FITZROY SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1916, Page 8

FITZROY SCHOOL.

CONCERT-AND BREAKING UP. The annual concert and breaking up ceremony in connection with the l''ilzvoy school was held on Wednesday* night in the Vitzroy Hall, which proved 100 email to accommodate (lie large crowd. The stage was charmingly decorated with flowers and vari-eolored electric lights. A splendid concert programme was submitted, the first part being given by the infants and the latter by the "elder scholars. All acquitted themselves admirably, reflecting great credit on the teaching staff, Mr. 0. Johnson, Misses Andrews. Tolme, Leech and Lawn, and" also on their own ability. Owing to the length of the programme encores were not permitted. THE- CONCERT PROGRAMME. Pianoforte duet. Misses Evolvn White and Lily Aroa; action song, "Tom, the Piper's Son," children; action recitation, '■The Blacksmith." six little boys- action song. "The Squirrels," children; recitation. "The Laugh in Church," Apua Skipper; action song, "Dame Trot," and "Rock ,-i bye Baby," children; recitation, "The Railway Men," >ix little Boys; action song, "The Green Peach," children; violin solo, Master Wm. Knowles; character action son;;. "The Witches Song," si?i little girls; flag drill by eight small girls and eight small boys; pianoforte jolo, "Remembrance,'' Lily Aroa; pan song, "Who's That a Calling," children; 'recitation, "Old Australian Ways," Standard IV.;' duet with chorus, "My Motto," Bert Harvey and Roy Bfltler; recitation, "The Soldier's Dream." Claude Grayling; part song, "The Tui," children; action recitation, "The Raxon and the Gail," from "The Lady of the Lake," Eric Lealand and Alan Crapper; song, "The Dancing Lesson," Ruth Day; chorus 4'Home Vires," children; part song, "Good Night," children. Miss Laun played the accompaniments.

CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS. . The chairman (Mr W. 0. Reid)', in a brief speech, first congratulated Mr. Johnson, his stafF and pupils on the efficiency of the work. Mr. Johnson, as the excellent results achieved at the recent inspector's examination had shown, had tin? welfare of the children at heart. The impression of his personality was to be -found throughout the school, discipline being recorded in the inspector's report as excellent. Fitzroy was fortunate in its staff, and lie thought that parents in the district might think twice before sending their children away to schools further afield. A word of praise was due to Revs. Favell and Olds for the attention they had given to the religious education of the children. He briefly referred to the lamentable war now raging, which was responsible for many who would have been with them that night, having paf-scd to the Great Beyond fighting for their King and Country. The war had shown«how nceessarv strong, men were to a nation and would provide the boys and girls of to-day with great chances. Their task was to build in the years to come a truer, better world. Boys and girls should try and get the key to the world's great storehouse of knowledge, which would open to them the door of wealth, honor and power. "That is the power o fright thinking by which we learn that every wrong thought, every negative thoughts every (thought of fear, hatred and unkindncss is destructive, that it tears down character, undermines th» foundation walls of personality, weakens the will, clouds the- intellect, slowly but surely breaks down a man's bc,st possession, and that every right thought, every positive thought of coiirage, truth, beauty, achievement and unselfishness is constructive, that it builds brain power, enlarges the mental horizon, stimulates, the physical and mental activities to greater effort, and at last crowns a man-with power and fame. This is the power every man should do his best to develop. This is a picture of what our twentieth century manhood should be of the man who has learned and applied the. power of right thinking, who has thrown off the yoke of negative thought, who, with clear brain and firm step, has made the most of his great powers and having tried all things holds fast to that which is good." .. ,y

