THE HIGH SCHOOLS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 16, 16 December 1932, Page 3

THE HIGH SCHOOLS

BREAKING-UP CEREMONY

DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES

The annual breaking-up ceremony and prize-giving of the Palmerston North High Schools took place in tho Opera House, where there was a large attendance of parents and fl'ienas. Among those on the platform were members of the Board of Governors, the Parents’ Associations of each school, and the staffs, with Mr Harold Johnston, K.C., of Wellington, the principal speaker. Tho chairman of the Board of Governors (Mr W. L. Fitzherbert) extended a very hearty welcome to Mr Johnston for coming from Wellington to present the prizes. He stated that the schools had a very successful year and all concerned wore heartily to be congratulated. He had been on the board six years, and could say that during that period the High Schools and Technical School had been very efficiently managed. He commended to the Goverment as a measure of economy in other centres Similar co-ordination of secondary school control. He stressed the value of agriculture in the school curriculum and thanked the Massey College and the Department of Agriculture for their assistance in that direction. Despite the depressing times, he urged all to maintain a cheerful spirit. Positions were difficult to secure, and when they were obtained he counselled the boys and girls to “stick to them.” The chairman extended to the pupils the season’s felicitations and expressed the hope that the New Year would bring a return of prosperity. The reports of the rector of the Boys’ High School (Mr J. Murray, M.A.) and of the principal of the Girls’. High School (Mrs M. Rhodes, M.A.) were then presented. Following an inspiring address by Mr Johnston (reported in another column), certificates and trophies, the list of which has already been published, were presented by Mr Johnston. Representing the Palmerston North High School Old Boys’ Association, Mr A. W. Yortt stated that the duty of speaking in that connection had fallen upon him owing to tho fact that Mr E. D. Andrews, the original speaker selected, was, unfortunately, unable to be present. He urged all “not to go about with long faces,” but to look on the bright side oi things and try to accomplish things. He said the boys and himself had much in common. They had been taught in the same rooniSj kicked about the same playing helds, and probably “ducked” under the same taps. Those leaving had been pupils of a good school. They had a rector of whom they could be proud, and striking tributes had been paid him. The staff were ce<mnd to none in New Zealand. The pupils had only to carry on its traditions and live up to its teachings, to do well. He urged them to join the Old Boys’ Association. The speakers were accorded a very hearty vote of thanks on the motion of Mr J. W .Rutherfurd. The chairman (Mr Fitzherbert) congratulated the Boys’ High School cricket team upon their fine score in the match just concluded with Napier High School. Songs were contributed by the girls under the baton of Mr W. Watters, the accompaniste being Miss; D. Stevens, and by the boys under the leadership of Mr J. Holmes Runnicies.