Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

11 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

Christmas Conundrums.

Amman Valley County School.

Rhestrau Manwl, Canlyniadau a Chanllawiau
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

Amman Valley County School. ANNUAL PRIZE DAY. The annual prize day of the Amman Valley County School was held at the Y.M.C.A. Institute, Amman ford on Thurs- day, the 19th inst., when there was a very large assembly of parents and friends of the pupils. Lieut.-Col. W-. N. Jones, Dyffryn, pup' Is. L'eut.- C o l W? chairman of the Governors, presided. The proceedings opened with a. selection by the School Glee Party, conducted by Mr. Gwilym R. Jones. The Headmaster (Mr. G. O. Williams, B.A.) gave his report, and stated that it was with very great pleasure that he gave his report on the work of the Amman Valley County School during the foutth year of its existence. It had been a year which shewed very favourably in every way. The pupils had increased by leaps and bounds year by year, a fact which proved the need for such a school. During the first year there we;e 157 pupils in the school; second year, 199; third year, 222; fourth year, 259. As the room was so limited in the present building, it had been decided that in future no children be admitted from an outside district until the claims of those resident in the district had been met. The results of the examinations had been very satisfactory, and would no doubt have been better but for the outbreak of influenza which occurred at the time. Some children went to the tests when they were entirely unfit to be present. Mr. Williams I said he would like to mention a few cases. They were very proud of one of their scholars, who had succeeded in obtaining the highest marks in Wales for geography, and the highest marks that have ever been given. (Loud applause). His name is David Evan Thomas. Three candidates passed the Senior Examination before they were 14 years of age. They had passed the Senior Examina-I tion at an age before many scholars have entered the school, which proved that it was far better to send the children when they were young. For the first time in the history of the school a number of scholars had en- tered colleges, these chiefly being girls. Mr. Williams stated that four years ago he lamented the fact that this would probably be the only school which would not have a Roll of Honour, but now they had a modest list of honours. One old scholar- W. E. Thomas-had made the supreme saer fice. During the year, collections had been made for various funds, including the Prisoners of Wat Fund, the Y.M.C.A. Huts in France, Schools for the Blind, &c., and the speaker said he had to thank Miss Roberts for her work in this connection. In May last, the first school performance, Hiawatha's Wed- ding Feast," was held in the Palace Theatre, when the School Choir were assisted by th- Ammanford Male Voice Party, and which turned- out a complete success, judging by the verdict of those who attended the perform- ance. The most urgent need of the school was new premises. Four years had been spent in buildings which were only intended should be occupied temporarily, but the war was now over, anl they were looking forward to the dawn of a brighter day. Mr. Williams said that he admired a scheme which was being taken up in some districts of erecting schools as War Memorials, and here was a glorious opportunity for the Amman Valley to do the same. He concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chairman (Lieut.-Co!. W. N. Jones), the Clerk (Mr. T. M. Evans. M.A.), and all the Governors for their valu- able services during the year. Miss Daisy Williams rendered a solo in good style, and was well received. The Chairman said that, as they knew, every year he had had to address them, and it was no small job for him, who was an ordinary man. He felt they should have a change, and he had found him in Mr. W. Hammond Robinson, M.A., who was not only an inspector, but was a friend of their school. It was feared when they commenced tn's school that Llandilo would suffer in con- sequence, but Llandilo had more on their books now than they had before the Amman Valley County School was opened. He (the speaker) was not going to make a long speech, but he would like to tell the boys and girls how proud they all were as Governors of the school. They were very anxious to have new buildings. They were in a hurry to commence, but the war came along and put a stop to the building of the new school. He d;d not know how soon they should be able to get the new school ready. They had the land, and it was paid for, and there was a kind of foundation laid; but that was all. They did not know how much it would cost, but they had been told it would be a big sum of money. They would not be satisfied with only one school in the Amman Valley. He was sure that shortly afterwards they would see a new school, probably at Brynamman. What they would like to see was free education everywhere; then the poorest workmen would be able to educate their children. The Chairman then called upon Mr. Robinson to address the meeting. Mr. Robinson, in the course of his address, said: I think I will talk to you about the school and tell you a few stories. When we opened this school, we thought the difficulty would be to find pupils for the school, but the difficulty, as you have heard, is to find room