WESTOWN SCHOOL

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1940, Page 3

WESTOWN SCHOOL

BALL RECORD SUCCESS Carnival held sway in the Westown hall yesterday afternoon and evening when the children of the Westown schpol arrayed in fancy attire disported themselves on the occasion of the school annual hall in the presence of a large assemblage of parents and friends, who thoroughly enjoyed the bright spectacle. There was as usual a wide range of fancy costumes, ranging from the dainty and picturesque to the humorous and original. It was noticeable, probablyin keeping with Ihe prefcent world situation, that while Bo-peeps, Cinderellas, princesses, queens, fairies, pirates, burglars, i cooks, cowboys, rajahs, kings, Chinese, Spaniards, gipsies, niggers etc. sank for the nonce all class and racial distinctions, there were present more than the usual number of naval, air force and military officers, as well as Home Guards. Just a little ahead of due date, the Christmas spifit appeared. The lower school had the floor during the afternoon. when they went through the foljowing programme: "Danish Dance of Greeting," "Cobbler's Dance,^ "Come Little Partner," "Grand March, "Young Maid," "Finger Polka." "Pease Porridge," "Tinies' Dance," "One Step Polka" and "Will You Please Be My Partner?" Mr. J. Sisley was master of ceremonies, the music being played by Mrs. Priest, a member of the staff. The children, who had been trained by Misses M. Hawkes, K. Todd and Mr. J. Sisley, went through all the dances with a charming naturalness.

Enjoyment for Spectators. The upper school pupils had the floor in the early part of the evening, when with Mr. A. E. Simpson as master of ceremonies they enjoyed a programme of 17 dances and, at the same time, provided enjoyment for the spectators, the grand march in particular providing a pretty spectacle, each evolution being perfectly executed. The programme included maxina, Gay Gordons, skating dance, Lambeth walk, La Rinka, barn dance, log cabin, etc. The children had been well trained by Mr. Simpson and Miss R. Day and the smooth organisation was the work of the headmaster, Mr. W. H. Jones, and his staff. The music was provided by Davies' orchestra. Afternoon tea and supper, provided by ihe parents, was served by a committee of women of the district under the supervision of Mrs. J. W. Darby. supper tables .were eff.ectively decorated by Mesdames H. M. Besley and R. J. W. Hall. Messrs. V. C. Davies, G. B. Day and P. R. Kidd, members of the committee, supervised the dances. Householders and parents had every reason to be proud of the Westown school, for results at the end of the year would' disclose that further substantial progress had been made in all departments, remarked Mr. L. T. Aylward, chairman of the school committee, in. expressing appreciation of the outstanding success of the ball, which had proved the best in the history of the school. The attendance also constituted a vecord, a success that could not have been achieved without the wholehearted co-operation of the children, the headmaster, the staff and the parents. Mr. Aylward complimented the children on the finished performance they had given in^the grand march and appealed to them to make the most _ of their opportunities at school, to maintain the high standard set by previous pupils.