WEST END SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1920, Page 3

WEST END SCHOOL.

PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY. ' The annual break-up ceremony in connection with the West End School was held last night, when there was a large attendance of parents and visitors. The 'chairman of the committee (Mr. J. S. S. Medley) presided, and remarked on the very successful year experienced by the school. The year opened with an attendance of ">O2 and the roll number at the close was 547. The speaker said all parents Would join with the committee in congratulating the headmaster, (Mr. Evans) on Hie very gratifying results achieved. In reviewing the work of (he committee, Mr. Medley mentioned that the gala day held recently would result in the park committee and the school committee dividing the sum of £l2O. A large amount of the credit was due to the lady members of the staff for the work in connection with the gala. The evening's programme consisted of a number of musical items, followed by the presentation of the headmasters report and the distribution of prizes. Among those present were the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson), Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., and the chairman of the Taranaki Education Board (Mr. P. J. White).

HEADMASTER'S REPORT. The following report was presented by the headmaster (Mr. D. P. Eyans) : It is again my privilege to report n moat successful year's work. Though tho continuity of tho work has suffered considerably through tho prevalence of epidemics and sickness amongst both staff and scholars, the results hare heen surprisingly good. In the standards from 1 to 5, inclusive, the percentage of promotions Is 92V£, and of those who failed to sain promotion the majority arc pupils from other schools; By these remarks I do not wish to convey the impression that the work of other schools In any respect Inferior to that done In our own school, but changes of environment, of schemes of work, of method, and disparity in standard of promotion tend to impose a penalty on these unfortunate scholars.

In the proficiency examination, 38 pupils gained the coveted honor; six gained the competency certificate, there being only one failure. Here again three of those securing competency are from other schools, as is also the case of the one who failed. Since submitting cny last report two of our pupils, Lesley Bell and Walter Nash, were advised of, <heir Aaving wpn the .Duniot Nation?! Scholarship.

At tho :• -.76111 Show, this school again won the ShJ'::: fur essay competitions. Owing to loss c:' time through epidemics and sickness we hare not .entered into so many competitions tills year. The sports side of school life has received considerable impetus since the advent of our esteemed and valued assistant master, Mr. E. H. Rowntrce, who, sometimes at great inconvenience and personal sacrifice, has willingly given up his time for the furtherance of this Important branch of school work. In this respect we have deplorable disabilities to overcome owirft to lack of playground accommodation. We eitend to tho Western Park Board our heartfelt thanks in placing at our disposal the grounds tinder their control, otherwise little could have been done.

In footbnl! we entered a senior and a junior team in the competitions, the latter securing first place. Two girls', hockey teams were entered in the schools' Thursday competitions, and the cricket team has concluded tie first round of the Saturday competitions. In close association with sports let me mention physical instruction, which forms a feature of our dally routine of duties. During the latter months of the year, on the recommendation of Dr. Gunn, tooth brush crill was inaugurated, and I venture to say that for the future it will told a permanent place on our time-tables. Let us not forget to mention the moral aspect of school life. A fine moral tone prevails throughout the school. I wish to commend the pupils on their splendid spirit of loyalty towards the school and all that pertains to Its welfare. We do not forget the valuable assistance extended to us -by the parents. Further It has been our endeavour to interest the pupils to an active participation In public Junctions, no thai thty may realise their responsibilities in future years. Incidentally this frequently inculcates the spirit of self-sacrifice for the benefit of others. On behalf of the staff I wish to extend our gratitude to tte school committee for the Interest they take In school affairs, to the parents for their hearty co-operation, to the Education Board and their staff for their courtesy at all times, to the school inspectors tor the assistance, sympathy and encourageirent they tave extended to us. Mr. Evans concluded by expressing appreciation of the excellent work done bv the staff and In bidding farewell to the scholars who hud completed their term at the school.

PRIZE LIST. The prize list was as follows: Standard Vl—General Proficiency: Ivy Bennett, Ist and Dux of school. Eileen Smith 2. Audrey Hasell 3, Marjorie Dobell 4, John G.xlbralth R, Clement Hill 0. Vull Attendance.—Ronald Connett. Lan Shr.w. William Slmmonds, Audrey Hasell, Eileen Smith. Spscial Prizes.—Alan Brodie (Mr. Medley's prize for essay) ; Gladys Reed (sewing prize).

