ST. HILDA'S COLLEGIATE SCHOOL

Evening Star, Issue 21904, 15 December 1934, Page 24

ST. HILDA'S COLLEGIATE SCHOOL

PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY ADDRESS BY HR H. P. KIDSOH The breaking-up and prize-giving ceremony of St Hilda’s Collegiate School was-held in the Town Hall Concert Chamber last night, Bishop Fitchett presiding. >. _ Before the principal (Miss D. G. Blackmore) presented her thirty-ninth annual report the school hymn _ and school prayer were given by the girls. THE YEAR REVIEWED. Miss Blackmore welcomed Bishop Fitchett to tho board. He had had a great deal to do with the school in the past, and under his able chairmanship plans for the school’s betterment should be made and carried out. Twenty-four girls were admitted during the year, eighteen having left at the end of last year, so the roll had kept steady. There had been admissions each term. The kindergarten now consisted of eighteen girls and boys. They showed great industry and enjoyment, especially in their physical work and gardening. The work in the-, standards had been most satisfactory, and there was great promise for future examination candidates. They had. all worked cheerfully and industriously. “Forms I. and 11. have completed » 'splendid year’s work,” she said, ;“ and of the four candidates taking the proficiency examination three were • ‘successful and the fourth gained competency, They have also been successful in their- interschool netball matches. I am particularly pleased i with the spirit and enthusiasm shown in these forms. “Form 111. has enjoyed the first year in the secondary school, and has attained a very satisfactory standard of work. I am a anxious lest speed and ambition override the necessary careful , and neat hand-writing required „ , .“The girls an Form IV. have continued work with the keenness and enthusiasm shown last year. Ten girls sat- for the intermediate examination, thereby gaining experience for the school certificate and matriculation examinations which loom, as a goal, before them. Besides the high standard of work set by the majority of girls in this form, they have excelled themselves in sport by winning the interform netball - shield and the Marjone Hocking Cup, besides numerous cups and prizes for individual winners in tennis, athletic sports, and swimming. I am hoping that much of the abundant energy abounding here will be used in acquiring a, real sense of - responsibility and thoughtfulness in Form V, next year. It is important for them to realise’ the force of example in precept and in practice. “ The work of Form V. has been in general consistently good, as is noticed by the absence of names in the detention book. One and all have been keen workers to make a note of anything fresh with a view to further study. It has been most gratifying to witness the desired effect. Nine girls have entered both for school certificate and matriculation, arid one for the school certificate- ■ only. , . ■ ■

‘‘ Form VI. has specialised in English, geography,, and French, with the result that some talent in the art of original poetry has bedn discovered 'with very pleasing results, and also that one pupil might accept the_ position of guide through all the continents except Africa. This pupil has gained her higher leaving certificate. “In general, excellent progress has been made. Thanks to Mrs Mac Lean’s prizes for appreciation of book reading, interest in a variety of books has been stimulated in Form 111. and the upper school. Form IV. has been disappointing in this respect; perhaps this_ will be remedied in tbe future. It is_ so necessary to acquire a good critical judgment of books and writers and to be able to distinguish between what is good arid poor in style and structure, and as ‘ imitation is the sincerest form ofiflattery,’ to model one’s style on the good. I do to parents to join mo in this campaign of seeing that their girls read worthy books, and have time for reading a little every day._”_ This term lessons in speech training had been given to all classes above the kindergarten, with a view to establishing a, standard English pronunciation in the school. The girls had responded well to the instructions given, and already a marked improvement was noticeable. The faults generally _ remarked were due chiefly to what might be termed “ lip laziness ’’ and to the bad habit of speaking with the teeth almost-closed. Two girls entered for the Trinity College examinations in elocution, and both passed, Joan Denny obtaining 70 per cent, in the higher local division, and Helen Price gaining honours in the junior division with 93 per cent., this being_ the highest mark awarded in any division in the Dunedin centre. Thanks were due to Mrs Eastgate for her keen and enthusiastic work. Nature study or botany had been introduced into each forrn in the school with a view to arousing interest ia the'wonderful bush and flora of New Zealand. Next year Forms I. and 11. and the seniors would take the practical home science course, including cookery. The junior sitting room would revert to neing a kitchen, with pantry attached, and the senior sitting room would hold the machines and bo used for the dressmaking classes. Mrs Arthur Barnett had again given a prize for the best Karitane set. A large number of separate Karitane garments had been made and would be of use to the babies. Only one pupil had specialised in commercial work, and ,it was hoped she would return to give more time. to it next year, when there would be others in the classes. _ The girls _ had made steady, progress in music this year, the juniors being especially keen. The open inusio competition was keenly contested. As no lessons were given on the musio performed, this was an excellent test of musicianship. The school was indebted to _ Miss May Barron for judging a difficult test. Singing classes for senior and .junior girls had been held throughout the year under the direction of Mr Roy Spackman. Quite a wide variety of unison and part songs had been practised in order to give the girls an opportunity of becoming acquainted with various types of songs. The tone and general standard had improved, especially in the junior class. Though small in number, the orchestra had attained a considerable degree of efficiency during the year, and with the assistance of some old girls had' been able to perform some delightful music specially written for a stringed orchestra. School concerts were held at the erid of every term, when girls were expected to exercise their talents for the pleasure of others. The concert as a whole was not rehearsed except as far as the individual items were concerned. She thanked Miss Chapman and Mr Spackman for their untiring energy and enthusiasm, and

congratulated them on their successes at the concerts.

