END OF SCHOOL YEAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1919, Page 9

END OF SCHOOL YEAR.

CENTRAL SCHOOL. The prize-giving and breaking-Hp ceremony in connection with the Central Schodl took place yesterday afternoon in the Good Templar Hall, which was crowded to overflowing with the children and their parents and friends. The first part of the proceedings consisted of a number of song l ! alid recitations by the scholars, the programme being as follow?; Recitations, "The Buns and Billy Black Nose," and "The Man in the Moon," by the Standard I girls; solo and chorus, "The Long, Long Trail," and "Good Night," by Standard III.; dialogue "The Society for Suppression of Slang," Standard VI girls; songs "Little Wandering Minstrels," and "Summer is Passing By," Standard II.; "Laughing Song," and "Good Night," Standard IV. HEADMASTER'S REPORT.

The following Is the headmaster's report:—' In presenting my Hist annual report since my appointment to the headmaßtarship of the Central School I have to acknowledge the compliments paid by the Committee in selecting mo lor the position, and to express the hope that the high standard of work carried on for nearly 30 years under Mr. Dempse'y will not suffer by the-chang?. In May the si* school at Vogo'.town Became a separate institution, and this reduced our total roll by about 50. However the average attendance at the Central School for the past year has been 603, the highest on record; the present roll number Is 66'. fa the Infant school the number of pupils 13 213, which is 63 in excess of the numbers provided for. The floor space is now very limited, In fact there is hardly room M move. One wonders how successful educational work can be expected under such [congested conditions. It certainly seems as though the Education Department is not In ■ sympathy with tile requirements of infant i teaching, which requires plenty of fresh air, I plenty of apparatus and suitable fittings, and ,'ample floor space for Tesulated activity. But ' not only are the infant rooms crowded: similar conditions prevail in the upper divisions Therefore, In the interests of the school generally I have found it necessary to refuse several new pupils. I cannot speaii too highly of the work of the staff, for, with classes at least 'wlce too large, it has been only by thorough preparation of each day's work and close application to duty that such a high standard of work, as evidenced by the inspector's reports, has been maintained. In the sixth standard, 48 pupils gained proficiency, and eight competency certificates, to. the other standards about • 857 of the pnplls will received promotion. Parents are sometimes inclined to Judge the work of a school by the number of promotions, but promotion after all is only one phase of school work, and If the principles of thoroughness and perseverance are not Inculcated, at least one value of school work Is lost. The school has gained a large number of prizes In the various competitions held in writing, drawing, mapping, and composition Ir. a recent essay competition arranged ny the BPBA, this school gained about half tho prizes awarded Amor and Gibson won the junior championship for swimming and lifesaving, and so hold the Hughes Cup The football team were the runncrs-up for the primary schools championship of Taranakl. A tennis court for girls has been laid off in the Recreation Grounds. The young Helpar* Band numbers 47, and during the year raised over £4O for Dr. Barnado's Homes. Beveral Improvements in the surroundings of the school have been made during tho year, chief of which are the erection of a substantial stone wall on the eastern side, tho retarring of the" asphalt, the laying down in grass of Poverty Mat, and the Improvements to Courteniy Street grounds. The school needs a library and a museum, and when we get our accommodation improved we can set about establishing these satisfactorily. A dining hall fsatoo required so that during the winter months the-pupils may have hot cocoa with their lunch. , ■ - fc There have been several changes In tho Staß Miss G. Done resigned In May, Mrs. Abraham being appointed in her place,; in October, Mr. Howard was appointed an organising teacher. Miss Eileen Leech filling the vacancy temporarily. Mr. T. Slssons has now returned after four years' absence at the war and has resumed his old position as third assistant. Miss I. O'Brien came to us In pjace of Miss A. K. Anthony, and Miss .lemlson was transferred from Vogeltown to the infant school.- Miss .T. Cassle and Miss k. Downs Joined the staff as probationers early In the year, and are showing exceptional zeal and ability. Miss E. Bullard and Miss t Corney Intend to enter the training college next March, and Miss Hyndman has re"TVave pleasure In thanking for special prizes, Mrs. JVethey, Mrs. Wilson, the teachers, and Mr. Cobhara. Mrs. C. H. Burgess generously donated £lO for the purpose of erecting .gymnastic apparatus at the infant school. Scripture lessons has been taken during the year by the Revs. Btandell and Richards, and the classes have undoubtedly appreciated, the addresses given. It is to be regretted that Mr. Richards will probably not be here next year to continue this work. As a result of Dr. Gunn's official visit to the school It becomes evident that In tho near future the State must give more attention to the medical branch of our education system, for at the presen time many -pupils are not physically fit to perform their school tasks.

Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., chairman of the I committee then gave a short address, In which he congratulated the teachers and the scholars on the results achieved. He said the stafl at the Central School was an excellent one. In regard to the school buildings, he said it -was most important that both the lower and upper schools should be re-built at once. The committee also wanted some friends with some cash to come to their assistance in order to make it possible for them to improve the surroundings of both buildings, and he hoped that now the war was over the Central School would be made one of the best schools in the Dominion. He told the parents and friends that in all probability an appeal for assistance would be "made early in the. new year. He then wished the teachers and scholars the best of good times in their holidays, a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. The prizes were then presented by Mrs. S. G. Smith and Mrs. J. Clarke (The Mayoress), The Rev. H. Is. Richards who has conducted the scripture lessons in Standard TV presented the prizes awarded for that work. He thanked the teachers for assisting him in his work and congratulated the children who had now the prizes. Mr. Smith stated that in connection with the prizes given by the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, trie competition was for scholars in the whole of Taranaki, and in Standard V the Central School had secured the Ist,' 2nd,'3rd and 4th; in Standard TV, Ist, gnd,,4th, and in Standard 111, Ist and 2nd. The Mayor (Mr. Jas. Clarke)" who spoke briefly said he was particularly pleased to have heard the children singing and Teciting. Any system of education was unsound which did not contain some instruction in the higher arts. In regard to the Central School and its buildings he hoped they would soon be replaced by modern buildings. It was not the. fault of the Committee or the Board that the schools had not been rebuilt. If ihe people would stand behind the Committee and the Board, the desired result would be achieved. was the fault of the people of the district that the school .had hot been rebuilt long ago. He hoped they would realise the 'advantage of having a thoroughly modern and sanitary school, and stand firm behind the Board and Committee until they got it. On behalf of the citizens'of New Plymouth he extended the heartiest congratulations to the school,,and wished teachers and scholars a very enjoyable holiday and the best of festive seasons. The headmaster (Mr. H. A- Stratford) in « few remarkß said he had taken charge of the school with some fear and trembling at succeeding a gentleman who had 10 long held the position, aw 1

helped to mould the lives of bo many children. He hoped parents would not be impatient to see thev results of the changed ideas which invariably came, in the conduct of a school witl a new headmaster, and urged them to withhold judgment until the changes had a chance to prove their worth. He thanked the teachers for tUetr co-operation and wished the scholars a pleasant holiday. He also thanked the Mayor and Mayoress, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith for their attendance.

The proceedings concluded with the singing of the National Anthem, cheers for the visitors, teachers, and prizewinners, INFANT DEPARTMENT. • The infanta had their prizes presented to them at the Courtenay Street School in. the morning by Mr. and Mrs. Smith. They also sang a number of pretty aongs and nursery rhymes, which greatly delighted the parents; who were present. Mr. H. Trimble and Mr. Smith (members of the Board), and the Rev. F. G. Harvie gave brief and suitable talks to the children, all of whom received a small bag of sweets before leaving. Cheers were given for the visitors and teachers. PRIZE LIST. Following is the prize list:?— STANDARD VI.

Proficiency—Dorothoa Hodge 3 (dux). Bella Millar, Frank James, Malcolm Eobertaon, Betty Hawkins, Lizzie Elliot, Molly Haldane. Neatest Home-work Book.—Olive Noble. Needlework.—Dorothea Hodges.

