TE WAIPOUNAMU

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22661, 16 March 1939, Page 2

TE WAIPOUNAMU

Activities of Maori School — Scholarship Holder Married

SUCCESSFUL YEAR REPORTED "A SERVICE TO THE MAORI PEOPLE" "The confidence expressed by the council's last annual report in Sister Constance, who had then only recently been appointed principal of Te Waipounamu, has been entirely justified by the school's happy and successful year," states the annual report of the council of Te Waipounamu School for' Maori Girls, which will be presented at the annual meeting to-day. "Sister Constance succeeded Sister Kate, who returned to Community House in February, 1938. Shortly atterwards a garden party in her honour was arranged and many friends of Sister Kate attended this function to pay tribute to her unselfish and devoted work for the school during the last 14 years." The report continues: —"The council feels that in making mention of Sister Constance and Sister Kale, it must at the same time acknowledge its debtj of gratitude for the invaluable help! received in the past from the Com-' munity of the Sacred Name and its: Sisters. Here, too, must also be recorded -an appreciation of the splendid services of Sister Francis, C.S.N., Sister Constance's assistant. "The average number of pupils on the roll during the year has been 17, of whom eight are doing secondary school work.. Five of the girls came from the Chatham Islands. "Regular training in domestic work is a provision on the scttool time-table, instruction being given in cooking and other branches of housecraft, and Miss Price has also been taking the girls for sewing lessons. No detailed account of the school's activities would, however, be complete without notice of Miss Hilda Harding's devotion to her duties as a member of the staff. It also affords considerable pleasure to all who are connected with the school to know that many of the school's old scholars are doing exceptionally good work—of those who have left recently one is teaching at a Government Native School near Tauranga, while two more are attending Training College. Attention is also being given to physical culture and for the first time Te Waipounamu has been able to enter a team in net ball competitions, two matches being won by the team." Services in the Maori language had been held regularly in the school chapel during the year by the Rev. J. T. McWilliam. The annual prizegiving was not held this year at the request of the girls themselves. This request had been made as a mark of respect to their late' fellow-pupil, Reria Karetai, who dfed after a short illness. Reria was held in high esteem and the pupils asked that the funds for the prize-giving should be used instead to provide some memorial to her. News of the death of another old pupil, Hine Skipper, had been received by the council with deep regret. The report concludes:—"The council believes that the school, under the able guidance of Sister Constance and her staff, is rendering a service to the Maori people which will both merit the continued interest and support of all friends of Te Waipounamu, and commends itself to the notice of others."