THE WELLINGTON DIOCESAN SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, NGA TAWA, MARTON.

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 63, 8 December 1936, Page 15

THE WELLINGTON DIOCESAN SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, NGA TAWA, MARTON.

Nga Tawa stands on. high ground in a very healthy part, about a mile ant a half from Marton. The present buildings date from LLo, when the school was rebuilt; they are airy, light, gnd spacious. The school ■block, consisting of form-rooms, library and reading-room, studio, laboratory, and music wing, stands rather apart from the main building, to w'bich it Is joined by a covered way. The gymnasium, which is fitted with up-to-date apparatus, is 60ft. by 40ft., find Is used for badminton, Greek dancing, plays, and assemblies, as well as gymnastics. The chapel, built in 1930, stands close at hand among a group of silver birches agfiinst a background of wattle trees, and the dark avenue of macrocarpas that is one of the beauties of the place. A short service is held there twice a day, attended by all. and a confirmation service takes place once a year, when the Bishop of Wellington confirms the candidates. The grounds consist of 37 acres of paddocks and gardens—there are six concrete tennis courts, games fields, and a swimming bath. The pupils are encouraged to take a wide interest lit many activities, apart from their lessons, such as gardening, riding, swimming, acting, dressmaking, embroidery, and other handicrafts. Music is studied by many pupils, and the examination results in piano and violin-playing, singing and harmony show a high standard. Concerts, lectures, and entertainments are arranged several times a year, when well-known jiiusicians, lecturers and artists visit the school. The girls also get up performances themselves, either under supervision or entirely unaided. Whenever possible, they are taken to entertainments that will widen their experience, such as the Malcolm Sargent, concert in Wellington, the tennis tournament at Wanganui, or the exhibition of Titania’s palace. Plenty of time Is allowed for games and exercise, and this is perhaps the most popular part of the curriculum! Matches against other schools and private teams.take place fairly often. The senior matron is a trained nurse, and the health of the girls is carefully studied; their appearance shows that the life suits them. They wear short brown tunics and short-sleeved blouses in summer, and iu winter brown pullovers and tunics, a big cloak and hood, the latter lined with gold and brown, the school colours. The girls are prepared for entrance and scholarship examinations of the New Zealand and English universities. The Nga Tawa teaching staff includes highly-qualified university women from England, under the leadership of Miss Mitchell, the headmistress. The primary aim of the school, however, is not study, nor yet sport, but character-building, and for this reason the whole system of the school work and play is planned to tit the girls mentally, physically, and spiritually for the life that awaits them in the future. —P.B.A.