Much greater interest and enthusiasm had been shown in all branches of drawing. It had been especially noticed among the senior girls, some of whom had done very good work and obtained gratifying results in the Royal Drawing Society examinations. Thirty girls had attended the oral French classes, and satisfactory progress had been made, some girls showing marked improvement in_ pronunciation and fluency in conversation. In tho oral French competition, open to secondary schools in Otago and Southland for the French Consul’s prize, Jean Paterson obtained first place and Margot Mac Lean third. Madame Saldaigno and Miss Macdonald were-to be congratulated on these successes. The school was grateful to the • anonymous donor of the prizes in the different sections of this work. Audrey Baker would later express their feelings for her in. French. The speaker then covered the complete sporting activities of the school, and thanked Miss Garra.tt and Mr Hanna for judging the drill and gymnastic competition held at the end of the third term. She , mentioned that

ballroom dancing lessons were - given during the second term, and rhythmic and country dancing were taught during the periods of physical work. During tho last terra Greek dancing had been introduced into soma of the classes, with marked success. Those parents who watched tho drill and gymnastic competition and display this week would wish to join with her in congratulating Miss Peake on the excellence, of the girls’ work and finish, and the enthusiasm sho instilled into her phpils. In connection with the junior ■Red Cross, an interesting portfolio was received from St. Hilda’s Collegiate School, Edinburgh, in acknowledgment of one sent by the Dunedin school to them a few years ago. Members were at present comnleting a portfolio for Canada. Last December, in the competition for all New Zealand, the school gained second place. Mrs Macky was to be thanked _ tor assisting to raise funds by giving a talk on Malay. A patty visited the Public Hospital during the year, and a few members assisted at the Montecillo garden party. Members had also visited the school’s special family, and had been busy _ collecting books and magazines for distribution to isolated families. Thanks were also due to Miss Arthur for'her interest in and valuable work for the circle, and Margaret Evans, who had been a most indefatigable and reliable secretary. ; During the first term, on behalf of the League of Nations, an interschool discussion on disarmament was held, at which St. Hilda's was the only girls’ school to enter. The meetings of the second term took the form of short addresses, and a sharp practice debate on a variety of subjects. During the third term an interhouse debate was held, Wellington and Nelson winning. The Literary and Dramatic Society was very popular, and had a large membership and keen attendance at meetings. \ " . . During the second term a miniature Drama League was held, at which the various forms presented plays. The cup, presented by Miss Bessie Thompson, was won by Form HI. _ The Brownie Pack, under Leila _ Davidson and Trixie Wood, was working splendidly, if rather uproariously at times. There were fourteen Brownies, and they all took part in the Brownie Revels in November; The Guide Company, under Daphne Chrystall, consisted of nineteen Guides. The company took part in the rally, and was successful in winning Lady Ferguson’s cup for the sporting events. A team of four Guides entered for the Phyllis Cheeseman Cup, competed for in the provinces for practical and written knowledge in child and sick nursing and ambulance. The boarders had been very happy, and on the whole very healthy, except for one case of measles during the first term and an outbreak of influenza in the early part of the last term. Sho mentioned the splendid co-operation of the domestic staff, who did so much in making tho household machine run so smoothly. All were very sorry to los3 Mrs Ford, who left at the end of the first term, and Mrs Barker was welcomed. After Miss Hiff and Mrs Ford left Miss Annan took over the garden, and a very great deal of work had been put into it by her and a band of keen boarders, and Miss Macdonald had also been active. Mr Tannock not only spared time to come and see the layout, but also furnished many treasures. She took the opportunity of thanking him, and also other friends who had ministered to the school’s wants, even to bringing _ sand. She said _ she had nothing but appreciation and gratitude for the loyal support of her staff, their conscientious and untiring work with the girls, and their unfailing enthusiasm, energy, and good humour. Miss Moule, after six years with the kindergarten, was unfortunately leaving. Molly Scott, was also taking up another sphere of work, and would he greatly' missed. Sylvia Nevill was coming out from Home to take Miss Moule’s place. Sho had been studying under Madame Montessori since 1931, and had had a full training and much interesting travelling with the Madame. Mary Ihbitson and Mary Buchanan would help as students. Mrs Crabbe had taken arithmetic and writing in Standards I and 11. this term and they had much improved, bliss Sharpe bad been helping Miss Annan this year and she was one of three candidates from Otago to he. accepted at the Christchurch Training College. Miss Blackmore thanked all those who had made gifts to the school during the year, and also extended thanks to the chaplain _ for his tireless labours. The old girls had done so much for the school this year; in addition to their usual keen interest, they had given a scholarship to bo called the Kilburn Scholarship (in memory of the sisters) to be awarded annually to the dux of the junior school and also a prize for general knowledge. She also appealed to the parents for their un-

