GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 18, 17 December 1938, Page 11

GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

BREAKING-UP CEREMONY. SENSE OF APPRECIATION. MISS N. SCANLAN’S ADVICE. Comment that all had to pay groundrent lor their space on earth, and that they should mane sure it was not merely a.'peppercorn rental, was made by Miss i\. scanlan, the principal speaker, at the breaking-up ceremony of the Palmerston North Girls® High School yesterday afternoon, when sue brought the pupils a useful message on tlie cultivation of a sense of appreciation of the real tilings of life. The function, for the first time, was held in the school assembly hall. Apologies were tendered tor the unavoidable' absence of the “Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs A. E. Mansion!), Messrs G. Tremaine, A. J. Graham, and the chairman and secretary of the Wanganui Education Hoard. Prior to the addresses Miss Scanlan was presented with a posy and the principal, Miss E. E. Stephens, with a shoulder spray.

Mr M. H. Oram, chairman of the Board of Governors, extended a cordial welcome to all well-wishers of the school, particularly to Mr E. It. Hodge (the Education Board’s architect) and Mrs Hodge, who 'were on the platform. He extended congratulations to Miss Stephens on the progress which tiie scliool had made under her guidance. Not only was the tone of the school what it ought to be, but the educational standard was high, lie said. The future development and success of the school was safe in her hands and those of her colleagues, particularly Miss Robinson, her first assistant. Mr Oram heartily commended the work of the physical instructress (Miss J. Galvin) and the musical directress (Miss M. Dean), which, lie said, was an important- phase in the activities of the school. He conveyed best wishes to Miss C. M. Gillies, who is going abroad. Outstanding in the year’s events, said the chairman, had been the erection of the assembly hall, with the aid of the Parents’ Association and a generous Government subsidy. He wished success and happiness in after life to those who were leaving. Recalling that she had lived in Palmerston North when she was at the age of the girls before her, and knew what it was to look forward to the prospects of Christmas holidays and shopping, Miss Scanlan said she realised that if there was one Christmas present they did not want it was good advice, but she was going to give it to them and make it as palatable as possible. Urging tlie girls never io bear a grudge against life if they thought it was not treating them kindly, Miss Scanlan said a little hardship and a little opposition was really a good thing. Whatever happened to them, they must learn to take it well, and not to be embittered by disappointments. she said. Such things developed the philosophy of experience. No one had an entirely smooth passage through life. The first trials might lie hard, but they were good lessons. It was very refreshing to keep faith in good things, and to forget the eyil things. Something that would give pleasure and satisfaction should l>e sought in entering a vocation, and there was no warrant for envy of the idle and rich, said Miss Scarilan. Hard-earned leisure was appreciated, hut easily achieved leisure was dull and boring. Work should not be regarded as a necessary evil, hut should be appreciated. ft was a very good thing for all. If the attitude of mind towards work was correct, its completion would bring its own satisfaction. For ability and opportunity of persona] developments, occupation should be sought in work that produced that feeling, and a sense of achievement that money could never buy. It was a priceless thing. The desire to acquire just that little bit of extra knowledge should be uppermost, and the' real sense of appreciation had to be cultivated. The world was full of extraordinarily interesting things which were passed by every day through lack of the elementary knowledge that awakened the sense of appreciation. Material things were not the only tilings that brought happiness, added Miss Scanlan, and a love of the beautiful brought real contentment. It was not always the most expensive things which were the best and it was not money which provided the best time. People should read and learn, never spend to impress anybody, I and keep a balance in tlieir minds equivalent to whftt they had in the hank. Generous gestures were always returned in some form, even if the person to .whom they were made did not reciprocate them personally. Everybody must pay the ground-rent for his or her space on eartli —that was sometiling must l>e contributed to the life of the country, the community, the family and oneself. They should make sure that it was not merely a peppercorn rental, either, concluded Miss Scanlan.

Subsequently the prizes wore presented bv Mrs Oram, who with Miss Scanlan.‘and the chairman of the hoard, -was later warmly thanked by the principal. Carols and songs were contributed under the direction of Miss M. Dean, and were a much-appreciated feature of the ceremony, which concluded with the singing of the “Dismissal Song” and the National Anthem.