SCHOOLS BREAK-UP.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1920, Page 8

SCHOOLS BREAK-UP.

CENTRAL SCHOOL 1 There was a crowded attendance at the Workers' Social Hall yesterday afternoon when the Central School's breaking-up ceremony was held. The chairman of the committee (Mr, S. <i. Smith, M.P.) presided. In the course of some remarks during .the function, lie stated that as a member of the Education Board he was in a position to know as to the work being done at the Central and Courtenay Street schools, and the school district had every reason to be proud of the calibre of the teachers controlling the constitutions, • the headmaster (Mr. Stratford) being backed up by an excellent staff.

fti connection with the proposal for a new school, Mr. Smith said it had been stated thyt the application for the grant must stand over in the meantime. He believed it would be continually deferred until every frieud of the school pestered the authorities with communications insisting that a new building was necessary in order to facilitate the work of the teachers and igive the children healthier surroundings.

The chairman said it was gratifying to see such a large attendance, this demonstrating that a good deal of interest was being taken in the work. He hoped that the time was not far distant when they wouT3 be able to participate in the function of laying the foundation stone of a new Central School.

A short musical programme was given by the pupils, and the quality of tlieii work was pleasing to note, the singing and elocutionary items, being very enjoyable. The school prizes were presented by the Mayoress (Mrs. F. E. Wilson) , and Mrs. Smith, and the Mayor addressed a few appropriate words to the children.

ANNUAL REPORT. The headmaster (Mr. Stratford) delivered his annual report as follows: At the commencement of the year, the number on the roll of the Central School was 014; It is' now li2<i. The attendance has been very seriously affected by epidemics, there being an average of about 100 absentees daily. Such a reduction In the average attendance will, unless the special clause in the Act Is availed of, reduce* the teaching staff for 1921. On the staff at present there are 11 assistants and 0 junior teach'ers.

Sickness amongst the teachers has been very frequent; at one period there were 4 tachers absent on sick leave, and it is only during the last quarter that all tie teachers have been present. One wonders whether the cause of this sickness does not lie in the congsted class-rooms and the size of the classes.

There hare been several changes in the personnel of the staff during the year.- Mr. S.issons, third assistant, resigned in April to take up fnrm'jig, and was succeeded in August by Mr, Mcßean. Miss Campbell resigned in October,-her place being filled temporarily by Miss E. Leech. Miss Scott and Miss Mountford Joined the staff at the bcginuina of the year as assistant teachers, while Misses Frank, Olson, Roberts and Williams were appointed junior teachers, and are doing very good' work. Miss Fugle is at present acting as relieving assistant. Miss Cassie and Miss Downs leave for the University early next year: both these young iadles have given excellent serv'ire !.n every way, and I should like to express my apreclatlon of their zeal and ability and of the great assistance they lave given during their two years at the school. The inspectors, in their report of the an-

nual visit, classed the order, discipline, and tone or the school as "very good," attt ihe

general efficiency as "very Rood" also. At' the recent examination of Standard VI., fifty pupils gained proficiency, six competency, and two failed. This la undoubtedly a highly creditable result.

In outdoor sports, footttall, cricket, and rounders have been fa-ken up enthusiastically, \vl:'le tenuis has received some attention. For

the past 2\ f z yearn the boys' playground has; not been available, Pukekura Park having to be used instead, (tames in the Immediate vicinity of the school have therefore been somewhat bnndjc.nj.l9d. HoavfcWor, Poverty Flat is now ready for use again, but to Keep

It In proper order for games a lawn-imbwer will be required. At the Winter Show several; prizes for mapping drawing, and writing were won. In

the North Taranakl schools' writing competition, tire Central School gained the senior

and the junior silver medals, and'nine other prizes In swimming, thirty certificates were gaiued, sis by girls and /twenty-four by boys. The erection by the committee of two bicycle sheds supplies a long-felt want. Tooth-brush drill is now taken daily during 3chool hours, and the response and co- j operation of the parents in the matter have ben most encouraging; In fact, over 99 per cent, of the pupils l ave undertaken/' the task. The Department is 'now about to increase very considerably the number of school dental nurses who, after a period of intensive training, will undertake simple fillings and extractions. Their employ-1 ment will allow the unore highly qualified j dentists of the service to devote their higher skill <and knowledge to the more difficult branches of the woTk. This seems to meet all reasonable demands, and is a promising contribution to the health and welfare of the men and women of to-morrow.