HEAD MASTER'S REPORT. Mr. Johnson reported that the number on the roll was steadily increasing, so much so that next year increased accommodation must be provided. At present each room was overcrowded and the gymnasium had to be used as a class room. He had had to request several parents, who wished their children admitted, to refrain from .lending them until there was room tor their accommodation. The chairman would refer to improvements both in course of execution and in contemplation. That the scholars are keeping up the reputation of the school was shown liy the recent report of the inspector, his remark on the different subjects ranging from, good to excellent. Out of eight scholars presented seven were successful in scaring proficiency certificates. That due attention is being to physical training, the parents had an opportunity of seeing for themselves at the 'At Home" recently held at the ;chool. He again pointed out the disadvantages they were laboring under m the smallness gj' the ground. This prevented such game» as cricket, football, rounders, etc., being played, without endangering the safety»of the smaller children. One redeeming feature of this was that it provided opportunity for the older pupils to put into practical form the training they receive in first aid to the injured. He regretted that regular instruction in swimming was not provided for the boys and girls. At* the beginning of the season the committee inspected that part of the Waiwakaiho used by the boys who can»swim, but they considered it too dangerous for tlr. beginners. The East End was too far away, and he trusted that the time was not far distant when the school would have baths of its own. It was intended to hold a literary and musical competition about the end of March, part of the proceeds- to be expended in providing apparatus for gym-

nasties in the open air. Regarding agriculture, thp schoiol had undertaken to look after the fruit trees which were to be ; planted on the technical agricultural piot, and the girls would be taught pruning. He believed in both girls and boys learning horticulture. He urged on parents the necessity for insisting on Ilia punctual attendance of the children, fn concluding lie extended his heartfelt .sympathy to the parents of scholars who had. made the supreme sacrifice at the front during the past year, and also would like to offer congratulations to the parents of Scrgeaiit-MajoivCosbrooji for the distinction he earned for himself in gaining-the medal for conspicuous bravery on the field of battle. He paid a tribute to the assistance given by his staff and committee.

PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES. The chairman then presented the following certificates, which were given in lieu of prizes with the object of donating the money to the Belgian fund:— ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATES. Standard Vl Erie Lealand, May Coombes, Alice Cosbrook, Ella Johnson, Muriel Reid. Standard V. —Bertie Harvey, Robert Scott, Esme Boulton, Marjory Dickey, Irene Dickey, Doris Fetch.. Standard IV.-—Amy Petch, Ben Cathro. Standard lll.—Ronald Bellringer. Win. Cosbrook, John Dickey, Wm. Pollock, Hazel Gunson. Standard lI.—N. McArtney, Leslie Pycroft, N. Harvey, Apua Skipper. 'Standard I.—lvel Diekey, Elsie Goldsworthy, Elsie Pycroft, Lizzie Scott, Frank Cosbrook. Primers.-—Laurie Cosbrook. Roy Locke, Keith Parkin, Leslie Bishop, Roy Eva. Standard Vl.—Highest mark's: Boys, Eric Lealand; girls, Muriel Reid. In-s|iC-ctor's examination, May Coombes. General progres: Gwennic Day. Drawing, Ella Jphnson. Writing, Alice Cosbrook. Standard V.—Highest marks: Boys, Alan Crappcr; girls, Evelyn White. General progress, Arthur Asquitli, Doris Petch, Edna Wndinan. Writing, Gudrun Sorenseh. Standard IV—Highest marks: Boys, Herbert Martin: girls. Queenie Senter. General progress. Ben. Cathro, Amy Petch. Writing, Harry Parker. General circfulness, Maggie Watson. Standard Hl—Highest marks: Boys, •Claude Grayling; girls, Winnie Old. General progress. Eileen Cleland, Lewis Xopa. General improvement. Harry Hooper. Standard IT.—Highest marks: Boys, Ivan Pepperellv girls, To Rata Day. Gee eral progress, Harry Farmer. Apua Skipper. General improvement, KJ'le Simons. Standard I.—Highest marks: Boys, Roy, Jones; girls, Lizzie Seott. General progress. Vinson Aroa, Scton Richardsen, Ethel Boulton, Ella Cleaver.

Each child in the primer classes was presented with a book. Before dispersing three cheers were given for Mr. Johnson and stall and the New Zealand National Anthem was sung.