A FITZROY FUNCTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1916, Page 5

A FITZROY FUNCTION.

THE SCHOOL "AT HOME." INTERESTING DEMONSTRATION.

The invitation extended by the committee, staff, and pupils of the Fitzroy school to attend the "At Home" at tin school grounds yesterday afternoon wa= largely responded to hy parents anil local residents. Among those present, were the Mayor (Mr. C. H. Burgess) and Mrs. Burgess, Messrs. 11. Trimble anl S. G. Smith, members of the Taranaki Education Board. Mr. W. G. Reid, chairman of the I'itzrov School Committee, and the Rev. A. H. Favell. Apologies for absence were received from Mr. R Masters, chairman of the Education Board, the Rev. A. B. ; Cliappcll, and Mi'. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., members] of the Board, and Mr J. Tisch. ! Considerable interest was evinced bv the visitors in the display of the pupils' handiwork which was made in the school. The exhibits consisted of samples of hand-writing, map-drawing, sketching, plan-drawing, and black-board drawing. The writing was of a high standard, and drew from the visitors many remarks of commendation. The skill displayed in the sketches was also favorably commented on, an outstanding feature being a picture of three cats drawn by Ella Johnson, Considerable interest attached to the plan-drawing. The sample were colored designs of bungalows, taken from a well-known builders' magazine and the pupils presented faithful copies of the originals. Variety, originality and skill were demonstrated in the designs of titles of the home-work papers displayed. The water-color work was also good.

The visitors were accommodated on forms in the grounds within the shade oi the. school buildings, and they watched with pleasure and interest the evolutions of the children as they were put through a programme of physical drill and exer-. cises under the direction of the headmaster (Mr. 0. Johnson).

The ability displayed by the children ! in their school work was only equalled by the proficiency with which tliov performed their physical exercises. It was a delightful object lesson to observe how the physical as well as the mental attributes of the children of the Fitzroy school were being developed. The children looked l'»nltliy and happy, and they responded to-the crisp words of com mand with precision and uniformity. The visitors were greatly pleased with the demonstration, and heartily applauded each item.

The following was the programme:— March, girls, instructor, Miss Andrews; drill, girls, Miss Lawn; drill, senior boyv, Master E. Lealand; drill, infants, Miss Andrews; club exercises, girls, Miss Tolme; drill, boys, Miss Leech; drill, upper division, Mr. Johnson. The visitors were entertained to af ternoon tea supplied by lady friends of the school.

Organised games, in which the prin ciples of the physical drill were happily co-ordinated, v.tre played for some iim?. The demonstration was, entirely successful, and redounded to the credit of those who were responsible for its organisation.