GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 307, 11 December 1931, Page 12

GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

NAPIER INSTITUTION PRINCIPALS annual report. PRIZE-GIVING LAST NIGHT. Following are extracts from the annual report which was presented at the break-up ceremony last night by Miss D. M. Arthur, principal of the Napier Girls’ High School: — ‘‘The roll occupied a substantial paragraph, the number of new entrants, total roll, the number of boarders, being carefully recorded. I cannot give any of that information "ccurately this year. There were probably about 265 Girls’ High School pupils at school on the morning of February '3, but when the earthquake came, the class lists, though made up, had not been handed in to me, and were hopelessly lost in the destruction of the wooden building. There were about 60 boarders back on the night of the 2nd, a decrease on the previous year owing to the slump. But 1930 had been a phenomenal year and 60 was a good average number. School re-opened on March 9, and 12 girls, several of whom travelled daily by bus having for several weeks to pay full daily fare, so keen were they to stand by their old school in her ordeal. By Easter the number had grown to 73, and when school closed a few weeks later there were 82 on the roll. I cannot speak too highly of these girls, who were always ready to help us in the many strange things that had to be done in those early days—carrying furniture, sweeping away brick dust, removing bricks, cleaning and hanging pictures, in addition to their lessons, and never admitting weariness or distaste. “A considerable portion of the girls who returned to- Napier early were seniors, and every effort was made to admit as few breaks in their studies as possible so that they should not suffer too great a handicap in their examinations, and they have all worked with marked industry and earnestness, trying hard to make up for lost time and the grave disadvantage of the break in their studies in their matriculation year. THE AMALGAMATION. “In the beginning of the second tern* came the amalgamation with the girlfi of the Technical College. We were fortunate in having some rooms not too badly damaged to use, chiefly >.n tie opposite side of the road from the old school, and by dint of much contriving rearranging of desks and moving of furniture were able to accommodate not only all the High School and Technical School girls, but about 200 primary pupils, who were housed in five rooms (of sorts) until the (Central School was rebuilt, and who otherwise’ would have had to go ail the way to Napier South from the hills and the Bort district, a very undesirable thing for young children in the early days when the condition of the town was both unsafe and alarming. In the end of May, therefore, all the post-primary girls were united into one school, and in spite of many fears and gloomy prognostications, I think the move has been an undaunted success, and will be increasingly so as time goes on. I feel very satisfied with the work and behaviour of all these girls who have been under my care since May. All the girts have responded splendidly; and the behaviour of the whole school has been, of a very high standard. COURSES FOR NEXT YEAR. “Courses for. Next Year: It is difficult to outline definitely just now the courses for 1932 will be arranged, until there is some idea of the numbers on the roll. . “It was not necessary owing to the amalgamation to introduce any new subjects into the curriculum as there has been for many years past a varied choice of courses at this school. The chief difference is that it has been possible to intensify these courses owing to the larger number of pupils to make full classes in each of the following courses:— “The professional course, including French, mathematics, and Latin (optional). The commercial course, including shorthand, bookkeeping, typing and commercial correspondence, and home science, cooking, dressmaking or art in addition to the usual primary school subjects. If there is a large enough number of these pupils I hope to have one division taking French, with a view to public service entrance or matriculation if desired ?ter on. Then if numbers permit there will be a elass taking the domestic course and another taking the art course, instead of two divisions of the same class as there are at present. In the art course I hope to increase the time given to studio work and introduce a good deal of studio work; while in the domestic course I am considering the introduction of simple carpentry and woodwork, especially repairs, such as a handy person is often called upon to do in every home, in addition to the other special subjects of the course, namely cookery, dressmaking, hygiene and first aid. This year a number of the older girls have made a special study in their hygiene elass of the care and diet of infants and very young children, and the Plunket system; this I hope to continue as I consider it a most important thing for every girl to know. THE BUILDINGS. “This heading has furnished material for discussion for many years, and it looks as if it would continue to do so for some time to come. This time last year, we were all congratulating ourselves on the two fine new buildings that would shortly be ready for occupation, and feeling doubtless that our accommodation problems and worries were almost over at last. In this respect I wish to record my appreciation of the work done by Mr H. Atmore, then Minister of Education, on behalf of the Napier schools, and for. his interest in and sympathy for our difficulties during this year. “Political changes, financial depression, and perhaps a lack of complete understanding of the urgency of our need, have delayed the rebuilding of the school, but it is earnestly hoped that a commencement will very shortly be made tc a new wooden building which will give the fullest scope for the development of a splendid school along the new lines marked out for us by the amalgamation scheme. “Physical Education: In spite of these many difficulties the drill work has progressed well under Miss Gloyn’s enthusiastic direction, special attention being paid to deportment, folk dating,

