BREAKING-UP CEREMONY.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Issue 30, 17 December 1898, Page 2

BREAKING-UP CEREMONY.

A fair number of parents and other's assembled in the infant room, to witness the exercises gone through by the children under the direction of, Miss Crawford, These -were splendidly done, and were greatly admired. The pri7es were then distributed by Mrs Gibson as follows : —

Infant Room Prizbsj Class I— Merit— Boys : Victor Colville 1 , Hamilton Lindsay 2, Donald Pox 3 ; girls : Florence Neal 1, M aggie Sutherland 2, Mabel Reeve 3. Class II — Boys: Ernest Frame 1, Ernest Baker 2, John White 3 ; girls: Victoria Berry 1, Alice Atwill 2, Mmnie Maberley and Violet Frame 8i Class III— Boys; Fred. Wood 1, Joe Coulburne 2, Richard Bean 3 ;" girls : Lily Berry 1, Lucy McPherson 2, Belinde Gilchrist 8) Francis Rickmau 4. Class IV — Boys : Godfrey Colville 1, Neal Goodson 2, Cyril Clear 9, Thomas Ottley 4; girls: Effie Cousins 1, Kathleen Sherwin 2, Mary McEvoy 3, Christina Betten 4, Violet Tregoning 5. Class V— Boys: Robert Colville 1, Heathcote Mann 2, Willie Hutt 8, Harry Sinclair 4, Robert Symon 5 ; girls : Ella Julian 1, May Coulbeck 2, Doris Eickman 8, Era Hendry 4.

Attendance. Eric Cameron, Albert Eathornd, "Willie Fagan, Ed. Williams, Willie Hutt, Heathcote Mann, Alex. Cameron, Willie Lindsay, John Bird, Robert Inkster, Leonard Russell* Norman Hooper, May Ooulbeck, Jessie Morgan, Lily Turner, Mabel Hart 1 Gwennie Anaell, Nelly Sole.

Musical Exercises ani? Kindergarten Songs, Boys : Leigh Virtue, Willie Gardyne, John Fox, Cyril Coltman, John McKenzie, Horace" Loach, Norman Asquith, Stewart Butler, Albert White j girls : Alma Hosking, Nora McEVoy, May Crebst, Jana Cochrane, Kate Bean, - Ruth Jpnei, -Rhod* Mann,' Elsie Dean, . Maud* Berry, Ivy Manchester, Alice Reeve, Ettie Wilson, Eva Best, Lucy Black," Jean Hamilton, Nellie Rickman, Connia Tomlinj Mary Sole, Minnie Baker. An adjournment was then made to the large room, at the other end of the school, where the prizes of the standards were given out. 0 Before this, Mr Taylor, chairman of the JSchool Committee, apologised for "the .absence of Mrs Studholme. She had gone to Christchurch, , but -she had not forgotten the ceremony. She had written a letter . expressing her pleasure at the 1 Inspector's report, and wishing the ctaldren and staff a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The chairman had asked Mrs Gibson, to distribute the prizes - and she had' consented. The following is the prize list : — ' ' "

Ciass Prizes (in order of Merit.) Standard 'i — Boys: Willie Adams, "Willie-Hart;, girls: Lily McKeEZie, Isa Black. _ Standard II — Boyß : Willie Duckett, James liird ; girls : Emma '' Williame, Polly Williaing.,,i Standard '111

I—Boys1 — Boys : James Cochrane, Eusseli'i girls: Rath Hardy, Nathalie Hft'ri. Standard IV — Boys: CHarles Stewart, Edgar Clarke ; girls : Carry William^, Hetty Julian. Standard V— Boys : Cyril Chamberlain, Harold BW ; girls : Kate Meyer, May Dodd. Standard VI — Jeannie Thomas (dux), Arnold Virtue, James Rodgera ; girls : Mabal Cddkbarn, Charles Foweraker, Teenie Park.

Attendance Prizes. Standard I— i Boys : Willie Adams, John Bitchener, Dallas Taylor ; girls t Jeannie Whitej Standard ll—^Boyrf: Arthur Adatm, .Jarrtea Bird,, Newman Wilsdn, Harry Thomsdn, Errol Taylor} girls : I&O38 Ellen, Fanny Kaan, Annie Morgan, Florrie Wheeler, Maud M abarley. Standard III— Boys : Gaorga Butcher* James Oochrane, John Camardn, Coliti Canierdn, Albert Ooulbeck, David Wilson, Donald Symon ; girls: Eath Hardy, -Nathalie Hart, Amy Bussell, Caroline Miles,' Lizzie Miles v Jane Fagari. Standard IV, —Henry Wilson, Edgar Clarke, George 1 Adams ; girls : Carry Williaiils, Hetty Julian, Annie Oachrarie, Mabel Wheelerj Kellie Morgan Standard V — Boys: C, Chamberlain, Fraser Canieron, Richard White, Alice White, Alma Lane, May Dodd7"Kate Meyer, Maggie Cameron, Isa Smith. Standard VI — Boys: Boberf' Taylor; girls: Mabel Cockburn, Ellen Brokenshire, Hthel Adanls. Standard. VII — Boys : Alex. Park ; girls : Chrissie Srriith, Grace Turner, Olive Cameron.

