Board had ] been asked by the Department to curtail ; all expenses save those absolutely necessary. He congratualted the school on | its successful year. He pointed out that the influence of the school and its j environment had great bearing on the I future life and character of the pupils. ] When they went out into the world he urged them to keep on the straight path. I He also stressed the need of continuing their studies at the Technical College or j elsewhere in their endeavor to reach f their 'ultimate goal, which should be the top of the tree. The parents and the children of the school ought to, and no doubt did, appreciate the spirit of the children in giving up their valuable prizes to those suffering so cruelly in the frightful war. When they thought of the hundreds of thousands of fatherless children, and what their Christmas would be, it must be a comfort to think that even the little they had subscribed would go to comfort them. The certificate would be an everlasting memory of what they had done in a small way to help those in need. In wishing all a Happy Christmas, he expressed the hope that they would iive to see, next-Christ-mas, peace in all the world.

Mr. E. Marfell also addressed the children, and referred to the agricultural ] classes about to be established at the j Technical College. There was, lie as. ] sorted, no better way of'gettirig a living than off the land. The certificates were then distributed ' by members of the School Committer '■ and the prizes by members of the Education Board, including the chairman (Mr. H. Thimble), who had.just previously arrived. He" made a very brief address, urging children to attend school regit- . larly, and always to endeavor to do their best work. Mr. G. 11. Maunder presented the temperance prizes. The prize-list was as follows.— Certificates were given in lieu of prizes:— 1 Standard VI. (total marks, SOO.) — Ronald Boon 045, William Penman 044, Roy Hopkins 033, Ernest Bedford 025, .rack King 024, Jack Matthews 024, Alice ■Kiiwlinson 022, Dulcie Leech 018, Ivor Sole OKi, Florence Waldock Oil, Ivy Jackson 010, Norma Hammond 009, Maude Way 005, Leonard Wood 005. Standard V. (total marks, 450). Lett Hughes 377, Christie Sinclair 372, Charles Noble 302, Muriel Gillespie 355, George Hnrre 34!), Norman Waddle 345, ; Elsie Homior 345, Bertha Elliot 335, Syd'nev White 330, Pearl Phipps 330, IJuicie Gardener 330, Wrex Hughes 325, Jim Millar 322, Hoy Goldsworthy 317, Charles Butcher 315, Potter Lister 315. Standard IV. (total marks, (100). Godfrey Sole 497, David Penman 492, iMvrtle* Walker 488, Nancy Peach 480, Mabel Everest 470, Bertie Boon 470, lan Kenaud 170, Tom Coulthard 400, Kf.rena Elliot 405, Will Berridge 402, Clili'ord Hall 400, Norman Brooks 457, Willie Short 457, Keith Ward 457, Gladys Hardgrave 455, Sydney Havden 455. Standard ill. (total marks (100.) Alfred Harre 507, Horace Tweedale 505, Jack Wiley 457, Edgar Coleman 482, Frank Corkill 480, Irene Thompson 475, Myrtle Noble 475, Si .1 Wood 475, Ray Bellringer 475, Myra Alldridge 470, Monica Citing 470, Jim Wiley 470, Olive Crann 400, Majorie Nixon 400, Vernon Fletcher 400, Maud Hardgrave 455, Ward Goodwin 455, Victor Graham 455. Standard 11. (total marks, (100). Vera Black 505, Doris Cliff 485, Keith M'Lelland 470, Eileen Jordar. 470, Irene Johnson 405, Eileen Smith 400, Ethel Smith 400, Esma Bellringer 400, Janet Edwards 475, Cecil Honnor 455, Stanley Scott 452. Edna Bullot 450, Eileen Honey field 150, Francis Smith 450, Alfred Smith 447, Bert Shrimpton 445, Lilian Bruce 442, Sylvan Lealand 442. Standard 1. (total"marks, 400).—Sydney Bellringer 330, Bella Millar 330, Molly Ilaldanc 325, Monty Matthews '■>.:■>, Ivy Ilamvright 315, Gwen Lendnim 315, Lmdsell Simeox 310, Isabel Harre 310, Eva Hardgrave 310, Dorothy Smale 310, Arthur Kidson 305, Joy Doughty 300, Beatrice Sims 300, Annie Scrivener 300, Gordon Harding 295, Elsie Christain 295, Ken Buttimore 295, Joyce Edwards 295, May lledley 295. COURTENAY STREET SCHOOL. Primer 111. (Boys).—First in class, Clarence Jackson, Lyn Ward; second, Ronald Coodacre, Eric Utiger; third, Trevor Bell; fourth, Sydney Cottier, Leslie Martin. Girls. —First in class, Win. nie Gayton, Hilda Gibson; second, Cecily Elliot, Vivienne Webster. Ona Smith, Lizzie Waters; third, Gladys Jones, Sarah Jejikins; fourth, Clarice M'llroy, Mary Tunbridgc. Primer ILFirst in class, Grade Adams : second, Nigel Webster, Norman Lealand, Seton Richardson, Alfie Lacey, Neville Roebuck, Connie Healy, Jean Smith; third, Eileen Buss, Iris Flower. Primer J. —Eileen Shrimpton 1, Mavis Short 2, Carl Utiger 3. FULL ATTENDANCE. Standard 6.—Ronald Boon, Tracoy Carter, Ivy Jackson, Lily Davison Standard 5.—L. Buckle, W._ Solo, 11. Buttimore C, Butcher, C. Fce/k, G. Harre',

