CENTRAL SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1915, Page 3

CENTRAL SCHOOL.

There was a large attendance of parents as well as of children at the annual breaking-up ceremony in connection with the Central School, which was held in the Good Templar Hall yesterday afternoon. Mr. S. G. Smith, chairman of ,the School Committee, presided, and there were also present on the platform-: C. T. Mills and F. Coleman of the School Committee), 11. Trimble (chairman of Education Board), Rev. Chappcll (member of the Education Board), Mr. A. M. Bradbury, Mr. 11. Dempsev (headmaster), Mr. R. L. McKlroy (assistant) and Mr. N. Day. Proceedings were opened with the singing of the National Anthfin.

Mr. IT. Dempsey, in his annual report, said: "Since last annual brenkiny-up ceremony, many changes have taken place, and in not a few oases sorrow has entered into the liomes of the people. Let us hope that a year hence all will he changed, and that the brothers and fathers of our boys and girls ivho have gone to uphold Iho honour of the Empire will have returned to their homes, bringing with them peace and honour. As in the previous year the pupils of the school have again given their prize money to be used for the purpose of ameliorating the suffering of the sick and wounded. The self-sacri-fice shown during the year has lieen very gratifying; the two extreme, departments of the school, the Infants and Standard six, have alone subscribed over £2O, while the standards have also made up and despatched th Ji \u...uis channels over five hundred articles, consisting of clothing ,i ;• the belgians, material for equipment of the hospital ship, and comforts for' the soldiers at the Front. The members of the Busy Bee Club, to which many of the children belong, have contributed not only the result of their own labours, lint' have also secured the interest and co-opcra-tion of their parents. Several charges have taken place in the stall'. Early"in the year Miss Williams replaced Miss Vickcrs, but lat'er Miss Anthony was appointed permanent assistant. Messrs. Sissons and Partridge joined the Expeditionary Force. It is a source of pride to know that four of our teachers have responded to the call of the Empire. Mr. Day, an old and tried friend, has been appointed to succeed Mr.' Sissons, and Miss Mouat replaced Mr. Partridge as pupil teacher. Gaps in the stall' were temporarily filled by Mrs. Firth and Miss Drake. Towards the end of June, a new school was established at Vogeltown, whereby sonic 25 to 311 pupils were transferred from the Contra], This school is in charge of Miss Wilton, assisted by Mrs. Willie?, with a roll of about 50 pupils, ranging from the infant department to standard live. Owing to the present difficulty of obtaining a grant for a new building,-Vogeltown was temporarily attached to the Central as a side school. In consequence, the attend- 1 anee at the Central has been somewhat reduced, but is still high enough to allow the school to be classified among the first class schools of the Dominion. The number at present- on the roll is 503, with an average attendance for the year of 522, or with the side school included, roll Gl3, and attendance 500, or nearly 03 per cent, of roll. On Friday afternoons, outside of school hour*, Bible instruction has been given regularly by the ministers of different, churches, and these classes are now being attended by at least flo per cent, of the children. It is not only during these half-hours that the moral aspect of the child';- life is being cultivated. In the daily routine of a well-conducted school, innumerable opportunities for driving home mora! truths are constantly taken advantage of. The physical side of education has received increased prominence. Half an hour daily, out of doors, is now devoted to this work, with occasional movements in school, during, or between lessons. The system of exercise appears to be an excellent ono, and if carried out as intended, with proper progression, should have a beneficial and peifnaucnt effect on the health and physique of the rising generation. In common, however, with other practices entering into a child's school life, if not carried into the home, much of tlie benefit that might otherwise be derived is lost. Tl .seems a pity that the military element, as carried into effect in the Primary School Cadet System, has been altogether discontinued, as a course in which military training is included, would, in mv opin-'> ion, produce better results, tend to brighten up the monotony of the physical exercises, and be to the boys a very popular innovation. The children, as a whole, have worked well, the majority taking a keen interest in their studies, and I believe in most eases doing their best. There are, however, always a few who don't believe in over exertion. Others again, not equally endowed by nature, although, as a rule, among the most an.vious and industrious, still are unable to keep in line with their more fortunate companions. They deserve our sympathy and any extra' attention wc can give them. To the indolent and careless I would say, 'The secret of happiness is work,' and to the others, 'Persevere and you will, in the end, succeed.' There is an 'excellent spirit of - sympathy between the assistants and their pupils. Tlie work in the Infant Department under Mrs. Martin, is particularly good, the report of the inspectors being "one of the best I have seen. As this department lays the foundation for the higher classes, it is really the most important department in the school. It is particularly pleasing to note the interest many of the parents take in the progress of their children. The examination of Standard six was taken on Friday hist, but the results have not yet been announced. The test this year, is, I understand, more severe than usual, so that wc may expect some failures in this class. The war has had the most injurious effect on the upper standards, as, owing to the frequent changes in the teachers of Standard five during the past year, the progress of the work has been seriously interfered with. This has rendered the work of Mr. Mellroy more difficult, but lie has strenuously endeavoured to counteract the weakness, and has been able to a certain extent to make up In Standard six for the misfortunes of the previous year." In conclusion, Mr. Dempsey tendered hiß thanks to the staff for their work during the year und also to the school committee.

