1940
With the outbreak of World War 2, the 1940 Gala was cancelled and the prizes presented at the School. This must have been sickening for the participants but it would have been sacrilege to continue the Gala with the rest of the world at War.
Newbattle Public School
July 1940
The annual prize giving ceremony of Newbattle Public School took place last Wednesday afternoon in the School. Owing to the prevailing conditions, the usual interesting programme was greatly modified and one of the principal features of previous ceremonies which had to be abandoned was the choral interludes of the school choir.
This year the attendance was also greatly curtailed, only prize winners, those gaining certificates and their parents being present. Mr Charles D Walinck MA BSc, Headmaster of the School, presided and was accompanied on the platform by the Rev and Mrs. A.W. Greig, Mr John Rutherford JP and Mr Archibald Dougall, Chairman and Secretary of the Newtongrange and District Children's Day Committee .
The proceedings were opened by the singing of the hymn, 'O God our help in ages past'. In a brief speech, Mr Walinck stated that the past session had been one of unexampled difficulty but despite the many obstacles encountered and the added strain occasioned by war conditions , the close co-operation between the teaching staff and pupils had fully maintained the high standard of efficiency of previous sessions and had resulted in 100 qualifying passes, 27 school and two junior secondary certificates, representing the former lower and higher leaving certificates , being gained by pupils, a highly gratifying result in the unparalleled conditions of the past session.
In a short address, the Rev Alex W. Greig congratulated Mr Walinck, teachers and prize winning pupils on the excellent results attained during a difficult year. He trusted the boys and girls who were leaving at this period would remember what they had been taught and they would become worthy citizens. Mrs Greig presented the merit and SSPCA prizes and Dux medal. The merit shield was presented to Buccleuch House and Lothian were awarded the sports shield.
Owing to the abandonment of the local children's Gala Day crowning
ceremony and celebrations, the Gala Day Committee had decided to present the
Committee's Prizes at this ceremony, Mr John Rutherford, Chairman of the Gala
Day Committee, said the Committee had been reluctantly compelled to cancel
this year's Gala Day celebrations, It was a decision they greatly regretted
but they were unanimously of the opinion that it would have been extremely
unwise in the present unsettled situation, He felt certain all would agree
that in the circumstances no other course was possible. The Committee, however,
had decided that although the picturesque crowning ceremony had been abandoned
it would have been unfair to deprive those who would have otherwise been principals
in the ceremony from receiving the tangible gifts presented annually by the
committee in recognition of their merit. On behalf of the committee he had
great pleasure in handing over the Gala Day Championship Dux Shield and watch
to John P. McQue, Dux Pupil and watches to King elect, James M. Peacock
and Queen elect, Rebecca D. Pryde. Mr. Rutherford also presented
the sports prizes.
On the call of Mr. Walinck, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to all who
had taken part in the prize giving ceremony. The proceedings terminated with
the National Anthem.