for the pupils. I generally used to find it an easy matter to remember the names of the scholars in the fifth and sixth forms, but I am afraid I cannot do that now. If they were all called Pansy and Daisy, it would be an easier matter. I coujd remember them as the flowers of the field. An'd if the boys were all Thomas now, the matter would be simple. We are all justly proud of Thomas for his success. As the headmaster said, it was the highest number of marks that had been given in Wales for geography. But lest Thomas should get conceited, I must say this- I have one big fault to find with him, ajid that is, he is a shockingly bad writer. He writes almost as bad as I do; I know, be- cause the examiner sent me his paper to read, and unless he mends his manners and pen, he may come to a bad end. He may become an inspector. (Loud laughter). The staff is the mosr important part of a school. Your head- master is the son of the distinguished Watcyn Wyn. You have the worthy son of a worthy mar,-(applausel-apd he has got around him a worthy staff. He has already spoken of Miss Roberts, and I quite agree with all he has said. I would also like to speak of Mr. Comery. He has been, a very hard-working member of the staff, and whenever there has been a breach he was always ready to fill it. cannot go on further without speaking of Miss Hutchinson. If you ask Thomas, he wili tell you that Manchester is a great c.y with a great export trade. He will not tell you that Manchester keeps the best part of her goods for export to Wales, but thpr" are I Miss Hutchinson and myself, which is proof enough. I hope when you put up a new building you will strike out on a new line. The old idea is that it must look at least as imposing as the local workhouse. I heard a story of an Englishman who was in Wales, and a Welshman standing near said, Look, look.' Well, what is it?' asked the Eng- lishman. Look, look,' said the Welshman again. Well, I can only see a man,' said the Englishman. Yes, but it's Lloyd George,' answered the Welshman. Well, he's not God Almighty, said the English- man.. Ah, no,' replied the Welshman, but he's young yet. We shall have at least one man in Parliament who was edu- cated in Wales if tire Coalition member is returned, and I make bold to say that some women will be returned. I should like to see the Pansies and Daisies raising their heads among the green benches of the Houses of Parliament. Some people made money with- o-t education, but they always seem to be saying, Look at me, I have had no Zieduca- tion.' But they forget that they only made it through using those who have had educa- tion. A small boy was playing one day out- side a school and using what is generally called bad language, when some ladies passing said, Is that what they teach you in school? As I was there, I said, No, it is most probably what they teach him at home.' Once, when in North Wales, Dr. who has been here, and myself were going down the road, and a man was driving some pigs home. We tried to get out of the pigs' way, but the man turned round to us and said, You two gentlemen have evidently not- been to school.' (Laughter) As we had been there all day, it was rather hard. Well, you feed your scholars well, and it is a good thing, You could come here up to last year and could have three different things for lunch. Your school is in Wales, and you belong to a very distinctive county in Wales. Before I had been in Wales long I noticed the blue eye and the straight, narrow nostril. The Celt belongs to the aristocracy of Europe. I want you to teach both Welsh and English. I understand that pupils have to choose whether they wiU learn French or Welsh. Welsh children have a knack for speaking language. In the Middle Ages, I rather think that most people spoke three languages. I am very 'glad that the mistress who teaches Eng- lish introduces some of the finest passages in the Bible. It was very striking to those who noticed it, after the armistice had been signed, four of our leaders went across to Westminster Abbey and read passages from Isaiah and the Psalms." Mr. Robinson said he did not think it necessary to teach quite so much mathematics. (Loud applause from the scholars). And he did not believe in giving I so much set homework. (More applause from the scholars and loud laughter). But, he said, he did believe in hard work. There was a certain instructor who took his boys on the last days of the term to the slums, and said, Here," gentlemen, lies your work," and. pointing to the workhouse, said, And there lies your reward." The speaker said he believed all the help possible should be given to the so-called dull children; he had great sympathy for them. He concluded by using the same words as Mr. Lloyd George used on one occasion, I want this school to be a nursery of character and contentment." The next item was a song by Miss Louisa Davies, who was applauded for her fine ren- dering. Mrs. W. J. Williams, Brynamman, then distributed the certificates and prizes. Instead of the usual book prizes, the Governors had very wisely decided to give War Savings Certificates to the children. Mrs. Williams said it gave her very great pleasure to be present and to distribute the prizes. She was very pleased with the headmaster's report, and was very glad to find there was so much interest taken in the pupils by the staff. One thing she wanted to impress on the pupils was that they should not forget the great sacrifice the parents were making for their benefit. She concluded by proposing a vote of thanks to all the Governors and staff. Mr. W. L. Smith, solicitor, said he ha,d very great pleasure in seconding the vote of thanks. He was quite sure it had been a very enjoyable afternoon for all present. Mr. Robinson responded to the vote qf thanks, and presented books to three of the pupils—David E. Thomas, Pansy Lewis, and Daisy Williams. M r. G. O. Williams then called upon Vin- cent Rees, the youngest pupil in the school, to present a cheque of £5 to Mrs. W. J. Williams for Red Cross work, and a pocket wallet for herself. Lieut.