PAST AND PRESENT

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 110, 2 February 1933, Page 8

PAST AND PRESENT

Teachers of Wellington Girls’ College MISS McLEAN’S INFLUENCE Miss M. G. Hamilton, first principal of Wellington Girls’ College, was au assistant at the Christchurch Girls’ Hi'’h School at the time of her appointment. She had a most punctilious re■’ard for thoroughness and accuracy, and when marking examination papers would take excessive pains iu discriminating between pupils of nearly equal merit. Strictness of discipline was tempered by kindness of disposition. Alert and active, both physically and mentally, she was fond of conversation and the free expression of opinion. At one time she broke down, and iu the last term of 1885 she was away from school for six weeks. Miss Hamilton held her position as principal until the last year of the century, sending in her resignation in the first term of 1900. She left New Zealand to reside in Tasmania, marrying Mr. Charles Corso de Naverne, who had been modern language teacher at the school since 1888. In later years be became blind. He died in 1914, just about the time when the invaders were approaching Paris. Miss Hamilton —to keep the name by which everybody knew her—lived some years in Victoria, and died there. Early Assistants.

Dr. J. Innes, who was first assistant at the school, came from the Timaru High School, and was a member of the staff until March, 1900. His work lay chiefly with Latin, mathematics and English, especially English literature. He was also expected to assist in tlie organisation and administration of the school, being sometimes described as assistant principal. Dr. Innes left to become headmaster of the Marlborough High School, or as it is now called, Marlborough College, a position which lie held until his retirement in 1922.

The other assistant at the opening of the school, Miss Margaret Richmond, was the daughter of Mr. Justice Richmond. Her natural ability and her sympathetic nature made her a very successful teacher. She left the school at the end of 1885 to marry the late Dr. Walter Fell. Her death occurred on Saturday. Miss Florence Gillon was appointed third assistant not long after the opening of the school, but after two years she left to take a position in the south. She was reappointed in 1886, however, and remained on the staff until her marriage with Mr. G. V. Hudson. Miss Edith Howitt Searle, the daughter of a Christchurch journalist who afterward became editor of the “New Zealand Times,” joined the school at the beginning of 1885, and remained until the close of 1900. She took the middle classes of the school, and later shared the senior Latin and English. Miss Mary Richmond taught at the school for nearly six years, from 1885 to April, 1890. Her work lay chiefly with the lower forms. Miss McLean’s Appointment. The appointment of Miss Mary McLean, M.A., C.8.E., as principal was made in 1900, and she remained at the school until her retirement in 1926. Miss McLean was educated at Canterbury College, Christchurch, where she took her M.A. degree in 1890, and later was on ■ tlie sthffl of the Timaru Girls’ High School. Under her guidance the Wellington Girls’ College made rapid progress. She had a forceful character, which was reflected in the pupils, who received their training under her direction, and she earned the respect of parents and educationists generally. She was largely responsible for the division of the school and the establishment of the Wellington East Girls’ College. Miss McLean was also successful in having formed a parents’ association to co-operate with her and her staff. The destinies of the college at the present time are being guided by Miss V. M. Greig, who, prior to her appointment in 1926 ns principal, was headmistress of the Napier Girls’ High School. Miss Greig has had a notable career. Between 1890 and 1895 she attended the Otago Girls’ High School. She left that institution as dux of the school, and winner of the board of governors’ gold medal. Between 1896 and 1899 she studied at the Otago University, and passed her M.A. with firstclass honours in Latin, and also gained the John Tinline scholarship of £5O a year for excellence in English and literature. She gained her B.Sc. degree in 1904.

Miss Greig began her teaching experience at the Dunedin’ Teachers' Training College, and in 1897 she had a varied experience as a teacher in the primary schools of Dunedin. Subsequently Miss Greig was appointed first assistant at the Waitaki Girls’ High School, and there acted as headmistress during the principal’s visit to England. In 1909 she left to take oyer tlie duties of headmistress at the Napier Girls’ High School, over whicli institution she successfully presided for sixteen years. In 1918-19 Miss Greig visited the schools and colleges of Canada, the United States, and England.