Old Girls’ Association Formed 60 Years Ago

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29265, 25 July 1960, Page 2

Old Girls’ Association Formed 60 Years Ago

During the last 60 years the Christchurch High School Old Girls’ Association has kept faithfully to one of its original objects—to foster and keep alive among past-pupils a remembrance of the school and an active interest in its welfare. Many of its 700 members are scattered throughout the country.

Almost from the time of the first meeting, the association has planned, worked for and given many generous gifts to the school. It was responsible for the swimming pool, a piano, carpets and chairs for the hostel, and sewing machines among many other gifts. At present the association is working towards the furnishings for the new assembly hall.

During the third week-end in August, association members from all parts of New Zealand will meet in Christchurch for the diamond jubilee celebrations. Highlight of this will be the final performance of “The Possessive Case” at the Civic Theatre. This dramatic play was written by an old girl of the school, Mrs Jean Lawrence, of Blenheim, specially for the association. The cast and backstage crew are all past pupils and the producer, Miss Beryl Bigg-Wither, is also a member of the association.

Drama has played a prominent part in the association’s activities for many years and in the school itself has been an important subject. In the early days of the association a drama circle was formed along with circles for history, literature and music. Funds for prizes were quickly established by past-pupils. Other prizes are given yearly from memorial funds through which the association remembers outstanding teachers at the school The suggestion of a motto for the association was made at a meeting in July. 1913, and that

motto is inscribed on all the members’ badges. It reads: “Amicitiae Memoriaeque Foedus,” “Bonds of Friendship and Memory.” AU major • anniversaries of the Christchurch Girls’ High School are kept by members of the association. In 1927 the school’s golden jubilee was marked; in 1937. the sixtieth anniversary; and in 1952 the association worked hard for the successful seventyfifth anniversary celebrations. This time, for their own anniversary. members began work on their play rehearsals on July 5. Since then they have met four nights a week. “The Possessive Case” is a play of conflicting human emotions between women of three generations. The setting is a present-day scene in part of the garden and veranda of a North Island homestead built for a sheep station owner more than 100 years ago. The author has won many awards from the British Drama League for her plays and writes with a powerful and gripping strength. Principal actors in “The Possessive Case” include: Mrs Margaret Barrer (Lvdda), Miss Fay FtisseU (Path). Miss Mary Scott (Sue), M“s Doreen Corrick (Molly). Mrs Mavis Reesby (Opal), Miss Judith Irving (Fern) The stage manager is Mrs Betty Saxelby. and wardrobe mistresses are Miss O L Eslick and Mrs J Tregear

Prompts for the performance will be members of the association. and dressers, ushers and programme sellers will also be past pupils Other celebrations will Include a reunion on the afternoon of Saturday, August 20, for all old girls of the school, and a buffet dinner in the evening for branch and out-of-town members On Sunday many association members wiU attend morning service at St. Paul’s Church with the president (Miss Alison M. Burns).