Woodford House School.

Hastings Standard, Issue 503, 16 December 1897, Page 3

Woodford House School.

DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES

The annual distribution of prizes at the Woodford House Girl's School in Hastings took place in the presence of a large number of parents and friends. The presentation was made by Mrs Russell, who spoke in eulogistic terms of the work done at the school.

The reports of the various examiners were read.

Mr W. F. Ward, M.A., reported as follows : Woodford House School.

I have the honour to submit my report on the examination of vour school.

The papers, taken as a whole, shew that the school is still keeping up the state of efficiency which marked it in preceding .years. All subjects seem to have received their share of time and attention, and it is pleasing to notice that the mathematics of the school, which last year was inferior to the rest of the work, shews this year perhaps the best results of oil. A new science, physics, has this year taken the place of physiology, which accounts for the science marks not being so high as those of other subjects. To take the subjects in detail : English.—The literature of the V. and IV. was well done by all; the grammar piper not so well. Two of the questions set were too historical in character, and rather beyond the work done by the form, but the analysis and correction of sentences were also somewhat weak. The dictation of the V. and IV. was, on the whole, not so good as of 111. and H. The work of the two junior forms was good ; that of the third especially so.

Lotin, V.—The accidence and translation were good. The composition, as one must always expect from its difficulty, not so good. The form average, 70 per cent., is an excellent one. IV.—The one girl in Form IV. did an excellent paper. French. —As in Latin, the composition was the part of the work least well done, especially in Form V. The work of Form 111. was excellent, and the marks, though high, 'would have been much higher but that some of the best girls did only one piece of translation. The composition of this form was very good. History.—This subject is most satisfacexcept perhaps in Form 111., where they tory. the answers being full and accurate, tended to vagueness. Geography.—Forms IV. and 111. do on the whole good work. Three girls at the end of the form are much inferior to the others, chiefly, I believe, owing to absence from school. Form 11. does good work also. The- map drawing was very uneven ; a few girls did very good maps, but on the whole it was not good. Mathematics. —A marked improvement on the work of last year. The whole school does excellent work. Science. —A beginning has been made

with physics, and the paper was perhaps too difficult for beginners. The results are fair. Probably next year, when the pupils will have had time to grasp the subject, the results will be much better.

The Natural History of the lower half of the school is good, many of the girls shewing a very intelligent knowledge of the structure and modes of life of the lower sea animals.

Iu conclusion. I have to say that I think the school has passed a very satisfactory examination, and quite keeps up to the standard of past years. "While the work is good as a whole, it is inevitable that there should be unevenness, and I think that it is English grammar and analysis that falls somewhat below the level of the rest of the work, and French composition in the highest form. P.S.—The neatness of all the papers is still a most pleasing feature of tlie school's work.

The examiner in needlework, in her report said she was pleased to see a good deal of improvement since the last inspection. The little girls' piecing, top-sewing, darning and hemming were very creditable for their age 3. All the elder girls' work was good. The examiner in reading considered the reading was very good, though there was rather a general tendency to rush at the subjects. The examiner in shorthand reported that Miss Mardon haddoneexcellent, by getting full marks iu several questions, Madge Rutherford and Adelia Doherty had also done well.

In the Scripture class list Ethel B. W r allis took first place with 90 per cent, of marks, Freda Waterhouse securing 89 per cent., Rita Seale 88, and Kathleen Brathwaite 84. The average for the school was 59 per cent.

The examiner in book-keeping sent a most favourable report. The girls were divided into two sets. In the first set Miss Fitzßoy was first, Miss Gibliu's paper also being very good. The amount of work done in one term in the second set was most praiseworthy, and showed clearly that the subject had been treated in a masterly manner by the teacher. MissMaston's work was good throughout the paper. The percentage of all the students (03) was verv creditable.

The prize list was as follows , Form V. and IV.—History, Scripture and Germany, E. B. Wallis ;

literature, M. Gibliq, Form IV.—History and geography, M. Kutherfurd ; French and Latin, L. Davies ; mathematics and science, L. Davis ; reading, SI. Butherfurd ; English, L. Martin. Form lll.—French prize, M. Russell ; examination and marks prize for M'in. D. Fu/alknot , recitation, F. F, Waterhouse; science, Latin and English, Lila Davis.

Form ll.—Term and examination marks, Lila Davis; arithmetic prize, 100 per cent., Q, Tyerm&s,

Form I.—Reading, term, and examination prize, A. Crosse ; arithmetic, E. Newbigin. Neediework.—Seniors, L. Davis ; juniors, A. Crosse. Plains in window.—E. B. Wallis, \Y. Giblin. Music prize.—D. Faulkner.