SOME THIRD FORMERS TAUGHT MAKE-UP ART

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28821, 16 February 1959, Page 2

SOME THIRD FORMERS TAUGHT MAKE-UP ART

“Th* Prw Special Service

AUCKLAND, February 15.

Girls of 12 and 13 were occasionally taught in some schools how to use cosmetics properly to prevent them from imitating widgies, the principal of Selwyn College, Mr N. P. Pitcaithly, said. He defended the practice of some third form teachers who instructed their pupils in the art of make-up and claimed it was a “sound principle.” Mr Pitcaithly was replying to a letter published in the “N.Z. Herald” from a writer who said he was shocked to learn that his 13-year-old granddaughter was being taught how to use make-up in her third form class. Mr Pitcaithly said it was not unusual near the end of the year for schools to invite an outside instructor to lecture senior girls on dress and make-up as part of their training in general deportment

However, girls were great imitators and third form schoolgirls of 12 and 13 sometimes used make-up at the weekends. The danger was that they might imitate the widgie type and go to excesses in make-up. “Young girls don’t know how to handle cosmetics so an expert may be called upon to advise them on how to tone down makeup so they will hot look cheap.” Mr Pitcaithly said that if 12 and 13-year-olds were Imitating widgies, teachers had to work on the problem at once. “They may notice pupils outside at weekends and decide to give early and necessary instruction. That wduld be the only excuse for teaching the third formers.”

While it had not been necessary to give this instruction at Selwyn College, Mr Pitcaithly found it necessary when he was teaching in Northland. “It was run as a class and called general grooming.” Miss Violet Wood, principal of St. Cuthbert’s College, said the only time make-up was mentioned was in clothing classes for fifth form pupils who were- taking dress and fashion for the school certificate examination.

The girls were expected to have ideas of good taste as well as styling of clothes. Make-up and fashions went hand in hand. Miss R. I. Gardner, headmistress of Auckland Girls’ Grammar School, said make-up could form part of the clothing lessons for senior girls. In some cases, a beauty specialist might be invited to talk to parents and older girls. The emphasis would not be on make-up so much as care of the skin. Such instruction had been conducted through the Old Girls’ Association and the Parent Teachers’ Association.

All the principals agreed that school rules did not permit girls to wear make-up at classes.

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