GERALDINE PUBLIC SCHOOL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1985, 21 December 1889, Page 2

GERALDINE PUBLIC SCHOOL.

The annual distribution of prizes at the above school took place yesterday, there being a tew of the friends of the children present. The prizes as laid ©ut on the table formed a very goodly array indeed. Mr Maslin, chairman of the committee, handed the children the prizes as they came forward to receive them. The ceremony passed off with a deal of pleasure among the children, the teachers, and the visitors present. The following is the prize list:—

Medalist (Mr W. H. Moore’s special prize of a silver medal for the dux of the school, for ordinary 'school work ; for competition by the children from Fourth Standard upwards) Jane Scroggie. The medal was a large silver one, and bore upon one side the word “ Geraldine Public School, Xmas 1889,” and on the ether the words “ Awarded to Jane Scroggie, dux by competitive examination.” Standard VI. Arithmetic and writing, Jane Scroggie; reading and mental arithmetic, Henry Gore. Standard Y.—Arithmetic (including mental arithmetic), William Fyfe writing, Mary Burke; reading, Maggie Morrison.

Standarh IY.—Class work, James Biordan and Jane Fyfe equal; writing, Jane Fyfe; drawing, Ellen Bowkett; mental arithmetic, Gertie Fleming. Standard lll.—Class work, Fanny Jones; drawing, James Joe; reading, Patrick Burke; mental arithmetic, Ernest O’Brien. Standard ll—Class work, John Biordan; reading, Sarah Bowkett; drawing, Stanley Willoughby; mental arithmetic, Fred. Wallack. The following were the prizetakers in Standard I„ every one of which passed the Standard—Henry Walton, Ellen Waters, Fred. Maslin, Mary Shiers, Elizabeth Quinn, Margaret . McLeod, Jessie flerdman, Alf. Berry, Julia Herlihy, Lilian Bussell, John Joe, Annie Sugrue, Ethel King, Victor Baughen, Sarah Fenn, Miriam” Morrison, Mabel Burndge. Primer ll.—Pat, McAuliffe, Alice Heatley, Alex. McCaskey, Alice Ham- , mond, Thos. Aitken, Geo. Booker, * Kate Burke, John Boughton. Primer I— Wm. Heney, Wm. Heatley, Geo. Sherratt, Florence Maslin, Alex. White, Jane Pye, Mary Maloney, Bertie Walton. Good Attendance—William Fenn, • Ernest White, Sarah Scott, Mary * Jacobs, Thomas Scroggie, Leonard' Heajbley. The certificates for attendance consisted of a photo, of those who were entitled to receive them, mounted on printed cardboard, stating what they' were received for, the date, etc. The . number entitled to receive them was ’ the same as last year, namely, 27. Those entitled to receive first-class; certificates were those who had not been absent one single time the sehool had been opened during the whole year, a very stringent regulation, indeed, but even in this class seven children qualified themselves for a* certificate. The second class was for those who had not missed five half-; days during the year, and in this class twenty children qualified. The following is tho attendance certificate list First Class (never absent at all) — Jane Scroggie, James McCaskey,. Alfred Major, Gertie Ward, Fanny . Finlayson, Katie McCaskey, Bertie Walton,

Second Glass (absent not more than five half days)—Andrew Rennie, Fred. Wallace, John Riordan, Emma Fronting, Alf. Berry, John Grind ell, Deley Rennie, Mirriam Morrison, Wm. Fyfe, Geo, Bloomfield, Hy, Gore, Gertie Fyfe, Maggie Morrison, Geo. Finlay-, son, Fanny Jones, John Hammond, Fred. Howard, Jas. Riordan, Jane Fyfe, Wm. John Morrison. it Sewing Pjsizss,

Standard Til.—Mary Maloney. Standard YI. For best buttonhole work, a handkerchief box presented by Miss Pearson,; — Jane Scroggie. Standard V. Mary Burke and Maggie Scroggie equal. Standardly.—A lady’s companion presented by Miss Hiss, Jane Fyfe The next two, Mina Dunlop and Emily Maslin were so nearly equal that the examiners (Mrs Aitkeu and Mrs Gibson) gave a special prize, a handbag, to each. Standard lll,—Janny Jones and Fanny Gibson equal. Standard ll.—Kate Clouston; Standard I.—Ellen Waters. For the best darning in Standard Y. (a picture presented by Mr J. X\t. Pye)—Alice Riordan. Mr A. White’s special prize of a writing-desk, for the best writing, fell to Master John Burke, Mrs Dunlop’s special prize of a cabinet, for the best girl in Standard 111., fell to Fanny Jones. Mr Fisher’s prize of a papeterie, for the neatest kept copy-book in Standard IY., was secured by Mary Kennedy, Mr Fisher’s prize, for the neatest exercise boek in Standard IY., fell to Seymour Willoughby. ■ At the conclusion of the presentation Mr W. Shiers, a member of the School Committee, addressed the children, and pointed out to them- the great importance of paying every attention to their teachers, who, he assured them, were doing their best for the interests of those whom they taught. He pointed out that if they did their best at the school they would in due course rise to positions'

of respectability and influence, whereas if they neglected and wasted their opportunities now they would have to become the hewers of wood and drawers of water to those who had made the best of their chances. He urged on them to remember this, and do their best while they had the chance. (Applause). Mr Maslin, chairman of the com* mittee, also addressed the children, and pointed out to them that one of} the chief requisites to success was perseverance. If they would only plod on steadily they were bound in time to succeed in whatever theyl undertook. He referred to the excellent staff of teachers the Geraldine school had. They had always beeir very fortunate in securing god<T teachers, and he believed all teachers in the school exertecl them-’ selves to do their very best for their' pupils. On behalf of the committee he moved a hearty vote of thanks to the teachers for the efforts they had* made on behalf of the school during the year.

Mr Aitken, the head master, in addressing the children, referred to the attendance certificates, and impressed upon them strongly that if, they wished to gain a first-class ouei they must be present the morning the school opened'after the holidays. lie

encouraged those who had not received a prize this year to work hard and endeavor to secure one for next. Speaking to those who were leaving the school that day, he said they all wished them every succors and pleasure it was possible to have in life, He referred in feeling terms to Miss Hawke severing her connection with the school, owing to her term of pupflteachership having expired, and wished her every success wherever she might go. Three cheers were then given for Miss Hawke and the committee:

Mr Maslin repliod on bebalf of botk. The children were then informed that the school would break up till January 25fch, and were dismissed.