THE YEAR ENDS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 71, 17 December 1937, Page 4

THE YEAR ENDS

Break-Up Ceremonies At

Three Schools

Schooldays for 1937 are over now, and each day sees one or more breakup ceremonies and presentation of prizes, those pleasant preludes to several weeks’ holiday. Yesterday there were three prize-givings in Wellington, the schools concerned being Marsden, Wellington Girls' College and Queen Margaret College, which also held its annual “Parent’s Day.”

Wellington Girls' College

The prize-giving of the Wellington Girls’ Collego, which was held last night at the concert chamber of the Town Hall, held a special significance on this occasion for it was the last public appearance of Miss V. M. Greig as principal of the college.

Many people prominent in the educational world and others connected with the college were gathered on the stage, among them the Hon. P. Fraser, Minister of Education, and Mrs. Fraser, Mrs. T. C. A. Hislop, wife of the mayor of Weliingt’on, Miss Mary MacLean, former principal of Wellington Girls’ College, Miss N. Isaac, principal of Wellington East Girls’ College, Miss A. M. Batham, former principal of Wellington East Girls’ College, Mr. L. Mackenzie, chairman of the board of Governors, Mr. Caradus, representing the Education Department, Mrs. Urquhart, president of the old girls’ association, Miss D. Johnstone, first assistant at the college, and other members of the staff.

The stage was beautifully decorated with baskets of african daisies, marigolds and delphiniums, and bouquets were presented to Mrs. Fraser, Mrs. Hislop, Miss Greig and Miss Mac Lean. In his’opening remarks, Mr. Mackenzie congratiilated the prize-winners. He also congratulated the principal fend her staff on their successful year’s work, and said that the school deeply regretted that they were to lose the services of Miss Greig.

When Miss Greig rose to present her report, she was received with acclamation. Her report recorded a successful year, despite the interruptions necessitated by the infantile paralysis epidemic. Miss Greig referred in particular to school activities apart from academic work, to the development in the school of home nursing, speech training, dramatic work, music and physical culture. Miss Greig also mentioned the successes of old girls, many of whom had reached the peak of their professions both in New Zealand and abroad. In conclusion she thanked the staff, the parents’ association, the prefects and the many people who have assisted the school during the year.

The numerous prizes and sports trophies were presented by Mrs. P. Fraser. Miss Mac Lean presented the Mary Mac Lean scripture prize and the Mary Mac Lean scholarship award. Mrs. Urquhart presented the old girls’ association prize. Mr. Fraser, as Parliamentary representative and Minister of Education, expressed his regard and esteem for Miss Greig as a teacher and an influence for good in the community. Mr. Caradus expressed his appreciation of her work on behalf of the education department. The ceremony concluded with a programme of verse speaking and singing by pupils of the college. Marsden School Despite the bad weather there was a very large attendance of parents and friends at the annual prize-giving at Marsden School 'yesterday afternoon. The prizes were presented by the Bishop of Wellington, the Rt. Rev. H. St. Barbe Holland, who was introduced by the headmistress of the school, Miss Mayhew. On the stage with the Bishop and Miss Mayhew were Miss Baber, a former headmistress, Bishop and Mrs. Sprott and members of the Board of Governors. Mrs. Sprott, Miss Mayhew and Miss Baber were presented with beautiful bouquets. The stage was most attractively decorated with jardinieres of lovely hydrangeas and foxgloves in tones of pink and blue, and draping the table on which were arranged the various prizes was a Union Jack. After Miss Mayhew had read her annual report, the gathering was addressed by tlie Bishop, who gave a spirited talk on the value of education and of looking at things through other eyes. He contended that if people and nations could see things with a more open mind and get the other person’s viewpoint, then the causes of misunderstanding and of war would be eliminated. He also urged the girls to try and see their parents’ point of view on many matters. They should try and realise how much parents gave up for their children. Girls, the Bishop added, should also try to look at themselves through their teachers’ eyes, for school life, too, could be made so much happier if one could get a wider viewpoint. In conclusion, he urged the girls to strive for the capacity for unselfish thinking and for fair thinking. Before leaving, Bishop Holland made a presentation to Mrs. Dutton, tlie school secretary, who is retiring. A display of school work was inspected and admired by those present. 'The ceremony concluded with songs by the school and the singing of the National Anthem.

Queen Margaret College

Parents’ day at Queen Margaret College was a little marred by the wet weather yesterday. A drill and dancing display had to be postponed and the prize-giving, which was to have been held in tlie school grounds, took place in the Masonic Hail. In spite of this, a large number of parents, friends, an'd old girls visited the school during the afternoon and saw the attractive exhibition of needlework, dressmaking, drawing, and other school work which was displayed in the classrooms. Afternoon tea was served in the school hall, which was decorated with tall vases of delphiniums and deep bowls of pink and purple stocks.

Many visitors were present at tL> e Masonic flail 'during the prize-giving. Mrs. H. D. Bennett, who presented the prizes, Miss I. Wilson, principal of the school, members of the board of governors, and members of the staff occupied the stage. Bouquets were presented to Mrs. Bennett and Miss Wilson. Mrs. Peter Fraser, wife of the Minister of Education, was among those who visited both the school and the hall.

Mr. G. Day, chairman of the board of governors, who introduced Mrs. Bennett, spoke very highly of all Miss Wilson and the school have done for the girls. Mrs. Bennett gave an address in which she spoke specially to the girls. To the prize-winners she said that tangible prizes were not the only things worth winning in life, and she wished success and happiness in the

future to those who were leaving school.

Before the prizes were presented Miss Wilson explained that they were awarded to any girl who had shown outstanding ability, and that they were given for all branches of school activity and not merely for academic work. At the conclusion of the ceremony the pupils sang the school song-and the Rev. A. B. Kilroy pronounced the Benediction.