WELLINGTON EAST GIRLS’ COLLEGE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 71, 17 December 1926, Page 3

WELLINGTON EAST GIRLS’ COLLEGE

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES The Concert Chamber was filled yesterday morning when the presentation of prizes was held there by the Weiling ton East Girls’ College. Mr. W. H. P. Barber presided, 'nd cu the platform besides Miss Batham, ihe principal, and staff, were Miss McLean (late of Wellington College). Miss- Greig (principal of the Girls’ College), Mr. Strong (Assistant Director of Education), Air. Forsyth, M.P. (Education Board), Mrs. E. W. Kane, Air. Judd, Miss Hetherington (inspector of secondary schools), Air. -and. Mrsr-Holds worth (Parents’ Association), and others. Air. Barber referred to ths progress of the college' during its two years, the roll having increased from 247 to 322, and 50 pupils had to lie refused. The building of a college on the eastern side had been fully justified, and the Department must realise the necessity of providing more accommodation, and also those accessories necessary frr the requirements of secondary education. They were indebted to the Parents’ Association for providing tennis courts, and he spoke appreciatively < f a gift from Mrs. Ames of gates for the college, which would be appreciated by the Department and by the citizens <f Wellington. Ho again stressed the necessity for parents to see that their children took advantage of th© facilities for a college education, so that they went out into the world fully equipped. In her report Aliss Bathim raid there would be a little more accommodation next year,. as their only empty room was to be equipped with desks. This left the only place for assembly the corridor and stairway of the vestibule, and ’ she hoped they would soon have an assembly hall. The ftaff had increased by Miss Jull, iu home science, Miss Black, physical drill, and Aliss Martin. Regret was expressed at the death of Air. Daniell, the drawing master, and two girls, Ena Watts and Jean McLean.

In the matriculation last ear eleven girls gained full passes rnd two jartial. Eight passed the public service entrance examination. One of the 'girls, Feo Smvth, gained ninth place for New Zealand and came first for the Wellington district. At the inspectors’ visit 62 girls were given their senior free places without further examination. ‘ In addition 13 girls were granted an extension of their junior free place. Five girls also gained Pitman’s certificates for shorthand. Through the generous help of the Parents’ Association, Aliss Theel, Air. Perry and others there had been many additions, and the foundations of a fine library had ■ been laid, and already the need for a'larger room and more shelves was urgent. The Aloe Ahunr Club had haa Interesting debates, speeches, readings, end ’gramophone recitals. The college had a very enthusiastic Junior Red Cross circle with a membership of 58. Twenty-two girls were successful in gaining their certificates in home nursing. Their social service had been well organised by Aliss Mar’sdon and carried out by the girls. The school had now become a branch of the New Zealand Student Christian movement, with a membership of 48. There was a Girl Guide and Navy League membership. The school, thanks mostly to the Parents’ Association, were able to play on their own tennis courts. Air. J. A. B. Howe was thanked for his kindness in allowing the girls to uso his courts in the meantime. Basketball challenge matches had beep played with the Wellington Girls’ College, Wairarapa High School, Victoria University, and St. Mark's. The school team holds at present the association shield of the intermediate grade. The school holds the Davies Shield for swimming, given to the school with highest percentage under 15 who could swim 1000yds. Twenty-eight girls gained this and eight certificates for a mile and a half. Twelve gained certificates in life saving. In concluding, Miss Batham thanked all those who had assisted the school and her staff and. prefects for their loyalty and help throughout. Aliss McLean, who distributed the prizes, first expressed her pleasure at being among friends, members of her old staff and girls, of the old college among them, and congratulated the school on their fine record. They were, she said, exercising a patient spirit, and she hoped by persistent effort they would get those things they needed. All schools should be spaciously equipped. She urged the girls to go cn developing after thev left school. All could not become publicly known as successes, hut thev were so if they developed physically, mentally and spiritually to the best of their capacity, and she instanced Maude Royden as a woman who had triumphed over great physical disabilities and worked for others. She hoped all would keep, in mind that word "others,” Mr. Strong congratulated , the colleges on the excellent behaviour 'of the girls, not only at school, but at all times that he had observed it. Ho mentioned the consideration shown by the boys and girls to old people in the trams. He felt sure that the children in New Zealand were being educated .in the right principles in the schools, and he was glad to hear that they were given such high ideals. As to the question why girls and boys left college before the completion of their course (30 per cent, leave after one year), he thought a contributory cause was the choice of subjects for instruction. To-day school was an attractive place and there was a strong spirit of comradeship between pupil and teacher, and the subjects needed to be congenial to the scholar. Homework should not be burdensome, and the child should be encouraged to choose subjects which would bo of service later in life. Of the present school he said, while it yet had no tradition, it was for the present scholars to build up such a tradition, so that others fallowing- would benefit by their influence and thus they had a work to do for the school as well as the teachers. Airs. E. W. Kane, ca behalf of the Board of Governors, thanked all those who had spoken, and also Aliss Batham and her staff, who had worked at first under great disadvantages.