Although our teachers are zealous and keen in their work, their efforts are necessarily handicapped by the very large classes. There Is always a percentage of pupils who require considerable individual attention, but where tl:e classes are so large the special attention necessary for the thorough educational progress- of these canrtot always be fully given. The ideal class is one of about thirty pupils, but here our classes average seventy-five to eighty. A forward movement !.n connection with the I rebuilding of the infant school has been | made during the year, so perhaps in the : near future a new school at Courtenay Street | will be an established fact. The last report | «)f the inspectors contained the following remarks:—"With a roll number of 185 at this time of the year (August), and the total floor space of 1800 square feet there Is not nearly enough free space for the conduct of infant roam operations on modern lines. Further, the approaches to tie rooms are most unsuitable. Hence there is need for effort to secure improved conditions at the sehcol." I have pleasure in thanking for generous donations towards the prize fund: Mr. and Mrs. Frethey. Mrs. F. Wilson, Mrs P. Boyd, Mrs. J. B. Thomson, Mrs. A. L. Moore, Mrs S. Smith. Mrs. Martin, Messrs. S. G. Smith, W. S. Cobham, M. Avery, T. Avery, W. W. Smith, C. Hodges, W. Girling, P. Coleman, and the teachers. • In conclusion. I. wish to thank the members of the committee for their valued support given at all times so fully and voluntarily. • PRIZE LIST.

Standard Vl.—Proficiency: Clayton Shaw (Dux), Joseph Mountjoy, Jean McKenzlc. Albert Moverly, Lily Frethey, Clarice Mcllroy. Improvement: Rosa Pedersen. Neatest home-work book: Beryl Taylor. Sewing: Mavis Collins, Clarice, Mcllroy (special). Cricket: Batting average, Roy Ingram; bowling average, Henry Julian. Cookery: Lily Frethey, Daphne Phllpott (progress). Standard 5. —Proficiency: Linda Wooldrid,-,e, Margaret Milne. Vera Mouutford, Allsa White. Bertha Coleman, Marjorie Ladner, ICovn Smith, Leonard Skelton. Improvement: Josisp Gray. Wrltpng (sp^elal).—Dorrvl)~y Hellyar. Homo Work: Linda Wooldridge,! Vera Mountford. General excellence: Elsie Rawlinson. Needlework: Olive Amor.' Woodwork and drawing: George Hutbnance. Cookery: Elsie Rawlinson, Grace Adams. Cookery (Improvement): Jean Smith, Evelyn Liley. Membership of Carnegie Library: 1311 tie Rawlinson, Eova Smith, Thomas s Godfrey, Reginald Montgomerle. Standard 4—Proficiency: Lois Wllsnn, Frank Davie, Mavis Paacfli. 7av Wright,

Grace Baunton, Cecil Smith, Keitha Boulton. Homework: Cecil Smith, Lois Brooker. Moat Improvement In class: Ruby Jordan 1, Bay Jury 2. Needlework: Nancy Hall and Mary tee 1, Marguerite Randall 2. Improvement ,ta cricket: Leonard Knight. Standard 3.—Proficiency: Leah Haughfon, Jean Julian, Walter Jones, Harry Kendrick, Launa Hammond, Rita Johnston, Joyce Witters, Cyril Hayden. English and spelling: Walter' Jones. English: Edna Wooidridge 1. Ida Lovegrove 2. Improvement: Marjory Cliff and Leslie Remington 1, Rita Hardgrave (arMhmotiio). 11'yWa Harvey (composition). Home work: Wililam Lee. Sewing: Jaan Julian. Cricket: Frank Everest. Standard 2.—Proficiency: Moyvis Wooldridge, Malcolm Cottam, Edna Macfarlano, fluby Sims, Nola Iloneyfleid, Neville Gardiner, Roy Mcllroy, Walter Elliot. Special Proficiency: Dulcie Bennett. Improvement: Penrose .Boyd, NoVman Bell. Needlework: Aneesie Zemba. Homework: Phyllis Guthrie, Florence Jenklnson.

