THE KIHIKIHI SCHOOL

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2257, 24 December 1886, Page 2

THE KIHIKIHI SCHOOL

A lady correspondent writes:— At the breaking up of the Kihikihi .school on the 21st inst., we witnessed a very pleasing, but alfecting ceremony, that of presentations by the pupils to their teachers, and bidding good-bye to the head teacher, Mr I^emongpr, and assistant, Mr Oldhani. After putting the nchool in beautiful order, leaving picluies, shells, and house plants, the work of himself and children as mementoes*. Mr Ispmonger collected the children, and after giving them some good advice, said how sorry he was to leave them, and wished them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Four girls then came forward, and on behalf of the children gave the following addres°eß and presents to the teachers. The address to Mr Isemonger, which was lead by Miss Ashby in a very distinct and feeling manner, was beautifully embossed with scraps of roses, forget me-nots and real ferns, and was as follows :— Mr Isemonger: Dear sir,— We, the pupils of the Kihikihi school, desire to present to you these small gifts as tokens of our respect and gratitude to you for your caie of us during the past two years. These smalls gifts are but a slight acknowledgement of our appreciation of your efforts to improve us, in which you have happily succeeded, but we know they will be accepted in a most generous spirit. You have proved yourself a kind and considerate guardian, as well as an efficient teacher, in endeavouring to protect us from harm, and teaching us that which was right, for which we heartily thank yon. We deeply regret your removal from amongst us, and sincerely hope that you may prosper in all your future undertakings. Wishing you a merry Christmas and fi happy New Year, also many of them. — We remain, yours affectionately The Pupils of Kihikihi. This was accompanied with a gold pencil case, Christmas card and bouquet. Mr Oldham's address was as follows : — Dear sir, we the pupils of the Kihikihi ochool beg to piesent to you these small gifts as tokens of onv respect. We deeply regiet your removal from amongst us, but hope it will be attended by eveiy success. Wishing you a merry Chiistmas and a happy New Year. — We remain yours sincerely, Pupils of Kihikihi. This was accompanied with a silk hankerchief, Christinas card, and bouquet. The address to Miss Stunners read thus;— Dear teacher. We the pupils of the Kihikihi school beg to present to you these small gifts as a-token of our esteem. We hope you are long here to guard and. direct us in our studies. Wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. — We remain yours sincerely, The Pupils of Kihikihi. This was accompanied by a pretty silver «et of broach and earrings. Miss Wilson's, who was not present, was a silver bracelet, which has been sent to her. Mr Isemonger being too overcome to speak, asked Mr Oldham to thank the children on behalf of the teachers, which he did in a few choice words, saying how sorry they were to lea\e them, and hoped their next teacher would take the same kind interest in them that Mr Isenionger had. He then asked them to give three cheers for the holidays, but they they could not for tears. I then proposed three cheers for Mr Isemonger, and they responded like brave little Britons. I will pay nothing about the parting, it was too s id, and this i-> Clni.stniastide when we should all try and be happy. The children's tabute of love speaks so well for Mr [stronger that I nerd not, excepting we parents agree. He is the be-<t teacher we ivive ever hid, and we fully endorse our childrens good wishes, and hope that our next teacher will be as grateful and kind, and bt<\y lonpei with them.