The chairman said that Ihe report which had just been read was one that any school should he proud of, and he thanked Mr. Dempsey and staff fur the good results. lie considered that the boys and girls In foregoing their prizes and accepting in lieu thereof certificates had set an object lesson In self-sacrifice to the older people. He gave some sound advice to children . leaving school. He then, on behalf of the committee, accepted from Mr. P. Coleman a handsome honors board donated by that gentleman. On it was Inscribed the name of the 1916 dui', C. Noble,. Mr. H. Trimble urged all to fit themselves to take a place in the governing of the country. He pointed out that the highest in tild G?verwneut wqi

open to every boy. "Strive always to be at the top; don't be content with being in the ruck," was his advice to those leaving school.

Rev. Chappell and Mr. A. M. Bradbury also spoke.

The chairman pointed out that the prizes usually donated by Mr. Maunder would not be given this year, the money being devoted to the war fund. Hearty cheers were given for the visitors and teachers, and the gathering terminated with the singing of the National Anthem. PRIZE LIST.

In lieu of prizes, certificates were then presented by the chairman and other members of the School Committee. The certificates, which were chastely designed and printed, bore the following inscription:—''To assist In alleviating the sufferings of those brave New /enlanders ulio have been wounded while nobly upholding the honor of the British Empire in the present war, the pupils of this [school have voluntarily offered their prifce-money. The recipients were:— Standard VI. —Full attendance: Potter Lister. Robert; Pascoe, James Millar, Muriel Gillespie, Connie Johnson, lola Trower. Sidney White. Not miss more than five half-days: Charlie Butcher, Fred. Tlugard, Leonard Hughes, IFector Oliver, Charlie Stewart, Charlie Noble. Millie Boon. Elsie Ilonnor,.Dulcie Gardiner, Clarice Moverley, Dorothy Nixon. Hazel Andrews, Willie Wood. Standard V.—Full attendance: Bernard , Ilollard, Donald Sutton, Ilefbert Roon, David Penman, Howard Webber. Leslie Jenkins, Florence 7 "n'am. Gladvs Hardgraves, Hildabel Cock. ' Not missed more than five half-days: Tom Coulthard, \\ illiam Short, Harvey. Harry Buttimore, Kenneth West," Mabel Ever: est, Violet Webber.

Standard TV.—Full attendances: Fred. Coleman, Victor Graham, Alfred Harre, Eadie ITamling, Ernest Hoffmann, Horace Tweedale, Isabel Clarke, Ivy Butler, Grace Hopkins, Maud Hardgrave, Mariorie Ni.vfm; Ksma Whitham, Winsome Young. Not missed more than five halfdays: Edgar Coleman, Harry Hoffmann, Noel Jury. Harold Roberts, Cecil Toilbridge, Isabel Boon, Olive Crann, Marion -Millar.

Standard ITT. Full attendances: ■James Boswell, Wilfrid ITamling, Victor Milne, Leslie Shrimpton. Albert, Sims, Alton Sutton, Alfred Smith, Winnie Boon, Murjorie Gardner, Victoria Ilarker, Edna Wilson. Not. missed more than five times: Edward Bnllot. Willie Fnnll. Sylvan Lenin ml. Archie Millar. Cecil Mcflahey. Stanley I'hipps, Stanley Scott. James Smith. Gladys Bond, Alma Short, Frances Smith.

Standard ll.—Full attendances: Reid Baker. Henry Julian. Rex Revell, Hazel Evcriss, Lizzie Elliot, Eva Ilargreaves. Dorothy Hell.var, Mavis Mawkes, Bella Millar. Beatrice Sims, Nit,a Sole. Not missed more than five times: Hedlev Bellringer. Ken. Buttimore, Rene Cottier, riarenee Dinniss. Isabell Ilarre, Jessie Jenkins. Mvrtle Newall. Standard I.—Full attendances: Ken. Butcher. Jack Bergc. Eric TTtiaer, Mariorie Boon. Lilv Frethev, Gladys Jones, Kathleen Webber. Absent not more than five times: Trevor Bell. Wilfrid Groombridge, Lorenza TToss. Trevor •Tones, Clarence Jackson, Noel Milne, John Scott. Evelyn Lilev, Nettie Penman, Claude Mills.

