Pupils Told to “Take Pride”
“Take a pride in things,” urged Mrs. F. J. Sharwood, of the school-leavers at Rushden Tennyson Road County Modern School annual prize-giving last week.

“Take pride in yourselves. Beautiful clothes and jewels are for the few, but you can have clean clothes, clean bodies and clean minds. Go on playing games for as long as you can – old age is the time to take things easy. Read all the good books you can, see all the splendid films, look at good pictures and listen to good music.

“Your home is the place where sacrifices have been made for you. Do not ever bring disgrace to your home; do credit to your parents wherever you are.

Do not consider it is time wasted to take on responsibility where the town is concerned, and whatever career you have chosen, take a pride in it and in being conscientious and accurate. Do not ever let your career become a mere end to a full pay packet. Give of your best and you will receive of the best from those that employ you.

“Finally, take a pride in your King and country, and if you ever go overseas, remember you are British and take a pride in whatever colony or Dominion you go to.”

Miss M. Boys, headmistress of the Tennyson Road School, at present housed in the Victoria Road Boot and Shoe School, referred to the “separation” of the school at the end of term, when the boys will transfer to the new pre-fab school for 11-15 year olds in Tennyson Road, and the girls will go to the North End School.

“The school was brought into being with enthusiasm and high hopes in 1947,” she said, “and with the extra year at their disposal they had tried to give the boys and girls a wider outlook on life.

“We have tried, in the last two years, to develop in the boys and girls a sense of responsibility,” she continued, “and this is no easy task in a time when irresponsibility is rife.”

Instruction
Boys had been given extra handicraft instruction and the girls domestic science with an extra dressmaking course, she said, in an attempt to make them interested in making things for the home.

Half of the school’s complement of a little over a hundred had helped in the potato harvest last autumn and had sold £21 in Christmas seals. The football eleven were champions of the Rushden and District League.

Visits had been made to various factories and the school was appreciative of the number of parents who had come to the school and discussed the future careers of their sons and daughters with the Employment Officer.

“A school can do well with the co-operation of the parents but very little without it,” said Miss Boys.

The following prizes were awarded by Mrs. Sharwood:

Joyce Buckby (mathematics and geography), Betty Kirk (domestic science and general responsibility), Leonard Riches (art and good progress), Kenneth Smith (handicrafts), Raymond Martin (sportsman’s prize), John Negus (sincere hard work), June Warren (needlework and general helpfulness), Joyce Dudley (mathematics and geography), Joyce Brown (English), Thelma Minor (English and general helpfulness), Peter Richardson (handicraft and art), Josephine Abram (needlework and reliability), June Denton (good progress, athletics and art), Pauline Dawson (domestic science and sense of responsibility), Peter Bird (handicraft and history).

The Mrs. Sarwood prize for the girl with the best sense of responsibility was won by Pamela Parrish.

Monetary awards were also made to Raymond Martin on behalf of Messrs. Eaton and Co. for the best essay on a visit to the factory, and by Messrs. John Cave and Sons to Colin Dunkley, Sheila Childs, Joyce Buckby, Leonard Richards and Raymond Wagstaff.

Councillor Mrs. O. A. H. Muxlow, who presided in the absence of Councillor T. W. Cox (chairman of the School Managers) wished the school-leavers “God speed and the best of luck in any occupation you may take up,” and added: “I hope you will not consider your education complete but just beginning.” She agreed to Mrs. Sharwood’s request for a half-day holiday for the school to “commemorate” the occasion. Miss W. M. Clipson was also present.

Pamela Parrish, who won Mrs. Sharwood’s prize for the girl with the best sense of responsibility, proposed the vote of thanks to the visitors, seconded by Colin Dunkley, and presented Mrs. Sharwood with a bouquet of sweet peas.

The ceremony concluded with the scholars singing “Come Gladsome Spring,” a Bible reading by Peter Hodgkins and prayers.

There was an exhibition of handicrafts and needlework, with the emphasis on renovations.