The First Annual Distribution of Prizes at the Thames High School.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3739, 18 December 1880, Page 2

The First Annual Distribution of Prizes at the Thames High School.

There was a large assemblage of the parents of the pupils, and of the friends of the school to witness the distribution of prizes, which commenced yesterday afternoon at 3 p.m. The school has now been nine months in existence, and daring .that time it has been growing rapidly in the esteem of the public. During the first quarter there were only sixteen pupils, but the number has now increased to thirty-four. There was an attempt made at first to conduct it as two schools —one for boys, and one for girls—but at the end of the first quarter when the school was examined, it was found that if the girls were to have the advantages of higher education which the boys possess, that they must receive the same number of hours of instruction in higher subjects. The more advanced girls were then taught with the boys, during the second quarter, and this arrangement answered so well that on the suggestion of the headmaster, an Assistant was appointed who should have a second class of boys and girls, and also teach drawing; so that during the last quarter all the subjects of higher education were taught in the school course—English in all its branches, mathematics, Latin, French, German, and drawing. Singing is also taught by Mr R. A. R. Owen, which also forms a part of the school course. The only extra charge is for instruction in instrumental music, the teachers of which are Mr It. A. R. Owen and Miss Belcher, and it was shown yesterday how well these teachers discharge their duties by the excellence of the performance of the young ladies who played the piano, and the charming manner in which the part songs were rendered. The drawing class has not been long enough established to exhibit any pieces executed by the pupils for the occasion, but the specimens of the work done bythe pupils during the quarter shows signs of considerable talent, especially in the drawings of Miss McFarland.

Mr Ehrenfried, the ex-Mayor, opened the proceedings by congratulating the people of the Thames on the success of the bcJiool for higher education, and he also complimented those gentlemen who had been active in having it established. The programme for the afternoon was then begun by the performance of the overture to "La Gazza Ladra," by Misses M. Wilson and Edith Adams, which, without any regard to the difficulty of the music, was beautifully played. This was followed by a part song, sung by all the pupils, " Softly Palls the Moonlight." Ernest Adams read very creditably the well-known piece, " The Bridge of Sighs," and Miss Evaßagnall followed with " The Well of St. Keyne/' Miss Watkins 1 piano playing was much admired, and a reading by Miss Weston, and another by Miss Annie Murray showed considerable ability. Miss Wilson, in a piece on the piano entitled "Le Jet O'eau," displayed more than average talent, and called forth complimentary remarks from all present. The programme was continued by Walter Brodie, a read* ing; piano duet,.Beatrice Watkm and Jessie Murray ; German reading, Miss McFarlane; piano duet, Neme and JSellia Kilgour, and a German reading by Edith Adams.

The prizes, a list of which we gave last evening were distributed by Mrs Karenfried who complimented each pupil as he or she advanced to receive their prize. The greater number of prize takers were girls, and in looking over the lists of marks for the various subjects, the girls generally have gained higher positions than the boys ; if we except four boys who form the first division of the first class. In the second class also, the highest places in English, mathematics, and in languages were taken by girls. Indeed, John Farrell is the only boy whose marks come close up to the prize winners.

In the competition for the essay prize, which the Bey. Mr Neill decided, although numbers were marked in the papers and not names, a girl, Beatrice Watkin, and a boy, J. S. Burns were recommended for the first place, and a girl, D. McFarland, and a boy, E. F. Adams for the second place. Edith Adams and H. Keary also received honorable mention for their papers. . Speeches were made by Dr Kilgour, Mr Brodie, and Mr Murray, complimentary of the school and its management. Votes of thanks to Mrs Ehrenfried, Mr Ehrenfried, and the headmaster and assistants were passed, after which a part song by the children brought the pro* ceedinga to a close.