Standard I.—JProfloiendy: Jean. Girling, Douglas Elliot, Phyllis Harvey, Nellie Kendricks, Nancy Moon, Miriam Allen, Phyllis Kitchlnglianv Improvement: Kenneth Smith. Needlework* NeHle Ivendrlcks. General neatness: Justin Wilson. Fairy tale: Miriam Allen, first year.

Primer Hl.—Proficiency: Mona Smart, Percy Bouiton, Stella Webb, Dorothy Childerstone, Jack Birch, Doris Smith, Ella Webber. Oral work: Willie Baylis, Phillip Napier Milne. Writing.—Dorothy Childerstone and Colin Molllson. -Scripture: Willie Baylis, Rows Dingle. Best progress for year: Willio Liley. Pull attendance: Percy Boulton, Douglas Boulton, Willie Liley.

IMI .—Proficiency: Ttelma Ward, Leslie O'Donnell, Grace Capon, Wilfred Burrows. Scripture: Hugh Hardgrave, Herbert Blackmore. Best Note Book: Bhoda Buddy, Ken Rea.

P.l.—Proficiency: Nlta Gopperth, Roy Hague, Elite Edgecombe, .Tnyce Williams. Scripture: John Beck. Oral work: Blchard Gruszning.' Full attendance: Jean Llnklater, Norman Utiger. CERTIFICATES OF PROFICIENCY. Standard VI.—C. Baunton, 0. Bellrlnger, J. Carr, H. Capon, C. Cook, G. Fitzslmmons, R. Goodacre, W. Gowen, W. Grooinbridge, H. Hartnell, R. Ingram, C. Jackson, T. lanes, H. Julian, A. Moverley, N. McArtney, J. Mountjoy, W. Noble, C. Shaw, E. Singh, N. Wadman, H. Baker, A. Bell, M. Boon, D. Bond, H. Bullock. D. Coad, J. Collins, M. Collins, I. Doughty, C. Elliot, Elliot, H. Everiss, Lr Frelhey, P. Gray, W. Gayton, G. Hogarth, G. Jones, M. Julian, C. Krotschmar, C. Mcllroy, J. McKenzie, 1. Million, M. Newell, D. Philpott, R. i'edersen, H. Russell, A. Scrivener, B. Sims, N. Wheeler, A. Wiley.. flertlfMates <•( Oman, M. Scrimgeour, E. Utiger, E. Lepper, B; Taylor, V. Webster. WESTOWN SIDE SCHOOL.

The brcaklng-up ceremony In connection with the Weslown Side School took place In the Westown nail yesterday. Mr. A. R. Davies, chairman of the Frankle.v Committee, presided, there being a good attendance of parents and pupils. The. chairman apologised for the absence of Mr. R. ..

Deare, member of the Board. A short (musical programme was rendered and mucl" Appreciated, the items being as follows: Pianoforte solo, Mlsa Warren; song, "Nursery Soldiers," school children; recitation, "A Complaint," Reggie Styles; song, "Bubbles," children; recitation, "Grand Ma's Angel," Nlta Garcia; recitation, "Puppy Dog Tan," small children; song, "Fairy Tales," Hedley Eva, and song "Memories," Miss Warren. The headmaster, Mr. A. V. Sims, In his report, referred to the good progress the , school had made, both in the number of ; pupils and in tl:c quality of the work. The roll number at the beginning of the year was 55, and it now stood at 59, the accommodation being taxed to the utmost. With the steady growth in the population, before long a larger school would be required. He praised the faithful and efficient services of the mistresses, Miss Warren and Miss Hodder, and stated that the Inspector's report showed that very good work had been -done, some being excellent, and he congratulated the teachers and pupils on the result. In concluding he wished the teachers and pupils I a merry Christmas and a happy and pros-' pepous New Year, and hoped they would enjoy their holidays. The cbiirmnn, after expressing* disappointment at the apparent lack of interest taken in tho school by the residents, said they were fortunate in having such an excellent staff, the fact that every child had passed being an eloquent tribute. He expressed regret at tho approaching departure of Misses Dueker and Elliott, who were finishing tfcelr time as probationers. Ho then presented the prizes as follows:

Standard lll.—Reggie Styles 1, Sydney Tonka 2, Howard Coad 3'; progress, William Quayten.

