FITZROY SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1919, Page 9

FITZROY SCHOOL.

The annual breaking-up ceremony ii connection with the Fitzroy School tool place in the Fitzroy Hall last night Mr G. G. Grover, chairman of the Schoo Committee presided, and (here was i good attendance of parents. The chairman, in welcoming those pre sent, apologised for the absence of Mi W. G. Reid. He thanked the ladie for the ungrudging assistance that hai made the recent carnival the eucces that it had been. It had resulted in : net profit of £C4, which, with th subsidy would give £124, which ha< been allocated for the express purposi of improving the school grounds; th scheme of which he outlined. He als< thanked those who had responded to th appeal for funds for the prizes, H hoped the children who had not go prizes would not be disappointed. Th majority of the children, however, wer so close that it should be possible fo other children by hard work to wii next year. He wished them a iapp; and prosperous New Year. Mr. P. J. H. White, a membeT of tin Taranaki Education Board, urged tht boys and girls leaving school not tc forget that their education was not finsihed yet. In fact, whether going to work or attending a High School or Technical School, they would find their education was only starting, and he urged them to make the best of it, and he gave an illustration of what could be done. He advised those who had not taken prizes to work hard during the coming year.

A' short programme was then rendered by the children, the audience showing their appreciation by unstinted applause. The children showed the results of careful training by the teachers and application on their" own part. The chairman remarked that there had been no special preparation for the concert, the items submitted beiug the everyday work of the school. The programme was as follows: Pianoforte solo, Elsie Parkin; class recitation, "Bruce and the Spider," Standard III.; song and chorus, "The Blue Bells of Scotland," Standards IV., V., and VI.; recitation, "Three Wise Old Men," William Brewster; class recitation, "King Henry IV. to his Son," Standards V- and VI.; song and chorus, "Though the Road be Long," Standard 111., class recitation, "Travelled," Standard IV.; recitation, "When Pa is 111, and When Ma is. Ill," Te Rata Day; class recitation, "The Wind and the Rain," Standard III.; Mis 9 Gibson played the accompaniments. HEADMASTER'S REPORT. The hoadmaster (Mr. 0. Johnson) reported that the work of the school had gone on uninterruptedly, and that the scholars had acquitted themselves well was attested by the good report given by the Inspectors in connection with the recent examination* Mr. Ballantyne having sent in one of the best reports the school had ever had. The results of the examinations were very good, most of,the children showing an eagerness and alertness that must make for success. There were, of course, a number of failures, but It would be titter folly to promote those who were not thoroughly qualified for the work of a higher standard. His honest opinion was that many scholars pass from the primary schools before they are fit to do so, and he felt that a large percentage could with advantage be kept in one of the upper standards for a period of two years. The roll number was steadily increasing, and from the number of residences in course of erection it was likely to Increase rapidly in the near future. Some of the rooms—(more particularly the Infants' room—were overcrowded and he trusted that before long a separate building with modern equipment would be provided for that Important department. It was a surprlso that parents had not awakened to the fact that Instead of being as a rule the dingiest and most unsightly erection In the district, the school buildings where the children spend such a large part of their time should be an ornament to and the centre of attraction in the district. That the physical culture was not neglected was shown by the programme submitted at the recent carnival. As soon as the necessary apparatus was Installed tooth brush drill would be held at least once every day. Organised game 3 played a large part in the training, mental and moral, as well as physical, and he considered the playground should bo large enough to enable cricket and football to be played. Unfortunately, the ground was too small .to pqrrjit of this being done with safety, and he was In dally fear of a serious accident. As soon as the recently purchased section was put In order the girls would bo able to play rounders, etc., without fear of breaking tho school windows.

The only change In the staff had been one caused by the Ulricas of Miss Locke, who was replaced by Mr. Antes. Misses Gibson and Bawllnson had completed their period of apprenticeship, and wouifi be retiring at the end of the year. Both had quallOed for a full D certificate, and he expressed regret at losing such capable and efficient co-workers. He thankod the whole staff for their co-opera-tion and loyal support. He gave some good advise to those boys and girls who were leaving the school, and In conclusion he wished all a happy and prosperous New Year. THE PRIZE LIST. rrizes wero then presented as follows : STANDARD I. Highest Marks—Boys: Willie Bounsall; girls: Beryl Govenloch. General Progress.—Arthur Allsop, Mary Hoskln, Girlie Sorenson. Obedlcnco and Neatness.—Flo Chlvers. STANDARD 11. Highest Marks.—Boys: Thomas Clarke; girls: Koa Day. General Progress.—Nolan Braceglrdle, Madge Taylor. STANARD 111. Highest Marks.—Boys: Percy Grover; girls: Alma Christian. General Progress.—lvy Bock, Rita Fenwlck, Fred flunter, Roy Locke, Jordan Rogers. General Improvement.—Leslie Barlow. STANDARD IV.

.- H ,', sll l at Marks.—Boys: Wm. Brewster; girls: Nellie Taylor. General Progress—Arthur Christian, Merlnda Richards, Harry Anthony, Vlnsen Aroa. STANDARD VI. T( H »™'jMarks.— Boys: Ivan Pepperell; girls: General Progress.—Richard Bates, Don McDougall, Ruth Lovell. STANDARD VI.

Highest Marks.—Boys: Gordon Colson; girls Eileen Cleland.

Special Prizes.-Standard VI.-Gcneral ProR iJ7» P' Thos - AvCT - v) ; J" 1 " 1 UcnonJ-ii elpf r uluess ; Oreille Huggard (Mrs. Bni^ 8 care: Keith Koberts (Mr. Bates) Diligence: Edna Bint (Miss West) Standard V.-Composltion: Ivan Pepperel th?piv l, M M *„ resen «"l by the Society for %»„5 IJI™ of „ Cniel 'y to Animals). (o S, S2&) H " p at Dr "' : C """™"

r™i™ 68 were " res ™ted as follows :- p,>„™ °?. Coison lst hl e h lump (Mrs. Grover) • I slif Pv r croft , l 2 ,? d "I 8 " 3ump (Mrs - » jesue lycrott Ist sack race; Hector Hawkins Stod «ck race; Roy Yardley', Ist toe-legged dlvislon: Ellee » Cleawarded B ' nt 2; Jm,lor dlvlsion »<" *<*

bv T Mr PI S/ or ," le best k Wt garden presented rwm mson . have not bo ™ adjudged yet Irene PaX °l.P roflo^ y to SGorlon'colfo'f' 1 Ke " h **««".

Three cheers were given those who contnbuted the prizes, the Committee, the chairman, and the staff The National Anthem concluded the gathering. i '

The primer classes had their breakingat thH Ha)l in tl,e ""emoon, when there was a fair attendance of mothers end friends who were greatly ™ k'm th 6 itema e iven *y the young cluldren. These consisted of action song,, b ased on Mrs rh together wit i, WBm lw / f^ s Gjb3en P acc on , paaimßnt ,

spirit and precision. Miss Andrews, infant mistress, was in charge of the arrangements, and she is to be congratulated on the excellent way in which the whole business was carried out. The prizes were distributed by Mrs. Grover, wife of the chairman of the committee, and as each child was a recipient they were all delighted, and willingly joined in the acclamation to Mrs. Grover for her services. The proceedings were commendably brief and pleasing to the' visitors, while the beaming countenances ■ of the young folk as they left the hall 1 showed they had thoroughly enjoyed the ■ whole affair.