ST. MARGARETS COLLEGE

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25924, 3 October 1949, Page 2

ST. MARGARETS COLLEGE

NEW HEADMISTRESS ARRIVES “Every old girl of St. Margaret’s College I have met has told me what a wonderful school I am going to,” said Miss J. P. Crosher, the new headmistress of St. Margaret’s College, on her arrival in Christchurch on Saturday. Miss Crosher, who expects to take up her new appointment this week, arrived in the Mataroa from England where she has been teaching for the last three; years. Born in Auckland. Miss Crosher has had much experience as a teacher. She taught at Nga Tawa College, Masterton. for four years, and after spending one year in Auckland returned to Nga Tawa where she -stayed for another four years before going abroad. In England Miss Crosher biology for two years at the School of St. Helen and St. Katharine ,at Abingdon, near Oxford. Before leaving for New Zealand. Miss Crosher was teaching biology and divinity at the Talbot Heath School, in Bourrimouth. “This is the first time I have been a headmistress,” she said. “The Government idea of doing away with the school certificate examination in England is still in the melting pot.” said Miss Crosher. “The schools are up in arms at the idea. Oxford and Cambridge won’t recognise it. and they are carrying on with their own educational system,” she said. “They have their own ideas and they won’t be interfered with. Of course every school has its different problems and I feel that it is too early to judge whether the new curriculum will work or not.” Asked if she thought the new idea would affect the school leaving age. Miss Crosher said: “I don’t think it will, but it will m~an that it will hold back a clever child.” The school leaving age in England was 15 years. “I was amazed to see the amount of lovely china displayed in the Wellington shops,” said Miss Crosher. “It was English china, and priced much cheaper than it could be bought for in England.” Clothes in England are very expensive. according to Miss Crosher. Utility clothes were still being made, but if high quality goods were wanted exceptionally * high prices were asked for them. Frocks were priced from £2O and for a hat £lO was considered a reasonable price. Good shoes cost £lO a pair, and overcoats were between £2O and £25. “I am looking forward to living in Christchurch very much,” Miss Crosher said. “Although I shall miss the concerts I enjoyed so much in England I am told that this is a musical city and I hope to attend as many musical functions as possible.” Miss Crosher will live at St. Margaret's House, Papanui road.