divided support and loyalty, and she thanked the members of the board for their sympathetic understanding and readiness to help. Finance was a dreary study, but they often left these dusty realms to interest themselves in all the activities of the school. YOUTHFUL ATTITUDE BETTER. Mr H. P. Kidson, who distributed the prizes, said : “ There is much holding up of hands in horror at the attitude and the actions of the young people of to-day—rather more criticism than the age-long wagging of wise old heads. I have been working with boys and girls just on the verge of manhood and womanhood for over twenty years. 1 know something of the pre-war and post-war generations, and I honestly believe that the youth of to-day, in spite of some special faults, is just us good in heart and mind as in any generation, and that in many respects its attitude is better. The boys and girls of to-day are more natural, frank, and friendly. I believe that a less rigid school method has made them less given to deceit. They have, too, been led to take, a lar wider interest in affairs not directly touching their own selves or their own community. They are more interested in the fate of others less privileged than themselves. They have more poise and self-confidence. I think that in spite of the odds against them in certain directions tho majority of them are more decent-minded. 1 thirik that a very much -greater proportion of them than ever before are capable of being touched to finer issues.

“ I said, in spite of some special faults. What are the special faults of the young people of this generation and who are responsible for them ? Youth is always radical and extreme in revolutionary feeling. Heaven forbid that they should accept meekly all that lies established before them. They have been expressing themselves with unusual and at times with reprehensible lack of restraint, and too much notice of a sensational kind has been taken of their extreme scorn of some of our attitudes and institutions. They are given more publicity than is good for them. Our own slackness aa parents and advisers and administrators, when things were too easy after the war, made the young people especially irresponsible and casual. They were given far more than was_ good for them, and accepted it all without any feeling of responsibility in return. The present more difficult conditions have already removed much of this casualness and slackness. The example sot them by _ elders in looseness and excess in certain directions has regrettably been followed eagerly _by some of them, but I honestly believe again that far more of our young men and women have preserved their moral cleanliness and decency and kept their ideals high and pure’ than we give fair credit for. Some have hurried too eagerly to imitate their elders, and it is ‘regrettable that many parents have done nothing to restrain them. “ There is splendid stuff in the youth of to-day. For their special faults and excesses we as their elders are responsible. It is useless to ask the community at large to set them a better example, but I can make an earnest appeal to parents of children at a school such as this not to injure their boys and girls _by giving them everything they desire nor to remove too quickly .all restraint on their actions when they leave our hands.”

