Sheffield Independent – Friday 22 February 1929

Wath Speech Day. 

Secondary Education “A Sound Investment.”

The Majestic Cinema, Wath-on-Dearne, was crowded yesterday, on the occasion of the annual Speech Day of the Wath Secondary School. The area covered by the school represents a population of 75,000. the districts being Wath, West Melton, Brampton, Wombwell, Jump, Hemingfield, Thurnscoe, Goldthorpe, Bolton, Rawmarsh, Parkgate and Darfield.

The chief speaker was Dr. Baillie, Vice- Chancellor Leeds University.

Mr. A T. L. Grear, the headmaster, in his report said the pupils increased from 442 in September, 1927, to 483 in 1928 and they would have over 500 by the time they entered the new buildings. The work, however, showed distinct improvement. After a five years’ course four pupils had gained the Higher School Certificate; the matriculation results were three times as good as the 1927 results. They had also obtained 35 school certificates. The school had made real progress during its five years’ existence, and the outlook was full hope. Their aim was to try and convert the hope into a reality. The “House” system was very successful. The Parents’Cup for work and conduct had been won by either Athens or Sparta for 11 times out of 13. Athens represented West Melton and Sparta Wath.

Dr. J. B. Baillie then presented the certificate to the successful students. The expenditure on secondary education, although not properly understood in certain quarters, was a sound investment on behalf of the country and the students.

Athens took the Parents’ Cup for work and conduct, and Sparta the Talbot Cup for tennis and swimming.