GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.

Evening Star, Issue 5238, 18 December 1879, Page 2

GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.

o The annual distribution of prizes in connection with the above took place in the large room of the Boya' High School this afternoon, in the presence of a large number of the parents and friends of the scholars. The Right llev. Bishop Nevill presided. The work of the scholars was exhibited in an adjoining room. The Lai>y Principal (Mrs M. G. Burn) read the following report :- I hiiTo to lay before you to-diy my report for the session just closed. In so doing, I may remark that the school year, viewed as a whole, has been a pleasant one; tno tone of the school has been good, acd a sat'sfaefcery amount of progress has be. n made in all the classes. The number of girls who have gained the second standard—or, in other word!*, have gained 50 per cent, of marks, i«i large—which proves that a fair amount of success has attended our efforts fn arranging the school work I have had in view the placing ot certain branches in the hands of certain teachers, believing that by so doing I shall obtain bettir results than by giving to each teacher charge of the whole course in any tp«cial olasß I intend to carry this arrangement still farther next session.

The A, or highest class in the school, has thiß year been email. i?orne of the most promising girls have at vflrious times during the year left on account of iU-health. I regret losing these girls just when they begin to appreciate our higher work, and, after having carefully thought over the matter, I havo decided to confine the studies of those girls who intend to enter the University after leaving tho school to the branches for matriculation, while the rest, take the lighter, if more extended school course. This arrangement renders necessary a larger staff of teachers, but I have no doubt that the Board of Governors will give me the number required to carry on the work efficiently. A very largo number of girls enter tho High School at an age when they should join the Upper School, but from want of previous training they are unfit for the work of that department. I find it, therefore, necessary to make special classes for these girls in some subjects—for instance, in Frer ch. In view of this I would urge parents to send tbeir daughters to the High Pctiool at as early an age as tiny can be admitted, the more especially as the preparatory c ass is doing all that I can desire In the way of training 'o the higher classes. Ono Provincial scholar, Miss Annie Forbes, entered the school about eight months ago. She I has been admirably trained in piimaiy subjects by filr M'Nicol, of Gufcram, audi 3 giving me every satisfaction, b th with regard to progress and conduct. In this connection, I think it light to point out that there are serious dlrftcul ties in the wsy of our preparing High School pupils for these Provincial soholariduiJ examinations. Our woik lies along wider line.", and our course contains a larger number of subjects. Tho preparation for these competitions, therefire, implies either over-work for both pupils and teachers, or lots of certain subjects to the former, which places them at a disadvantage in competing for sohool honors. I think, also, that it is unwiße. as I havo alroady said, to put so great a mental strain on our young people at bo early an age. It can therefore only be in very special cases that I should deem It wise to recommend any of my pupils to take part in this competition. I have this year been able to re-introduco class singing into the two lowest classes, Misses Gillies and Douglas being both able to teach it. I regret te state that, though I have now an excellent teacher of gymnastics, the class has been but poorly attended, seventeen beng the highest number at any time during the year. I aiii sorry for thi«, as 1 consider physica' training quite as necessary, in an educational pjint of view, as mental. The number of pupils unrolled this year has been 171, 'he atttudancs being-First quarter, 139; second quarter, 141; thbd quarter, 144; fourth quarter, 110. Forty pupils have taken music lessons in school, 17 have attended the gymnasium, and 17 the dancing class In conclusion, I would earnestly urge on parents that the children should attend school b:ith regularly and punctually. In the majority of cr.ses I have little complaint to make, but some of the pupils are so irregular in both particulars that satisfactory progress is impossible. I have again to thank many friends who have sfnt me prizes in addition to those given by the Hoard of Governors—viz.. Mrs Holmes, three prizes; Miss Dalrymplc, "Victoria " priz s. for diligence, ftttention. and punctuality; Messrs Brown, Ewing. and Oo , a silver medal, for proficiency in English, gfogratmy, and arithmetic ; Rev. Dr Stuart; Di M'Dacdonald, for Lafin; Mr Joel, for KnglMi composition nrd 'j,iraj)Lraying; Mr Wilkie, for d'awitg ; Itfr <t. M.'J homs'.n, for botany; Mr Thomas Austin, nvo prizos, for iinjiMvi'suent; Dr Keimer ami Mr W'o'f •. tor Unnnan writing; Messrs <J. K, Wist; and Co., <wj priz s for music 111 conch'.;.lon, Mrs Burn announced that this morning she had received a prize from Mr \Y. J). Stewart, but as tho lifts had cloned ohc hid requested his permission that it be not presented till next year. Mr Hogg had also present! a prize for tho ensuing six months, lor Kuglisli composition, Mrs Bum further intimated th.T;u|> t.r, r.nprrsenb rime 1.15 }i;:d be'.-n rec-ived it! I':'\ i oi the !L:i.iiards'-in Fund.