Special Prizes. S-tandand I — Improvenlent — Boys > Jaules Hobbs ; Girls : Mabel Kent, Standard II — Improvement — Charlotte Stewart. Standard 111 — - Improvement — Sarah Yesberg. Standard IV — Improvement — Arthur "Watts. <rStandard V — Merit — Fraser Cameron ; Improvement — Boys : Thomas McDonald ; Girls : Nellie Wilson. Standard VI — Diligence — Henry "Turner. L " Spedial prizes were given by the following: — Mesdames S. J. Adams, Dowle, Franklin, Misses Spalding, Fairburn, Mr Virtue)

Sewing PbizbSs. Standard Vl— Mabel Cockbunn. Standard V— X. Meyer's, I. Sfrlith, May Dodd (special). Standard IV— A. Cochrane, E. Hardy. Standard lII— M. Gibson, L. Yesberg, M. Wilson (special). Standafd lI— L. Lindsay, E. Williams, May Briant (special). Standard I — P. Wilds,.' 0. Crawshaw.

ParnincL Standards V and Vl— Jeannie Thomas, Standard IV— Mabel \Vheeler. The chairman said there were two extra, prizes to be given that had no connection with the school Work. At last examination for Bible knowledge, two girls were so close up that Mr Pitcaithly promised to give them a prize on future occasion* These were now given and would be presented to Daisy Fowler and Annie Smith, He would ask Mrs Gibson to Isay a few words to the children. Mrs Gibson expressed her pleasure in giving out these prizes. She had the pleasure, the teachers had the work of tho whole year, as was shown by the prizes distributed. She would not keep them longer, but wished them enjoyment of their holidays, a Merry Christmas, and aHappy New Year, and that they might come back fresh and bright to begin "tho work of a new year* Mr Taylor said it was customary to have a programme of songs on the prize day, but owing to the number away from one cause or another this would be dispensed with. Instead he would givo them pleasure and the Rev. McKenzie, 'Gibson a surprise by calling upon lhat gentleman to say a few Words. Mr Gibson said he was much taken by Burprise. He came under the distinct understanding that there Were to be no speeches. He had the greatest and profoundest sympathy with Children in a time like this, and he felt it was not fair to keep them. Nevertheless it was a great pleasure to him ,to be there, and to'congratulate the children and Mr Pitcaitbly and staff on the result _of their work. He had Watdied the progress of the different schools in Soutb Canterbury, and* was satisfied that Waimate was one of, if not . thfe best in that part of the province., He also thought it Wpuld compare favourably with the schools in North CanterburyHe wished them the compliments of the season, and that they might return deter- • mined' to' uphold the honours they' had held in the past. • My Taylor said, special prizes weregiven by MeMames Adanis, Dowle, and Franklin, Misses 'Fan-burn and Spalding, W Mr Virtue,, arid he would ask that a votV of thatfks to these donors be carried by* acclamation. He 'also.-w ished them to express their, thanks to Mrs Studholme, who, although absent,' had not forgotten ■tbenvand to Mrs 'Gibson, who had, aVk ,moj!nentV notice, so pleasantly and gfaV , ciously presented.the prizes; .> : >c- -".

The Rev. McX, Gibson returned thanks for the pleasure afforded Mrs Gibson, . and for the way in which her services had been received. , The chairman said that on behalf of the ' School Committee he would ask for a vote of thanks to the staft. They had not an / official list ol the results, but they had it / unofficially, and Waimate school had this / year beaten its own record, In addition, the Inspector said that for sterling honest work, the eohool had surpassed itself. He took thit opportunity, on behalf of the ' committee, pf expressing their appreciat ion of the work done, by the stall during the past year. , Mr Pitcaithly, on behalf of the staff and himself, returned thanks. They had qnly tried to do their duty. There was no friction, and discipline wai more easily maintained than in the past. The children coming up from the lpwer standards were better prepared, and thit lightened the work of the upper classes. Mr Taylor said he would say a few more word* tp the children, Many of them were probably coming there for the last time. They would be. leaving to take their part in the battle of life, and they would lose their hpld on the old school altogether-, but he asked them never to •forget the lesson* they had learnt, It was a great and splemn stage in their lives, and he would like to say to them that the secret qf tucoesi consisted in having iome definite object in view. It was a fine thing to be a good footballer, cricketer, or tennis player, but those things might be termed the luxuries of life. He related a story of sqme boy ( s who were dissatisfied with their Christmas pudding, and itarted to make one richer, but fqrgqt to put in the flour. They then put in some cement to bind it together, and exchanged it for one oi their grandmother's. If they forgot the definite aim of their lives, these would be like the, hoys' pudding — a failure. He was, chairman qf the School Committee this year, hut he might not be next year, «q he would impress upqn them that the aim qfc their lives should be to glorify God. Ambition and getting qn were all very well, hut if they made everything subservient to their duty to Qod, their lives, wquld he qf greater use. On behalf of the School Committee and on his own behalf, he wished them the compliments of the season, and that they would thorpughly enjoy fh.e six waek.s' holiday granted them, He also thanked the vUitors far encouraging the staff by their presence at the ceremony.