remedial work and form work rather than individual competition. An informal sports day was held in the hall in August, when teams from each form competed in drill exercises, folk dancing and relay races, before an audience of interested parents who were afterwards entertained to afternoon tea in the club room. We have found that drill and organised games are a splendid antidote against “that earthquake feeling.” A competition for drill prizes and the championship was held a few days ago, and in many forms such a high standard and equality of work was shown that I wished I had many more prizes to give for drill. As it is I have given more in proportion to the size of the school than usual. JUNIOR SCHOOL. ‘‘The junior school was re-opened at the beginning of the second term at the urgent request of a number of parents. At first when the primary schools were occupying five of our rooms and the senior school was in possession of the junior school proper, we were obliged to tuck them away into a large airy room in my house. But fortunately when winter came, some of our rooms were vacated and the juniors were able to move into a larger and sunnier room. It was a great satisfaction to the staff and myself to be able to accommodate once raoie these loyal and eager little girls, who in many eases have had all their edu< ation here, and were reluctant to go anywhere else. Miss Baker, an old girl of the school, has worked with unflagging energy arid decided success at the difficult task of handling childten at all stages of primary work. We hope that next year there will be a sufficient number of junior pupils to admit of the employment of an extra teacher. After referring to the Parents’ League, expressing her great appreciation cf the loyalty of the staff and speaking of the transfer of its various members, Miss Arthur paid a tribute to the work of the secretary of the Hawke's Bay Education Board (Mr W. L. Dunn) and his staff. Continuing, the report stated: “The Hostel: The hostel has struggled through a difficult time and though small in numbers (17 being our maximum as compared with 83 last year!) is strong and vigorous in spirit. Many boarders placed in other schools after the earthquake decided to complete the year there rather than have another break, but of these I expect a number back next year; and I hope that a good many new ones will enrol. BOARDERS’ SUCCESSES. “In spite of their small numbers they have acquitted themselves creditably at school, carrying off the Shand Cup, drill championship (equal), special reading and elocution prize (first and third places), in addition to five class prizes; quite a creditable list for a little band of sixteen. It was inevitable that whenever we ro-opened the hostel the numbers would be small, but I firmly believe that the good name of the Napier Girls’ Hostel is sufficient ly well-known throughout Hawke’s Bay for us to be justified in anticipating better times next year. As I already mentioned the re-opening of the hostel so early as the second term was largely due to Miss Hobart’s energy and to her is due also high praise for the manner in which she has conducted it since then, working with a domestic staff so very small compared to what we have usually had, and by her care and forethought, steering it safely through the financial problems with which our heavy earthquake losses left us burdened. “I desire to thank all parents and friends of the school for interest taken in the school, and in the boarders in inviting them to their homes; and Deaconess Saunders for her most helpful class for religious instruction, and the following friends who have kindly presented prizes: Mesdames W. Dinwiddic, Marett, Grant, Misses Oillies, Vickery, Hobart, Messrs P. Ashcroft, PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. The Napier Drill Hall was packed to overflowing last evening for the break-up and distribution of prizes of the Napier Girls’ High School,