Standard ll,—Alice Garcia 1, Paul Sowerby 2, Edith Garcia 3; Claude Bills, Alan Jury, Mejvyn Lobb, Kenneth Putt, Gilbert- Penwarden, Gordon Sole, Alice Autridgc, Joan Coad, Gwendoline Eva, Edith Geddes, Annie Medway, Edna Simons, Ruby Wilton. Standard I. —Thelma Simons 1, Doreen Lobb 2, Dorothy Geddes 3; Raymond Coad, Raymond Lander, Bertram Penwarden, Leslie Warr, Shirley Washbourne, Flossie Thomas. Printer lll.—Maxwell Davies, Leslie Lander, Royce Lobb, George Medway, Stella Autridgc, Winifred Hayloclc, Violet Johnstone, Mabel Lobb, Hazel Richardson, Marjorie Sole. Primer 11. and I.—Ralph Autrldge, Hcdley Eva, Newton Cowling, Allan Johnstone, Frank Jollle, Mnitland Morrison, Bertie Oliver Join Putt, Gordon Thomas, Nina Cond, Muriel Duncan, Constance Eva, Grace Haylock, Myrtle Krutz, Marjorie Lobb, Irene Medway, Phyllis Revell, Lilian Wallath, Loris Kahui. Attendance prizes were awarded as follows: Howard Coad, Raymond Coad, Nina- Coad, Alan Jury, Edith Garcia, Phyllis Revell (full attendance). Special prizes were awarded to: Std. 11, Alice Garcia (vigilance and highest marfcs); Joan Coad (special effort); Gordon Sole (good conduct).

Primers. —Primer III: Leslie Lander, (excellent work), Hn2el Richardson (diligence), Mabel Lobb (diligence); Primer I, Nlta Gar* cia (excellent work); Primer 11./ Newton Cowling (excellent work). After a brief address by Mr. J. Garcia, the children and adults present, were entertained to afternoon tea provided by the ladle* ot the district, who were given three olreers us were also the teachers and chairman. Ref>ro d.'perslng. the children were g'wn '(!• lies doi.'fittd by Miss Warren, j | COURTENAY STREET SCHOOL.

The hroaking-up ceremony in connection! with the Courtenay Street infants' school, a branch of the Central School, took place yesterday morning wl.cn, despite the inconvenient hour, there was a large gathering of parents and friends. Prior to the distribution of prizes the children entertained those present with songs and recitations.

Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P. (chairman of the Central School Committee), in the course of a happily worded little speech, mentioned the fact that the section adjoining the school had been purchased, and plans would shortly be drawn up foT an up-to-date tl:ree-roamed or possibly four-roomed, school.

Before dispersing the children were each presented with a hag of lollies. Mrs. Smith presented the prizes as follows: Proficiency.—Prtaier lll.—Mona Smart 1, Percy Boulton 2, Stella Webb and' Dorothy Childerstone (einml) " B,'.Tark'-Birch 4, Doris Smith 5. Ella Webber 6; oral work, Willie Bnylis 1, Philip Napier-Milne 2; writing, Dorothy Childerstone and Colin Mollisou {equal) 1; drawing, Gordon Linklater; scripture, Willie Bnylis 1, Howe Dingle 2; b«?st progress for year, Willie Liley; full attendance for year, Percy Boulton, Douglas Boulton, Willie Liley; steady progress for year, j Lance Williams. I Primer II. —Proflcilency, Thaflma Ward 1, Leslie O'Donnell 2, Grace Capon 3, Wilfred Burrows 4 ; scripture, Hugh Hardgravo 1, Herbert Bhu-kmore 2; best note books, Rhnc.n , Ruddy, Ken Rea.

Primer I.—'Proficiency, INita Roy Hogue 2, Ellis Edgecombe 3, Joyce Williams 4; scripture, John Beck; drawing, lan Slssnn: oral work, Dick Grussnlng; full attendance for year, Jean L'inklater, Notuuu Uua«r.