WOODBURY SCHOOL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2308, 21 January 1892, Page 4

WOODBURY SCHOOL.

On Monday evening a large number of parents and friends met at the Woodbury schoolroom to ydtness the annual distribution of prizes to the children attending the Woodbury school. Mr Dean, chairman of the committee, was in the chair, and stated that lie was pleased to see the great interest parents were taking in the welfare of the school. Mr Dean then introduced

The Rev. J. Preston, who made a few remarks on the “ Bible in public schools ” question. He considered that the Government of New Zealand were wrong in not enforcing Bible-reading jn schools. Secular and religious education should go Land in hand. He warned the children not to lose sight of religious instruction, mid to attend Sunday Schools niid Church. The rev. gentleman then gave a short outline of his own school days, I and stated that the children of the present j day wore very fortunate in getting such .

good prizes as he saw before him. In his day only three prizes were given in a class of 100. The first and second scholars received a prize each, and the lowest scholar in the class received a horn spoon to eat his porridge with. The chairman asked if any member of the committee had anything to say, and Mr F. R. Flatman said he was much pleased with what the rev. gentleman had said, and heartily endorsed his remarks on the “ Bible in schools ” question. The prizes were then given out by the Rev. J. Preston, the whole of the preparatory class receiving one each. In the standards one third of the scholars in each received prizes suitable for their work during the year. In the sewing class, Mrs J. M. Barker acting as judge, gave prizes for same. Loud cheers were given for Mrs Barker by the children, after which Mr Greaves, the head master, gave a lengthy address on school matters, and dwelt for some time on the new syllabus about to be introduced, which, he thought, would tax the children to their utmost.

The chairman then proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the very efficient staff of teachers, which was responded to with zest, to which Mr Greaves, on behalf of himself and staff, briefly returned thanks, and proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the committee, which he had always found readv to assist him.

The chairman proposed a vote of thanks to the Rev. Mr Preston for distributing the prizes, to which the latter gentleman responded, and the meeting broke up.