Infants. Full attendances: Primer TTL. Bertie Jenkins, Nellie Hopkins. Gladys Smale. Erice Averv, Lorna Julian:! Prime 11.. Colin Terrill; Primer L, Bob Utiger. Missed not more than-five times: Primer 111, Reginald Doeg, Teddv Leech, Fred Bell, Maitland Findlay, Royee Ward. Stanley Billing, Evelyn Way. Linda Wooldridgc, Doreen Mollison, Ivy McKoy; Primer 11.. Ray Cobham, Carl L'tiger, Mavis Pellew, Patricia Milne; Primer L, Charlie King, Willie McKoy, Rita Hardgrave.

PLACES TJ\ ' FORM. Standard VI. (total marks fiOO).— Charlie Noble 'ISO, dux; Leonard Hughes ■l6l, Bertha Elliot 45(1. Norman Waddle 45", Muriel Gillespie 448, Si'dney White ■123,-Elsie Honnor 427, James Millar 40!), Willie Wood 407, Maud Smith 404, Dulcie Gardner 395.

Standard V.—Stanley Laing 474, dux; Donald Sutton 472, Arthur Lovegrove 448, William Berridge 443, David Penman 440, Herbert Boon 435, Gladys Uardgraves 430, Nancy Peach 424, Myrtle Walker 422., Hope Asher 420, Harry Buttimore 420, Mabel Everest 414, Bernard Hollard 400, Norman Brooks 407, May Berridge 407.

Standard IV—Ray Bellringcrs2o,dux; Edgar Coleman 499. Jack Wiley 493. Horiee Twe-dile 490. Frank Cork ill 456, Alt. Ilarre IS2, Leslie Dimiis 453, Sydney Wood 4f)o, Eva Hogg 447, Myra Alldridge 447. Fred Schultz 444, Isabel Clarke 441, Monica Cliing 432, Charlie Ifaselden 431, Marjorie Nixon 429, Alfred Staines 427.

Standard 111.—Doris Cliff, 540. dux; Vera Black 540, dux; Stanley Scott 525, Max Oay 520, Bertie Lee 515, Lily Bruce 505, Eileen Jordan 500, Eileen Honeyfield 405, Sylvan Lealand 485, Cecil Mefiahcy 480, Jim Shaw 4SO, Eileen Smith 475, Evelyn Knight 475, Leslie Shrimpton 475, Edward Bullot 465, Cecil Honnor 465, Ned Smith 465, Dorothy Abbott 465, Marjorie Gardner 465, Ethel Smith 465.

Standard 11. (total marks 550).—E0y Morgan 472, dux; Ken. Buttimore 452, B. .Millar 452, N. Lovegrove 452, V. Hellyar \450, D. .Saile 447, M. Haldane 440, ~M. Bell 440, h. Staines 440, A. jTuggard 438; J. Hogg 435, li. CruickslAnk' 432, J. Doughty 430. J. Harre 430, B. Sims 429, K. Clarke 427, C. Cook 427, C. Steffenson 425.

Standard I.—Eric Utiger 360, dux; Cecily Elliot 355, Clarence Jackson 350, Beryl Taylor 342, Marjorie Boon 339,, Ken. Butcher 337, Basil Hirst 337, Lyn Ward 335, Minnie Gush 335, Gladys Jones 335, Clarice Mellroy 330, Willie Gowen 327, Sydney Cottier 320, Lily Frethcy 320, Lena Millar 320, Bertie Moverley 310.

Primer lll.—Highest marks for year, boy, Norman Lealand; girl, Grace Adams; best progress for year, Ailsa W}iite, Marjorie Ladner, Alice Edwards, Reggie Montgomeric, Fred Steffenson; good progress, Oswald Hogg, Neville Roebuck, Nigel Webster, Leonard Skelton, Fred Bell, Trevor Bellringer, Noel Moller, Stanley Billing, Iris Flower, Tiii Scally, Susie Mills, Erica Hales, Bertha Coleman, Doreen Mollison, Alma Mollison, Jean Smith, Eileen Shriinpton, Madge Hurlstone; best oral work, Linda Wooldridge, Hector Garner, Seton Richardson,

Primer ll.—Progress 'and regularity, Mavis Pellew; best progress, Cecil Dillon, Joyce Waters,

Primer I.—Progress and regularity, Roy Revell; beat progress, Kcitka Boulton, Mavis Pascoe. Ray Jury; good conduct, Molly Lovell, Launtt Hammond,