After the speeches a short programme was given by the girls, consisting of drill movements, a classic danee, and songs by the school choir under Miss Martin.

Prizes were presented as follow:— Form Vl.—Dux. Elsie Kennedy (gold medallist, 1925); Ist English and history. Ist languages, Ist mathematics and science. Gold medallist: Eileen Watson, 2nd languages, 2nd mathematics and science (liook presented by Miss Greig); Patricia Booth, 3rd English and history. 3rd languages;.'Merle McCrea, 2nd mathematics and science; Edith Turner, 2nd English and history. Form X r A.—Joyce Gib=on, Ist eq. languages, Ist mathematics and science; Patricia Buckley, Ist eq. languages; Phyllis Linton, 2nd eq. mathematics and science, 3rd languages. Form VB.—Zillah Castle. Ist tenguages: Jean Watts, Ist mathematics and science. Form IVA.—Joan Feltham, Ist combln-

ed subjects; Betty Luke. 2nd combined subjects; Alelva Wise, 3rd combined subjects. Form IVB.—Grace Sawtell, Ist eq. combined subjects, Ist Scripture; Kathleen Sims,- Ist eq. combined subjects; Jean Bradley, 3rd eq. combined subjects, Ist eq. cookery; Trixie Denton, 3rd eq. Form IVO,—Patricia Chamberlain, Ist combined subjects, 2nd commercial work; Mabs Eversleigh, 2nd combined subjects, Ist commercial work; Mavis Mouton, 3rd combined subjects. Form lIIA, —Christine Brown, Ist eq. combined subjects; Dora Dilner, Ist eq. combined subjects; Lois Richards, 3rd combined subjects. Form II IB.—Marian Bassett, Ist combined subjects; Gwen Bishop, 2nd eq. combined subjects; Grace Forster, 2nd eq. combined subjects; Nora Scolon, 2nd eq. combined subjects, 2nd eq. needlecraft; Eileen Watts, Ist needlecraft, Ist sculpture. ' Form IIIC— Afargaret Aimers, Ist combined subjects; Al Uriel Lancaster, 2nd eq. combined subjects, Ist drawing; Alice Morfee, 2nd eq. combined subpects. . , Form HlD.—lris Paterson, Ist combined subjects; Gwen Bailey, 2nd conjoined subjects,- Ist Scripture; Afargaret Cowin, 3rd combined subjects, Ist cooker;’; Gwen Ockenden, Ist needlecraft, Ist drawing. , Special Prizes.—Practical home science (presented bv the Parents’ Association and others):'Needlecraft: Fourth Forms: 1, Alollv .Skelley, Form IVA; 2. Alane Strange-Muir, IVC. Fancy needlework: 1 eq., Kathleen White. Form IVC: 1 eq., Alma Elliot, Form IVC. Third Forms: 1, Mollie Gambrill, Form lIIA. Cookery (practical), Fourth Forms: 1, Grace Sawtell. Form IVB; Third Forme, 1 Grace Patrick, Form lIIC. Good work and progress prizes (presented by the Wellington Girls College Old Girls’ Association and the Parents Association)—Margaret Birks, VA; Isabel Brash, VA; Phyllis Quinlan VB; Lucy Lea, V. 8.; Mabel Clapson, IXB; Alollie Gambrill, IIIA; Betty Reid, HID- Geraldine Fitzgerald, TIIC. Head prefect: Eslie Kennedy. ' Tennis Champion Cup (presented by Sir Kenneth Douglas and Mr. J. A. B. Howe): Winner, 1926. Doris Howe. Ten ni« doubles: Nessie Bell, Zillah Castle. Athletic Sports (cup presented by Miss Lucena): Senior champion, Nessie Bell , junior champion (cup presented by Ola (jirls* Association), Valmai Stone. Form cup'(presented by 1925 Form IX B), Form senior champion, Merle McCrae; junior champion, Mattey Fraser. Basket Ball Shield: Form XB.