GISBORNE HIGH SCHOOL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2691, 22 December 1909, Page 7

GISBORNE HIGH SCHOOL.

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. The breaking-up ceremony of the Gisborne High School took place in Holy Trinity Schoolroom yesterday afternoon, when the prizes won in connection with the school work and at the recent sports gathering wore presented. Mr. C. A. deLautour, 'chairman of the Board of Governors, presided, and with , him on the platform were the Ven. Archdeacon Williams, Mrs. Williams, Mr. J. W. Nolan and Mrs. Nolan, Mr. W. Morgan (secretary of the High School Board). Mr. Gatland (headmaster), and staff. In addition to tlie scholars there was a small attendance of parents. The annual report of the school was read as follows by the headmaster: “I have the honor to present the first annual report of the Gisborne High School. The school was opened on February Ist, 1909, with a roll number of 71; thi s increased rapidly until a total of 97 was reached, near which it remained until a* few weeks before the end of year. The actual number of pupils’admitted is 99, withdrawn 11, still on the roll at the end of the year 88 (47 boys, 41. girls). The attendance all through the year has been, excellent, the average for the year being: boys 48.3, girls 41.7, total 90. The object of the school being to provide secondary education for pupils intended for professional, commercial, agricultural, technical, and domestic occupations, the optional course system has been followed. Two courses, the general and the ‘commercial, were arranged. A good start has been made with these two, and also a martial start with what will eventually be a domestic course for girls. This year there was practically no demand for the agricultural or for the mechanical course. The girls have attended dressmaking and cookery classes at the_' Technical School, and two classes hr physical measurements were also held. Physical drill has been taken by both boys and girls during the year. On the whole the work of. the year has been very satisfactory. The \disadvantages with which the school has had to contend have been very . many, but with a few exceptions good work has been done by the pupils. That done by the senior boys, W. Dumphy and G. Redpath, has been most- satisfactory, and it is hoped that when the results of the examinations are made known, these names will be found high tip on the list. In connection with the public examinations, two pupils sat for junior, university scholarships, nine for matriculation, one for junior Civil Service, 16 for senior Board scholarships, 20 for senior free places, six for juniorBoard scholarships, and three for junior free places. Many of these candidates sat for the examination merely to gain experience, but it is expected that several ' will be successful. There are now 13 scholarship holders in attendance at the school —-viz., one senior Board, three junior national, nine junior Board. These have all done work of a satisfactory nature. Thirteen pupils receive boarding or travelling allowances from the Board of Governors. A separate report on these will be furnished. On August 11th the school was inspected by the Inspector-General of Schools, who expressed himself as being .pleased with what lie saw. His report is to hand. Th'e first annual athletic sports were held at the \ ictoria Domain on December 14th, and were in every way a thorough success. It was expected that, as the Gisborne High School was using the Technical School buildings, in the "rounds of the Gisborne Main School, there would be some friction between the two schools. I am pleased to be able to report that this has not been the case, but that the relations between the two stalls have been most cordial, and that tlie scholars have been able to use the same playground throughout the year without serious disagreement. In conclusion, I should like to mention that in the work of.the school and in maintaining discipline I have been abl> supported by the staff, and also that I have reecived much assistance from -Vy AV Morgan, secretary of the . ±Ligh School Board: We trust- that in the new year and in the new school difficulties which were always facing us this year will disappear, and that the Gisborne High School will prosper even more than it has done in the year just ell The Chairman said he had great ■pleasure in announcing that. Archdeacon Williams had consented to - present the prizes. The Archdeacon had put himself out of his way by making a hurried . journey to the present.. The chairman said that his reason for being anxious for the Archdeacon to be present was because the late Bishop of Waiapu had been the first chairman of the Board, and had acted in that capacity for many years, and they were delighted to have his .son .associated' with the first prize-givmg. Besides that, the Archdeacon was dear to them as a friend, and was a distinguished scholar. ■ . . Archdeacon Williams,, on rising received a hearty ovation. He said lie was very pleased to have the opportunity of 'speaking to the pupils at the prize-giving, as he understood the prizes were awarded in connection with the examinations. He could claim to know something about, examinations, as about one-third of his life had been spent in sitting for th-emon every opportunity, and for half his life he had been conducting examinations. xle sometimes thought examinations were overrated institutions, but unfortunately until they could get something to serve the same purpose he was afraid they would have to go on as they were now. He complimented the prize-win-ners, but reminded them that the race was not always to the swiftest. Many sat for examinations and some were not so high-strung as others, and so- were enabled to do tlierriselves more TUspice than others who deserved • the prizes more than they did. Those- who had not won prizes he exhorted to continue to do their' best, for they might-win next year or some other year. Iji conclusion, he- said he did not want them' to ’ set too much store by (examinations or prizes; but he wanted them to let their motto be to do what they had to do thoroughly and heartily. . The prizes were then presented as follows: _ • , j, ’ . . . ... Division I.—Class list, G. - Adair 1, It Baty 2, I. Buslinell 3. Commercial subjects, G. Adair 1, Ina Buslinell 2. Division ll.—Class list, N. -Angland 1, M. Quigley 2, - B.r Butterfield 3. ; Languages, N. Angland 1, N. Gallagher -2... Mathematics, N v Angland. 1,. M. 03 Dmsion lll.— Class list, H. : Cumming 1, R. Malcolm 2, H. McLean 3. Commercial .subjects, 0. Gumming. .1; j H: ; Gumming. 2. / • A-,":'' v V Division IV. (a)—Class list, A. Rhinesmith 1, C. Anderson 2. Languages, A. Rhinesmith 1, E. Hookey 2. Mathematics, W. Grant 1. Division IV.. (b)—Glass list, N. Har- ' per 1, J. Forsyth 2. v Languages, N. Harper 1- Mathematics, N. Harper L Special prizes.—Division I. : M. Fair'lie (English); Division 111. (b), M Moore; Division"V., G. Reclpath 1> W Dumphy 2. . ' . ■ .-: ; v■■'kk-: --. v -• k;■■■ - ; -Pla'

Writing.—Division 1., M. Fairlie 1, G. Adair 2; Division ll.j’;M. Image 1, .Dp- ; Mclldowie 2; Division 111-, M. Mooro*l, F. Stevenson 2; Division IV., N. Harper 1, F.' Harding 2. Conduct (prizes presented, by Miss Wilcox).— Division 1., R. Baty and G. Adair; Division 11., N. Gallagher and. L. McKay; Division 111., M. Moore, F. Stevenson, and M. Oman (improvement). '' . j Mrs. J. W. Nolan was then called upon to present the prizes won at the recent athletic sports. On Mrs Nolan’s behalf Mr. Nolan complimented the. boys on their excellent sports gathering, and advised' them not to try for too many prizes, but to train themselves thoroughly for what they considered they had a chance. •After the prizes had been distributed Mr. deLautour outlined the hopes and aims of the Board of Governors in connection with the new school. He complimented Mr. Gatland and his staff and after wishing the pupils a happy Christmas and a bright New Year, proposed a vote of thanks to' Archdeacon Williams, Mrs. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Nolan, and the staff. The vote was carried by acclamation. . Archdeacon Williams, on behalf of himself and the others included in the vote, thanked Mr. deLautour and the scholars for their kindness, and joined Mr. deLatour in wishing them a happy Christmas and a bright New Year. Before tlio gathering dispersed, three cheers were given by the boys for Mr. Image, for liis presentation of the Image Cop.