Sti'i'rinrd V.—Proficiency: Fcny Holmes 1, Leslie Hill 2, Jean Smart 3, Thelma Knott 4, Du'cle Jury 5, Theo Bailey «. Tu'l attendance—Percy Holmes, Allan Woodham. Ashley Petty, Thelma Knott, Dorothy Morton. Special Prizes.—Percy Holmes (Mr. Medley's prize for essay); Bessie Sole (sowing); Arnold Thomas (most improvement); Mary Garcia . tad Jack Medley (progress); Leslie BLukxy ind Alma Wilton (dlllget.M) ; Louisa Robinson and Ashley Petty (general [usefulness). I Standard rV.-rProflclency: Mary Harrison 1, Mavis Ward 2, Thelma Stone 3, Margaret Walklns 4, Alexander Scott 5, Winnie James

Full Attendance.—William Baldock, Fred Bensley, Norman Hill, Ida Gilbert, Nellie Simmon ds.

| Special Prizes.—Mary Harrison (Mr. Medi ley's prize for essay); Phyllis Berridge (sewing prtw); Allan Mackay and Vera Panckhurst (improvement) ; Mavis Ward (general usefulness); Norman Hill (progress).

Standard lll.—Ctass Prizes: Esraa Barnes 1, Dorotly Coleman 2, Zelda Jury 3, Stella Jensen 4, Raynal Jensen 5, Cecil Sorensen 8. Full attendance.—Jean Hawker, Zelda Jury, Vida Lister, Raynal Jensen, Cecil Lobb, Charlie Harris George Slramonds, Keith Whitehead.

Special Prizes—Dotthy Coleman (Mr. Medley's prize for essay); Winnie Buse (sewlnj); Olive Richardson (most Improvement); Jack Pratt and Mabel Gore (good progress).

Standard ll.—Class Prizes: Arthur Bell 1, Maud lilbert 2, Frank Harrison 3, Rou Bailey 4, Gwen Winter 5, Roy Grumwald C.

Full Attendance.—Maude Gilbert, Arthur Bell, Rou Bailey, Roy Grumwald. Special Prizes—Kitty Wooller (Mr. Medley's prize for essay); Vera Thompson, (sjwin?); Noellne Magnussnn (neatness). Standard I.—Class Prizes: Barnbara Stone 1, Josephine Stone 2, Myrtle Howlett 3, Josephine Evans 4, Dora Hodge 5, Kathleen Dailey and Hugh Mackay (equal) 5, Eric Bensley 7. Pull Attendance.—Vivian Okey, Josephine Stcr.e.

Special Prizes.—Josephine Stone (Mr. Modley's prize for essay); Barbara Stone (Mr. Grelner's prize for essay) ; Alice Hawkes (sewing prize); Jean Charters (goud progress). PRIMER CLASSES. Tte. prizes in the primer classes wei'3 presented by Mrs. Medley at a function In the aiternoon. The list was as follows: Primer lll.—Class Prizes: Flcdda Young 1. Freda Phillips 2, Myra Blyde 3, Keitha Hughes and Phyllis Yardley (equal). Full attendance: Fred Whltaker. Special: Basil Jury, Charles Baddeley. Primer ll.—Class Prizes: Barbara Collinge 1, Phyllis Smith 2, Lucy Grumwald 3, Donald JUolun *. full auen&tßst: Franw* Van

de Water, Zelda Sutherland. Spfclii: Eva Goodln, Esmond Molloy. Good attendance: Leonard Lobb.

Primer I.—Class Prizes: Margaret Chris, tiansen 1, Olive Deigliton 2, Norman Push 3, Norman Gilbert 4. Full attendance: Narlss.x Buldock. Special: Muriel McKay, Alice Jeffries- Every otter child received a book.

Doll Dressing Competition.—Class .A: E'-cen Smith ss, Mary Garcia (special) Is. f'ass B: Greta Jenkinson ss. Class C: Stella Jensen ss, Jean Smart (special) 2s (id. Class D: Allan Woodham (set of clothes) ss, Alex. Scott (special) 3s.

Yesterday aftcrnon a handsome donation of chocolates for junior scholars was received from Mr. ilanchard.