GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 16, 16 December 1937, Page 2

GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

PRINCIPAL’S ANNUAL REVIEW. A YEAR OF PROGRESS. The principal (Miss E. E. Stephens, M.A.) of the Palmerston North Girls’ High School in the report for the year 1937, states: — Opening of school year.-—The date of opening was postponed until February 22, when the staff assembled, and enrolling and preliminary organisation was done. The pupils returned on March 1, but on April 19 the school was closed again on account of the epidemic, and correspondence work was organised and carried out till the end of the term. The girls responded well to the unusual demand made on their initiative and self-reliance, and work of a very good standard was done. It was not until the beginning of the second term that the regular school routine was established. Numbers: The long break had an unsettling effect on the school roll, many pupils taking positions who had intended to come back. The roll number at the beginning of the year was 275. During the year six girls were admitted and 40 withdrawn; 29 of these withdrawals went to various positions; six left the district and were transferred to other schools, and five were required at home or left for health reasons. The roll number is now 236. There has been an exceptional demand for girls in office positions and more could have been placed. Although many of those who have left were really too young and quite inadequately trained, the position is better than it appears on the surface because every effort has been made to induce these girls to transfer to the Technical School at once. If they do this they can hold their free places in the case of seniors till they are 19; and often they will complete the course they have begun and then branch off into specialised work in their own subjects. Staff.—Miss McLeod resumed duty on March 1 after nine months’ leave of absence. Miss Benstead left at the end of the first term to take up duties as sports mitsress at the Christchurch Technical College. Miss J. Galvin was appointed in her place: Miss Dean joined the staff in the second term as part-time teacher of music.

Attendance.-—Alter our bad start, the attendance for the year has been fairly good, but very few girls have an unbroken record for tho year, and far too many have ten or more occasional absences of half-a-day or one day. Parents who care about the interests of their girls should be very unwilling to break into their school work for trivial reasons.

Social events. —On May 25 the school attended a matinee of “Romeo and Juliet” and on October 8 wo went to “Louis Pasteur.” Parties from the school have also been taken to amateur theatrical performances on several occasions, and to the Springboks’ match. On July 16 a dance was held at the school, and the senior girls were able to return a little of the hospitality extended to them on other occasions by the Boys’ High School. Once in each term the staff and girls have entertained the Parents’ Association at the school with a social evening. On December 4 the Parents’ Association held their annual garden party in the school grounds. Conditions were pleasant, and the function was mos£ enjoyable and successful. The girls Assisted by contributing to tho • various stalls, selling tickets, putting on drill and dancing, and a mannequin parade by tho dressmaking classes. On all these social occasions the girls show an excellent spirit. They work hard, give and behave sensibly. Not the least important part of their education is to fit them for social intercourse, and they have responded well to our efforts to accomplish this.

EXAMINATION RESULTS. Examinations. —Tiie following is a brief analysis of the examination results for the year: Intermediate certificates awarded, 76; junior free place extensions, 5; Government shorthandtypist examination (1937), 3; partial school certificate (1936 exam.), 3; full school certificate (1936 exam.), 16; University Entrance (1936 exam,), 14; Higher Leaving Certificates (1937), 17; Training College Entrance . (1936), 6; Training College Entrance (partial), 2. University Terms (1937). —English Stage, I, 3; French, Stage I, 2; Mathematics, Stage I, 2; History, Stage I, 2; History, Stage 11, 1. Sports The basketball season was both active' and successful. Three teams were entered for the Saturday competitions, two in the A grade and one in the B. The A team were run-ners-up for the Robert Cup. Two members of the A team represented Manawatu at the tournament in Auckland, and six other girls played in the Manawatu B team. Both A and B teams took part in the King’s Birthday tournament on June 9. On July 10 two teams visited Dannevirke, and two weeks later Wanganui Girls’ College visited us and played two fast and spectacular games, our A team and Wanganui’s B team being successful. On August 14, three teams visited us from Levin High School. All these fixtures provided very enjoyable social events, and brightened the season in every way. Tho last tennis season was very short, but this season has started well. By a new arrangement, each class has one period per week for tennis, with all nine courts available. It 'is hoped that the standard of our tennis will be raised considerably, and that every girl will have an opportunity of developing her game. The weathor in the first term combined with the epidemic to kill the swimming season. A late start lias now been made, _ but the _ Learn-to-Swim Week lias stimulated interest and it is hoped that full use will bo made of the baths next term. The two developments that I should most like to see in the school work in the next few years are the securing by almost every girl of a life-saving certificate, and a first-aid certificate, before she leaves the High School. IMPROVEMENTS. Grounds and buildings.—The year has seen considerable improvements in the grounds and school buildings. New strips of lawn have been laid down on the north and south sides of the entrance drives, a new grass court has been laid down behind the new building, a row of young Lawsonianas planted right round the south and west boundary fences for shelter, and a hedge of lonicera nitida on the north fence beside Huia Street. The whole of the interior woodwork of the school has been stained and varnished, and some of the upper walls plastered in cream over the red brick. This is a great improvement to the lighting of the rooms, as well as to their appearance. The good work has now been completed by the substitution of very prqtty beige curtains for the old blinds.

Library.—The library has been moved into Room 9, and is well furnished with attractive shelves and tables. Over six hundred new books have been bought as a result of a special grant made by the Board of Governors. . The foundation of a good New Zealand section has been laid. The room is in constant use as a reading-room. A change has been made to a more modern method of

lending and sectional and card index catalogues are being prepared. Generous gifts of books have been received from old girls and from Messrs G. H. Bennett and Co.

Assembly Hall.—The efforts of tlie Parents’ Association and school authorities over many years have at last been crowned with success. With the help of a most generous subsidy from the Government, a sum approaching £3OOO has been raised and a tender for the erection of the assembly hall has ben accepted. The work has actually begun, and it is hoped that the hall will be ready for use early next year. It has been made possible by the generous response of past and present pupils, parents and citizens of Palmerston North, who have a friendly and sympathetic interest in our school. We extend our sincerest thanks to all who have helped us. Thanks: I should like to thank the Minister of Education, the Director of Education, and members of the Education Department for their sympathetic and generous treatment of the school; the chairman and members of the board for the capable and energetic way in which they have furthered its interests at every opportunity; and the Old Girls’- Association tor their unfailing help. I find it hard to express adequately my appreciation of the work done by the Parents Association and their close and friendly co-operation with ns m all.efforts oil behalf of the school. In conclusion, I must place on record my sincere gratitude to a capable and loyal staff, whose services are the foundation of all our success, and are so much more far-reaching than anyone else can realise.