Vull Attendance.—Boys: Malcolm Eobertaon, | Hugh Thilpott, Vivian Wooldridge, Guy Webb, Clarence Dlnnls, James Boswell, Alexander Gable; girls: Olive Noble, Gladys Bond, Doris Bond, Amy Chatterton. Not having missed more than five half-days. —Boys: Held Baker, Stanley Hogarth, Colin Mills, Varley Hellynr, Bex Revell, William JLeatcs, Gordon Benton, Edward Bullot; girls: Marjorle Gardner, Gwen Bullot, Eva Hardgrave, Nlta Sole, Monica Lindop, Nina Hodges, Elizabeth Hawkins, Dorothea Hodges, Jean McKenzie, Maisla Wright, Rita Buttimore, Marjorle Cook, Molly Haldane, Bella Millar, Ellen Cornoy. STANDARD V. Proficiency —Clayton Shan 1 , CeciSj l Elliot, Gladys Hogarth, Gladys Jones, Malda Julian, ■Robert Sdanlhni Clarice "MclJxoy, Albert Moverley. Improvement.—Winifred Gayton, Hazel EverNeedlework.—lvy Doughty. Full attendance.—Boys: Reginald Gibson, William Gowon, Henry Julian, Noel Milne, Robert Scanlan, Claude Shaw, Eslve Singh, Harold Capon; girls: Doris Coad, Jean Davidson, Lilian Deacon, Gladys Jones, Kathleen Webber, Beatrice Sims, Daphne Fhllpott, Nellie Penman, Ina Mullon, Honoria Moon. Not mlssßd more than flvo half-days.—On-slow Bellringer, Stanley Smith, Wanganul Noble, Norman McArtney, Clarence Jackson, Trevor Jones, Colin Derby, Jack Crutch, Sydney Cottier; girla: Marjory Boon, Ivy Doughty, Helen Baker, Cecily Elliot, Lily Frsthey, Jessie Jenkins, Lena Millar, Clarice Mcllroy, Norma Wheeler. STANDARD IV.

Proficiency.—George Huthnance, Reginald Montgomerle, Leonard Skelton, Reginald Doeg, George Wells, Stanley Andrews, Clive Shaw. General Improvement—Doreen MotHso.ii, Douglas Carter. Improvement In Writing.—Elra Honeyfleld, Nelson Beals. Special Prize for Progress (two standards In one year) .—Margaret Milne. Needlework.—Olive Amor.

Scripture.—Girls: Jessie Gray, Margaret Milnei boys: George Huthnance, George Wells. Full Attendance.—Boys: Douglas Carter, Reginald Doeg, Neville Roebuck, Nigel Webster, Kenneth Elder, Thomas Godfrey, Robin Wood; girls: Norma Johnston, Linda Wooldridge, Lorna Julian, Evelyn BUey, Evelyn Way, Leila Brett. Not having missed more than five half-days, —Boy3: Alexander Dunn, Oswald Hogg, Lorenza Hogg, Harold Reed, Clive Shaw, Harold Waters, Royce Ward, Reginald Montgomerle, Norman Lealand; girls: Gladys Sraale, Jessie Gray, Eileen Shrlmpton, Vera Mountford, STANDARD 111. Proficiency.—Lois Wilson, Frank Davis, Basil Elder, Mavis Pascoe, Cecil Smith, Colin Campbell, Fay Wright. Homework.—Elsie Ward. Improvement.—John Warner, Mary Lee. . Needlework.—Theo. Derby. Special Progress (two standards In one year).—Robert Parkinson Arithmetic—Lily Clow.

Improvement In Writing.—Alison Robinson. Full Attendance —Boys: Stanley Billing, Ray Cobham, Basil Elder, Charles Hartley, J-eslle Jordan, Robert Parkinson; girls: Grace Braunton. Hazel Buckle, Lois Broolter, Eita Hardgraves, Nancy Hall, Hadgo Hurlstone, Ruby Jordan, Patricia Milne, Delma Roebuck, Lois Wilson.