The first part of the programme consisted of singing and dancing items rendered by the girls, after which Mr. W. Dinwiddie, the, chairman of the Napier Secondary Education Board, in a short introductory address, stated that the past school year had been undoubtedly the most eventful through which the girls and staff had ever passed. This was so for two reasons—namely, the earthquake, and the amalgamation of the Technical and High Schools. With regard to the former, Mr. Dinwiddie made reference to the deplorable loss of life at the Technical School on February 3, stating that that was something that would bo remembered for all time. He requested that all present rise for a few seconds as a mark of respect for those who had lost their lives. There was, however, he continued, a brighter side of the disaster and that was the fine show of courage and resource displayed by both the girls and the staff on that eventful day. Some 70 boarders had to be housed before they could be sent to their homes. A very great deal was owed to the principal, Miss D. M. Arthur, and her staff, for the good work done during the distressing times on and after February 3. THE AMALGAMATION. With regard to the amalgamation ox the two schools, Mr. Dinwiddie said that everybody was prepared to understand that there had been some heartburning on the part of the Technical School pupils because their own particular school life had vanished from the town. He felt sure, however, that the amalgamation was to the best advantage of Napier and that the one school in place of the two would prove an undoubted success for giving tuition in the various courses. Mr. Dinwiddie went on to stress the need of school accommodation. The board had done all it could to press its demands in this connection to the authorities, as a result of which plans for a new school had been prepared and the site already cleared. In conclusion the speaker wished the girls and the staff a very happy Christmas and vacation. To those who would not be returning to the school next year, he wished the very best of success in their new spheres. The annual report of the lady principal, Miss D. M. Arthur, was then read, after which Mr C. 0. Morse, who presented the prizes, addressed the audience. ADDRESS BY MR. MORSE. Mr Morse made reference to the wonderful conduct displayed by the staffs of the Technical and High Schools during the earthquake period. He thought that the parents of children attending the school might rest assured that their children were under excellent care. One of the most praiseworthy incidents of the earthquake period was, Mr Morse considered, the manner in which the children had been able to resume their education so soon after the disaster. He thought that due credit should be given to the board and to all who had been concerned in re-establishing the school. A glowing tribute was paid by Mr Morse to the school magazine, “The Torchbearer,” which was, he thought, one of the finest publications of its kind he had ever seen. He asked every girl who had received a magazine to keep it as one of her most treasured possessions, for it was indeed a prize of which every girl might be justly proud. THE PROGRAMME. Tho vocal and daueing items rendered by the girls during the first part of the ceremony were thoroughly appreciated by the audience. The following was the programme presented :— School choir. — “Jerusalem” and “Song of Empire”: third and fourth form dancing, “Sweet Kate” and “Mage on a Cree”; fifth and sixth form' songs, “0 Men from the fields” and “Claribel”; lower junior school dancing, “Rufty Tufty” and “BoPeep”; third and fourth form songs, “Up the Airy Mountain” and “When Spring Rides through the Wood”; fifth and sixth form dancing, Alsatian dance and Russian dance; upper junior school

dancing, “Black Nag”; rhythmioal recitation, “Forty Singing Seamen”. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr Morse on the motion of Mr J. H. Edmundson. A vote of thanks was also accorded to the members of the staff on the motion of the Rev. J. A. Asher, who referred especially- to the fine work done by Miss D. M. Arthur and Miss A. M. Anderson in caring for the girls during tho trying times. lie also took the opportunity of expressing appreciation to the secretary of the Secondary Education Board (Mr W L. Dunn), who had rendered extraordinary service to the cause of secondary school education in Napier during a very difficult year. The singing of “The First Newel” by tho whole school terminated the proceedings. PRIZE LIST. JUNIOR SCHOOL. Primer 3. —Good work: Ann Coupee. Standard I.—First proficiency Beth Tockcr. Good work: Menan McCulloch. Standard ll.—First profit w-ney ■_ Rac Fleming. Standard lll.—First proficiency : Marie Russell. Second iii < las» and first, general knowledge: Sh da Stratford. Standard IV.—First prof •iciiey nd junior drill: Elspeth McArthur Form I. —First proficiency, first history, first arithmetic, first grammar, second geography, second drawing, second needlework: Margaret Mayo. (Prize presented by Mrs Grant.) Second proficiency, first Composition, first writing, first drawing, second arithmetic, second reading, second spelling: Justine Nesbitt. Junior drill: Beverley,Hannah. Form II. —Second proficiency, first composition, fast history, fir t geo-

graphy, first needlework, second spelling, second general knowledge: Mkrgaret Grant. (Prize presented by Mrs Cornford.) Good work, first arithmetic, first reading, second elocution, second grammar: Lesley Norrie. First cooking: Edna Stephenson. First grammar, first spelling, first writing, second geography, second history, second drawing, second needlework and dux of the Junior School: Joan Hood. (Gold medal presented by the Board of Governors.) SENIOR SCHOOL. Form 111. C2.—First aggregate, first English, first history, first geography, seeoend arithmetic, second home science, second hygiene: Emily Jones. Second aggregate, first arithmetic, first hygiene, second history, first commercial work, first cooking: Barbara Rayment. First home science, first typing, first commercial correspondence: Mavis Sydor. Form HI. Cl.—First aggregate, first history, , first geography, first arithmetic, first hygiene, first correspondence, first equal home science: Ann Gilroy. Second aggregate, first bookkeeping, first drawing, second English, second history, second geography, second correspondence: Irene Tonkin. First English, first equal homo sci-enc-q: Ivy Christensen. First shorthand, first typing: Mavis McKeown. First sewing, first eooking: Barbara Heath. First drill: Patricia Hindman. Fqrm IV.B.—First aggregate, first ■English, second geography: Joyce Cowjrick. Second aggregate, first arithmetic, first history, first hygiene, first sewing: Lillian Mitchel. First equal French, first drawing: Judy Buddock. First equal French: Naucy