-Col. W. N. Jones proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs. Williams for her kindness in coming forward to distribute the prizes; to Mr. Robinson, to Mr. WIIiams and all the staff. Mr. W. J. Williams, Brynamman, asked that the Chairman might be included. The Rev. W. Williams, vicar of Cwm- amman, seconded the proposition, and the meeting closed with renderings of Hen Wlad fy Nhadau and God save the King by the Glee Party. I CENTRAL WELSH BOARD EXAM I-1 NATIONS, 1918. Higher Certificate ( J ) ,-John Emrys Beynon. Senior Certificates (46).—Winnie Bowen Bessie Child, distinction in history; Cordelia Davies; Gladys Davies; Dora Davies, dis- tinction in drawing; Hannah Davies Hannah Jane Davies; Mary Jane Davies; Hannah Evans; Jane Evans; Martha Griffiths; Dor:s James, distinction in history Mary Jane Jenkins; May Beatrice Jones Edna Leonard Alice Lewis, distinctions in history and arith- metic; Morfydd Lewis; Maggie Lodwick; Ida Parry; Gertrude Rees; Nina Rees, dis- tinction in French; Lizzie Roberts; Muriel Robert; Annie Thomas, distinctions in botany and needlework; Maggie Thomas, distinction in needlework; Enid Williams; Gwyneth Williams Doris Williams; Thomas George Dav es, distinctions in Latin, Welsh, and geography; David Howells, distinctions in history and arithmetic; Idris Hughes; Stanley Jenkins; Arthur Douglas Jones; Griffith joh:i Jones; Johnny Joshua; Glyndwr Morgan, dis- tinction in drawing Stanley- Owens, distinc- tion in drawing; Eliot Rees; Fred Rees, dis- tinction 'n drawing; Gwilym Rees, distinction in drawing; Hubert Richards, distinction in drawing; David Evan Thomas, distinctions in history, chemistry, and geography; David John Thomas; Ivor Treavett, distinction in drawing Ivor Watkins, distinction in history; and Clifford Williams. Supplementary Certificates (8) .-Ethel Evans, distinction in drawing; Margaret Evans; Phyllis Fletcher; Jane George, dis- tinction in drawing; Pansy Lewis; Amelia Thomas; l Muriel Williams; and Trevor Williams. Junior Certificates (34).—Edith Davies; Lizzie Davies; Margaratte Annie Davies; Lilian Dunn, distinction in botany; Gwenny George Anni Mary Griffiths; Margaret Ann Griffiths; Bessie Jenkins; Dora Jones; Mar- iV'ret Ann Jones; Violet Jones, distinction in arithmetic Nellie Morgan Mattie Rees, dis- tinctions in arithmetic, mathematics, Latin and Welsh Annie May Samuel Maggie Thomas, distinction in French; Margaret Williams; David Samuel Edwards, distinctions in draw- ing and woodwork; William Gwyn Evans, distinction in drawing; Evan John Griffiths, distinctions in arithmetic and mathematics; John Watkin James; Sidney John, distinction in drawing; Ivor Llewellyn Jones, distinc- tions in English, arithmetic, mathematics, French, chemistry, and geography; Thomas Idris Jones, distinction in woodwork; Emrys Lake, distinctions in chemistry, woodwork, and drawing; Elfed Lewis, distinction in drawing; Arthur McCarthy, distinctions in mathematics, French, and chemistry; ldwal Phillips, distinctions in chemistry and draw- ing; Arthur Richards, distinction in drawing; Brinley Roberts; Alfyn Thomas, distinctions in drawing and woodwork; Gwyn Thomas, distinctions in drawing and woodwork; lorwerth Thomas; Irwyn Walters; Thomas Madden Williams, distinction in Latin. The following have qualified for exemption from the Matriculation Examination of the University of Wales:-Dora Davies, Hannah Davies, Hannah Jane Davies, Phyllis Fletcher, Alice Lewis, Pansy Lewis, Ida Parry, Amelia Thomas, Annie Thomas, Maggie Thomas. Muriel Williams, Thomas George Davies, David Howells, Stanley 'Jenkins, Gwilym J. Rees, David Evan Thomas, IvOr Watkins, and Trevor Williams. FORM PRIZES. I Form Vl.-J. Emrys Beynon. Form VA.—Girls: Alice Lewis, Maggie Thomas, -Nina Rees. Boys: Thos. George Davies, D. Howells, D. Evan Thomas, Ivor Watkins. Form VB.- Girls: Doris James, Edna Leonard, Maggie Lodwick. Boys: Stanley Owens. Form IV A.-Margaret- Thomas, Mattie Rees. Boys: Ivor Jones, A. McCarthy, Madden Williams. Form IVB.-Girls: Bessie Jenkins. Boys: E. J. Griffiths, Emrys Lake, Idwal Phillips. Form Hi A.—Girls: Sarah Elizabeth Davies, Margaret Parry. Boys: M. Cohen, Cyril Davies, Douglas Treavett, Geraint Williams. Form IIIB.-Gi-is: Doris Jenkins, Edna Brin l ey Rees, Myfanwy Williams. Boys: Brinley Thomas, W. M. Thomas. Form IIA.-Girls: Fanny Coates, Gladys Davies. Boys: Hubert Lewis, Gilbert Jones, Meurig Jones, Vincent Thomas, ldris Vialters, Austin Williams. Form JIB.-Gnls: Betty Mainwaring, Prim- rose Rogers. Boys: Ronald Evans, Anthony Williams.

ILlandilo -County School.…

FOURTEEN V.C.'s.11

Brynamman Prisoner of War's…

With the Welsh in the¡ Near…

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lesu y Sosialydd.

I Y NADOLIG.

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