Not having missed more than five half-days. —Boys: Andrew Bennoch, Colin Campbell, Allan Goodacre, Fred Horsup, Albert .Jenkins, Cecil Smith; girls: Beatrice Berg, Mavis Pascoe, Joyce Waters, Elsie Waters, Mavis PelSTANDARD 11. Proficiency.—Aline Wells, Leah Hnughton, Rita Johnston, Laura Hammond, Cyril Hayden, Jean Julian, Walter .Tones. Drawing.—Noel Gardiner. Spelling.—Ralph Girling. Sewing.—Jean Julian; Kits Johnston (special). Improvement.—Marjorle Cliff and Arthur Howlett. Porseverance.—Betty Hagger and Leslie Remington. Full Attendance.—Boys: William Dlvehall, David Elliot, Walter Jones, Roy Reveli, Sydney Rovell; girls: Madgo Julian, Florence McKenzlo, Ivy Ward. Not having missed more than five half-days. —Boys: Lawrence Briggs, Frank Everest, Noel Gardiner, Arthur Howlett, Carl Julian, Alfred Llndop, Colin Terrill, Carl Utigei, Stanley White; girls: Lena Capon, Zetland Hardgrave, Rita Johnston. STANDARD I.

Proficiency.—Arthur Wells, Hazel Ford, Nancy Gardner, Mavis Wooldridge, Roy Mcllroy, James Smith, Itita Cobham, Malcolm Cottam. Special Proficiency.—Florence Peterson. Needlework.—lda Hanrlght. Progress.—Norma Bell, Ruby Sims, Perseverance.—Cyril Mnddock, Dorothy Bell. Drawing.—Florence Peterson. Full Attendance—Boys: Vincent Bond, Malcolm Cobham, Roy Edgecombe, Alan Henderson, Cyril Maddock, Richard Williams, Ernest Webber; girls: Rita Cobham, Nancy Gardner, Phylliß Guthrie, Lilian Dennis, Jou.i Goodall, Nora Hall, Betty Henderson, Gertrude Hardgrave, Marjorle Hoskin, Alice Maxwell, Ella Way.

Not having missed more than five half-days. —Boys: Robert Utlgcr, Ken Ward. Melville Wood, Neville Gardiner, Walter Elliot, Herbert Brewery, Raymond Bullot; girls: Dorothy Bell, Mar'orle Hoskin, Weavers McKay, Irene Smith, Dorothy Waldock, Marvis Wooldridge, Marjorle Thomson. PRIMER 111. Proficiency.—Mona Scott, Edith Hedley, Bonlta Stanley, Frances Northern, Nancy Moon. Best Progress for Year. —Howard Cooper, Kenneth Smith, Justice Wilson. Reading—Olaf Glover. Writing.—Phyllis Harvey. Recitation.—Clare Nlxoa. Scripture—Tom Parkinson, Grace May. Full Attendance—Boys: Melville Andrews, Gordon Deacon, Arthur Hall, Sam Parkinson, Douglas Roebuck, Richard Stewart, Dulcie Cobb, Mavis Cobham; girls: Decima Elliot, Phyllis Harvey, Frances Northern, Emily Pearco, Mona Scott, Bonlta Stanley, Grace May. Not having missed more than five half-days. —Boys: Maurice Blackburn, Malcolm Clow, Olaf Glover, Bay Hogarth, Ernest Hardgrave, Ronald Lealand; girls: Justice Wilson, Jean Girling, Pauline Julian, Phyllis Kltchingham, Nancy Moon, Clare Nixon. PRIMER 11. rroflcieney.—Rowe Dingle, Guy Harvie, Lance Williams, Percy Boulton, Allan.Wood. Scripture.—Allan Wood. Good Progress.—Douglas Boulton. Full Attendance.—Willie O'Donnell and Ethel Erethey. Not having missed more than Ave half-days. —Allan Wood. PRIMER I. Proficiency.—Jesaio Ward, Alwyn Glover, Kenetith Hoa, Rita Richardson. Good Progress.—Betty Lee, Harold Thompson. Scripture.—Philip Milne. Not having missed more than five half-days. —Fred Julian and Hugh Hardgrave. ESSAY COMPETITION. Prizes donated by the S.P.C.A., open to all schools in Taranaki:— Standard V.—Albert Moverley ], Clayton Shaw and Ina Mullon 2, Helen Baker 3, Gladys Hogarth 4. Standard IV.—George' Huthnance \, George Weils 2, Margaret Milne 4. Standard in,—Edward Barclay, Fred Sttsffer-