VOGELTOWN SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1922, Page 7

VOGELTOWN SCHOOL.

END OF THE YEAR. CONCERT AND PRIZE-GIVING. On the eve of the holidays, it was only natural that the children of the Vogeltown School should be wearing happy, smiling faces last night, when the breakmg-up ceremony and distribution of prizes took place. Mr. V. Griffiths (chairman of the committee) presided over a large gathering of children, parents and friends. Proceedings opened with the singing of the National anthem. A short concert programme was then given, and those present keenly appreciated all the items submitted. Details of the programme are: Song, senior girls; recitation, Ronald Rowse; song, infant boys; re.Uu.tion, Dulcie Pepper; song, junior girls; recitation, Harry Peel; song, senior girls; recitation, May Tippins and Violet Hoskin; song, infant girls; rec.tation, Winnie Pepper; song junior girls; recitation, Margaret and Edna Walsh; song, infant girls; reading, Melville Pepper; song, junior boys; recitation, Ethel Ellis; song, junior boys and girls. CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS. A welcome to the parents was extended by the chairman, who said the children had worked hard during the year, and he hoped they would enjoy their holidays and come back better for the change. Touching on the work of the year, Mr. Griffiths expressed thanks to the headmaster and the teachers, who bad worked so harmoniously together during the year. There had not been the slightest friction among the committee, while the staff had been excellence iteslf, and, on behalf of the committee, he thanked them for the good work they had done. (Applause.) He would like to read the senior inspector’s report on the school, but this it was not permissible to make public. The accommodation at the school was crowded, and the Sunday-school had to be used for the younger classes. The playground, too, was cramped, bflt, though nothing definite had been arranged, there was a big prospect of two acres adjoining the school being obtained. During the past week the Education Board had placed £156 10s to the committee’s credit, this being part subsidy on the amount of £234 net ra sed as a result of the effort made in November, 1921, to provide school facilities. Application had been made to the department for a £ for £ subsidy on this amount, but this could not be met. However, he was glad that the effort had not been made in vain. As a result it was hoped to see some definite improvement and the committee would welcome any suggestions. On behalf of the committee, he thanked the parents for their hearty response to the prize fund, as a result of which it was possible to present every pupil with a prize. Mr. Griffiths concluded by wishing everyone the compliments of the season. THE PRIZE LIST. All the children received prizes, the principal prize-winners being: Standard 6.—Melville Pepper 1, Arthur Berryman 2, Ethel Ellis 3; best home exercise, Ethel Ellis and Melville Pepper (prize donated by Mr. H. Dempsey); proficiency certificates, M. Pepper, R. W. Browne, E. G. Ellis, A. R. Berryman, M. E. Cooper, R. Lawrence, M. Browning, D. Carter. Standard s.—Winnie Pepper 1, Eileen Tippins 2, Colin Robertson 3; best home exercise, Mavis Short. Standard 4.—Verna Pepper 1, Frank Cooper 2, Sydney Hodge 3; best home exercise, Ida Hanright. Standard 3.—Norman Clare 1, Ronald Cole 2, Clorene Yeates 3; good work for year, Clorene Yeates; neatest notebook, Marjorie Beale. Standard 2—Rena Pepper 1, Ben Berryman 2, Ray Hoskin 3; good work for year, Douglas Allen. Standard I.—Joyce Volzke 1, Edna Herrick 2, David Nicoll 3. Primer 3.—Alan Nicoll 1, Trixie Allen and May Tippins 2 (equal), Ronald Rouse 3. Primer 2. —Dulcie Pepper lr GOOD ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATES. Standard 6.—D. Carter, R. Lawrence, R. Browne, M. Pepper, E. Cooper, L. Cole. Standard 5.—M. Fenwick, J. Ludlow, C. Robertson, M. Yeates, B. Lawrence,. W. Pepper, E. Tippins, I. McMillan. Standard 4.—F. Cooper, L. Francis, S. Hodges, C. Tippins, R. Wilton, E. Wigley, N. Shaw, A. Reed, V. Pepper, V. Hooker. Standard 3.—H. Peel, D. Hookham, H. Evans, C. Yeates, E. Wigley, J. Tippins. Standard 2.—M. Davies, R. Hall, M. Browning, D. Allen, N. Tippins, E. Reed, R. Aroa. . Standard I.—G. Tippins, O. Griffiths. Primers.—V. Hodges, G. Evans, H. Wigley, D. Walker, R. Healy. ‘Each child was also presented with a bag of lollies, the gift of the committee. HEADMASTER”S REPORT. The headmaster (Mr. Allan) presented his annual re'port, as follows: “At the beginning of the present year the number on the school roll was 69 boys and 65 girls, a total of 134. During the year 27 hoys and 18 girls (a total of 45) were admitted, and 24 boys and 19 girls (a total of 43) left, leaving now on the roll at the end of the year 72 boys and 64 girls. The average attendance for the whole year is 121.3. The attendance throughout the year has been very good, the number of certificates for attendance being 44. At the beginning of the year the Education Department agreed to pay rent for the Sunday-school and the infant classes were moved, and though there are many disadvantages with a divided school, yet it was better than the old arrangement of two teachers teaching in one room. It is to be hoped that before long the department will see its way to provide the school with an extra classroom. “The committee have done their best to improve the playground by levelling round the school and planting the slope to the river with ornamental and useful trees; but, of course, as we all know, the playing area is limited, and little can be done to beautify the grounds with flower gardens. There seems a chance of getting a l.ttle more area added to the grounds. Toothbrush drill has been taken by everyone in the school, and I hope that parents will see that teeth are still cleaned during the holidays, as otherwise the good effects may be lost. I wish to thank the assistants (Messrs. Kir ton and Gibson) for their splendid service; M : ss Freethey, who has completed her training here and is leaving for further training at the Training College, Wellington; and the committee, for providing the requisites for school use.” CENTRAL SCHOOL’S LOSS. “It is my sad duty to have to refer to the loss to the school world in the death of Mr. H. A. Stratford, who passed away suddenly, a few days ago,” sa d the chairman, who stated that Mr. Stratford was appointed to the headmastership of the Central School during the time the speaker was on the committee of that school. Mr. Stratford, who was then on active service, later took up the position and had proved t a great acquisition, and his loss was deeply

mourned. As a mark of sympathy with the relatives of the late Mr. Stratford, those present stood in, silence. Cheers for the teachers §nd the committee, and the s nging of £he’ National Anthem, brought the gathering to a close.