Fallot. First cooking: Cecily Amner. First reading ani elocution: Marion Evans. Special drill prize: Kathleen By les. Form 111. A.—First aggregate, first English, first history, first French, first arithmetic, first mathematics, first home science, first geography, first Latin: Alison Douglas. Second aggregate, second English, second French, second home science, second geography: Enid Davies. Third aggregate, second history, second Latin: Peggy Dewes. First cookery, second sewing, second drawing and good wbrk: Molly Dunn. First equal drill, first sewing: Betty Goddard. Form IV. B.—First aggregate, first English, first home science, first correspondence, second history, first cookery, second drill: Margaret liounsell. Second aggregate, first history, second English, second geography: Gwen Thorpe. Third aggregate: Olive Grant. First commercial work: Alice Thodsen. Form IV. A.—First aggregate, first mathematics, first Latin, first French, second arithmetic, second home science: Kathleen Gould. (Presented by Mrs Marett.) Seeond aggregate, first geography, first history, first arithmetic, second English: Pirie Peebles. Third aggregate, second mathematics, second Lafiin, second georgraphy, first sewing (presented by F. Thorp, Esq.): Kathlyn Nesbitt. First English, second history: Hilary Gifford. First home science, second French: Tui White-Parsons. Good work: Marjorie Douglas. First cooking: Joan Kilpatrick. First drill: Jean Lambie. Form V. C.—First aggregate, first home science, second English, second history, second geography, third elocution: Mabel Goldsmith. Second aggregate, first arithmetic, first history (presented by Miss Dickson): Phyllis Saville. Third aggregate, first commercial work, third English: Eileen Faulknor. First English, first geography (presented by Miss Vickery): Margaret Sandeman. Form V. B.—First aggregate, first English, first home science, first sewing: Alexa Laurensen. Second aggregate, first French, first geography: Nellie Steele. Third aggregate, second history, second arithmetic, second home science (presented by Miss Gillies): Margaret Montgomery. First history: Joan Hayter. First drawing: Jean Angus. Form V. A.—First geography, first sewing: Marjorie Atkinson. Seeond aggregate, first history, first Latin, second geography: Dulcie Anderson. Third aggregate, second English, second French: Pita Gallion. First home science, second mathematics (presented by a wellwisher): Mavis Bradley. First Englislt, second home science: Valda Renouf. First French, second Latin: Violet Campbell. First mathematics: Audrey O’Meara. Good work: Lucy Hodgson. Form Vl.—First English, first history, first French, first equal geography, second mathematics (presented by P. Ashcroft, Esq.): Joan Ashby. Second aggregate, first mathematics: Janet McCallum. Third aggregrate: Joyce Thornton. First equal geography, second English, second history, second French: Jean Cooke. Good work: Molly King, Nora Strandbeck. SPECIAL PRIZES. Commercial subjects.—Elna Strandback. Reading and Elocution, seniors, (special prize presented by W. Foster,

Esq.).—Muriel South 1, Nora Strandbeck 2. Intermediate.—Marjorie Douglas. Home Scripture (prize presented by Miss Hobart). —Ina Groves. Prefects.—Head, Muriel Duff; head house prefect, Muriel South; Joan Ashby, Molly King, Elna Strandbeck, Janet McCallum, Joyce Thornton, Jean Cooke, Lorna Gilberd. Special art competition (prize presented by the headmistress). —Ray Malcolm (V.A.) 1, (presented by W. J. Rush, Esq.) Hilary Gifford (IV.A.) 2. Drill championship.—Muriel Duff VI. and Janie Collett V.B. (equal) 1, Joan Ashby VI. 2. Noreen Weathered Memorial Prizes (presented by J. A. Weathered, Esq.), for diligence.—lll A, Barbara Brown, Ngaire Willett; 111. B, Kathleen Byles; 111. Cl, Pauline Johnson, Jean Berry; 111.C2, Marjorie Bradley. Games club prizes (presented by the games club, for assistance in organising younger girls’ games).— Muriel South, Nora Strandbeck, Muriel ’Duff, Topsy Bolt, Janie Collett, Audrey O’Meara. Nancy Hooper. Senior House Cup (presented by W. Matthews, Esq.).— Muriel South. Junior House Cup (presented byFlorence Duff).— Bessie Magill. Proximo accessit to Shand Cup (presented by Mrs Fitzsimmons). — Muriel Duff. Dux of the school (gold medal presented by tho Board of Governors). — Joan Ashby. Shand Cup (cup presented by D. B. Shand. Esq.; prize presented by Mrs W. Dinwiddic), awarded for scholarship, character, and conduct, sport and accomplishments.— Muriel South.