C I i 1 lm 1 Vi'n G St \ i i i \ i ili J 1 i 1 Va. i o Muijin ■Standard 4.—Bertie Boon, Leo Harvey Stankt I am., \\alta Sttwait I lnest Simon liutic Wat Kenneth Y\ est Hi! dilxl (ocl (luljs HaipUavt Violet Webber. i Standard 3.—Noel Jury. Vurnon Flet- < M mil C race Hopl ms Muion Milhr SI unhid i -< hdt 1 in l J lni \\ il ' on 'inns 1 os\\< 1 I l licit inn o i I d\\ il 1 until funis Si nth t i Milne Stindu 1 1 - it i Soh 1 n 1 utti inn llcdlit I ilhin 'i Cjlu Mill 1 i Re till 1 un 1 UT—Nithliui Ihnhitt 1 \t lilw mis lilt In Hut Kathiui Ywb bu Ponald Co ollt Ohi dice lid son J ictoi Toms Pi mid If Vlhc ilopl ms 1 liiiHi I—l lanl Hopl ins <U SIM \Ol MOI 1 lUY\ 11VJ 11 MLS Standard C—Eric Bullot, Harold foulthud Ata Bi umd hcl Km \oi ill lint 1 i Mupht Alik Ri\ fin on lm loid Stuti\ant Mil In j(i > 10111 ( lojnbiii' ( lion id Wool urns I (iiiuh Willn 11 urn in Standud —\ 1 nund M Cillcspn ( Tohnson 1 Swmton P 1 hipps M 1 obi it 1 listu I lluJus C \ ibbu C. .Johnson. v ul n 1 I—t lif'oid II ill 1 eldic Gov inluel Hot Parler {"odfut Sole Millie Short kutlia Blown ] kanoi Cimpbill I lit His Thompson \aict leach Standard 3—Fred Butler, Fred ColeII m li lie Dinniss 1 incclicthct Alf red Harre. Horace Twecdale, Harold ■\\inui ( wen Witers tanihrd If Tianccs Smith Gwendo kne Bullot Mvi|OUl ( aidnei Mtitlc Hinttiight "tictona Hail ci Ity Mills J Alma Short, Elthel Smith, Charlie Cole, man, Robert Gillespie, Winifred Hamling. | Herbert Lee, Sylvan Lealand, Archibald 'Millar, Stanley Scott, Albert Sims, Alfred Smith, Charlie Smith. Standard I,—Clarence Dinniss, Wilfred Hartncll, Ivy' Doughty, Joyce Edwards, Jim Scanlon, Brian Scanlon, Rugby Wilson, Beattie Sims, Bella Millar, Harry McNeill, Reita Buttimore, Joyce Short, Gordon Harding. Primer llT—Marjorie Boon, Wilfred Groombridge,' Arthur llardwick, Harold Waters. Primer ll.—Norman Lealand, George Simmonds. Special pries donated by Mrs Denny Brown, 'Mrs. Firth, Miss Buckley, Mr. Maunder, Rev. :Mr CrawsliaW, Miss Dempsev, Messrs Burgess and Frascr, Cock and Co., R, Cock, Rev. Mr Osborne, Miss S. Thompson, Mrs. Martin, Miss Vickcrs, Miss Jemison, Mr Dcmpscy, Mrs Knight, and Mr Avery. Full attendance.—Five years: Sydney Haydcn, Norman Waddle. Four years: , Eileen IJooke, Leslie f lenkins, Carl Harvey. IThree years: Norman Bellringer, Fred Huggani. Two years. Maud Way, Myrtle .Shepherd, Charlie Butcher, Howard Webber, Bertie Jenkins, Nellie Simmonds, Willie Simmonds. Temperance Essay:—Standard VT.: Jack 'Matthews, Alice Rawlinson, Maud Way. Standard V.: Charlie Noble, Christie Sinclair. Standard VI.: Godfrey Sole, Bona Benbow. Standard HI.: Alfred Harre, Evelyn Hogg. , Best arithmetic in standard V.— Boys: Potter Lister. Girls: Christie Sinclair. Greatest improvement in arithmetic in Standard V.—Milly Boon. Best arithmetic in Standard IV.— Myrtle Gilbert and Gladys Hargrcave. Painstaking and conduct in Standard IV.—Walter Stewart and Chas. Kidson. Dux Boy of school —Ronald Boon. Dux girl of school.'—Alice Rawlinson. For trustworthiness and General Usej fulness.—Edward Govenlock. COURTENAY STREET SCHOOL. Primer TlT.—Reading, Bertie Moverley. j Home Work: Ken. Butcher. Best pro- I gross made in year, Trevor Jones. A short programme was then gone through, most of the items being illustrative of the physical cutlure course, i now in vogue. It evoked considerable interest and favorable comment. The items we're as folknv:—Dance step, Miss Henderson's squad of girls; song, "Soldiers of, the King,' Miss Dempsey's class; physical drill, 'Mr. Dempsey's squad of boys; dance steps, Miss Dempsey's squad of girls; physical drill, Mr, Sisson's squad of boys; song, "Tipperary," by the assembled scholars, and the National Anthem concluded the programme. After lusty cheers had been given for the committee, the Education Board, the dispersed for the holidays.