Bishop Fitchett thanked those prpsent for their interest iif the schfiol, Mr Kidson for his interesting address, and Miss Blackmore and her staff for their working during the year, "When the board assumed control of tho school some years ago, it undertook to maintain the high standard attained by tho sisters, and the splendid traditions then existing. The board had another responsibility—to keep the school financially sound._ The old girls were taking an increasing interest in the school, and he wished to impress on everyone interested to try to find more hoarders for the school so that it could continue to uphold its fine traditions. The singing of the school song and the National Anthem brought the function to a close. » PRIZE LIST. Standard I.—Divinity: Frances Alexander. Drawing: Marjorie Newlands. Needlework: Marjorie Ferguson. Standard ll.—Divinity: Virginia Haggitt. Honour prize; Virginia Haggitt, Pamela Sinclair. Credit prize: Joan Barnett, Patsy Parata, Rosemary Johnson. Drawing: Pamela Sinclair. Needlework: Pamela Sinclair. Standard lll.—Divinity: Kathleen Sutherland. Drawing: Paulin© Fulton. Needlework: Kathleen Sutherland. Standard IV.—Divinity: Elizabeth Fulton. Credit prize: Elizabeth Fulton. Drawing: Elizabeth Fulton. Needlework; Elizabeth Fulton. Form I.—Divinity; Joyce Rowley. Honour prize: Joyce Rowley. Credit prize: Margaret Barnett. Drawing: Margaret Barnett. Needlework: Honor Price. General knowledge (presented by the Old Girls’ Association): Joyce Rowley. Form ll.—Divinity: Jocelyn Tapley. Credit prize: Margaret Taylor. Drawing: Margaret Taylor. Needlework: Jocelyn Tapley. _ . „ , Form lll.—Divinity: Molly fepacbman. Honour prize: Molly Spackman, Patricia, Rutherford. Credit prize: Doris Bloxham, Edna Clark, June Clark. Drawing: Edna Clark. Needlework: Doris Bloxham, Mavis Mackay. Appreciation of set books (presented by Mrs George Mac Lean) : Doris Bloxham. Form IV.—Divinity: Joan Fitchett, Honour prize: Joan Fitchett, Millicent Taylor. Credit prize: Betty EL vidge. Drawing; Patricia Watts. Needlework: Betty Macassey. Form V.a.—Divinity, VI. and V. (Mrs S. T. Nevill’s gold cross): Audrey Baker. Credit prize: Lorraine Dawson, Dorothy Gregg, Margot Mac Lean. Athenaeum prizes (English and history) : Audrey Baker, Margot MacLean, Jean Paterson. Needlework: Joan Walden. R. B. Williams’s prize: Joan Walden. Form V.c.—Needlework: Mary Buchanan. Physiology: Mary Buchanan. Form Vl.a.—Book presented by Lady Ferguson to dux: Joyce Throp. Derisley Wood Shield: Joyce Throp. Honour prize: Joyce Throp. Appreciation of set books (presented by Mrs George Mac Lean) : Joyce Throp. General knowledge (presented by the Old Girls’ Association) : Joyce Throp. Drawing (VI. and V.) : Joyce Throp. Form Vl.b.—Head girl award (presented by the Southland branch of tho Old Girls’ Association) : Audrey Meek. Oral French.—School competition (prizes presented by an anonymous donor) —Juniors B: Margaret Barnett. Juniors A: Huia Parata, Intermediates B: Catherine Johnson. Intermediates A: Helen Price. Prizo for good progress: Enid Freeman. Senior: Audrey Baker. First prize in oral French competition for the secondary schools in Otago and Southland (presented by tho Alliance Francaise through tho French Consul at Auckland) : Jean Paterson. Third prize (special given by school) : Margot Mac Lean.

Proficiency Certificates.' —Huia Parata, Jocelyn Tapley, Margaret Taylor. Competency Certificate. Daphne Elder. Higher Leaving Certificate.—Joyce Throp. ■ „ , . Needlework, Karitane Sets (prize presented by Mrs A. Barnett) : Doris Bloxham, Music Prizes. —Open competition (senior): Kate Evans. Junior: Rachel Price. Senior (presented by Miss Champion): Connie -Walker, Kate Evans. Sight reading test, first 'prize (presented by Mr Spackman): Joan Walden. Second prize: Connie Walker. Elocution (presented by Mrs Eastgate).—Senior: Helen Price. Greatest improvement; Jocelyn Tapley. < House Conduct and Neatness.— Storey Cup: Joan Walden. House Cup: Nelson House. » Drill.—Form drill: FormsVl. and V. Junior badge: Gwen Davies. Intermediate badges: Huia Parata. Senior Cup (Elsinore): Margot Mac Lean. Squad Drill Shield:_ Wellington House. Gymnastics.—Junior badge: Kathleen Sutherland. Intermediate badge: Molly Spackman. Senior Cup (presented by Stella Fitchett) : Margot MacLean. . „ _ „ Sports and Other Trophies.—Balk Cup (junior tennis) : Helen Price. Ruddenklau Cup (senior tennis) : Lorraine Dawson. Conn Cup (junior interhouse games championship); Havelock House. Champtaloup Cup (senior mterhouse games championship) : Wellington House. Wood Cup allround sportswoman) : Lorraine Dawson. Nelson Cup (esprit de corps): Nelson House. Neatness shield: Form VI. Table decoration (presented by Mr Vallange): Lawrence House. Mumford Clip: Nelson House. Phyllis Cheeseman Cup (Otago Girl Guide Association) : 14th Dunedin Company (St. Hilda’s!. Interschool Tennis Trophies.—Run-ners-up junior championship doubles: Barbara Neil, Jean Thompson. Junior championship singles: Molly Spackman. Runners-up senior handicap doubles: Dorothy Gregg, Lorraine Dawson. Runner-up senior handicap singles: Lorraine Dawson. Leaving Prefect Badges.—Audrey Baker, Audrey Meek, Joyce Throp. Service Shields.—Audrey Baker, Audrev Meek, Joyce Throp. Honour Medals.—House Honour medal: Joan Walden. School honour medal: Audrey Meek. School honour star: Margot Mac Lean. Dux of Lower School (medal presented by Colombo Tea Co.) : Margaret Taylor. Kilburn Scholarship (presented by the. Old Girls’ Association to dux of junior school): Margaret Taylor. Dus of school),: Joyce Throp.