The Ciiai:ou\ briefly addressed tho?e present. He said that the announcement in the report just read, that some of the scholars were about to become students in the University, wauj calculated to make oldfashioned people draw hack a little, He ti listed that there would be no hesitation in

advancing those present in studying the higher branches of human nature.

The following is the prifce-list : D Cr.ASß.—Pux, Miss H .Tool; 2nd, Miss Butor; 3rd, Miss L Anderson. Certificates: Misses Baxter, E Blyth, Eva F.irqnhar, Fitchctt. Joe), M M'NVil. C 2 Class, —Dux, Miss V Brent; 2nd, Miss Rainforth ; 3rd, Miss Beckinjrsnle. Certificates: Misses F Brent, Rainforth, Bcclcingsale, Austin, Cutten, M Jones, Borrie, Hepburn, Warren, M Allan, K M'Ncil. C 1 Class.- Duces : Missis L Salmond (Board of Governors' silver medal) and M J Orr (Mrs Burn's silvor medal). Certificates: Misses L Salmond, Orr, Brown, and M Hutton. B Ci,ahs —Duces: Miss A J Allan and Miss Salmond (Mr Hogg's prize); 2nd, Miss Hutton ; Srd, Miss Bark. Certificates : Misses Allan and Forbes

A Clans.—Dux of School (fsoird of Governors' pold medal), Miss F Allan ; 2nd, Miss Smith ; Srd, Miss A Martin. Certificates: Misses Allan, 3; Martin, 2; Smith, 1.

Special Prizes.—Messrs Brown. Ewing 1 , Rnd Co.'s Silver Medal, for proficiency In English, Geography, and Arithmetic—Miss A Forbes. "Victoria" Prizes, for Diligence, Attention, and Punctuality (Upper School) Miss Forhe", (Lower School) Miss Fin lay son. Composition—Mr Joel's Prize: Miss Helen Brown. Drawing—Mr Wilkie's Prize: Miss BathgtUi. Mapping—(Upper School): Missißrnnton. (Lower School) Miss B Law; Mr Gillies's Prize-Miss Iso Warren. Writing Misses F Sonntag, II Isaacs, L Kennedy. Prizes for Improvement—Mrs Burn's Prize for Good Conduct nnd General Improvement—Miss Sophia Maedonald ; Miss M'Orog >r's Miss Finlayson; Miss Gillies's Miss Austin; Miss Douglas's—Miss J Dods; Mr Austin's—Misses M Jones and E Blyth. Latin —Dr Macdonsld's prize : Miss Brunton. Botany—Mr Thomson's prize: Miss Salmond. French (Lower School): Miss Bcckingaale. German Writing -Misses Smith and Sonntag. Mrs White's Music Prizes—Misses A Wilson, Park, Hepburn. Mrs Spoonot's Music Prizos—Misses J M'Ncil and C Austin. Mrs Wilmot's Music Prizes Misses Jamison, M Burns, M Allan. Special Music Prize—Miss Iso Warren. Singing-—Miss Arkle.

In presenting the principal prize to Mi«s Flora Allan, the Chairman stated that this young lady had climbed up to the top of the tree from the lowest branches. He was informed that five years ago she entered the junior division of the school, and by industry and perseverance now held the distinguished position of dux of the school. Professor Macgregor moved a vote of thanks to Bishop Novill for the happy manner in which he had presided on th'e occasion. In doing so he suggested that girls should spread their course of training over one or two years longer, and that they should take their labors a little easier.

Immediately before the formal closing of the school the Rev. Dr Stuart presented Miss Macgregor—who is about severing her connection with the school after teaching there for four years—with a very handsome dressing case subscribed by her scholars. In so doing he said: Miss Macgregor— You have taught in the Girls' High school for years faithfully and efficiently. You now retire at your own request, and in obedience to family calls, requiring your presence and assistance at home ; but you take with you the good opinion of the Board of Governors, and, what is better, the esteem and love of your pupils, which they have agreed to express in the form of this handsome gift, and which, at their request, I beg to hand to you. I need scarcely say that we wish you a prosperous voyage and a happy reunion with your family. Should you ever, under the direction of the Great Providence, return to Otago, you may count on a hearty welcome from your old friends and neighbors.